If you are reading this, you probably have a dream. Maybe you’re sitting in Mumbai, Paris, or São Paulo, imagining a life in a snowy, charming province where people speak French and the quality of life is legendary. Or maybe you are already here, a student in Montreal, nervously refreshing the government news feed, wondering if you can stay.
I get it. Honestly, I’ve seen thousands of people in your shoes. But I have to be real with you: Quebec immigration has changed.
The old days of “just get a degree and you’re in” are mostly gone. The 2025 and 2026 immigration plans released by the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) have completely reshaped the board. The Regular Skilled Worker Program is out. The PSTQ is in. The PEQ is… well, it’s complicated.
This isn’t just another generic overview. This is a deep dive into exactly how you can navigate the maze of Immigration Quebec in 2026. We are going to talk about the Arrima portal, the obsession with the French language, and the specific pathways for the skilled worker.
Grab a coffee. This is going to be a long one, but by the end, you’ll know exactly where you stand.
The Great Shift: Why 2025 Changed Everything
For years, people looked at Quebec as the “easier” back door into Canada compared to the federal Express Entry system. You didn’t need a super high CRS score. You just needed to fit the mold.
But the Government of Quebec decided that wasn’t working for them. They wanted immigrants who could plug directly into the labour market and, crucially, who could speak French before they got permanent status.
So, what happened?
First, they practically paused the graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). That was a shock. Thousands of international students had built their whole life plan around it.
Second, they launched the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). This is now the main engine of economic immigration.
Third, they set the immigration plan for 2026 to stabilize numbers, targeting around 50,000 admissions, but with a massive focus on “Francophone” candidates. If you don’t speak French, the door isn’t just closed; it’s practically bricked over.
Why the Change?
It’s about culture and economy. The government wants to protect the French language. They felt that too many people were coming to Montreal, working in English, and eventually leaving for Toronto or Vancouver. Now, they want you to commit. They want you to live in Quebec, really live here.
The New King: Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) Explained
Let’s talk about the PSTQ. If you are a skilled worker, this is your new best friend (or your biggest hurdle).
The Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) replaced the old Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) in late 2024. It’s designed to be faster, but it’s stricter.
Unlike the old system where you threw your name in a hat and waited years, this system is driven by specific needs. It has four streams. You need to know which one you fit into.
Stream 1: High Qualification (The “Main” Route)
This is for the professionals. The engineers, the IT specialists, the marketing managers. To qualify here, you generally need:
- A job or profession in TEER categories 0, 1, or 2 (Management, Professional, or Technical jobs).
- French proficiency: You usually need a Level 7 in oral skills. We’ll talk about what “Level 7” means later, but trust me, it’s not just “Bonjour.”
- A score. You are still ranked against others in the Arrima portal.
If you are a software developer from India or Pakistan, this is likely your stream. But unlike the federal tech draws, Quebec will ask for French.
Stream 2: Intermediate & Manual Skills
This is interesting. Quebec is screaming for manual labor. They need people to build houses, fix cars, and process food. This stream is for TEER 3, 4, and 5 occupations.
- Requirements: You often need specific training or experience.
- Language: The French requirement is sometimes slightly lower (Level 5) for certain manual roles, but don’t count on it staying low. The emphasis on French language is everywhere.
Stream 3: Regulated Professions
Are you a nurse? A doctor? An engineer? In Quebec, these are “regulated professions.” You can’t just walk in and start working. You need a license from a professional order. Stream 3 is specifically for people who have already started that licensing process. It’s a fast track because Quebec is desperate for healthcare workers. If you are from Cameroon or Algeria and have nursing experience, look closely at this.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
This is a tiny stream. It’s for people who are world-class in their field. Think top-tier researchers, artists, or specialized scientists. It’s rare, so we won’t spend too much time here.
The PEQ Situation: Is It Really Over?
The Quebec Experience Program, or PEQ, was the “Golden Ticket.” Study for 1,800 hours, learn a bit of French, get your CSQ. Done.
But in 2025, the government suspended the Graduate Stream of the PEQ. Why? Too many students. They couldn’t process them all, and they felt the language integration wasn’t good enough.
Can I Still Apply?
If you are a temporary foreign worker already in Quebec with a job, the PEQ Worker Stream might still be an option, provided you meet the strict French rules (Level 7 oral, Level 5 written). But for international students, the path has shifted to the PSTQ. You now have to compete in the pool rather than getting a guaranteed pass.
This hurts. I know many students from China and Vietnam who are scrambling right now. My advice? Don’t panic. You still have a Quebec degree. That gives you points in the PSTQ. You just need to maximize your French score to ensure you get invited.
Arrima Portal: Your Digital Gateway
You cannot immigrate to Quebec without dealing with Arrima. It is the online system where everything happens.
Think of Arrima like a dating app for immigration. You create a profile (your “Expression of Interest”), and the Government of Quebec swipes right (sends you an invitation) if they like what they see.
Creating an Arrima Profile
It’s free. You can do it today.
- Go to the Arrima website.
- Create an account. You need a valid email.
- Fill in your details. This includes your age, education, work experience, and language test results.
- Submit.
Once you submit, you are in the “bank” of candidates. You are valid for 12 months. If you don’t get invited in 12 months, your profile expires, and you have to do it again.
The Scoring System
You get points for:
- Age: Younger is better. Points start dropping after 30 usually.
- Education: A Master’s is worth more than a Bachelor’s.
- Area of Training: This is key. Quebec has a list of “High Demand” degrees. IT, Engineering, Nursing, and Aerospace are usually at the top.
- Quebec Experience: If you studied or worked here, you get a massive bonus.
- Valid Job Offer: If an employer in Quebec offers you a job and validates it (VJO), you get huge points and usually a guaranteed invitation in the next round.
The Draws
Quebec conducts draws regularly. Sometimes they invite everyone with a score over 600. Sometimes they only invite people with a specific job code (NOC) or a valid job offer outside Montreal. You need to watch the Arrima draws like a hawk.
French Language: The Non-Negotiable Barrier
I cannot stress this enough. If you want to live in Quebec and become a permanent resident, you need to speak French.
In the past, you could get by with English, especially in the tech sector in Montreal. No more. The Ministry of Immigration has made it clear: Francisation is the priority.
What is “Level 7”?
The standard requirement is Level 7 on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français.
- Level 7 Oral: This is “Advanced Intermediate.” You can hold a complex conversation. You can debate, express opinions, and understand fast-paced speech. It is roughly equivalent to B2 in the European framework.
- Level 5 Written: This is high-intermediate reading and writing.
The Tests
You cannot just say “I speak French.” You need proof. Accepted tests include:
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)
- TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français)
- TEFAQ or TCFQ (Quebec-specific versions)
My advice? Take the TEF Canada. It is accepted by both Quebec and the Federal government (for citizenship later).
Francisation Courses
The government offers free French courses. In fact, they sometimes pay you to take them. If you are already here on a work permit, sign up for these courses. It shows “intention to integrate,” which is a soft factor that officers love.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Many people don’t start with PR. They start as a temporary foreign worker. Employers in Quebec often use the TFWP to hire talent from abroad because they can’t find locals.
However, there is a catch. The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The employer usually has to prove they couldn’t find a Canadian. Recent News: Quebec has paused LMIAs for low-wage jobs in Montreal to slow down temporary immigration. If you are a low-skilled worker looking for a job in Montreal, it’s tough right now. Look at regions outside Montreal. Places like Quebec City, Sherbrooke, or Drummondville are still hiring and the LMIA rules are looser there.
For International Students
If you are a student, your path is:
- Finish your degree.
- Get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
- Get a job.
- Learn French while you work.
- Apply for PSTQ after 1-2 years of work experience.
Do not assume your degree alone is enough. The work experience + French is the magic combo.
The Federal Step: Permanent Residence
Here is a confusing part for many. Quebec selects you, but Canada admits you.
- Selection: You apply to Quebec (MIFI). If successful, you get a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
- Admission: Once you have the CSQ, you apply to the Federal Government (IRCC) for Permanent Residence.
The federal step is mostly a health and security check. They check if you are a criminal or have a serious contagious disease. They rarely reject a CSQ holder unless there is a major security issue. Warning: The federal step takes time. Currently, it can take 12 to 20 months after you get your CSQ. You need to keep your work permit valid during this wait.
Cost of Living & Settling in Quebec
Why go through all this trouble? Because Quebec is amazing.
Affordable Housing (Relative to Canada)
Montreal is getting expensive, yes. But compared to Toronto or Vancouver? It’s a bargain. You can still rent a nice one-bedroom apartment in Montreal for $1,500 – $1,700 CAD. In Toronto, that’s $2,500+. If you go to smaller cities like Trois-Rivières or Saguenay, you can buy a house for $300,000. That is impossible elsewhere in Canada.
Healthcare & Social Services
Quebec has high taxes. I won’t lie to you. You will look at your paycheck and cry a little bit. But what do you get?
- Cheap daycare ($9 a day subsidized daycare is famous).
- Free healthcare (RAMQ).
- Very low tuition fees for residents.
It is a society built on social support. If you have a family, it is arguably the best place in North America to raise kids.
Regional Immigration: The Secret Weapon
Everyone wants to go to Montreal. The government knows this. That’s why the Arrima system gives extra love to people willing to go to the regions. If you are willing to live in Abitibi, Beauce, or the Gaspé, your chances of being selected skyrocket. Plus, the communities there are welcoming. They need people. You might find that integrating is actually easier because you are forced to speak French every day.
FAQ: Immigration Quebec 2026
Q: Can I apply for Quebec immigration without French? A: Theoretically? Maybe through the regular stream if you have crazy high points elsewhere. Realistically? No. In 2026, without French, your chances are near zero. Even spousal sponsorship is getting tougher on language.
Q: I am from the USA. Do I need French? A: Yes. Your American passport doesn’t exempt you from the provincial selection criteria. You might have perfect English, but Quebec wants French.
Q: What is the “Values Test”? A: Oh, I forgot to mention this! To get your CSQ, you and your family must pass a “Quebec Values Test.” It’s an online quiz about democracy, gender equality, secularism, and rights. It’s not hard, but it is mandatory.
Q: How long does the whole process take? A: From creating an Arrima profile to landing as a Permanent Resident? Plan for 2 to 3 years. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Q: Can I move to another province later? A: As a Permanent Resident, you have “mobility rights” under the Canadian Charter. You can move. However, if you leave one week after arriving, Quebec might accuse you of misrepresentation (lying about your intention to reside). It’s risky. If you apply to Quebec, plan to live in Quebec.
Conclusion: Is It Worth It?
This all sounds daunting. The exams, the Arrima points, the waiting, the cold winters. But I have lived here for 15 years. I have seen families from Nigeria, Colombia, Russia, and the Philippines put down roots here. They buy their first snow boots. They watch their kids learn French fluently in months (kids are sponges). They discover poutine. They feel safe.
Quebec is unique. It’s a distinct society in North America. If you are willing to respect its culture and learn its language, it will embrace you like nowhere else.
So, get your documents ready. Sign up for that French class. Create your Arrima account. The rules for Immigration Quebec 2026 are tough, but they are clear. The path is open for those who are ready to walk it.
Bonne chance! (Good luck!)