Quebec’s Arrima System Has 4 Hidden Streams: Here Is Which One Actually Fits Your Profile
Many candidates assume Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program, known as the PSTQ, invites everyone through the same process. According to the official Government of Québec website, that is not how it works. The program is divided into four distinct streams, and each one has its own separate eligibility criteria for who gets invited through Arrima.
Understanding which stream your profile actually falls under, based on your occupation’s TEER category and your French proficiency, matters far more than simply submitting a declaration of interest and waiting.
Why Does Quebec Use Separate Streams?
Invitations under the PSTQ are issued separately for each of the four program streams. A person may be invited to a specific stream depending on their main occupation, as stated in their declaration of interest, and the TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) category tied to that occupation’s National Occupational Classification.
The Ministère uses minimum eligibility criteria within its declaration of interest database to identify who is most likely to meet the requirements of each stream. Quebec also notes that these criteria are not fixed forever. Depending on government priorities and the province’s socio-economic needs, which can change, additional or more restrictive criteria may be applied during each invitation round.
The 4 PSTQ Streams Explained
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
This stream targets candidates in TEER category 0, 1, or 2. It requires at least 12 months of work experience in the main occupation within the last 5 years, along with a recognized level of education. French requirements here are strict: spoken French must be at Level 7 or higher in both oral expression and comprehension, and written French must be at Level 5 or higher in both written expression and comprehension. If the candidate has a spouse, that spouse’s spoken French must also be at Level 4 or higher.
Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills
This stream targets candidates in TEER category 3, 4, or 5. It requires at least 24 months of work experience in the main occupation within the last 5 years, including at least 12 months of that experience gained specifically in Québec. Spoken French only needs to reach Level 5 or higher in both oral skills, and there is no minimum written French requirement under this stream. A spouse’s spoken French must still be at Level 4 or higher.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
This stream applies to candidates in TEER category 0, 1, or 2 who intend to practise a regulated profession in Québec. There is no minimum work experience or education criteria specifically applied under this stream, but spoken French must be at Level 7 or higher in both oral skills, and written French must be at Level 5 or higher in both skills. A spouse’s spoken French must be at Level 4 or higher as well.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
This stream applies to candidates in TEER category 3, 4, or 5 who intend to practise a regulated profession, and requires at least 36 months of work experience in the main occupation within the last 5 years. Unlike the other streams, there is no French language criteria applied here. Instead, candidates need either a positive opinion issued by a partner of the Ministère in a targeted field listed on Québec.ca, or documented proof of an achievement listed in the Ministère’s List of Exceptional Achievements.
Quick Comparison of All 4 Streams
| Criteria | Stream 1 | Stream 2 | Stream 3 | Stream 4 |
| TEER category | 0, 1 or 2 | 3, 4 or 5 | 0, 1 or 2 | 3, 4 or 5 |
| Intention to practise a regulated profession | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Work experience (last 5 years) | At least 12 months | At least 24 months, including 12 in Québec | No criteria applied | At least 36 months |
| Spoken French required | Level 7+ | Level 5+ | Level 7+ | No criteria applied |
| Written French required | Level 5+ | No criteria applied | Level 5+ | No criteria applied |
| Spouse’s spoken French | Level 4+ | Level 4+ | Level 4+ | No criteria applied |
| Ministère partner opinion or Exceptional Achievement proof | No | No | No | Yes |
Note: These criteria table rows apply to Streams 1 through 3 as shown above; Stream 4 follows the separate criteria described in its own section, since it does not use TEER-based French requirements.
2026 Invitation Rounds Issued So Far
Each of the four streams has had invitation rounds on the same set of dates in 2026:
- January 29, 2026
- February 26, 2026
- March 19, 2026
- April 30, 2026
- June 4, 2026
- July 3, 2026
Detailed criteria are published separately for each individual round, since Quebec can adjust requirements round by round based on current priorities.
Other Invitations Outside the 4 Streams
Since January 1, 2026, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration has also invited 17 people to submit a permanent selection application under Section 26 of the Québec Immigration Regulation and Section 47 of the Québec Immigration Act, separate from the four main streams above.
Occupations Excluded From All Invitation Rounds
Candidates whose declared primary occupation requires permanent residence or Canadian citizenship are not invited to apply for permanent selection under any stream. The excluded occupations are:
| NOC Code | Occupation |
| 40040 | Commissioned police officers and related occupations in public protection services |
| 40042 | Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 41310 | Police investigators and other investigative occupations |
| 42100 | Police officers (except commissioned) |
| 42102 | Specialized members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 43204 | Operations Members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| 44200 | Primary combat members of the Canadian Armed Forces |
A Page Update Worth Noting
The Government of Québec’s Arrima invitations page for the 2025 cycle shows its last update date changed from July 8, 2026 to July 29, 2026, according to the official website. This means new information has been added to that page, and anyone who was part of the 2025 invitation cycle should review it directly, since it may affect files still being processed from that period.
What You Should Do Next
- Identify your occupation’s TEER category before assuming which stream you fall under
- Confirm your actual French proficiency level against the specific stream’s requirement, since the gap between Level 5 and Level 7 is significant
- If you intend to practise a regulated profession, check whether Stream 3 or Stream 4 applies based on your TEER category and work experience
- Review the 2025 Arrima invitations page directly if you were part of that cycle, given the recent update
- Track each new invitation round separately, since Quebec can apply more restrictive criteria at any time
Book Your Consultation!
Quebec’s PSTQ is not a single program with one set of rules. It is four separate streams, each with its own TEER requirements, French language thresholds, and work experience conditions, and applying under the wrong assumption can cost you an invitation. If you want help identifying which stream actually fits your profile, book a consultation with Flowertown Immigration. Our licensed RCIC consultant will walk you through your specific situation clearly and honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many streams does Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program have?
The PSTQ has 4 streams: Stream 1 for highly qualified and specialized skills, Stream 2 for intermediate and manual skills, Stream 3 for regulated professions, and Stream 4 for exceptional talent. Each stream has its own separate eligibility criteria.
What French level do I need for Quebec’s Arrima invitations?
It depends on the stream. Stream 1 and Stream 3 require spoken French at Level 7 or higher and written French at Level 5 or higher. Stream 2 requires spoken French at Level 5 or higher with no written requirement. Stream 4 has no French language criteria at all.
Do I need Quebec work experience to qualify for the PSTQ?
It depends on the stream. Stream 2 specifically requires at least 12 of its required 24 months of work experience to have been gained in Québec. Stream 1 requires 12 months of work experience overall, without specifying it must be in Québec, and Stream 4 requires 36 months overall.
Which occupations are excluded from all Quebec PSTQ invitation rounds?
Occupations that require permanent residence or Canadian citizenship are excluded, including commissioned police officers, police investigators, police officers, and several categories of Canadian Armed Forces members.
Can I qualify for Stream 4 without any French language ability?
Yes. Stream 4 does not apply any French language criteria. Instead, candidates need a positive opinion issued by a Ministère partner in a targeted field, or documented proof of an achievement listed in the Ministère’s List of Exceptional Achievements.