Quebec no longer runs a “Quebec Skilled Worker Program” in the way it used to be described — the province consolidated its main economic pathway into the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), or Skilled Worker Selection Program, built around the Arrima portal. If you’re researching Quebec immigration from an older guide, the programme names, the points system and even the French-language thresholds have moved on. Here’s the current picture.
At a glance
- Quebec’s main economic pathway is now the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), with four streams covering different occupations, applied for through the Arrima portal.
- You start by submitting a “declaration of interest” in Arrima, not a direct application — an invitation to apply for permanent selection follows only if your profile is scored and matched.
- The PSTQ requires oral French at level 7 and written French at level 5 or higher on Quebec’s own proficiency scale.
- The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) has been temporarily reopened for two years, from 2 July 2026 to 2 July 2028.
- The Investor Program requires a minimum net worth of CAD $2,000,000 and oral French at level 7, arranged through an approved financial intermediary.
How the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) actually works
Rather than applying directly, candidates first submit a declaration of interest through the Arrima portal. That declaration is scored against criteria Quebec sets, and if your profile meets the required score and matches what the province is looking for, you may receive an invitation to submit a full application for permanent selection. Simply having a strong profile sitting in the Arrima bank does not lead automatically to an invitation — Quebec controls how many invitations are issued and when.
The PSTQ has four separate streams, each covering different groups of occupations under Quebec’s National Occupational Classification mapping. Which stream you’re assessed under depends on the primary occupation you declare, so getting that occupation code right at the declaration stage matters for the whole process.
General requirements that apply across all four streams
Whichever stream you fall under, Quebec’s general PSTQ requirements include:
- being 18 years of age or older;
- intending to settle in Quebec to take up employment (not in a company you control, and not in a small list of ineligible sectors);
- being likely to be able to do the job you’ve declared;
- signing a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract, proving you can support yourself and any accompanying family for the first three months after becoming a permanent resident; and
- obtaining an Attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values — required for you and for any accompanying family member aged 18 or over.
The French-language bar has been raised
Quebec’s own selection criteria now require an oral knowledge of French at level 7 or higher and a written knowledge at level 5 or higher, measured against the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (Quebec’s French competency scale). Even candidates who are native French speakers must provide documentation supporting their language level. Quebec has continued tightening French-language expectations across its immigration and study programmes more broadly, including proposals affecting the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) process for students — so if French is not your strongest asset, budget real time for test preparation before you declare interest.
Other pathways: PEQ and the Investor Program
| Programme | Current status | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) | Temporarily reopened for a two-year window, 2 July 2026 – 2 July 2028 | Same selection conditions as before reopening; built for candidates with Quebec work or study experience |
| Investor Program | Open, via an approved financial intermediary | Net worth of at least CAD $2,000,000; at least 2 years of management experience in the last 5 years; oral French at level 7 |
The Investor Program also requires a completed diploma equivalent to at least a Quebec Secondary School Diploma, and — like every stream — proof that your net worth was lawfully acquired. Because the programme runs through a financial intermediary that has a formal participation agreement with Quebec’s ministry, the exact investment structure and amount are set out in your agreement with that intermediary rather than as a single published figure, so confirm current terms directly with an approved intermediary or with the ministry before assuming any specific number.
From the UAE: what this means for you
For UAE-based applicants, the practical starting point is usually the same regardless of which Quebec stream fits: get an accurate NOC code for your occupation, get your French assessed properly (even if you already speak some French, a formal test result is what Quebec’s scale requires), and register a declaration of interest in Arrima rather than waiting for a fixed “application window,” since PSTQ operates on ongoing declarations and periodic invitations rather than one annual intake. If Quebec’s French requirement doesn’t suit your profile, our Canada skilled migration guide and Canada PR points calculator cover the federal Express Entry route, which does not require French and lets you settle in any province other than Quebec.
Frequently asked questions
Is Quebec immigration the same as Express Entry?
No. Quebec selects its own permanent residents under provincial legislation, separately from the federal Express Entry system. Once Quebec issues you a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), you then apply to the federal government (IRCC) for permanent residence, which still carries out its own admissibility and security checks.
Do I need to already speak French to apply through Arrima?
You don’t need to speak French to submit a declaration of interest, but French proficiency affects your score and, for the PSTQ and Investor Program specifically, meeting the minimum French level (oral 7, written 5 for PSTQ; oral 7 for the Investor Program) is a hard requirement, not just a scoring bonus.
Can I combine Quebec work experience with an Express Entry application?
Work experience gained in Quebec can generally count toward federal programmes like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, but you must intend to settle outside Quebec under that federal route and be able to demonstrate it — the two systems are assessed separately.
What to do next
Given how much has changed in Quebec’s programme names, points system and French requirements, it’s worth checking your specific profile against the current PSTQ streams before you invest time in a declaration of interest. Call us on 04 357 7796 or book a free eligibility assessment with our Dubai or Abu Dhabi team. We don’t promise an invitation to apply — only clarity on where your profile currently stands.
Sources
- About the Skilled Worker Selection Program — Gouvernement du Québec — accessed 14 September 2026
- Requirements that need to be met under the PSTQ — Gouvernement du Québec — accessed 14 September 2026
- Conditions for immigrating to Québec as an investor — Gouvernement du Québec — accessed 14 September 2026
- Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) — reopening notice — Gouvernement du Québec — accessed 14 September 2026
Not sure which route fits you? Book a free eligibility assessment with our Dubai or Abu Dhabi team. No obligation.
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