Quebec held its fourth Arrima draw of 2022 on February 24. The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) invited 306 candidates under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) in this draw. The invited candidates had a profile in the Arrima Expression of Interest (EOI) system.
In the latest Arrima draw, Quebec invited candidates having a score equal to or higher than 630 points. They are also required to have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community.
Invited candidates now have to submit an application for permanent selection and pay the processing fees within 60 days.
Quebec regularly holds Arrima draw every two weeks, and it has issued a total of 1,663 invitations this year for permanent selection. Last year Quebec issued invitations to 3,564 candidates to apply for permanent selection through the Arrima draw.
The Arrima system
Arrima is similar to the federal Express Entry pool, and Arrima pool is Quebec’s individual system to manage its EOI profiles. It is a platform that provides a better alignment between immigration and Québec’s labour market requirements.
Thus, the Arrima system allows companies and employers in Quebec to directly connect with candidates in the Arrima pool who fulfill their labour requirements.
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 (QSWP) is a major immigration pathway for skilled workers willing to settle in Quebec. It is similar to the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Candidates willing to apply through QSWP must first create an EOI profile on its online portal. The MIFI regularly holds Arrima draws to invite applicants from the EOI pool to apply for permanent selection.
The EOI profiles are ranked on several factors. In order to be eligible for QSWP, candidates are required to obtain sufficient points based on the Quebec Immigration selection grid, which is composed of nine factors. A single (unmarried) candidate must score at least 50 points based on this system, while a candidate with a spouse or common-law partner must score at least 59 points.
The Quebec Immigration Selection factors include age, education, work experience, language proficiency in French and English, stay and family in Quebec, validated job offer, spouse’s characteristics, presence of children, and ability to be financially independent.
Candidates invited to apply to immigrate to Quebec under the QSWP will then use the Mon Projet Quebec portal to submit an application form for permanent selection. The portal allows candidates to access their entire application and its tracking.
The Arrima draw for QSWP
The MIFI conducts regular Arrima draws to invite candidates through a ranking system according to labour market needs and their integration potential. 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 to complete applications, and the six-month period starts from the date they receive all the required information, which includes 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 particular province. Quebec’s immigration programs are managed by the province and are different from other federal programs of Canada.
Check out the free assessment form by Canadian Visa News to find your eligibility and most suited pathway to migrate to Quebec.
