PSTQ Stream 2 — Intermediate and manual skills
What is this program?
PSTQ Stream 2 — Intermediate and manual skills — is for workers in intermediate or manual occupations (NOC TEER 3, 4, or 5; equivalent to Quebec's FEER 3/4/5). It requires at least one year of Québec work experience in addition to total work history, making it the practical successor to parts of the old PEQ for Quebec-based workers. Lower French threshold than Stream 1 (oral level 5 instead of 7). Selection happens through Arrima with stream-specific invitation rounds.
Who is it for?
- You're at least 18 years old
- Your main occupation is in NOC TEER 3/4/5 (intermediate / manual / technical)
- You have at least 2 years of paid work in the last 5 years, with at least 1 year in Québec
- You hold at least a high school diploma or a 1-year vocational program
- Your French is at oral level 5 on the Échelle québécoise (≈ NCLC oral 5)
- You intend to settle and work in Québec
What does it lead to?
Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) issued by Quebec's MIFI. With CSQ, you then file a federal PR application with IRCC — that federal step currently takes 11 months (IRCC's estimate). Quebec makes no commitment on how long its own selection step takes, and Arrima invitation rounds vary, so the total is open-ended.
Primary requirements
- Minimum age 18.
- Main occupation in NOC TEER 3, 4, or 5 (FEER 3/4/5).
- At least 2 years of paid work in last 5 years, including at least 1 year in Québec.
- High school diploma or 1-year vocational/college program (DEP/ASP/AEC).
- French oral ≥5 on the Échelle québécoise.
- No professional licence required to practise the occupation (otherwise apply through Stream 3).
- Declaration of Interest submitted in Arrima.
- Receive a Stream 2 invitation to apply based on Arrima profile score.
- Intent to settle in Québec, not self-sponsored, not in an ineligible sector.
- Financial self-sufficiency for the first 3 months in Quebec.
- Attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values (online).
What you'll need to apply
- Valid passport
- Arrima Declaration of Interest profile
- French test results — TEF Canada, TCF Canada, TEFAQ, or TCF Québec
- High school diploma or 1-year vocational/college diploma
- Proof of 2 years paid work experience (1 year in Québec)
- Attestation of learning of democratic and Québec values certificate
- Financial Self-Sufficiency Contract
- MIFI application fee
Where to start
Check if you match this program (free)
Or visit the official québec page for PSTQ Stream 2 — Intermediate and manual skills to read the government's own requirements.
If you want professional advice before applying, work with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or a Canadian immigration lawyer.
How we keep this page current
- Hourly source check. A scheduled job checks the official source page above every hour and looks for changes.
- Change alert. When the page changes, we record it and review the program rules again.
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Informational only — not immigration advice. Always confirm requirements on the official government page.