Quebec immigration
A two-step path: CSQ from Quebec, then federal permanent residence. French is the main hard gate.
How Quebec works
Quebec runs a two-step path (CSQ via MIFI, then federal PR). French is the main gate for PSTQ. PEQ closed 2025-11-19 — reopen pending.
- 1Step 1 — Obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) through MIFI / Arrima.
- 2Step 2 — Apply to IRCC for federal permanent residence with your CSQ.
Without meeting Quebec’s French requirements, most skilled streams are not currently viable. Northway treats French as a hard gate for Quebec routes.
Arrima uses a separate 1400-point system. Do not compare Arrima scores to federal CRS (1200).
Context
- 2026-07-16
PSTQ streams + French minima reviewed for Northway (lastReviewed).
- ongoing
PSTQ invitations via Arrima — French ability heavily weighted.
- 2025-11-19
PEQ closed; reopen pending — marked UNCERTAIN, not shown as certain.
Streams
- OpenPSTQ
PSTQ — Stream 1 (highly qualified)
Arrima expression of interest; French oral 7 + written 5 is a hard gate.
- OpenPSTQ
PSTQ — Stream 2 (intermediate / intermediate-skilled)
Arrima pool; French oral 5 is the principal hard gate.
- OpenPSTQ
PSTQ — Stream 3 (regulated professions)
French minima follow FEER band; professional recognition in Quebec is usually required.
- OpenPSTQ
PSTQ — Stream 4 (talent / exceptional)
Invitation-driven; no official French minimum listed for this stream.
- UncertainPEQ
PEQ — Quebec graduates
Closed on 2025-11-19; reopen pending. Not treated as a reliable open route.
- UncertainPEQ
PEQ — Temporary workers
Closed on 2025-11-19; reopen pending. Confirm on the official MIFI site before planning.
How to use this page
This is self-assessment information and estimates — not a decision about your case, and not legal advice.
- Check whether your French level unlocks Arrima invitations for your stream.
- Confirm stream status and FEER/occupation rules on the official MIFI site.
- If you receive a CSQ, plan the federal PR stage separately with IRCC.
Why Quebec is not scored like Express Entry
Quebec selects through Arrima and a CSQ, then a federal stage. Its scale is not federal CRS (1200) — never compare absolute scores side by side.
Most skilled streams treat French as a hard gate. Oral and written thresholds vary by volet / TEER — follow current MIFI rules.
Northway summarizes recent scores and French thresholds with official links and verified dates when policy is moving. Outputs remain self-assessment orientation.
French thresholds and score signals come from MIFI / synced Quebec draw data; shown separately from CRS.
Common questions
- What French level does Quebec immigration require?
- It depends on the stream; oral and written levels are commonly specified. Open each volet page for the summary and confirm on MIFI.
- If my CRS is high, should I still use Quebec?
- If you intend to settle in Quebec, you generally still follow Quebec selection rather than substituting federal CRS. Destination drives the primary path.
- Arrima score vs CRS — which matters?
- For Quebec routes, Arrima/stream rules; for federal Express Entry, CRS. Do not compare one number across systems.