Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) — Stream 4: Exceptional talent
Stream for people who stand out in their main occupation through exceptional expertise likely to contribute to Quebec's prosperity. Applicants support their case either with an achievement that appears on the Ministère's list of exceptional achievements or with a favourable opinion from a Ministère partner in a targeted field such as strategic economic sectors, research, arts and culture, or sports. Selected candidates receive a Quebec Selection Certificate and then apply federally for permanent residence.
Invitation only
Access is only by invitation through a declaration of interest in Arrima; very small numbers of invitations are issued in this stream.
Status
Job offer
How you apply
Key requirements
| Age | 18 years or older (general PSTQ condition) |
| Language | No stream-specific French threshold was stated in the official material reviewed for Stream 4 (unlike Streams 1-3); this must be confirmed on the official stream page before relying on it |
| Work experience | At least three years practising the main occupation during the five years before applying |
| Job offer | Not required |
| How you apply | Expression of Interest (EOI) — you register a profile and wait to be invited |
| Points system | PSTQ invitation-criteria scoring in Arrima — declarations of interest are scored and ranked in the Arrima bank and invitations are issued by stream and exercise |
| Employer requirements | Exceptional expertise must be evidenced by an achievement on the Ministère's list or by an opinion from a Ministère partner organization (economy/innovation, research, arts and culture, or sports bodies) |
Summary only — requirements change and details decide real cases. Always confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying: https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/skilled-worker-selection-program/requirements (this record was verified against that source on 23 Oct 2026). This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
Score yourself on the Quebec grid
The published points calculator for this province — and the program matcher, which checks this program against your profile.
Not sure this is your program?
Answer a few questions and get a free eligibility assessment from a licensed consultant.
How long will it take?
Current IRCC processing-time estimates, recorded daily.