Eligibility Quiz
Are you 18 years of age or older?
Application Process
The Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) is a two-stage process. You must first be selected by the province of Quebec to receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ — Quebec Selection Certificate) before applying to the Canadian federal government for permanent residency. The initial Quebec stage is managed entirely online through the Arrima portal.
Stage 1: Quebec Selection (CSQ)
- Submit a Declaration of Interest (DI): Create an account on the Arrima portal and submit your profile. This is not an application, but a way to tell Quebec you want to immigrate. You will be ranked based on factors like age, education, and work experience.
- Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): The Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) conducts periodic draws from the Arrima pool. If your score meets the cutoff or your occupation is in high demand, you will receive an invitation in your Arrima message center.
- Submit the Full Application: Once invited, you have exactly 60 days to submit your complete application and pay the required fees. You must upload digital copies of your diplomas, work certificates, and mandatory French language test results (Level 7 for high-skilled streams; Level 5 for manual skills).
- Obtain the CSQ: If MIFI approves your application, they will issue your CSQ. This document confirms that Quebec has chosen you to settle in the province.
Stage 2: Federal Permanent Residence
- Apply to IRCC: Once you have your CSQ, you must apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. This stage focuses on your health and security rather than your job skills.
- Medical and Security Checks: You will be required to undergo a medical exam by an approved physician and provide police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived for more than six months.
- Receive Permanent Residency: If approved, you will receive your CoPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) and can move to Quebec as a permanent resident.
Fees
Quebec updated its fee schedule on January 1, 2026. Fees must be paid in Canadian dollars via credit or debit card during the online application.
| Item | Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Principal Applicant (Quebec Stage) | $840 |
| Spouse or Common-law Partner | $201 |
| Each Dependent Child | $201 |
| Federal Processing Fee (per adult) | $950 |
| Right of Permanent Residence Fee (per adult) | $575 |
Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $2,365 CAD for a single applicant. Note: This does not include costs for French language testing, document translations by certified translators, medical exams, or police certificates.
Processing Time
The timeline for the PSTQ is divided into the provincial selection phase and the federal security phase.
- Quebec Selection (CSQ): MIFI aims to process complete applications within 6 to 10 months.
- Federal Stage (PR): This stage currently takes between 12 to 24 months.
- Total Timeline: You should expect the entire process to take between 1.5 to 3 years from your initial Arrima submission to receiving your permanent resident card.
Document Validity: Your French language test results must be less than 2 years old at the time you submit your full application to MIFI. Your CSQ is generally valid for 24 months or until a decision is made on your permanent residence application at the federal level.