Last Updated on January 30, 2021

Quebec immigration has issued 95 invitations in the first draw of 2021 through the Arrima Expression of Interest system.

The January 26 draw was aimed primarily at candidates with a job offer, but also included other criteria listed below.

Candidates receiving an invitation have 60 days to submit a full application to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.

Criteria for Latest Quebec Expression of Interest Draw

Quebec Expression Of Interest Draws 2021

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How Does Quebec Expression of Interest Work?

1. Candidates submit an online expression of interest profile to the MIDI.
2. Profiles enter into an Expression of Interest pool, where they are ranked against each other and are valid for 12-months.
3. Profiles will be classified in two categories: one for candidates who are living in Quebec or have a job offer and meet specific criteria, and the another for candidates living outside Quebec and meet specific criteria.
4. The highest-ranking candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Quebec Certificate of Selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
5. Quebec will conduct periodic draws, inviting candidates to apply for a Quebec certificate of selection (CSQ).
6. Candidates receiving an invitation have 60 days to submit a full application.
7. Approved candidates who receive a nomination certificate (CSQ) may then apply for Canadian permanent residence.

What Are the Requirements for Quebec Expression of Interest?

Candidates are ranked under many factors including education, work experience, age, language ability and time spent in Quebec. A valid job offer is also an important factor.

The qualifications of a candidate’s spouse or partner are also considered.

According to the decision published on August 1^st, 2018, the first category refers to candidates who:

• Have a validated job offer outside the Metropolitan Community of Montreal;
• Have a validated job offer in the Metropolitan Community of Montreal;
• Are currently living in Quebec AND:
  • They have a post-graduate work permit, obtained following the graduation from an eligible study program in Quebec (diploma attesting at least 900 hours of instruction, diploma of collegial studies attesting at least 12 months of full-time studies, undergraduate degree of at least 12 months of full-time studies, or graduate degrees such as masters, specialized graduate diplomas or PhDs); or
  • They have a work permit with a validity of at least 12 months and they have worked in Quebec full-time for at least 6 months.

These candidates are ranked based on the following criteria:

1. Age
2. Level of education
3. Diploma obtained in Quebec
4. Proficiency in French
5. Proficiency in other languages
6. Work experience in Canada or in the United States
7. Spouse/common-law partner’s qualifications: level of education and proficiency in the French language.
8. Transferability skills:
   1. Level of education with French proficiency (either the main applicant’s or the spouse’s, depending on which score is highest)
   2. Level of education with French proficiency and work experience in Canada or US
   3. Foreign work experience with French proficiency
   4. Foreign work experience with French proficiency and work experience in Canada or US

The second category refers to candidates who are not residing in Quebec. They are ranked on the following criteria:

1. Age
2. Level of education
3. Are of training in-demand, as published by the government
4. Diploma obtained in Quebec
5. Proficiency in French
6. Proficiency in other languages
7. Work experience in Canada or in the United States
8. Spouse/common-law partner’s qualifications: level of education and proficiency in the French language.
9. Transferability skills:
   1. Level of education with French proficiency (either the main applicant’s or the spouse’s, depending on which score is highest)
   2. Level of education with French proficiency and work experience in Canada or US
   3. Foreign work experience with French proficiency
   4. Foreign work experience with French proficiency and work experience in Canada or US

What Points Are Available Under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program?

Candidates selected to apply for a CSQ under the Quebec Skilled worker program must pass the threshold for the selection factors, which is 50 points for a single candidate and 59 points for a married candidate.

Selection factors in the point grid