Maple News reports that Canada’s federal Express Entry system has outpaced Quebec’s Arrima platform in inviting French-speaking candidates to apply for permanent residency. Between July 1, 2023, and March 1, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 18,200 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through category-based Express Entry draws targeting candidates with strong French language proficiency. In comparison, Quebec extended 13,133 provincial invitations during the same period via its Arrima system under the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program.
The federal government has increasingly emphasized Francophone immigration outside of Quebec, aiming to strengthen minority French-speaking communities across Canada. By the end of 2023, IRCC had extended more ITAs to Francophone candidates via Express Entry than Quebec had through its entire 2023 intake (18,173).
Category-based Express Entry draws were introduced in mid-2023 to address labor market needs by targeting skilled candidates in priority sectors. Specifically, the federal system is designed to draw talent in healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agri-food, and French-speaking groups. These targeted draws streamline the selection of candidates most suited to fill urgent workforce gaps across Canada.
IRCC has confirmed it will continue using the same six categories for Express Entry in 2024, with strong French language proficiency remaining a key criterion. Candidates eligible under the Francophone category must achieve at least level 7 in all four skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) test.
This targeted approach reflects Canada’s broader strategy to attract globally mobile, French-speaking professionals who can contribute socially and economically to the country, especially in regions outside Quebec where French-speaking communities are growing and in need of support.
Maple News notes that the discrepancy in invitation rates may serve as an incentive for Francophone candidates around the world to explore the federal Express Entry system as a faster pathway to permanent residence. Quebec operates its own immigration programs independently and employs its own selection criteria, which may account for the slower application volume through Arrima.
As Express Entry continues to be a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration strategy, the federal government’s proactive approach signals a clear commitment to increasing Francophone representation throughout the country.