Maple News reports that the province of Quebec has extended invitations to 502 skilled workers through its latest Arrima draw, which took place on August 19. These candidates have now been invited to apply for permanent selection under Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).
To be eligible, individuals must have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Arrima, Quebec’s online portal that enables the province to select potential immigrants who meet its labor market needs. This system acts as a pre-screening tool, allowing Quebec to shortlist candidates before inviting them to submit full immigration applications.
This draw specifically targeted individuals with a minimum score of 548 in the selection process and whose professional experience aligns with occupations currently in demand in Quebec. The list includes several technology and engineering professions such as software engineers, computer programmers, and electrical engineers, among others. The full list consists of 17 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes, mostly in the IT, engineering, and creative sectors.
The August 19 round marks Quebec’s seventh Arrima draw in 2021, with a total of 1,562 candidates invited so far this year. This draw comes just a week after the province conducted its largest Arrima draw of the year, signaling Quebec’s ongoing efforts to fill critical labor shortages and attract top talent to support its economic development.
Unique among Canadian provinces, Quebec administers its own immigration programs independently from the federal government’s systems like Express Entry. However, once Quebec selects a candidate for permanent residence, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has the final authority to issue the visa.
The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program is aimed at individuals who are demonstrably capable of contributing to the province’s economy long-term. It is especially popular with skilled foreign workers and recent graduates who are interested in building their careers in Quebec.
Maple News continues to monitor immigration updates across Canada to bring timely and detailed information to candidates and employers alike.