Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) - Stream 4: Exceptional talent
Small, invitation-only stream for people with exceptional expertise in strategic economic sectors, research, arts or sports. Candidates need a partner's positive opinion or a listed achievement. No French level is stated on the requirements page.
Who it suits
- Researchers, artists, athletes or experts with a ministry-listed achievement
- People with a positive opinion from a ministry partner organisation
Requirements
- ExperienceMain occupation practised for at least 3 years in the 5 years before applying, with exceptional expertise and a proven record of achievements. ↗ quebec.ca
- ProofEither an achievement on the ministry's List of Exceptional Achievements, or a positive opinion from a partner body in strategic economic sectors, research, arts or sports. ↗ quebec.ca
- LanguageNo French requirement is stated for this stream on the requirements page or in the invitation criteria table. ↗ quebec.ca
- GeneralAge 18 or older; intend to settle in Quebec for a job (not with a business you control); sign a financial self-sufficiency contract covering three months; obtain the attestation of learning of democratic and Quebec values. ↗ quebec.ca
How candidates are selected
No points ranking: the ministry invites people with a partner opinion, or a listed achievement plus doctorate-level education, and 36 months' experience. Only a handful are invited per round.
Location requirement: intend to settle in Quebec
Processing: Quebec publishes no fixed processing time for the CSQ step on the pages checked; the ministry dropped its six-month commitment for PEQ files received during the 2026 intake. After the CSQ, a federal PR application follows.
Recent rounds
| Date | Round | Minimum score | Invitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 20 |
| Feb 26, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 6 |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 2 |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 8 |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 22 |
| Jul 3, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 7 |
| Jul 30, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 12 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 21 |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Stream 4 (exceptional talent) invitation round | — | 7 |
Related pathways
Programme de l'experience quebecoise - Quebec Graduates stream
Limited intakeProgramme de l'experience quebecoise - Temporary Foreign Workers stream
OpenSkilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) - Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills
OpenSkilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) - Stream 2: Intermediate and manual skills
OpenSkilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) - Stream 3: Regulated professions
Official sources
- quebec.caPSTQ program pageChecked 2026-10-01
- quebec.caPSTQ requirementsChecked 2026-10-01
- quebec.caHow invitations workChecked 2026-10-01
- quebec.ca2026 invitation roundsChecked 2026-10-01
- quebec.ca2025 invitation roundsChecked 2026-10-01
- quebec.caMinistry news release of 3 July 2026Checked 2026-10-01
Program rules change often. This page summarizes the official pages listed above; the official page always takes precedence.