French for Québec immigration: the PSTQ level for each stream, the tests Québec accepts, and where the PEQ stands

Québec chooses its own economic immigrants. Instead of Express Entry, skilled workers go through the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ), run by Québec's immigration ministry (MIFI) on its Arrima platform. French is not a bonus there. For most people it is an entry condition, with a minimum level per stream, and it is also scored when Québec ranks candidates.

This guide sets out the minimum French level for each PSTQ stream, how your TEF or TCF score converts to Québec's scale, which tests count, what happened to the PEQ, and how all of this differs from the federal route. Everything is summarised from quebec.ca as of October 2026. Québec changes its rules often, so read the official pages linked at the end before you pay for anything.

Oral 7 + written 5

Stream 1 (FEER 0–2) minimum

Oral 5

Stream 2 (FEER 3–5) minimum

Oral 4

Accompanying spouse, Streams 1–3

The PSTQ replaced the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) on November 29, 2024, and started inviting candidates in July 2025. It has four streams. Your main occupation, as you declare it in your expression of interest, decides which one you are in.

Québec's French page also says you must prove French with a test or an accepted document even if French is your mother tongue. There is no English requirement. You can declare English, but then Québec asks for IELTS results.

The Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français has 12 levels, lined up with the European CEFR. MIFI publishes an official correspondence table (version of November 29, 2024). The rows below are the ones that matter for the PSTQ:

So for Stream 1 on TCF Canada, you need at least 400 in listening, 10/20 in speaking, 300 in reading and 6/20 in writing. For Stream 2, 300 in listening and 6/20 in speaking. A DELF B2 counts as level 7–8, and a DELF B1 as level 5–6.

One useful consequence: IRCC's NCLC 7 is stricter than Québec's level 7. NCLC 7 on TCF Canada needs 458 in listening and 453 in reading. On TEF Canada (tests after December 10, 2023), IRCC's NCLC 7 table starts at 434 in listening and reading, 428 in writing and 456 in speaking, out of 699. All are above Québec's 400 line. If you have NCLC 7 for Express Entry, you already clear Québec's oral 7 and written 5. Check your own result against both scales with the converter below, then compare it with the TCF Canada score chart.

Three rules apply to every test result. It must be two years old or less on the date you apply. It must come from France Éducation international or CCI Paris Île-de-France, taken at an approved centre. And MIFI may call you to an interview to check the level you declared. For a deeper look at the Québec-only versions, read TEF AQ and TCF Québec vs TEF and TCF Canada, and for diplomas, is DELF or DALF accepted for Canada PR.

Yes. Meeting the minimum gets you through the door; a higher level helps you get invited. Québec ranks expressions of interest on a points grid with three blocks: human capital (knowledge of French, age, work experience, education), Québec labour-market needs and government priorities, and adaptation factors. Your spouse's French is scored too. The point values sit in a French-only ministerial document published in the Gazette officielle on July 2, 2025.

1. 1Expression of interestFree, on Arrima. Valid 12 months; you have 90 days to finish it once started. French results are optional at this stage but must be under 2 years old.
2. 2Stream and targetingMIFI places you in a stream, then may filter by occupation, region or other criteria tied to labour needs.
3. 3Ranking and invitationThe highest scores among the targeted group are invited. No random draws. You have 30 days to accept in Arrima.
4. 4Application for permanent selectionYou prove every requirement, including French. If approved, you get a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
5. 5Federal PR applicationWith the CSQ, you apply to IRCC for permanent residence (medical exam, security checks).

Québec reported 13,240 PSTQ invitations between January and July 3, 2026. Since then rounds have been smaller, because the PEQ reopened (see below).

The Programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ) was the fast lane for Québec graduates and temporary workers. It has had a turbulent two years:

Federal French draws need NCLC 7 in every skill and reward you with a lower cut-off: see French category draws. Québec's minimums are lower on paper, but they are pass/fail conditions. You cannot apply to the PSTQ below them, whatever the rest of your profile looks like.

Outside Québec, French speakers with a job offer in a small francophone community may qualify for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.

How long will it take you to reach oral level 7? It is roughly B2, the same target most people set for NCLC 7, so the hours in how long it takes to reach CLB 7 in French apply. Pay extra attention to speaking: for oral 7 it has to reach the line on its own, and TCF speaking 10/20 is a real bar. The speaking practice topic generator gives you fresh prompts to rehearse. The TCF Canada speaking tasks guide shows what each task expects.