Quebec runs the only fully independent immigration system in Canada. Every other province plugs into a federal Provincial Nominee Program. Quebec selects its own economic immigrants through the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) and issues its own selection document, the Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only signs off after Quebec has already said yes.
The map of Quebec immigration programs looks very different in 2026 than it did even twelve months ago. The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) closed on November 19, 2025. The three pilot programs for orderlies, food processing workers, and AI / IT / VFX workers ended January 1, 2026. The Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) was already replaced by the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) on November 29, 2024.
This guide walks through every Quebec immigration program that is actually open in 2026, the documents you need (CSQ, CAQ, Attestation of Quebec values), the 2026 MIFI fees, and the realistic timeline from Arrima profile to PR card. The numbers come from quebec.ca, the 2026-2029 Quebec Immigration Plan tabled November 6, 2025, and the official Arrima draw history.
Quick orientation. In 2026 there are five Quebec immigration programs that lead to permanent residence: the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) for skilled workers, the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) for high-net-worth investors, the Quebec Entrepreneur Program in two streams, the Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program, and Quebec family sponsorship. Quebec’s annual permanent admissions are capped at 45,000 from 2026 to 2029, with French language now central to almost every economic stream.
Quebec Immigration Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Program | Who it’s for | French required | Net worth / financial floor | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program) | Workers with skilled, manual, regulated, or exceptional experience | Yes. Level 7 oral / 5 written for FEER 0-2; level 5 oral for FEER 3-5 | None beyond a 3-month settlement-funds proof | Open. Sole skilled-worker pathway |
| Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) | Investors with CAD $2M+ net worth | Yes. Level 7 oral | $2M net worth, $1M five-year guaranteed investment + $200K non-refundable | Open with periodic intake windows |
| Quebec Entrepreneur Program, Stream 1 (Innovative Business) | Founders backed by an accelerator, university entrepreneurship centre, or Investissement Québec | Yes. Level 7 oral | None | Open |
| Quebec Entrepreneur Program, Stream 2 (Start or Acquire a Business) | Owner-operators starting or acquiring a Quebec business | Yes. Level 7 oral | $300,000 net worth | Open |
| Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program | Solo professionals practicing their own profession in Quebec | Yes. Level 7 oral | $100,000 net worth + $25K (outside Montreal) or $50K (Montreal) deposit | Open |
| Quebec family sponsorship | Spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents/grandparents, certain orphaned relatives | Not required, but value commitments apply | Sponsor income test (federal LICO equivalent) | Open. Long backlogs |
| Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) | Quebec graduates and Quebec workers | n/a | n/a | Closed November 19, 2025 |
| Quebec pilot programs (orderlies, food processing, AI/IT/VFX) | Specialized in-Quebec workers and graduates | n/a | n/a | Closed January 1, 2026 |
Sources: Quebec.ca Skilled Worker Selection Program, Quebec.ca PEQ closure announcement, Quebec.ca Investor program conditions, Quebec 2026-2029 Immigration Plan.
What Is the CSQ and Why Does Every Quebec Program Funnel Through It?
The Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) is the document that tells IRCC, “Quebec has selected this person.” Without a CSQ you cannot apply for permanent residence as a Quebec-bound economic immigrant. The CSQ is valid for the duration of the federal PR application that follows it. It is not, by itself, a visa or a work permit.
The two-step structure looks like this:
- Step 1, Quebec selection. You apply to MIFI under one of the Quebec immigration programs above. If approved, MIFI issues a CSQ.
- Step 2, Federal admission. You submit a permanent residence application to IRCC. IRCC handles security, criminality, and medical screening. Quebec has already done the economic, language, and adaptability assessment.
For most economic streams Quebec also requires the Attestation of learning about democratic values and the Québec values (the values test or course) for the principal applicant and any accompanying family member 18 or older. Family sponsorship applicants are exempt from the values test but must still acknowledge Quebec’s common values.
The CSQ replaced an older idea many readers still ask about: Quebec’s “PNP.” Quebec is not a PNP province. It does not nominate; it selects. The legal authority comes from the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, which gives Quebec sole responsibility for selecting economic immigrants destined for the province.
The 2026-2029 Quebec Immigration Plan: What Changed and Why It Matters
On November 6, 2025, Premier François Legault’s government tabled the Plan d’immigration du Québec 2026-2029 along with a multi-year orientation document. The headline figures applicants should know:
- Annual permanent admissions cap: 45,000 per year from 2026 through 2029, with a target range of 43,000 to 47,000. Down from the 57,210 to 61,220 range used in 2025.
- Economic immigration share: 64% to 69% of permanent admissions, with the rest split between family reunification and refugees.
- French outcome target: 80% of new permanent residents with at least intermediate French by 2029, up from roughly 50% in 2019.
- Temporary residents: 84,900 to 124,200 new admissions in 2026, with new French requirements phasing in from December 2025 for renewals and from December 2028 for most temporary foreign workers.
- PEQ closed. Both the Quebec Graduate stream and the Temporary Foreign Worker stream of the PEQ stopped accepting new applications November 19, 2025. Files already in the queue continue to process.
- Three pilots closed January 1, 2026. Orderlies, food processing workers, and the AI/IT/VFX pilot all ended. None will be renewed.
Sources: Tabling of orientations on immigration for 2026-2029 (Quebec.ca), Littler legal analysis of Quebec 2026-2029 plan.
The practical effect for applicants: the PSTQ is now the only door into Quebec for skilled workers, French is no longer optional for almost any economic stream, and the available slots are tighter than they were a year ago. Applicants who don’t already live in Quebec and don’t speak French face the steepest climb.
Check Out Quebec Immigration 2023 | Quebec’s Unique Immigration System | Canada PR Process
Programme de Sélection des Travailleurs Qualifiés (PSTQ): The Skilled-Worker Pathway
The PSTQ is the workhorse of Quebec immigration in 2026. It replaces the old Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ) and absorbs the demand the PEQ used to handle. Applicants submit a declaration of interest in the Arrima portal, where MIFI scores the profile across three pillars (Human capital max 520 points, Adaptation max 180, Alignment with Quebec’s needs max 700) for a 1,400-point grand total. Profiles that clear the round’s threshold get an invitation to apply.
The PSTQ has four streams:
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills (FEER 0, 1, 2)
For workers in skilled, professional, and technical occupations.
- Work experience: Minimum 12 months full-time paid in the main occupation within the last five years. Internships count for up to three months.
- Education: A diploma from a program of at least one year (DEP, AEC, DEC, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate). Quebec programs need 900+ hours (secondary/college) or 30+ credits (university).
- French: Level 7 oral and level 5 written on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français. Spouse: level 4 oral.
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills (FEER 3, 4, 5)
For workers in intermediate, manual, and elementary occupations.
- Work experience: At least 24 months paid in the last five years, with at least 12 months in Quebec. Outside-Quebec experience capped at 12 months.
- Education: Secondary school diploma or higher; certain DEP/ASP/AEC programs qualify.
- French: Level 5 oral. Spouse: level 4 oral.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
For applicants in any profession on Quebec’s official List of Regulated Professions (physicians, nurses, engineers, lawyers, teachers, and many trades).
- Authorization: Must hold a permit, partial recognition, or training equivalence from the relevant order, dated within the last five years.
- French: Level 7 oral and 5 written for FEER 0-2 occupations; level 5 oral for FEER 3-5 occupations.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
For globally recognized talent in research, the arts, sport, or strategic economic sectors.
- Experience: At least three years in the main occupation within five years.
- Documentation: Either a verifiable achievement on the Ministère’s published list or an opinion from a partner organization.
- French: Level 7 oral and 5 written.
For a deeper dive on the four streams, the 1,400-point grid, and how to score your own Arrima profile, see our companion guide on the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
PSTQ Arrima Draws in 2026 (So Far)
| Round | Stream 1 | Stream 2 | Stream 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 29, 2026 | 1,094 invites; cutoffs 782 / 674 / 737 | 683 invites; 800 / 609 / 657 | 750 invites; 781 / 694 / 546 |
| February 26, 2026 | 907 invites; 741 / 627 / 722 | 495 invites; 756 / 562 / 688 | 1,141 invites; multiple exercises |
| March 19, 2026 | 893 invites; 718 / 588 / 709 | 509 invites; 679 / 505 / 662 | 1,118 invites; 672 / 563 |
| April 30, 2026 | 983 invites; 716 / 571 / 704 | 506 invites; 660 / 494 / 660 | 1,058 invites; 632 / 495 |
Source: Invitations in Arrima for the PSTQ (2026), Quebec.ca.
The pattern through Q1 and Q2 2026 is consistent. Stream 3 (regulated professions) issues the most invitations because Quebec is short of physicians, nurses, and skilled-trade journeypersons. Stream 1 (specialized skills) and Stream 2 (manual and intermediate) clear at lower volumes. Since July 2025, Quebec has explicitly prioritized candidates already in Quebec, holders of Quebec diplomas, applicants outside the Montreal region, and high-French candidates.
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP): Open With Conditions
The QIIP is Canada’s only passive-investor immigration program. It reopened in January 2024 after a multi-year suspension and remains open in 2026, although MIFI runs it through scheduled application-intake windows rather than a continuous queue.
Core 2026 requirements:
- Net worth: Minimum CAD $2,000,000, alone or with a spouse/common-law partner included on the application. The legal accumulation of this net worth must be documented.
- Investment: A five-year, zero-interest guaranteed investment of CAD $1,000,000 with Investissement Québec, plus a CAD $200,000 non-refundable contribution. The $1M is returned at the end of five years; the $200K is not.
- Management experience: Minimum two years of qualifying management experience in the five years before applying. Sectors like payday lending, pawnbroking, and the sex industry are excluded.
- French: Level 7 oral on the Échelle québécoise.
- Residence: After receiving a notice of intent to select, the principal applicant must complete at least 12 months of residence in Quebec within the first 24 months of the work permit, with at least six months of physical presence.
The QIIP’s quotas, intake periods, and document checklist are published on the Quebec.ca investor program page. Applicants who fall short of the $2M net worth or who can’t meet the level 7 French test should look at the Entrepreneur or Self-Employed programs instead.
Quebec Entrepreneur Program: Two Streams in 2026
The Quebec Entrepreneur Program is for active business owners, not passive investors. Applicants must run the company day to day after landing.
Stream 1: Innovative Business
- For founders backed by an accredited Quebec accelerator, university entrepreneurship centre, or Investissement Québec.
- No personal financial threshold. The accelerator’s support letter is the gate.
- French: level 7 oral.
Stream 2: Start or Acquire a Business
- For owner-operators of a new or existing Quebec business.
- Net worth: minimum CAD $300,000, legally accumulated.
- The business must be registered for at least one year at the time of CSQ submission, and the applicant must own at least 25% of paid-in capital.
- French: level 7 oral.
The program issues a CSQ on a conditional basis. After landing, MIFI monitors active business operation. Read more in our companion guide to the Quebec Entrepreneur Program.
Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program
For tradespeople, consultants, performers, and licensed professionals who plan to practice their profession in Quebec on their own account, with or without paid help.
- Experience: At least 24 months of self-employed work in the profession within the five years before applying.
- Net worth: Minimum CAD $100,000, legally accumulated.
- Deposit: A start-up deposit at a Quebec financial institution: $25,000 if the practice will be outside the Montreal region, $50,000 if inside.
- Education: Minimum equivalent of a Quebec secondary school, vocational, or college diploma.
- French: Level 7 oral on the Échelle québécoise.
The federal Self-Employed Persons Program (a separate IRCC program for athletes, artists, and cultural workers) has been paused indefinitely since April 2024. The Quebec Self-Employed program is now the only Canadian self-employed pathway accepting new applications.
Quebec Family Sponsorship
Quebec processes its own portion of the federal Family Class. Sponsors must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old.
- Reside in Quebec.
- Sign an undertaking with both Canada (IRCC) and Quebec (MIFI). Quebec undertakings range from 3 to 10 years depending on the relationship and the sponsored person’s age.
- Meet a minimum-income test (Quebec uses its own grid, similar in structure to the federal LICO).
Eligible sponsored persons include spouses and common-law partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents (subject to federal annual caps), and a small set of orphaned minor relatives. The Quebec sponsorship backlog is significant: as of September 2025, around 42,200 family-sponsorship files were waiting in the Quebec queue. Realistic processing for spousal sponsorship outside Quebec is roughly 12 months; for parents and grandparents, often 24 to 36 months.
CSQ vs. CAQ: The Two Quebec Documents That Get Mixed Up
These two documents do completely different things and are constantly confused.
| Document | What it does | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|
| CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) | Permanent selection. Step 1 of the two-step PR process. | Permanent residence applicants under any Quebec economic program |
| CAQ (Certificat d’acceptation du Québec) | Temporary selection. Authorizes a temporary stay before federal study or work permits. | International students at Quebec institutions; certain temporary foreign workers |
A study CAQ does not lead automatically to a CSQ. With PEQ closed, the path from a Quebec study permit to permanent residence now runs through PSTQ Arrima draws. Quebec graduates do receive scoring advantages in PSTQ but no longer have a dedicated stream.
2026 Quebec Immigration Fees (MIFI)
MIFI publishes its application fees on quebec.ca. Fees are indexed each January 1. Federal IRCC fees are paid separately on top of the MIFI fee.
| Program | MIFI fee, principal applicant | MIFI fee, each accompanying family member |
|---|---|---|
| PSTQ skilled worker | $846 (approx. 2026 indexed from $821 in 2025) | $203 |
| Investor program | $18,406 (one of the highest application fees in Canada) | $203 |
| Entrepreneur and self-employed programs | $1,283 | $203 |
| Family sponsorship undertaking | $322 (sponsor) | varies |
| Temporary worker (CAQ-related) | $235 | n/a |
| Foreign student (CAQ for studies) | $136 | n/a |
Numbers are based on the published 2025 schedule indexed by Quebec’s annual fee adjustment rate; check Quebec.ca fees and processing times before you submit. Add the federal IRCC PR fee (currently CAD $570 right of permanent residence + CAD $625 processing for adults, less for dependants) and biometric and medical exam fees.
Realistic Timelines From Arrima Profile to PR Card
Quebec immigration is slower than most federal pathways and the gap widened in 2025-2026 as MIFI absorbed PEQ files into the new PSTQ pipeline.
- Arrima profile to invitation (PSTQ): Variable. Profiles in priority sectors and high-French candidates already in Quebec get invited within months. Profiles abroad with average French may sit in the pool indefinitely.
- Invitation to CSQ: Around 6 to 12 months at the MIFI selection stage.
- CSQ to federal PR confirmation (IRCC): Around 11 to 14 months for Quebec-selected economic streams in 2026, per IRCC processing-time data.
- Total from Arrima registration to permanent residence: Plan for 2 to 4 years for skilled-worker pathways, 18 to 30 months for investor and entrepreneur files in normal processing.
For a side-by-side comparison with federal Express Entry timelines, see How Express Entry Works in 2026.
French Language: The Single Biggest Filter in 2026
In every Quebec immigration program except family sponsorship, French is no longer “an asset.” It is a hard requirement. The benchmark is the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français, which Quebec maps to the international tests:
- Level 7 oral / level 5 written: required for PSTQ Stream 1, all FEER 0-2 occupations in Stream 3, the Investor program, the Entrepreneur program, the Self-Employed program, and Stream 4 Exceptional Talent.
- Level 5 oral: required for PSTQ Stream 2 and FEER 3-5 occupations in Stream 3.
- Level 4 oral: spouse minimum for PSTQ.
Accepted tests include TEFAQ, TCF Québec, DELF, and DALF. Spouse-level scoring earns extra Arrima points but is also a hard threshold for most streams.
If you do not currently speak French at intermediate level or higher, expect 12 to 24 months of structured study (Alliance Française, Francisation Québec, or accredited online programs) before testing. Quebec funds free Francisation Québec courses for selected candidates and PRs once they are on the ground.
Quebec Values Test (Attestation of Learning)
Most Quebec economic immigrants and their accompanying family members aged 18 and over must obtain an Attestation of learning about democratic values and the Québec values, expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Two paths qualify:
- Pass the online Quebec values test (24 multiple-choice questions, 75% pass mark).
- Complete a recognized in-person course (typically 24 hours).
The attestation is not required for family sponsorship applicants, but sponsors and sponsored persons sign an acknowledgement of common Quebec values as part of the undertaking.
Which Quebec Immigration Program Fits Your Profile?
| If you are… | The right Quebec program | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A skilled worker abroad with intermediate-or-better French and 1+ years of skilled experience | PSTQ Stream 1 or Stream 3 (regulated profession) | The two streams with the most invitations and clearest path |
| A FEER 3-5 worker already in Quebec on a work permit | PSTQ Stream 2 | The 12-month in-Quebec experience requirement is built for you |
| A nurse, physician, engineer, or licensed tradesperson | PSTQ Stream 3 | Highest invitation volume; lowest score thresholds |
| A globally-known researcher, artist, or athlete | PSTQ Stream 4 | The only stream that doesn’t require a 1,400-point Arrima score |
| A passive investor with $2M+ in legally-acquired net worth | Quebec Immigrant Investor Program | The only passive-investor PR pathway in Canada |
| A founder backed by a Quebec accelerator | Quebec Entrepreneur Program, Stream 1 | No personal capital floor; backing letter is the gate |
| A business owner ready to run a new Quebec company day-to-day | Quebec Entrepreneur Program, Stream 2 | $300K net worth instead of $2M; active management required |
| A consulting tradesperson or licensed solo professional | Quebec Self-Employed Worker Program | Lower thresholds than the entrepreneur program |
| A spouse, partner, or dependent of a Quebec resident | Quebec family sponsorship | The only non-economic permanent route |
| A Quebec graduate hoping for the PEQ | None of the above | PEQ closed November 19, 2025; Quebec graduates now compete in PSTQ Arrima |
If your profile fits PSTQ but your French is below level 7, the realistic 2026 plan is to land in Quebec on a temporary permit, study French to test level, and re-enter the Arrima pool from inside Quebec. Outside Quebec with weak French, the PNP routes through Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada, or Manitoba are usually faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CSQ the same as Canadian permanent residence?
No. The CSQ is a Quebec selection certificate. It is the green light from MIFI that lets you submit a permanent residence application to IRCC. The federal PR confirmation comes later. Without the CSQ, IRCC will not process a Quebec-bound economic application.
Did Quebec close the PEQ?
Yes. The Programme de l’expérience québécoise closed both streams (Quebec Graduate and Temporary Foreign Worker) on November 19, 2025. Files received before that date continue to process. New applicants in those situations now apply through PSTQ Arrima.
Can I immigrate to Quebec without speaking French?
Family sponsorship and a small number of edge cases aside, no. Every economic program now requires at least level 5 oral French (PSTQ Stream 2) or level 7 oral plus level 5 written (everything else). The 2026-2029 plan further increases French requirements for temporary residents and renewals.
What replaced the QSWP and the PRTQ?
The Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), which launched November 29, 2024. The four PSTQ streams cover the workers who would previously have applied under either the QSWP/PRTQ or the PEQ Temporary Foreign Worker stream.
How long does the CSQ stay valid?
A CSQ is valid throughout the federal PR application that follows it, provided the federal application is submitted within the timeframes set out on the CSQ itself. If it expires, MIFI can issue a renewal in narrow circumstances.
Is Quebec part of Express Entry?
No. Quebec runs Arrima. Putting “Quebec” as the destination on an Express Entry profile is a common reason for refusal, because Quebec-bound economic immigrants must hold a CSQ first.
What is the Arrima portal?
Arrima is MIFI’s online expression-of-interest system for the PSTQ. Candidates submit a profile, MIFI scores it on the 1,400-point grid, and rounds of invitations are issued every four to six weeks. The portal also handles document submission for invited candidates.
Can I apply for the Quebec Investor Program in 2026?
Yes, the QIIP is open in 2026, although MIFI accepts applications during scheduled intake windows rather than year-round. The $2M net worth and level 7 French requirements still apply.
What about the federal Start-Up Visa or the federal Self-Employed program?
The federal Start-Up Visa is paused effective January 1, 2026. The federal Self-Employed Persons Program has been paused since April 2024. The Quebec Entrepreneur and Self-Employed programs are now the only active business-immigration pathways in Canada accepting new applications.
How much money do I need to settle in Quebec?
For PSTQ applicants, you must sign a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract showing you can cover yourself and accompanying family members for the first three months. The 2026 settlement amounts are indexed annually; allow roughly $4,000-$5,000 for a single applicant and roughly $10,000-$12,000 for a family of four. Numbers move each January, so confirm on quebec.ca before submitting.
Final Word: Quebec in 2026 Is a Smaller, Stricter Door
Quebec is a smaller permanent-immigration door in 2026 than it has been at any point in the last decade. The 45,000 cap, the closure of PEQ, the end of the three pilots, and the harder French floor all point in the same direction: Quebec wants fewer immigrants, more of them already in the province, and almost all of them able to live and work in French.
That is not a reason to give up on Quebec immigration. It is a reason to plan around the rules that actually exist in 2026, not the ones that existed in 2022. Match your profile to one of the five active programs, build the French level the program requires, and budget the realistic two-to-four-year timeline.
If your profile doesn’t fit Quebec in 2026, look at the provincial nominee programs outside Quebec. Saskatchewan, Atlantic Canada, and Manitoba all run streams with lower language thresholds and faster processing for the right occupations.
For a deeper walk through the PSTQ point grid, the four-stream split, and how to score your own Arrima profile, see our Quebec Skilled Worker Program guide. For the business pathways, the Quebec Entrepreneur Program guide breaks down Stream 1 and Stream 2 in detail. And once your CSQ is in hand, How to Become a Permanent Resident of Canada covers the federal IRCC step that follows.
Sources and primary references:
- Quebec.ca: Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ)
- Quebec.ca: PSTQ requirements (four streams)
- Quebec.ca: PSTQ 2026 Arrima invitation rounds
- Quebec.ca: Quebec Immigrant Investor Program conditions
- Quebec.ca: Self-Employed Worker Program conditions
- Quebec.ca: Family sponsorship overview
- Quebec.ca: Tabling of orientations on immigration for 2026-2029
- Littler: Canada: Key Updates to Québec Immigration for 2026-2029 Announced
- Exeo: Québec’s Immigration Plan 2026-2029
- CILA: Immigration in Quebec at a Crossroads
- Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration (1991)