Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration plans to diversify its immigration. On 31 July 2025, Quebec invited 273 applicants applying issuing invitations for them. This is to invite them to apply for permanent residency. The applicants are invited under the Intermediate and Manual Stream of its new Skilled Worker Selection Program. Since the launch of the program earlier this year, Quebec has issued invitations for the first time under the PSTQ program. This move is to meet the labour market needs of the Quebec regions by attracting foreign skilled nationals having experience and practical knowledge. This is to especially fill the sectors that do not need advanced academic credentials, but the labour population. This is Quebec’s strategy move in inviting workers for traditional skilled occupations and anchors its commitment to sustainable economic growth of the province.
Eligible candidates have attended the draw conducted on 31 July 2025. The eligibility of the candidates depends on the factors set by the immigration authorities. Further, the applicants must have fulfilled the minimum score of 661 points. Quebec also focuses on the applicants living outside the Montreal metropolitan community, which states its encouragement for regional settlement. Speaking of work experience, applicants must have got least 24 months of experience within the past five years. With this, the applicant must have completed any main occupation of 12 months of experience from the stated months within Quebec. The present workers are selected from their experience from the Arima bank. With this, it is clearly understood that the Quebec government strictly focuses on choosing candidates who have already demonstrated their eligibility to work and stay in Quebec. Candidates from labour-demand areas and less populated has have an added advantage.
This Intermediate and Manual Skills stream is created for candidates who have experience in the primary occupations that fall under FEER categories of 3, 4, or 5. The FEER is equivalent to the standard TEER category of 3, 4 or 5 of Canada’s National Occupation Classification. These FEER categories include roles for trades and technical roles, which only require formal education requirements to fulfil the role, like short college programs, apprenticeships or on-the-job training. This draw excluded regulated occupations in Quebec, as the invited individuals can travel to Quebec and join its labour force without witnessing any delays which are tied to licensing or credential requirements. When it comes to Quebec, the language requirement is the main key requirement, where the candidate must fulfil the French speaking and listening skills at a minimum level of 5 or higher. The worker’s accompanying spouses or children must complete the level 4 with Échelle québécoise or its equivalent.
Though the education requirement is minimal, the requirements include a diploma which must be equivalent to a Quebec high school diploma or must have a full-time vocational or college-level program. The PSTQ replaced the traditionally followed Regular Skilled Worker Program, Quebec. The other three immigration streams that are open are Highly Qualified and specialised skills, Exceptional talent and Intermediate and Manual skills.
