Quebec held its latest Arrima draw on February 10, 2022. The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) invited 523 candidates under the Quebec Skilled Worker program (QSW) category in this draw. The minimum score requirement was equal to or higher than 592 points. The invited candidates had a profile in Quebec’s Arrima pool.
Invited candidates now have to submit an application for permanent selection and pay the processing fees within 60 days.
Quebec invited 201 more applicants than the previous draw held on January 27 when only 322 candidates were issued invitations. The minimum score cut-off was also lower this time than the earlier requirement of 647 points.
In the latest Arrima draw, Quebec invited candidates having experience in one of the following 21 occupations:
| Code CNP (NOC Code) | Occupation |
| 0213 | Computer and information systems managers |
| 2147 | Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) |
| 2171 | Information systems analysts and consultants |
| 2172 | Database analysts and data administrators |
| 2173 | Software engineers and designers |
| 2174 | Computer programmers and interactive media developers |
| 2175 | Web designers and developers |
| 2241 | Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians |
| 2281 | Computer network technicians |
| 2282 | User support technicians |
| 2283 | Information systems testing technicians |
| 3012 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses |
| 3233 | Licensed practical nurses |
| 3413 | Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates |
| 4031 | Secondary school teachers |
| 4032 | Elementary school and kindergarten teachers |
| 4214 | Early childhood educators and assistants |
| 5131 | Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations |
| 5223 | Graphic arts technicians |
| 5241 | Graphic designers and illustrators |
| 6221 | Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade |
Quebec has issued a total of 1,357 invitations this year for permanent selection. This was the first Arrima draw of February and also the one issuing the highest number of invitations.
The Arrima draw
The Arrima platform better aligns immigration and Québec’s labour market requirements. Arrima is similar to the federal Express Entry pool, and Arrima pool is Quebec’s individual system to manage its Expression of Interest profiles.
Thus, the Arrima system allows companies and employers in Quebec to directly connect with candidates in the Arrima pool who fulfill their labour needs.
Arrima manages profiles of Individuals willing to immigrate permanently or temporarily through the following four Quebec programs:
- Regular Skilled Worker Program (also known as the Quebec Skilled Worker Program)
- Québec Experience Program
- Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs
- International Student Program (only to transmit documents)
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program
The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers and international graduates who wish to work and live permanently in Quebec. These individuals contribute to the economic growth of the province.
The MIFI conducts regular draws to invite candidates according to labour market needs and their integration potential. The invitations are issued through a ranking system. Individuals who submit an Expression of Interest are ranked based on the weighted criteria and according to a scoring system determined by ministerial order published in the ‘Gazette Officielle du Québec’ (in French only).
Candidates invited to apply for permanent selection through the Arrima draw get 60 days to submit their application and pay processing fees. Quebec usually takes six months for the complete processing of applications. Where the six-month period starts from the date, they receive all the required information, including all forms and documents.
The successful candidates get a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ or Quebec Selection Certificate). This document can further be used to apply for permanent residence.
Quebec has a different immigration system for candidates willing to settle in this province. Quebec’s immigration programs are managed by the province and are different from other federal programs of Canada.
Quebec Immigration Targets 2022
As per the recently released Quebec Immigration Plan, the province aims to welcome more than 70,000 newcomers in 2022. This includes the admission of 49,500 to 52,500 immigrants in 2022 through all immigration categories. An additional 18,000 admissions are also targeted to cover the integration loss of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is the highest immigration target set by Quebec till date. Around 65% of candidates are expected to come through the province’s economic programs, including the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (QEP).
In 2020 Quebec issued only 628 invitations. In 2021, a total of 3,564 candidates were invited through the Arrima draw through the QSWP.
Quebec’s latest Arrima draw shows a strong return of the province as it works towards achieving the immigration targets.
