The First Quebec PNP Draw in 2021

Key Highlights:

• Overview
• Regular Skilled Worker Program
• Arrima Online Registration Portal
• Create an EOI Profile
• The RSWP Selection Process
• New Immigration Targets

Quebec holds its first Arrima draw of 2021 on 26 January. The province invited 95 new immigration candidates in the latest skilled worker program selection round.

Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates having an Expression of Interest (EOI) in Arrima for selection under the Regular Skilled Worker category. Arrima is the online registration portal of Quebec province.

The Regular Skilled Worker Program

The Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) candidates are required to submit an EOI online through Arrima. All profiles in the pool are reviewed by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

Invitations are then sent to candidates who meet the screening criteria based on the province's labour market needs.

The immigration programs, selection criteria, and processes of Quebec are different from Canada's other immigration programs.

Arrima Online Registration Portal

The Arrima Online Registration Portal was first introduced in the year 2018. It was created to manage the pool of applicants for RSWP. It simplified the application evaluation process that was formerly based on 'first come, first served' principle. 

Creating an EOI Profile 

Interested applicants above 18 years of age and willing to immigrate to Quebec through RSWP need to create a profile on Arrima. The candidates are then put in the pool for selection.

MIFI selects the most qualified applicants based on the strong potential to integrate into the Quebec community and local market labour needs. 

The RSWP Selection Process

MIFI examines the candidate's profile and assigns a score using the RSWP selection grid. It takes various criteria like age, education, work experience, and language skills.

Selection Factors in the Point Grid

Candidates with a passing score on the grid receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). This document is required in Quebec. It certifies that the candidate is approved for permanent residency in the province.

With the CSQ, candidates can apply for PR to the federal government of Canada. They will then have to undergo a medical examination and criminal screening as part of the process to immigrate to Quebec.

New Immigration Targets

Immigration levels in the coming years have been substantially enhanced for both Quebec and Canada. Quebec aims to welcome over 47,500 new immigrants in 2021. At the same time, Canada is looking to welcome over 401,000 newcomers under various immigration programs.