If you've been following Quebec immigration news, you know that the landscape shifted dramatically in late 2025. The Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) officially closed on November 19, 2025, and no new applications are being accepted. In its place, the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) has become Quebec's only skilled worker immigration program. Here's everything you need to know about this new pathway. ## What Happened to PEQ? The PEQ was a popular program that offered a fast track to permanent residence for Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers. Its closure came as a surprise to many, but existing applications submitted before the deadline continue to be processed by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI). If you would have qualified for PEQ, the PSTQ is now your path forward. ## What Is the PSTQ? The PSTQ (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés) is Quebec's comprehensive skilled worker selection program. It uses the Arrima online portal and evaluates candidates on a 1,400-point scoring grid. It replaces both the old PRTQ and absorbs candidates who previously would have applied through PEQ. ## The Four Streams The PSTQ offers four distinct streams, each targeting different skill profiles: 1. **Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills** — For professionals with advanced education and specialized expertise. 2. **Intermediate and Manual Skills** — For workers in trades and technical occupations. 3. **Regulated Professions** — For professionals in fields that require specific licensing or certification in Quebec. 4. **Exceptional Talent** — For individuals with outstanding achievements or abilities in their field. Draws are held separately for each stream, and the number of invitations varies. ## The 1,400-Point Scoring Grid Your PSTQ score determines whether you receive an invitation. Here's how the points break down: - **French language (up to 200 points):** This is the single most important factor. Four language skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) are each worth up to 50 points. - **Education level (up to 130 points):** Higher education means more points. - **Age (up to 120 points):** Maximum points awarded to candidates aged 20 to 30. - **Work experience (up to 70 points):** Relevant professional experience. - **English language:** Additional points for English proficiency. - **Quebec ties:** Bonus points for having studied, worked, or having family in Quebec. - **Settlement outside Montreal:** Bonus points for intending to settle in a region outside the Montreal metropolitan area. - **Validated job offer:** Bonus points if you have an employer-validated job offer. Competitive scores have been in the range of 550 to 650+ for general draws. ## How the Process Works The PSTQ follows a two-stage process: 1. **Declare interest in Arrima:** Create your profile on Quebec's online immigration portal. Your profile is scored against the 1,400-point grid. 2. **Receive an invitation:** If your score is high enough in a given draw, you'll be invited to apply for permanent selection. 3. **Apply for the CSQ:** Submit your full application for the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This is Quebec's certificate confirming they have selected you. 4. **Apply for federal permanent residence:** With your CSQ in hand, submit your application to IRCC. At this stage, the federal government focuses on criminal and medical checks — Quebec has already assessed your qualifications. 5. **Important deadline:** Your CSQ is valid for two years. You must apply for federal PR within this window. ## January 2026 Draw Results In January 2026, Quebec issued 1,094 invitations across the four PSTQ streams. Draws are expected to continue throughout the year with varying numbers based on Quebec's immigration targets. ## Fees Expect to pay approximately $840 CAD for the Quebec CSQ application (principal applicant), plus about $181 per dependent. Once you have your CSQ, federal PR application fees are $850 plus the $575 Right of Permanent Residence Fee — the same as Express Entry. ## How to Maximize Your Score 1. **Invest in French.** With up to 200 points available for French language alone, this is by far the most impactful factor. Even moving from intermediate to advanced levels can add 50+ points. 2. **Consider settling outside Montreal.** Regional settlement bonuses can give your score a significant boost. 3. **Leverage Quebec experience.** Having studied or worked in Quebec provides additional points. 4. **Get a validated job offer.** While not required, a validated offer from a Quebec employer adds bonus points. 5. **Don't delay after receiving your CSQ.** The two-year validity window goes quickly, especially when gathering federal documents. ## Conclusion The PSTQ represents Quebec's future of skilled worker immigration. While the closure of PEQ disappointed many, the PSTQ offers a structured, transparent pathway with clear scoring criteria. French language proficiency is the key differentiator. DOCERE can help you estimate your PSTQ score, navigate the Arrima portal, and coordinate between the Quebec and federal stages of your application. Contact us to start your journey.