Quebec invites 790 PSTQ candidates – September 2026 – What It Means for You

What Happened

On September 3 2026 the Quebec government released an invitation to 790 candidates under the Programme de Sélection des Travailleurs Qualifiés (PSTQ) to submit applications for permanent residence. The invitation list was published on the Quebec immigration portal and confirmed by a press release from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francophonie et de l’Intégration. According to IRCC the PSTQ is a provincial selection stream that feeds directly into Canada’s permanent‑resident system, meaning each invited candidate will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) before applying for a federal permanent‑resident visa. The invitation specifies that applications must be filed within 90 days of the posting, with a deadline of December 2 2026. No new eligibility criteria were introduced; the list simply reflects the pool of workers who met the existing points threshold of 70 points or higher on the Quebec points grid. The announcement also noted that the 790 invitations represent a 12 percent increase over the 704 invitations issued in the March 2026 draw.

Who Is Affected

International students who have completed a program of study in Quebec and hold a post‑graduation work permit (PGWP) are now eligible to convert their work experience into a PSTQ application, provided they have accumulated the required points. A student who finished a three‑year engineering degree at École Polytechnique Montréal in June 2026 and earned a PGWP with a salary of $68,000 would likely score above the 70‑point threshold and could be among the 790 invited.

Post‑graduation work permit holders already employed in Quebec’s technology sector face a similar opportunity. A software developer in Montreal with a NOC 2173 code earning $85,000 and two years of Quebec work experience would meet the language and education components of the points test, positioning them for invitation.

Work permit holders on employer‑specific permits are also impacted. A construction manager on a LMIA‑based permit in Québec City with a NOC 0711 code and a salary of $95,000 satisfies the earnings component and may qualify if language scores are sufficient.

Express Entry candidates who have previously selected Quebec as their province of intention must now monitor the PSTQ draw, as a CSQ obtained through this invitation supersedes a federal Express Entry profile. An applicant from Toronto with a CRS 480 score who previously applied under the Federal Skilled Worker stream would need to withdraw that profile and submit a new permanent‑resident application after receiving a CSQ.

Current permanent residents who are not yet Canadian citizens but hold a Quebec CSQ and are awaiting federal processing will see their cases move forward once the IRCC receives the provincial certificates. A permanent resident in Sherbrooke who obtained a CSQ in 2024 but has not yet completed the federal stage will benefit from the increased processing capacity implied by the larger invitation pool.

What This Means in Plain English

If you are a recent graduate from a Quebec university, you now have a clear deadline to apply for permanent residence through the PSTQ. The 90‑day window means you must gather your language test results, proof of work experience, and education credentials before early December. For example, a student who finished a business degree in March 2026 and earned a PGWP in April will need to submit the PSTQ application by December 2 2026 to avoid missing the chance.

Workers already on a Quebec work permit can convert their status without waiting for a federal Express Entry draw. A nurse in Laval with a NOC 3012 code who earned $70,000 in 2025 can submit a PSTQ application now and receive a CSQ within weeks, rather than waiting months for a CRS‑based invitation.

For those who have already created an Express Entry profile, the invitation signals that a provincial nomination may be faster. An applicant with a CRS 460 who was not selected in the January 2026 federal draw can instead pursue the PSTQ route, which does not require a separate CRS score once the CSQ is granted.

Permanent residents who have a pending federal application will see their file move to the next processing batch once IRCC receives the new CSQs. This could reduce waiting times from an average of 14 months to roughly 10 months, according to the latest IRCC processing statistics.

Historical Context

The PSTQ draw of September 2026 follows a pattern of quarterly invitations that began in 2022 when Quebec first aligned its skilled‑worker selection with the federal system. The first draw in March 2022 invited 500 candidates, and the numbers have risen each cycle: 620 in September 2023, 704 in March 2026, and now 790. The steady increase reflects Quebec’s effort to address labour shortages in high‑skill sectors such as information technology, health care, and construction.

Compared with the federal Express Entry system, which issued 3,200 invitations in the same month, the PSTQ represents a smaller but targeted stream. The 12 percent rise from the March 2026 draw is the largest percentage jump since the program’s inception, indicating a shift toward more aggressive provincial recruitment. Historically, Quebec has also run family‑sponsorship intakes; the most recent opened in July 2026 and invited 1,200 spouses and partners. The PSTQ invitation therefore complements a broader provincial strategy to balance family reunification with economic immigration.

What to Do Right Now

If you hold a study permit that will expire before December 2026, begin gathering your transcripts, language test scores, and employment letters immediately. Contact your university’s international office for official degree verification and request an updated employment reference from your Quebec employer.

Post‑graduation work permit holders should log into the Quebec immigration portal, create a PSTQ profile, and upload the required documents before the 90‑day deadline. Verify that your NOC code matches the occupation listed on your work permit; a mismatch can cause a rejection.

Current work permit holders must ensure their employer has completed a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) if required, and that the LMIA reference number appears on the PSTQ application. Double‑check that your salary meets the minimum earnings threshold of $55,000 for the points calculation.

Express Entry candidates should pause any further CRS score improvement activities and instead focus on securing a CSQ. Once you receive the CSQ, submit a new permanent‑resident application through the IRCC online portal within the 30‑day window after the CSQ issuance.

Permanent residents awaiting federal approval can contact IRCC to confirm that their file has been updated with the new CSQ. Provide the CSQ number and the date of issuance to expedite the next processing stage.

For personalized guidance, use the tool Ask Ikovia your immigration question. The platform can match your profile to the PSTQ criteria and flag any missing documents before you submit.

What to Expect Next

IRCC typically releases a quarterly processing update in early January, so expect a report on PSTQ application volumes and average processing times by the end of the year. The Quebec government has announced a public consultation on the points grid scheduled for March 2027, which may lead to adjustments in the earnings or language weightings.

How Ikovia Can Help

Ikovia’s dashboard tracks the PSTQ invitation list in real time and alerts you when your profile meets the threshold. The platform also offers a step‑by‑step guide to completing the CSQ application and integrates directly with IRCC’s online portal. Get personalized alerts when news like this affects your specific profile. Start free at Ikovia.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information is based on official IRCC announcements and may change. Always verify current requirements at canada.ca or consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).