Quebec PEQ Closed & PSTQ Response: 2024-2026 New Rules Complete Guide

Bottom Line Up Front

1. PEQ permanently closed (November 19, 2025) — both streams (temporary worker + student) stopped accepting new applications; pending applications continue processing.
2. PSTQ is the new replacement — running since November 29, 2024; 4 streams; Quebec selects independently.
3. PSTQ’s oral French Level 7+ is mandatory — not a bonus; below threshold = cannot apply (streams 1–3); the biggest barrier for Chinese applicants.
4. Written French Level 5+ also mandatory — all 4 skills (listening / speaking / reading / writing); test via TEF / TCF.
5. Arrima 2025 minimum scores 740–760 — invitations per draw 216–649; Quebec residents + French + Quebec work experience are priorities.
6. CSQ → federal PR 60-day window — after CSQ, federal PR must be filed within 60 days, otherwise CSQ lapses (CSQ valid 2 years, no renewal).
7. Overall timeline 18 months–3+ years — from EOI to federal PR decision; far longer than Express Entry CEC’s 5–8 months.

1. PEQ closure and PSTQ transition timeline

2. PSTQ 4 streams comparison

Stream	Name	TEER level	French threshold
1	Highly skilled workers	TEER 0/1	Oral Level 7+ / Written Level 5+ (mandatory)
2	Intermediate and manual workers	TEER 2/3/4	Oral Level 7+ / Written Level 5+ (mandatory)
3	Regulated professions	Doctors, lawyers, engineers	Oral Level 7+ / Written Level 5+ (mandatory)
4	Exceptional talent	International recognition	Case by case (some exemptions)

3. PSTQ general baseline

• Age 18+;
• French level on the Échelle québécoise — oral Level 7+ mandatory; written Level 5+ mandatory; testing via TEF / TCF;
• EOI via the Arrima online portal (free);
• Score ranking — MIFI considers age, education, French, Canadian experience, spouse, children;
• Quebec priorities — Quebec residents > French oral Level 9 > French oral Level 7 > Quebec work experience > regional in-demand occupations.

4. Arrima draw data (2025)

Draw date	Stream	Invitations	Min score
2025.7.14	Stream 1 (highly skilled)	216	740
2025.8.11	Stream 1	275	745
2025.11.30	Stream 1 + Stream 2	605 + 649	760 / 740

5. CSQ process

  PSTQ → CSQ → federal PR timeline:
  
  Day 0       Submit Arrima EOI (free)
  Day 30+     Wait for draw (monthly or bimonthly)
  Day +30     Receive ITA → 60 days to file complete CSQ application
  Day +180    CSQ processing typically 6 months
  Day +180    CSQ received (Quebec selection certificate, valid 2 yrs)
  Day +180    60 days to file federal PR application
  Day +180+   Federal PR processing ~12 months (incl. background checks)
  Day +540    Federal PR decision (smooth case)
  
  Total: 18 months–3+ years (depending on background-check speed)

6. Bill 96 employer obligations (Quebec)

Obligation	Effective	Threshold
Adhesion contracts in French first	2023.6.1	All employers
Offer letters in French first	2023.6.1	All employers
25–49 employee Francization duties activate	2025.6.1	25+ employees
OQLF registration mandatory	2025.6.1	25–49 employee businesses
50+ employee Francization duties	2022.6.1	50+ employees

Bill 96 fines

Offender	First offence	Repeat
Individual	$600–$6,000	Doubled / tripled
Corporation	$3,000–$30,000	Doubled ($60K+)
Director / officer	$1,400–$14,000	Doubled / tripled
False information	$10,000–$250,000	—

Each day of continuing non-compliance = separate offence.

7. PSTQ vs Express Entry CEC — which path for Chinese immigrants

Dimension	PSTQ (Quebec)	Express Entry CEC (Federal)
French requirement	Mandatory Level 7 oral	Not required (English CLB 7 sufficient)
Timeline	18 months–3+ years	5–8 months
Predictability	Lower (monthly draws)	Moderate (frequent draws)
Chinese national security delay	Lower (Quebec selects first)	Documented to extend (up to 4 years)
Current status	Active (PSTQ)	Active

Core insight: Chinese immigrants without strong French are effectively ineligible for the main PSTQ streams. This is the largest single barrier. Express Entry CEC is faster, but IRCC security screening for Chinese nationals is documented as significantly extended.

8. Three practical recommendations for Chinese immigrants

Recommendation 1: French self-assessment

• Take TEF / TCF immediately — target oral Level 7+;
• Below threshold = PSTQ streams 1–3 are off the table;
• At or above threshold = PSTQ becomes a viable backup.

Recommendation 2: Leave Quebec, pursue Express Entry CEC

• Permit / PGWP holders in Quebec can move to ON / BC / AB before expiry;
• After moving, accumulate 1 year of Canadian full-time skilled work (NOC TEER 0/1/2/3) → enter CEC pool;
• If CRS is short → apply for the destination province’s PNP (+600);
• Total path 18–24 months to PR (see S2-6).

Recommendation 3: Dual track (learn French + stay in Quebec)

• Stay in Quebec — continue working / studying;
• 1 hour of French per day (Duolingo + Quebec free Francisation classes);
• Reach Level 7 oral in 2 years → enter PSTQ;
• Keep Express Entry CEC as backup — after 1 year of Canadian experience, both paths become possible.

9. Case studies (fictional composites based on public decisions)

Case A: Below French threshold → PSTQ refused (2026, Montreal)

Mr. Li worked in Quebec for 3 years (NOC 21232 software engineer, TEER 1); TEF oral was Level 5. He filed PSTQ stream 1 in 2026; MIFI refused citing “oral French below the mandatory Level 7 threshold.” Mr. Li moved to Ontario; 6 months later he received PR via Express Entry CEC.

Case B: Level 8 French + Quebec PGWP → PSTQ success (2026, Montreal)

Ms. Zhang completed a master’s at HEC Montréal; TEF oral Level 8 + written Level 6 + 1 year of Quebec work (NOC 11202 marketing manager, TEER 1). Arrima EOI score 798; ITA in January 2026; CSQ in July 2026; federal PR in May 2027. Total 18 months.

Case C: Bill 96 fines for missing 25-employee threshold (2025, Quebec City)

A tech firm had 28 employees in June 2025 but operated all internal communications and job descriptions in English only. OQLF received a complaint in July, investigated, and found unregistered with OQLF + Francization not started. Fine: $15,000 (first offence + corporate); company required to complete OQLF registration and Francization roadmap within 60 days.

10. 2026 Quebec pathway compliance checklist

Stage	Must-do
Assess French	TEF or TCF, target Level 7+ oral; if below, abandon PSTQ
Submit Arrima EOI	Free + 12 months valid; improve language while waiting
After ITA	Complete CSQ application within 60 days; medical + police certificates + financial proof
After CSQ	File federal PR within 60 days; CSQ valid 2 years
Quebec employers	Bill 96 compliance: 25+ employees → OQLF registration + Francization roadmap

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Series Navigation:
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Job-S2-7 Quebec PEQ/PSTQ (current) |
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Legal sources updated to: April 2026 | Author: SiLaw Legal Research Team