On July 23, 2025, a ministerial order was published in the Gazette Officielle du Québec. As of July 30, 2025, the review of applications for permanent selection submitted under the Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés (PRTQ – Regular Skilled Worker Programme) by persons living in Québec as temporary foreign workers or foreign students is prioritized.
This prioritization seeks to accelerate the selection of persons who have already begun their integration into Québec society.
Consequently, it is intended that by December 31, 2025, for all applications:
- a decision to select, reject or refuse will have been rendered; or
- a notice of intention to reject or refuse the application will have been sent, in accordance with the Act respecting administrative justice and the principles of procedural fairness.
The Ministère then plans to render a decision in the first quarter of 2026 with regard to applications that were subject to a notice of intention to reject or refuse and for which the applicant responded within the timeframes indicated in the notice.
Background: The PRTQ was replaced by the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés – PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program) on November 29, 2024
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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