The PSTQ has four streams: Highly Qualified Skills (TEER 0-2), Intermediate & Manual Skills (TEER 3-5), Regulated Professions (any TEER, if regulated), and Exceptional Talent (self-declared). All four share the same 1,400-point formula; streams change eligibility gates, not point values.
- Shared grid
- Same 1,400-point formula across streams
- What changes
- Eligibility gates and invitation pools
- Stream 1 TEER
- 0, 1, 2
- Stream 2 TEER
- 3, 4, 5
Which stream scores you
Which stream scores you is decided by your occupation, not by choice. The point formula is the same 1,400-point grid across all four; streams change the eligibility gates and which pool you're ranked against.
01 · Highly qualified and specialized skills
TEER 0, 1, 2. Management and occupations that usually require a university degree or several years of specialized training. Requires at least 1 year of full-time-equivalent experience in the last 5 years, and a diploma leading directly to the profession from a program of at least one year full-time. French: oral level 7+, written level 5+.
02 · Intermediate and manual skills
TEER 3, 4, 5. The highest-volume stream by invitations in 2026. Requires at least 2 years of paid experience (including 1 year in Québec) in the last 5 years, and a secondary diploma or vocational certificate. French: oral level 5+ (no written minimum stated).
03 · Regulated professions
Any TEER, if the occupation is regulated. For occupations on the Ministry's Liste des professions réglementées, such as nurses, engineers, accountants and similar. Requires a valid permit to practice, or proof of partial/full equivalence recognition no more than 5 years old. French minimum follows the TEER band: level 7 oral / 5 written for TEER 0 to 2, level 5 oral for TEER 3 to 5.
04 · Exceptional talent
Any occupation, self-declared. For candidates who can demonstrate exceptional expertise likely to contribute to Québec's prosperity: an achievement on the ministry's recognized list, or a supporting opinion from a partner body (MEIE, FRQ, CALQ, or INS). Requires at least 3 years of experience in the last 5 years. The lowest-volume stream, and the one with the least published detail on the French requirement, so verify directly before relying on it.
Stream questions
Common confusion about which pool you land in.
Can I choose my stream?
No. Stream is determined mainly by TEER and whether the occupation is regulated. Exceptional talent is a separate, self-declared pathway with its own eligibility rules.
Do streams use different point tables?
No. All four streams use the same 1,400-point grid. Streams change gates and which invitation rounds you compete in.