Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ): Quebec Selection Certificate, then federal permanent residence

Candidates first submit an expression of interest in Arrima. Invitations are issued by stream, may use profile criteria tied to labour market needs, and go to the highest-scoring candidates up to a target number; nobody is invited at random. An invitation must be accepted within 30 days. The application is then due within 60 days of acceptance (or one year for Stream 3 without proof of recognition).

Age 18 or older; intend to settle in Quebec to work (not for a company the candidate controls and not in excluded sectors such as payday loans, cheque cashing, pawnbroking or the sex industry); be likely able to do the job; meet the criteria that led to the invitation; sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract covering three months of support for the family; and get the Attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values (also for accompanying family members 18 or older).

At least 1 year of full-time paid work in the main occupation in the 5 years before applying; a diploma leading to a profession from a program of at least one year full-time (Quebec diplomas: at least 900 hours or 30 credits); French oral level 7 and written level 5 on the Échelle québécoise. Accompanying spouse: spoken French level 4.