Requirements that need to be met under the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (Skilled Worker Selection Program)

There are four streams to the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ (Qualified Worker Selection Program) covering all occupations on the Québec job market.

General requirements apply to all streams. Each stream has its own selection criteria based on the occupations it targets.

Based on the primary occupation you indicated in your Declaration of Interest, and the related information, the Ministère will determine the component in which you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection.

To be selected under the PSTQ, you must meet both the general requirements and the specific requirements of the stream under which you are applying for permanent selection.  

To be eligible for the PSTQ, you must be considered a skilled worker. You must:  

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Intend to settle in Québec to take up employment, which:
  • Is not on behalf of a company over which you exercise legal or de facto control, directly or indirectly;
  • Is not in one of the following ineligible areas:
    • Payday loans, cheque cashing or pawnbroking;
    • Production, distribution or sale of pornographic or sexually explicit products or services related to the sex industry such as nude or erotic dancing, escort services or erotic massages.
• Be likely to be able to do the job.

For all 4 streams, you must also:  

• Meet the criteria that led to the invitation to submit the application for permanent selection, you have received;
• Demonstrate, by signing a Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract, your capacity to provide for yourself and, if applicable, that of your accompanying family members for the three months after becoming a permanent resident. Please consult the current scales (PDF 157 Kb) (in French only) to find out the total amount that applies to your situation;
• Obtain the Attestation d’apprentissage des valeurs démocratiques et des valeurs québécoises (Attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values) as expressed in the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. Accompanying family members aged 18 or over also need to obtain one;
• Comply with any conditions for returning to your country imposed by a scholarship in Québec, if applicable. 

Your main occupation is the one you wish to practice in Québec and in which you are likely to be able to hold a job.

You must indicate your primary occupation in your expression of interest. It is on the basis of this occupation that you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection. The stream in which you may receive an invitation is determined by your primary occupation and the information you reported on it. You must therefore ensure that your primary occupation is always up to date in your expression of interest.

You must find the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code that corresponds to your main occupation, as well as the corresponding program stream(s) by visiting the page Find the NOC code for your main occupation and the corresponding stream.

Important

Your application for permanent selection is reviewed based on the primary occupation that you indicated in your expression of interest at the time you received the invitation and the stream that applies to that occupation.  

Therefore, if you receive an invitation and accept it, your primary occupation must remain the same in your permanent selection application.

If you wish to change your primary occupation after receiving an invitation, you must do the following:

• If you have not yet accepted the invitation, you must decline it. You may then indicate that you wish to maintain your expression of interest in the expression of interest bank, update it by entering your new principal occupation and related information and wait for a new invitation, if applicable (there is no guarantee you will receive one);
• If you have already accepted the invitation, you must not submit your permanent selection application. After the deadline for responding to the invitation has expired, you can fill out a new expression of interest, which will be deposited in the expression of interest bank, and wait for a new invitation, if applicable (there is no guarantee you will receive one).

Please note: You do not have to be employed or last employed in your primary occupation when you receive an invitation or apply for permanent selection. 

Certain selection conditions depend on the "training, education, experience and responsibilities" (in French “formation, études, expérience et responsabilités” - FEER) category of the main occupation. The FEER category corresponds to the second digit of the five-digit NOC code. It identifies the job requirements that usually characterize occupations.  

There are six FEER categories. These are listed in the table below:  

Example: Example: NOC code 21211 - Data Scientists is FEER 1 since the second digit of the code is "1". This means that to work in this profession, a university education is usually required. 

To qualify for Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills, you must comply with the conditions below.

Your main occupation must be in the category FEER 0, 1 or 2.  

You do not need a licence to practice your profession in Québec, or you must be able to practice in a context where such a licence is not required. If not, see Stream 3: Regulated professions. 

You must have at least 1 year of full-time or equivalent paid work experience in your main occupation, in Québec or outside Québec, during the 5 years prior to the date of your application.

If your experience was acquired during one or more compulsory internships as part of a degree program, it can be recognized for up to 3 months, whether paid or unpaid. 

You must:  

• Have a diploma leading directly to a profession, earned through a program of study of at least one year full-time and corresponding, in Quebec, to one of the following degrees:
  • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) or Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP) at the secondary level;
  • Attestation of Collegial Studies (AEC) or Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) in technical college studies;
  • Certificate, minor, major, bachelor's degree, specialized graduate diploma, master's degree or doctorate at university level;
• If you obtained your diploma in Québec, you must have a diploma from a degree program:
  • At least 900 hours, if it is at secondary or college level. Please note that a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) followed by an Attestation of Vocational Specialization (ASP) must lead to a specific trade, and total at least 900 hours;
  • At least 30 credits if at university level; 
  • Have obtained your diploma before submitting your application. 

Please note:

• The diploma from Quebec may have been obtained through recognition of prior learning and acquired competencies (RAC) through a school service centre, CEGEP or university. 
• You do not need to request a comparative evaluation of your diploma from the Ministère for studies completed outside Québec. The information on it is sufficient to complete your expression of interest and application for permanent selection. However, if you obtained a comparative evaluation of studies on or after January 31, 2013, you may use that document.

You must have an oral knowledge of French of level 7 or higher and a written knowledge of level 5 or higher according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (in French only) (Québec scale of French proficiency levels).

Your accompanying spouse must have a spoken knowledge of French at level 4 or higher on the Échelle québécoise.

Refer to page Demonstrate your knowledge of French to find out which documents are accepted by the Ministère.

To qualify for Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills, you must comply with the conditions below.

Your main occupation must be in the category FEER 3, 4 or 5.  

You do not need a licence to practice your profession in Québec, or you must be able to practice in a context where such a licence is not required. If not, see Sream 3: Regulated professions.

You must have at least two years' paid work experience in your main occupation, including at least one year in Québec, on a full-time or equivalent basis, in the five years preceding the date on which you submitted your application.

Work experience acquired outside Québec is eligible for up to one year. It may have been acquired in the main occupation or in an occupation belonging to the same broad occupational category, as defined by the NOC. This means that the first digit of the NOC code for your two professions is the same.

If your experience was acquired during one or more compulsory internships as part of a degree program, it can be recognized for up to 3 months, whether paid or unpaid. Internships carried out in Québec must be in the main occupation, and those carried out outside Québec may be in the main occupation or in an occupation belonging to the same broad occupational category, as defined by the NOC.  

You must:

• Minimum of one of the following diplomas:
  • Diploma corresponding to a secondary school diploma (DES) in Quebec,
  • Diploma earned through a program of study of at least one year full-time and corresponding, in Quebec, to a diploma of vocational studies (DEP) or a certificate of vocational specialization (ASP) at the secondary level or a certificate of college studies (AEC) at the college level;
• If you earned your diploma in Quebec, it should correspond to at least 600 hours for high school, at least 900 hours for college or at least 30 credits for university;
• Have obtained your diploma before submitting your application.

Please note:

• The diploma from Quebec may have been obtained through recognition of prior learning and acquired competencies (RAC) through a school service centre, CEGEP or university. 
• You do not need to request a comparative evaluation of studies from the Ministère for your diploma.The information on it is sufficient to complete your expression of interest and application for permanent selection. However, if you obtained a comparative evaluation of studies on or after January 31, 2013, you may use that document.

You must have a spoken knowledge of French at level 5 or higher according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (in French only).

Your accompanying spouse must have a spoken knowledge of French at level 4 or higher on the Échelle québécoise.

Refer to page Demonstrate your knowledge of French to find out which documents are accepted by the Ministère. 

To qualify for Stream 3: Regulated professions, you must comply with all of the conditions below.

Your main profession must be included in the Liste des professions réglementées du Ministère (PDF 363 Kb) (List of Regulated Professions of the Ministère - in French only). This list indicates the NOC occupations associated with occupations with reserved activities (in whole or in part), and reserved professional designations, in Quebec and for which it is mandatory to hold an authorization to practice issued by the regulatory authority governing them. It's important to familiarize yourself with the list to find out if your profession is regulated in Québec and to learn about its specifics. Please note that this list is updated annually on January 31, although adjustments may be made during the year as required.

If the regulations relate solely to the professional title, and not to the practice of the occupation, these trades are not considered for the purposes of the Ministère's list. For example, profession "51114 — Translators, terminologists and interpreters" is related to professions regulated by the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec that can be practiced in Quebec without the title of translator, terminologist or interpreter. For this reason, this occupation NOC is not on the list.

The List includes two types of CNP  professions: "fully regulated professions" and “non-fully regulated professions”.

“Fully regulated occupations” are those for which all associated jobs are regulated in Québec. The list indicates “all jobs” for each of these NOC occupations. For example, for profession “31301 – Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses”, all related occupations of clinical nurse, research nurse, community health nurse, private care nurse, nursing consultant, etc. are regulated by the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec.

In their expression of interest, the person declaring a fully regulated principal occupation will receive a message informing them thereof and of the relevant regulatory authority(ies). If there is more than one authority, the person must select the authority that governs their profession in Quebec. After that, they must wait for an invitation to apply for permanent selection in stream 3, if applicable. 

"Occupations not fully regulated" are those for which some of the associated jobs are regulated in Quebec. In the list, one or more specific jobs are listed for each of these NOC occupations. For example, for profession “21111 — Forestry professionals”, among all associated occupations, only forestry engineer is regulated by the Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec. Other jobs such as regional forest inventory officer, industrial forester or research forester are not regulated.

In their expression of interest, the person declaring a principal occupation not fully regulated will receive a message informing them thereof and of the relevant regulatory authority(ies). If there is more than one regulatory authority, the person must select the one that governs their profession in Quebec. The person must then check the list to determine whether the employment they intend to hold in Quebec is regulated, and if so, by which authority, after which:

• If their employment is regulated, they must so indicate in their expression of interest. They must also select the regulatory authority that governs their profession in Quebec, if there is more than one. Thereafter, they must wait until they receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection in stream 3, if applicable;
• If their employment is unregulated (not listed), they must indicate this in their expression of interest. Thereafter, they must wait for an invitation to apply for permanent selection in either stream 1 or 2, depending on the FEER category of their occupation, if applicable.  

For some CNP occupations, the associated jobs are regulated only if they are carried out in the construction industry. For example, in occupation "72310 - Carpenters", only associated jobs in the construction industry are regulated by the Commission de la construction du Québec.  

You must hold one of the following documents issued by the regulatory authority governing your occupation in Québec:  

• Authorization to practice your occupation in Québec;
• Proof of partial or full recognition of equivalence of training or diploma dated no more than five years prior to the date of submission of your application for permanent selection.

The documents are defined as follows: 

• A licence to practise is an official document, issued by a competent authority such as a professional body or government office, which permits an individual to practise a regulated profession in Québec. This authorization certifies that the person meets the requirements (professional qualifications, training, etc.) to practise a specific profession and related activities within a legal framework. All licences to practise are accepted under the Qualified Worker Selection Program, including regular, restrictive, temporary and probationary licences. 
• The roof of partial recognition indicates that the regulatory authority recognizes part of your training or diploma as being equivalent to what is required of persons trained in Québec with the intention of practicing a regulated profession. This proof typically indicates the courses, additional training, internships or examinations you need to take to receive an authorization to practice.
• The proof of full recognition indicates that the regulatory authority recognizes your training or diploma as being equivalent to what is required of persons trained in Québec with the intention of practicing a regulated profession. This proof indicates that, under certain conditions, you may obtain an authorization to practice.

The list of documents accepted under Stream 3 from regulatory authorities is provided in the Expression of Interest and Permanent Selection Application forms. This list includes 11 documents that are accepted, and you must choose only one. It is important to consult the Table of accepted documents (PDF 386 Kb) (in French only), which lists these 11 documents and includes a description and the titles of the main documents issued by the relevant authorities for each one.

If you are denied recognition by the regulatory authority on the grounds that your qualifications are not recognized for the purpose of practising in Québec, you will be deemed to have failed to meet one of the requirements of Stream 3: Regulated professions under the PSTQ. 

Please note:

• The acknowledgement of receipt of your application to the regulatory authority is not proof of recognition of your qualifications;
• Proof of partial or full recognition is not authorization to practice a regulated profession in Quebec. It constitutes a step towards obtaining such authorization to practice;
• If you have earned a diploma from Quebec, you must also submit a document from the regulatory authority governing your profession in Quebec; 
• Unless the regulatory authority governing your profession in Québec requires it, you do not need to request a comparative evaluation of studies from the Ministère for your diploma. In this case, you must wait for the authority to request it. If you obtained a diploma in Québec, you must also submit a document from the regulatory authority that governs your profession in Québec. See Table of accepted documents (PDF 386 Kb) to find out more.

The French language requirement depends on the FEER category of your occupation:

• If the category is FEER 0, 1 or 2, you must have an oral knowledge of French of level 7 or higher and a written knowledge of level 5 or higher according to the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français (in French only) (Échelle québécoise);
• If the category is FEER 3, 4 or 5, you must have a level 5 or higher in spoken French according to the Échelle québécoise.

Your accompanying spouse must have a spoken knowledge of French at level 4 or higher on the Échelle québécoise.

Refer to page Demonstrate your knowledge of French to find out which documents are accepted by the Ministère.

To qualify for Stream 4: Exceptional Talents, you must comply with the conditions below.

You must:

• Distinguish yourself clearly in your main occupation through exceptional expertise likely to contribute to Québec's prosperity;  
• A proven track record of achievements related to your expertise;
• Have practiced your main occupation for at least three years during the five years prior to the date of application. If your experience was acquired during one or more compulsory internships as part of a degree program, it can be recognized for up to 3 months, whether paid or unpaid. 

To demonstrate your exceptional expertise, you must:

• Have an achievement included on the liste des accomplissements du Ministère (PDF 104 Kb) (Ministère's list of achievements - in French only), or
• Have obtained an opinion from one of the Ministère's partners in a targeted field.

To obtain the opinion of a Ministère's partner, you must already be in one of the following fields:

• Strategic economic sectors;  
• Research;  
• Arts;  
• Sports.

You will then need to visit the partner's website to find out how to proceed. The following partners issue opinions by category:  

• Strategic economic sectors: ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE) (in French only);
• Research: Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ) (in French only);
• Arts: Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec (CALQ);
• Sports: Institut national du Sport du Québec (INS).

Note: You don't need a partner's opinion if your achievement is on the Ministère's list of achievements.