To apply for permanent selection under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program, foreign nationals must first submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima portal.
The EOI contains information about your socioeconomic background and credentials, which are used to assess and rank you against other pool applicants. If you are one of the top-ranked applicants, you may be invited to apply for permanent selection by the Quebec government.
What is the EOI System in Quebec?
In 2018, the government launched the Expression of Interest (EOI) system to oversee permanent selection applications in Quebec.
The implementation of Quebec’s EOI system is part of a modernization effort comparable to that of the Express Entry system, which was also implemented with the same purpose in 2015. Quebec, like Canada, has introduced the Arrima online portal with the purpose of streamlining the immigrant selection process, greatly speeding up the processing of immigration applications, and better aligning immigration with labour market demands.
The utilisation of the EOI system allows the Quebec government to create a pool of foreign nationals who want to immigrate to the province permanently under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
Foreign nationals who want to apply for permanent selection under the QSWP must first create a profile on the Arrima portal and fill out an EOI. The EOI contains information on the individual submitting it, such as his or her socioeconomic status. Before submitting their profile to the EOI pool, eligible candidates often complete a series of questions online. After submitting a profile, an applicant is awarded a score based on a variety of human capital and labour market criteria.
Arrima is administered by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), which performs periodical rounds of invitations to choose individuals from the pool based on their ranking score, goal occupations, or location of employment, among other variables. The frequency and number of invitations extended to candidates are controlled by Quebec’s labour market demands, annual immigration targets, and the MIFI’s processing capacity.
EOIs must be filed online, are free, and do not need any supporting documentation at this moment. There is no restriction on the number of interested parties who may submit an expression of interest into the Arrima pool, and there is no filing date.
EOIs are valid for one year from the date of filing and can be modified at any time, including after they have been submitted.
What Are the Quebec EOI Requirements?
Any foreign national 18 years of age or older who wishes to live and work in Quebec may submit an EOI to the province through the Arrima website.
Candidates are judged using a point system separated into two categories of criteria, with points additionally provided to the principal applicant’s spouse or common-law partner for some of these criteria.
The following is a list of the factors that were taken into account, along with the maximum points that could be earned for each.
Human Capital (maximum of 580 points)
| Criteria | Maximum points – Applicant | Maximum points – Spouse or common-law partner accompanying the principal applicant |
| Knowledge of French | 180 | 40 |
| Knowledge of French and English | 80 | — |
| Age | 130 | 110 |
| Length of professional experience | 100 | — |
| Level of education | 90 | 70 (principal applicant with an accompanying spouse)10 (spouse or common-law partner of principal applicant) |
Quebec Labour Market Needs (maximum of 740 points)
| Criteria | Maximum points – Applicant | Maximum points – Spouse or common-law partner accompanying the principal applicant |
| Workforce diagnosis combined, if applicable, with the length of experience in the profession practiced; | 100 | — |
| Field of training | 60 | — |
| Québec diploma | 50 | 10 |
| Length of professional experience in Québec | 100 | — |
| Length of professional experience in the rest of Canada | 30 | — |
| Validated job offer combined, if applicable, instead of the job depending on whether it is located inside or outside the territory of Greater Montréal | 380 (Outside of Greater Montreal Area180 (In Greater Montreal Area) | — |
Based on human capital and Quebec labour market characteristics, candidates and their wives or common-law partners can earn up to 1,320 points.
What Information Do I Need to Include in My EOI Submission?
When submitting your EOI, you will be requested to give the following details:
- information about yourself;
- Contact information
- Family status;
- Quebec status;
- Education;
- Work experience;
- MIFI-verified information on a job offer;
- French and English language skills;
- Information on your accompanying spouse and children, whether or not they are accompanied by you.
How can I submit an Expression of Interest to Immigrate to Quebec?
Foreign individuals interested in immigrating to Quebec through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) must first submit an online expression of interest (EOI) via the Arrima portal.
The application process for immigration under the QSWP consists of five major steps:
- Foreign nationals may apply to become part of the Arrima applicant pool by submitting an Expression of Interest profile through the Arrima Portal.
- Invitations to apply will be sent to the top-ranked persons by the Quebec Immigration Ministry (MIFI). Invitations may represent a variety of factors, including labour market conditions in various areas of Quebec.
- Invited applicants may submit a complete application for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ) via the QSWP.
- Completed applications are reviewed, and eligible applicants are provided with a CSQ.
- Candidates may apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence in Canada after getting a CSQ (IRCC).
What Happens After an Expression of Interest is submitted?
Once filed, the EOI is valid for one year, during which time applicants may update their profile. Candidates may boost their chances of getting invited, for example, by passing a language test.
Candidates with the best scores or those who match certain criteria, such as working outside of major metropolitan areas in a targeted occupation, will be invited to apply for a CSQ through the QSWP. The WISA India Skilled Worker Points Calculator or the Quebec government’s self-assessment tool can be used to estimate QSWP and EOI scores.
The Government of Quebec regularly issues invitations, and the most current revisions may be seen on our Arrima portal page.
Candidates invited to apply for the QSWP will have 60 days to complete an application for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
Applications for RSWP are currently being handled using the application management system Mon Projet Québec. Once the application has been reviewed by the Ministry, the candidate will be provided with a comprehensive list of required documents.
When the applicant submits the required documents, the application evaluation procedure begins. Some applicants may be invited to an interview to check the information on their application.
How long does it take to get PR in Quebec using the EOI system?
The Quebec government anticipates that all applications will be processed within six months. When MIFI receives the following information, the processing time begins.
- your permanent selection application;
- your supporting documentation;
- the payment of your application processing fee
How WISA India can help you?
If you want to come to Canada via Quebec’s skilled worker program or another skilled worker route, you must first complete a complimentary WISA India assessment form. If you are eligible for Quebec or Canadian immigration, a member of the WISA India team will contact you to assist you to help you make your move.