Quebec issues 2,573 invitations under Skilled Worker Program
On February 23, 2024, Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) conducted an immigration selection round through all four categories of its Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, PSTQ).
The draw marked the province’s second selection round of the year and followed the closure of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), positioning the PSTQ as Quebec’s primary immigration route for skilled workers.
In total, 2,573 invitations were issued to qualified foreign professionals across the program’s four streams: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills, Intermediate and Manual Skills, Regulated Professions, and Exceptional Talents.
- Draw held on February 23, 2024, under Quebec’s PSTQ.
- 2,573 invitations issued to skilled workers in four categories.
- Largest number of invitations (1,141) went to regulated professions.
- Minimum selection scores ranged from 452 to 774 depending on stream.
- Streams targeted qualifications, work experience, and French proficiency.
Overview of the Skilled Worker Selection Program
The PSTQ facilitates immigration for candidates demonstrating relevant qualifications, work experience, and French language proficiency. It replaced the Quebec Experience Program as the main provincial selection system for skilled workers.
Candidates are assessed under four streams based on their occupational category, education level, and professional experience acquired in Quebec or abroad.
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
This stream invited 901 applicants through three separate selections targeting individuals in TEER 0–2 occupations. Eligible participants held Quebec diplomas and at least one year of local work experience.
Minimum required scores were 741, 627, and 722 across the three selection rounds, depending on whether candidates held a Quebec diploma or worked in priority occupations.
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
Under Stream 2, 495 invitations were distributed among workers in TEER 3–5 occupations, reflecting trades and manual professions. Each candidate had at least one year of work experience in Quebec in a non-regulated occupation.
Minimum scores for this stream ranged from 562 to 756 points. The selections targeted both diploma holders and those working in priority occupational sectors.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
The province issued 1,141 invitations through six separate draws under the Regulated Professions stream. This stream covered candidates in occupations requiring licensing or certification by Quebec’s professional orders.
Scores for eligibility ranged from 452 to 774. Specific selections targeted physicians, engineers, and other regulated professionals, with French proficiency and professional authorization among the key criteria.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talents
Twenty invitations were extended through the Exceptional Talents stream, recognizing candidates with outstanding achievements or positive evaluations from MIFI’s designated partners. Applicants were required to demonstrate at least 36 months of relevant work experience within five years.
Selections under this stream included applicants holding a favorable opinion letter or proof of an exceptional accomplishment recognized by the Ministry.
Program structure and eligibility
Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program uses Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to categorize professions based on training, education, experience, and responsibilities. TEER levels range from 0 (managerial) to 5 (entry-level) and help align candidates’ skills with labour market needs.
Eligibility across all streams depends on factors such as residency in Quebec, level of French proficiency, and educational equivalency. Candidates are ranked through a points-based system that evaluates education, language ability, and professional background.
Context and provincial alignment
This selection round reflects Quebec’s continued focus on matching skilled immigration with labour market demands across sectors including healthcare, engineering, education, and trade professions. The PSTQ’s structure parallels other provincial nominee systems in Canada, such as Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program, which also uses targeted draws to attract qualified workers.
Unlike federal immigration pathways, Quebec operates its own selection system under an agreement with the Government of Canada, allowing the province to prioritize French-speaking and locally experienced candidates.
Public relevance
The February 23 draw highlights Quebec’s increasing reliance on the PSTQ to address workforce needs following policy adjustments to its previous immigration programs. The volume of invitations issued demonstrates an emphasis on retaining skilled residents already contributing to the province’s economy.
Further details about program requirements and occupational lists are provided by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration.
For more updates on Canadian immigration programs and provincial draws, explore related coverage and tools available on this platform.