Last Updated Sep 03, 2026

Quebec Invites 790 Candidates in PSTQ Selection Draw (August 27, 2026)

Quebec Invites 790 Candidates in PSTQ Selection Draw (August 27, 2026)

By Vineet Tiwari

Quebec

📌 Draw Snapshot: Quebec PSTQ Selection Draw (August 27, 2026)

On August 27, 2026, Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI) issued 790 invitations to apply for permanent selection under Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).

Candidates were extracted from the Arrima pool on August 24, 2026, across all four PSTQ streams. The largest share of invitations—324 ITAs (41% of total)—went to Stream 2 (Intermediate and manual skills), reflecting Quebec's temporary policy shift to prioritize TEER 3–5 workers while the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) intake period remains active through October 31, 2026.

Executive Summary: August 27, 2026 Quebec PSTQ Draw Metrics

This invitation round marks the 8th PSTQ selection round conducted by MIFI in 2026. Invited candidates receive an opportunity to submit a full application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), the prerequisite for applying to IRCC for Canadian permanent residence. Review the breakdown across all 4 streams below:

PSTQ StreamTarget Skill Level / Profile FocusITAs IssuedLowest Cutoff Score Range
Stream 1Highly qualified & specialized skills (TEER 0–2)87 ITAs639 – 710 Points
Stream 2Intermediate & manual skills (TEER 3–5)324 ITAs (Largest Share)463 – 706 Points
Stream 3Regulated professions (Healthcare, Edu, Engineering, Trades)109 ITAs393 – 694 Points
Stream 4Exceptional talent (MIFI Partner Letter / PhD)21 ITAsN/A (Qualifying Achievement)
Total Selection Draw Capacity790 Invitations393 Points (Overall Minimum)

Quebec Invites 790 Skilled Workers Across 4 Streams in August 27 PSTQ Selection Draw

On **August 27, 2026**, Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) conducted its eighth invitation round of the year under the Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés - PSTQ). MIFI issued **790 invitations to apply for permanent selection** to candidates whose profiles were extracted from the Arrima portal pool on August 24, 2026, at 11:48 a.m.

This selection exercise targeted candidates across all four PSTQ streams: Stream 1 (Highly qualified and specialized skills), Stream 2 (Intermediate and manual skills), Stream 3 (Regulated professions), and Stream 4 (Exceptional talent). Successful applicants who obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) can proceed to submit a federal permanent residence application to IRCC to settle permanently in Quebec.

Directed by Vineet Tiwari, a practicing licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC # R535983), Liberty Immigration provides expert guidance on provincial nominee and Quebec economic immigration pathways. This comprehensive report analyzes the **quebec pstq draw august 27 2026** results, details stream-specific exercise criteria, lists targeted NOC codes, and explains how the reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) shapes current PSTQ invitation volumes.

Planning to Immigrate to Quebec via PSTQ or PEQ? Schedule an RCIC Strategy Session Today

1. Detailed Breakdown: August 27, 2026 PSTQ Stream Exercises

MIFI evaluates candidates within the Arrima database using stream-specific exercises tailored to regional labor needs, priority economic sectors, and French language proficiency thresholds:

Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills (87 ITAs)

Targeting workers in TEER 0, 1, and 2 occupations residing in Quebec with at least 12 months of qualifying work experience within the past five years:

Stream 1 ExerciseTargeted Occupational FocusITAs IssuedMinimum Cutoff Score
Exercise 1Qualifying diploma + 10 priority health, education, and science NOCs26 ITAs639 Points
Exercise 2Chefs (NOC 62200) and Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020)11 ITAs710 Points
Exercise 3Qualifying diploma + 26 priority engineering, tech, and trade NOCs50 ITAs694 Points
Stream 1 Priority Health & Science NOCs (Exercise 1):
Biologists (21110), Early Childhood Educators (42202), Instructors for Persons with Disabilities (42203), Health Diagnosing/Treating Professionals (31209), Therapy/Assessment Technicians (32109), Pharmacy Technicians (32124), Physician Assistants & Midwives (31303), Physicists & Astronomers (21100), Social & Community Service Workers (42201), and Counselling Therapists (41301).

Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills (324 ITAs — Largest Share)

Stream 2 captured over **41% of all invitations issued in this draw**, targeting workers in TEER 3, 4, and 5 occupations residing in Quebec with 24 months of work experience in the last 5 years (including 12 months inside Quebec):

Stream 2 ExerciseTargeted Occupational FocusITAs IssuedMinimum Cutoff Score
Exercise 1Qualifying diploma + 6 health, education, and home care NOCs31 ITAs463 Points
Exercise 2Cooks (NOC 63200) and Light Duty Cleaners (NOC 65310)10–15 ITAs706 Points
Exercise 3Qualifying diploma + 11 construction, mfg, or transport NOCs< 5 ITAs695 Points
Exercise 4Qualifying diploma + General TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation249 ITAs616 Points

Exercise 1 Targeted NOCs: Teacher Assistants (43100), Home Support Workers (44101), Medical Administrative Assistants (13112), Medical Lab Assistants (33101), Nurse Aides/Orderlies (33102), and Pharmacy Assistants (33103).

Stream 3: Regulated Professions (109 ITAs)

Stream 3 targets Quebec residents intending to practice in a legally regulated profession requiring professional order licensing:

  • Exercise 1 (77 ITAs | Cutoff 639): Targeted 32 regulated healthcare, education, and social service occupations—including Registered Nurses (31301), Physicians (31100/31102), Dentists (31110), Pharmacists (31120), Teachers (41220/41221), and Social Workers (41300).
  • Exercise 2 (25–30 ITAs | Cutoff 694): Targeted 30 engineering, skilled trade, and transport NOCs—including Civil Engineers (21300), Mechanical Engineers (21301), Electricians (72200/72201), Plumbers (72300), Carpenters (72310), Welders (72106), and Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics (72401).
  • Exercise 3 (< 5 ITAs | Cutoff 393): Targeted regulated occupations at the TEER 4 or 5 level, yielding the lowest score threshold in the entire draw at **393 points**.

Stream 4: Exceptional Talent (21 ITAs)

Designed for individuals demonstrating high-level research or economic contributions with at least 36 months of work experience:

  • Exercise 1 (15 ITAs): Candidates holding an official positive opinion letter issued by a MIFI partner organization in a targeted growth field.
  • Exercise 2 (6 ITAs): Candidates holding an achievement listed on MIFI’s List of Exceptional Achievements combined with an academic credential equivalent to a Quebec doctorate.

2. Strategic Context: The PEQ Reopening & PSTQ Invitation Volume Cap

A key policy factor influencing Quebec immigration draws in late 2026 is the **reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (Programme de l'expérience québécoise - PEQ) on July 2, 2026**.

PSTQ Allocation Cap Until October 31, 2026:
To remain within the immigration target caps set under Quebec's 2026–2029 Multi-Year Immigration Plan, MIFI is temporarily reducing PSTQ invitation volumes until October 31, 2026 (when the PEQ's first intake period closes). During this window, PSTQ invitations are heavily concentrated among candidates in TEER 4 and 5 occupations and those with under two years of work experience.

Starting in November 2026, MIFI will adjust PSTQ draw volumes based on the total application volume processed through the PEQ. Quebec announced its intention to balance CSQ issuance equally across both programs over the remaining duration of the 2026–2029 multi-year plan.

3. From Arrima Selection to Permanent Residence: Step-by-Step

Candidates selected in the August 27 PSTQ draw must complete a multi-step provincial and federal immigration process:

  1. Submit CSQ Application via Mon Projet Québec: Selected candidates have **strictly 60 calendar days** from receiving their invitation to submit a complete application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), including supporting work experience, language, and educational documents.
  2. CSQ Approval & Allocation: Upon verification, MIFI issues an official CSQ certificate confirming provincial selection under Quebec's exclusive authority over economic immigration.
  3. Submit Federal PR Application to IRCC: Armed with a CSQ, the candidate submits an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC under the Quebec Skilled Worker Class. Federal officers evaluate medical, security, and criminal admissibility.
  4. eCOPR & PR Card Issuance: Upon federal approval, IRCC issues an electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR), granting full Canadian permanent resident status.

To compare Quebec selection policies with other provincial nominee programs, explore our reports on B.C.'s 2026 healthcare and childcare PNP quotas, how language points work in Ontario's OWPS stream, and the PEI PNP priority sector selection round.

For details on federal immigration trends, review Express Entry Draw #440 inviting 229 physicians, IRCC's August 2026 PR processing times update, and Canada's direct-to-PR pathway for Francophone students.

Secure Your Quebec CSQ Application Under Licensed RCIC Supervision

With Quebec enforcing strict 60-day deadlines upon receiving an Arrima invitation and applying rigorous French language and NOC TEER verification standards, ensuring your CSQ documentation is flawlessly prepared is vital. A single mistake in your work experience proofs or educational credential evaluation will result in an application refusal. Let Vineet Tiwari, a fully licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC # R535983), audit your Arrima profile, verify your PSTQ stream eligibility, and manage your CSQ submission safely.

Book Your Priority Quebec Immigration Strategy Consultation Now

Top 5 FAQs: Quebec PSTQ Draw August 27 2026

1. How many invitations were issued in the August 27, 2026 Quebec PSTQ draw?

MIFI issued 790 invitations to apply for permanent selection (CSQ) across all four streams of the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ).

2. Which PSTQ stream received the highest number of invitations?

Stream 2 (Intermediate and manual skills) received the largest share, accounting for 324 invitations (over 41% of the total draw), with 249 ITAs issued under Exercise 4 for general TEER 4 and 5 occupations.

3. What was the lowest cutoff score in the August 27 PSTQ selection?

The lowest score threshold was 393 points, recorded under Stream 3 (Regulated professions) Exercise 3 for candidates intending to practice in a regulated TEER 4 or 5 occupation.

4. Why is Quebec temporarily reducing PSTQ invitation volumes in late 2026?

Quebec is temporarily reducing PSTQ invitation numbers until October 31, 2026, to accommodate CSQ issuance following the reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) on July 2, 2026, staying within 2026–2029 Multi-Year Plan targets.

5. How long do candidates have to submit a CSQ application after receiving an Arrima invitation?

Invited candidates have 60 calendar days from the date of receiving their invitation in the Arrima portal to submit a complete application for permanent selection.

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Written By

Vineet Tiwari

Vineet is a caring and creative leader who has lived in India, Oman, UAE, and Canada, giving him a rich multicultural perspective. His commitment to physical fitness keeps him energetic and focused. Vineet's dedication to his clients is evident as he often takes calls on weekends, ensuring they always feel supported and valued. His diverse background and unwavering availability help build strong, trusting relationships with our clients.