Maple News reports that Quebec has unveiled a major update to its immigration process by introducing a comprehensive points-based scoring system within the Arrima expression of interest platform. Designed to better match immigration with labor market needs, the revamped model assigns candidates a score out of 1,320 points, enabling the province to more effectively prioritize applicants for permanent selection.
The new system divides the total points into two broad categories: 580 points are allocated to human capital factors, while 740 points are tied to Quebec’s labor market requirements. Human capital criteria include French language ability, bilingualism, age, professional experience, and education level — all elements seen as critical for successful integration into Quebec society.
On the labor market side, priority is given to candidates whose work experience aligns with in-demand sectors, who have studied in Quebec, or who hold job offers outside the Montreal metropolitan area. The latter factor is particularly significant — job offers outside Greater Montreal can earn candidates up to 380 points, compared to a maximum of 180 for those within the city.
Spouses or common-law partners accompanying the principal applicant can also contribute to the overall score, based on similar human capital and labor market-related criteria, enhancing the household’s chance of receiving an invitation.
According to Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), the launch of this scoring system will allow for more transparent and targeted selection. It aims to streamline the use of the Arrima pool by pre-classifying applicants according to their unique profiles and potential economic impact in the province.
The province is expected to initiate its first rounds of invitations under this updated framework shortly. Invitations to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) will be sent to top-ranked candidates in the expression of interest pool. If two candidates have identical scores, their ranking will be determined by the date and time of profile submission.
The government anticipates that this change will significantly improve processing times. Selected candidates could receive a CSQ within six months of submitting their complete application, after which they can apply for permanent residence with the federal government.
This system reflects Quebec’s growing emphasis on economic immigration tailored to local workforce demands and regional development priorities. By refining how candidates are evaluated, Quebec hopes to enhance immigrant integration while addressing critical labor shortages across the province.