Maple News reports that Quebec has conducted its third round of immigration invitations via the Arrima system within a single month — with the latest draw on August 26 marking the most significant of the year so far.
In this round, 585 immigration candidates were invited to apply for permanent selection under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ). To qualify, candidates needed to score at least 517 points in the Arrima expression of interest pool. This draw outpaced previous rounds in both size and frequency, as Quebec also issued invitations on August 12 and August 19, each exceeding 500 invitations — well above the province’s earlier trends for 2023.
The Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) continues to target high-demand sectors across the province. The latest invitations were largely extended to candidates with valid job offers outside the Montreal metropolitan region and those working in key occupations such as IT, engineering, multimedia, and technical sales. Among the targeted professions were software engineers, IT consultants, web developers, database analysts, and electrical technologists, among others.
So far in 2023, Quebec has held eight invitation rounds through Arrima, issuing a total of 2,145 invitations. This marks a strategic shift toward more frequent and larger draws, suggesting the province is actively responding to labor market needs and economic priorities.
The Regular Skilled Worker Program is designed for qualified professionals with strong potential to integrate into Quebec’s economy. It remains a popular pathway for foreign skilled workers and international graduates seeking permanent residence in the province.
Candidates invited through Arrima have up to six months to submit a complete application for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), the official document required to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Once approved by Quebec, applicants must then submit their CSQ to the federal government to complete the immigration process.
Quebec’s immigration system is managed independently from Canada’s federal programs. The province selects its own permanent residents based on criteria that reflect its unique needs and long-term demographic goals.
This surge in invitations is another clear sign that Quebec is accelerating its immigration efforts to meet growing demand in sectors critical to its economy.