According to Maple News, Quebec issued 273 new invitations for permanent selection under a specialized stream of its Skilled Worker Selection Program on July 31, 2025. This latest draw was conducted through the province’s Arrima system, focusing on candidates with intermediate and manual skills.
The invitations were issued under Stream 2, aimed at applicants working in occupations classified under FEER categories 3, 4, or 5. To be eligible, applicants were required to meet specific selection criteria, including proficiency in French. The primary applicant needed an oral French level of at least 5, while accompanying spouses needed level 4 or higher.
In addition to language abilities, candidates had to live outside the Montreal Metropolitan Community and accumulate at least 24 months of work experience over the past five years. Notably, at least 12 of those months had to be in Quebec within the applicant’s primary occupation. A minimum score of 661 points was needed to receive an invitation.
Candidates were selected from the Expression of Interest profiles in the Arrima bank as of July 28, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. The draw specifically excluded those planning to work in regulated professions, continuing Quebec’s focus on streamlining applicants into roles with more accessible labour pathways.
Arrima, Quebec’s online immigration application platform, uses a points-based system to evaluate applicants based on criteria including work experience, education, language skills, and ties to the province. Those invited through the system can proceed to apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), a key step in gaining permanent residence in Canada.
This move highlights Quebec’s evolving immigration priorities. By targeting skilled candidates for sectors experiencing labour shortages, Quebec is aiming to bolster its regional workforce while ensuring new arrivals can integrate successfully through French proficiency and local work experience.
This July draw reflects Quebec’s continued strategy: balancing economic growth with cultural preservation. With a strong emphasis on French language and decentralized settlement—specifically outside of Montreal—the province continues to tailor its immigration programs to align with both labour market needs and provincial identity.
As Quebec faces increasing demands for skilled labour, especially in manual trades and intermediate occupations, such focused immigration efforts signal a readiness to welcome and integrate newcomers whose skills meet provincial demands.
Maple News will continue to follow updates on Quebec’s immigration draws as the province refines its selection processes for both economic and cultural benefit.