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

📌 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 Stream | Target Skill Level / Profile Focus | ITAs Issued | Lowest Cutoff Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 | Highly qualified & specialized skills (TEER 0–2) | 87 ITAs | 639 – 710 Points |
| Stream 2 | Intermediate & manual skills (TEER 3–5) | 324 ITAs (Largest Share) | 463 – 706 Points |
| Stream 3 | Regulated professions (Healthcare, Edu, Engineering, Trades) | 109 ITAs | 393 – 694 Points |
| Stream 4 | Exceptional talent (MIFI Partner Letter / PhD) | 21 ITAs | N/A (Qualifying Achievement) |
| Total Selection Draw Capacity | 790 Invitations | 393 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 Today1. 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 Exercise | Targeted Occupational Focus | ITAs Issued | Minimum Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 | Qualifying diploma + 10 priority health, education, and science NOCs | 26 ITAs | 639 Points |
| Exercise 2 | Chefs (NOC 62200) and Food Service Supervisors (NOC 62020) | 11 ITAs | 710 Points |
| Exercise 3 | Qualifying diploma + 26 priority engineering, tech, and trade NOCs | 50 ITAs | 694 Points |
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 Exercise | Targeted Occupational Focus | ITAs Issued | Minimum Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise 1 | Qualifying diploma + 6 health, education, and home care NOCs | 31 ITAs | 463 Points |
| Exercise 2 | Cooks (NOC 63200) and Light Duty Cleaners (NOC 65310) | 10–15 ITAs | 706 Points |
| Exercise 3 | Qualifying diploma + 11 construction, mfg, or transport NOCs | < 5 ITAs | 695 Points |
| Exercise 4 | Qualifying diploma + General TEER 4 or 5 primary occupation | 249 ITAs | 616 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**.
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:
- 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.
- CSQ Approval & Allocation: Upon verification, MIFI issues an official CSQ certificate confirming provincial selection under Quebec's exclusive authority over economic immigration.
- 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.
- 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 NowTop 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.
Essential Resources for Quebec Nominees & Provincial Skilled Workers
- Quebec Civil Records: Mastering Pre-1994 Record Rules for IRCC Submissions
- B.C. Provincial Quotas: BC Unveils 2026 BCPNP Quotas for Healthcare Workers
- Ontario Pathways: How Language Points Work in OWPS Stream
- Express Entry Draw #440: IRCC Invites 229 Physicians at CRS 198
- Direct-to-PR Stream: IRCC Opens Intake for Francophone Student Pilot
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