Quebec is opening another door for skilled workers—and this time, 519 candidates received invitations across all four streams of the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ).
The invitations were issued through Quebec’s Arrima system on September 24, 2026, giving candidates across healthcare, technology, skilled trades, regulated professions, manual occupations and exceptional talent pathways another opportunity to pursue permanent selection in Quebec.
The biggest share went to Stream 2, which accounted for 316 invitations.
For anyone following Quebec immigration 2026, the latest Arrima draw is a reminder that Quebec’s selection process works differently from federal Express Entry. Your occupation, French-language ability, experience, education, regulated-profession status and other profile factors can all matter.
Quebec Arrima Draws: September 24, 2026
Here is the breakdown of the latest Quebec PSTQ invitation round:
| PSTQ Stream | Invitations | Lowest Minimum Score Used |
|---|---|---|
| Stream 1 – Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills | 86 | 634 |
| Stream 2 – Intermediate and Manual Skills | 316 | 611 |
| Stream 3 – Regulated Professions | 110 | 380 |
| Stream 4 – Exceptional Talent | 7 | Not published |
| Total | 519 | — |
The numbers tell an interesting story.
Stream 2 dominated the draw, while Stream 4 remained extremely small with just seven invitations. Stream 3 also produced a significant 110 invitations for candidates planning to work in regulated professions in Quebec.
For Streams 1, 2 and 3, Quebec extracted profiles from the Arrima bank on September 21, 2026, at 1:10 p.m. The Stream 4 profiles were extracted on September 24 at 1:10 p.m.
Stream 1: Quebec Invites 86 Highly Qualified Workers
The first PSTQ stream targeted candidates with highly qualified and specialized skills.
Quebec issued 86 invitations through three separate exercises.
Exercise 1: 37 Invitations at a Score of 634
The first exercise invited 37 candidates with a minimum score of 634.
The targeted occupations included health, science and social-service roles such as:
- Physicists and astronomers
- Biologists
- Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
- Pharmacy technicians
- Social and community service workers
- Early childhood educators and assistants
- Instructors for persons with disabilities
Candidates generally needed a main occupation classified under TEER 0, 1 or 2, along with relevant work experience and French-language proficiency.
Exercise 2: 8 Invitations at a Score of 706
Only 8 candidates were invited under the second exercise.
The targeted occupations included:
- Food service supervisors
- Chefs
The minimum score was 706.
Exercise 3: 41 Invitations at a Score of 696
The third exercise issued 41 invitations with a minimum score of 696.
It targeted engineering, technology and skilled-trades occupations, including:
- Engineering managers
- Data scientists
- Cybersecurity specialists
- Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- Welders
- Carpenters
- Industrial mechanics
- Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- Crane operators
Compared with the August 27 round, the minimum score for this exercise increased slightly from 694 to 696.
Stream 2 Leads Quebec’s September Arrima Draw
If one number jumps out from this draw, it’s 316.
Quebec issued 316 invitations through Stream 2, making it the largest PSTQ stream in the September 24 selection.
This stream focuses on intermediate and manual skills and includes occupations across healthcare, education support, construction, transportation, manufacturing and other sectors.
Exercise 1: 48 Invitations at 631
Quebec invited 48 candidates at a minimum score of 631.
The targeted occupations included:
- Medical administrative assistants
- Medical laboratory assistants
- Nurse aides and orderlies
- Pharmacy assistants
- Teacher assistants
- Home support workers and caregivers
Candidates under this stream needed relevant work experience, French-language ability and other eligibility requirements.
Exercise 2: 10–15 Invitations at 706
Between 10 and 15 candidates were invited at a minimum score of 706.
The targeted occupations included:
- Cooks
- Light-duty cleaners
Exercise 3: Fewer Than 5 Invitations at 698
This was a very small selection round, with fewer than five invitations.
The minimum score was 698, with targeted occupations including:
- Concrete finishers
- Roofers
- Transport truck drivers
- Construction trades helpers and labourers
- Aircraft assemblers
- Machining tool operators
Exercise 4: 254 Invitations at 611
This was the biggest individual exercise of the entire September 24 draw.
Quebec issued 254 invitations to candidates with a main occupation classified under TEER 4 or 5, with no specific occupation list published for this exercise.
The minimum score was 611.
That large invitation count helped push Stream 2 to 316 total invitations.
Stream 3: 110 Invitations for Regulated Professions
Quebec also invited 110 candidates through Stream 3, which is designed for people intending to practise a regulated profession in Quebec.
This distinction is important.
Having work experience in a regulated occupation does not automatically mean you can practise that profession in Quebec. Candidates may need to meet the requirements of the relevant regulatory body.
Exercise 1: 69 Invitations at 631
The first exercise issued 69 invitations at a minimum score of 631.
Targeted occupations included regulated professions in:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Social services
Examples included physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, teachers, social workers and early childhood educators.
Exercise 2: 37 Invitations at 697
The second exercise invited 37 candidates at a minimum score of 697.
The targeted occupations included regulated engineering and skilled-trade professions such as:
- Civil engineers
- Mechanical engineers
- Electrical engineers
- Aerospace engineers
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- HVAC mechanics
- Crane operators
Exercises 3 and 4: Small Selection Rounds
Both remaining Stream 3 exercises issued fewer than five invitations.
Exercise 3 had a minimum score of 696, while Exercise 4 had a much lower minimum score of 380.
The targeted occupations included regulated professions in construction and other TEER 4 and 5 occupations.
Stream 4: Just 7 Exceptional Talent Invitations
The smallest stream was Stream 4 – Exceptional Talent.
Quebec issued only 7 invitations.
The province did not publish a minimum score for these invitations.
The exercises focused on candidates with exceptional achievements or a positive opinion from a ministry partner in a targeted field.
Some candidates also needed:
- At least 36 months of relevant experience
- Advanced education
- Evidence of exceptional achievement
- A positive opinion or qualifying documentation, depending on the exercise
For applicants considering this pathway, simply having a high Arrima score is not enough. The specific eligibility criteria for exceptional talent must also be satisfied.
What Do the September 24 Quebec Draws Mean?
The latest Quebec immigration draw shows just how different the PSTQ selection system can be from federal Express Entry.
There was no single cut-off score for everyone.
Instead, Quebec divided candidates into different streams and exercises based on factors such as occupation, French proficiency, regulated-profession status, experience and other selection criteria.
The minimum scores ranged widely—from 380 in one Stream 3 exercise to 706 in certain Stream 1 and Stream 2 exercises.
So, if your Arrima score is lower than a headline cut-off, that doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story.
The real question is:
Which PSTQ stream and invitation exercise matches your profile?
French Language Still Matters for PSTQ Candidates
For many Quebec immigration candidates, French is not just an advantage—it is a central part of the selection criteria.
Several of the September exercises required specific levels of French-language proficiency, including oral and written French requirements depending on the stream.
For example, Stream 1 exercises generally required French at level 7 or higher orally and level 5 or higher in writing, while certain Stream 2 requirements included at least level 5 oral French.
Spouses accompanying candidates may also face French-language requirements in certain exercises.
This means candidates planning to immigrate to Quebec should look beyond occupation and education when preparing their Arrima profile.
French test results can directly affect eligibility for targeted selection exercises.
Quebec PSTQ Is Not the Same as Express Entry
Here’s another point that often causes confusion.
Quebec does not participate in the federal Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) system in the same way as other Canadian provinces.
Instead, Quebec has its own immigration selection system.
Under the PSTQ, Quebec selects candidates for permanent selection and issues a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ) to successful applicants.
After receiving the CSQ, the candidate can submit the federal permanent residence application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
So a Quebec PSTQ invitation is not an Express Entry invitation.
Having an Express Entry profile does not replace the Quebec selection process.
What Happens After a Quebec PSTQ Invitation?
Receiving an invitation through Arrima is an important step—but it is not the same as receiving Canadian permanent residence.
Invited candidates must submit their application for permanent selection to Quebec and provide the required documents within the applicable deadline.
If the application is approved, Quebec issues a CSQ.
The candidate then moves to the federal stage and submits the permanent residence application to IRCC.
This means applicants should make sure their:
- Work experience documents
- Education credentials
- French-language test results
- Identity documents
- Employment information
- Regulated-profession documents, where applicable
are accurate and ready for submission.
A mistake in the Arrima profile or supporting documentation can create problems later in the process.
What Should Quebec Immigration Candidates Do Now?
If you’re targeting Quebec immigration 2026, don’t build your strategy around one Arrima draw alone.
Instead, focus on the factors that determine where your profile fits.
1. Identify Your PSTQ Stream
First determine whether your profile fits:
- Stream 1 – Highly qualified and specialized skills
- Stream 2 – Intermediate and manual skills
- Stream 3 – Regulated professions
- Stream 4 – Exceptional talent
2. Check Your NOC and TEER Classification
Your occupation matters.
Review your National Occupational Classification (NOC) code and make sure your claimed duties actually match the occupation.
Choosing a NOC simply because its title looks similar to your job can create problems during application processing.
3. Review Your French Level
French remains an important component of Quebec’s skilled-worker selection system.
If your French score is outdated or does not meet the requirements of your targeted exercise, improving your language profile may be relevant before relying on future selection opportunities.
4. Check Regulated Profession Requirements
If your occupation is regulated in Quebec, determine whether you need authorization, recognition or another step from the relevant professional body.
An immigration invitation does not automatically authorize someone to practise a regulated profession.
5. Keep Your Arrima Profile Accurate
Your Arrima expression of interest should accurately reflect your education, employment history, language ability and other relevant information.
Don’t underestimate small details.
Quebec’s invitation exercises can target very specific combinations of occupation and candidate characteristics.
The Bottom Line
The September 24, 2026 Quebec Arrima draw delivered 519 PSTQ invitations across all four streams.
Stream 2 dominated with 316 invitations, followed by Stream 3 with 110, Stream 1 with 86, and Stream 4 with just 7 invitations.
The score ranges also show why Quebec immigration candidates should not obsess over a single number.
Different occupations and PSTQ streams had dramatically different minimum scores, while some exercises targeted very specific professions.
For candidates planning permanent residence in Quebec, the key is understanding where your profile fits within the PSTQ—not simply comparing your score with the headline number from the latest Arrima draw.
If your occupation, French ability, work experience and education align with a targeted PSTQ exercise, monitoring future Quebec invitation rounds can help you understand how the selection system is evolving.
