Arrima Portal - Themillenniumimmigration

Quebec Immigration: What is Arrima?

Arrima is an online platform used by the Quebec government to deliver a wide range of services to foreign nationals who wish to immigrate to Quebec.

The use of Arrima is completely free and open to everyone. This page will give you an overview of the various immigration-related procedures that can be carried out via this platform.

What is Arrima?
Can I use Arrima for Quebec immigration?
How can I apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program in Arrima?
What is the scoring system used for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program in Arrima?
Summary of recent invitation rounds via the Arrima portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us for Assistance

What is Arrima?

Arrima is a free electronic platform designed to manage skilled worker applications in Quebec, functioning similarly to the federal Express Entry system. Through Arrima, applicants can create and submit profiles for consideration under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). Eligible candidates receive a score and are ranked against others in the Arrima pool, utilizing an Expression of Interest (EOI) system, known in French as “système de déclaration d’intérêt (DI).”

Launched in August 2018 following the implementation of the Québec Immigration Act, Arrima aims to expedite the immigration application process and better align potential candidates with the province’s labor market needs. Before Arrima, Quebec relied on a paper-based application system, which led to lengthy processing times and challenges in matching applicants with immediate labor demands.

Currently, Arrima primarily serves the Quebec government in managing EOI submissions for the QSWP. The platform is also being expanded to include application services for other economic immigration programs, such as the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for temporary workers and international students.

Can I use Arrima for Quebec immigration?

Arrima offers various functionalities tailored to the needs of Quebec immigration candidates, depending on the specific program and stage of the immigration process. Here are the primary ways candidates can utilize Arrima:

Submit and Manage EOIs: Candidates can create, submit, complete, and update their Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP).

Self-Assessment Tool: Access a self-assessment tool to estimate their potential score and evaluate the chances of receiving an invitation for permanent selection.

Apply for Permanent Selection: Submit applications, required documents, and fees for permanent selection under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).

Permanent Immigration Pilot Programs: Create an Arrima profile to apply for permanent selection and manage documentation for one of Quebec’s permanent immigration pilot programs.

Temporary Selection for Studies: Foreign students can create profiles, submit supporting documents, and apply for temporary selection.

Information and Forms: Obtain details and submit forms related to financial aid for part-time French courses, “Accompagnement Québec” programs, and the Program for Refugees Abroad (collective sponsorship).

Additionally, Arrima serves employers and businesses by providing:

Personalized Support: Access to tailored assistance from the immigration ministry.

Employer Portal: A platform to connect with foreign workers who meet their labor needs and extend job offers in Quebec.

How can I apply for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program in Arrima?

Interested candidates can submit an online profile through Arrima to be assessed for immigration under Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). The assessment is based on a scoring system that considers various factors, including education, work experience, language proficiency, connections to the province, and any validated job offers. Eligible candidates are then entered into the candidate pool, where they may receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection.

Approximately once a month, the Government of Quebec invites the highest-scoring candidates from the Arrima pool to submit a complete application for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). This CSQ is the initial step toward applying for permanent residence with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Here’s a summary of the steps involved in the immigration process to Quebec:

1. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Create and submit your EOI in the Arrima candidate pool.

2. Receive a Score: After submission, you will be scored based on predetermined criteria. A self-assessment tool (available in French) can help estimate your potential score.

3. Receive an Invitation: The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) will issue invitations to the highest-scoring candidates in the pool.

4. Submit a Full Application: Invited candidates have 60 days to complete and submit their application to the MIFI.

5. Application Review: The MIFI will review your complete application.

6. Receive CSQ: A decision will be made, and if successful, you will receive a CSQ within six months.

Once you have your CSQ, you can apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence.

Your expression of interest remains valid for one year, and you can update your profile during this period. For instance, you can enhance your chances of being invited by completing a language test or obtaining a validated job offer in Quebec.

What is the scoring system used for the Quebec skilled Worker Program in Arrima?

Anyone who meets the age requirement of 18 years may submit an expression of interest by completing an online profile via the Arrima portal. An expression of interest profile is assessed according to a scoring system totaling 1,320 points and is based on the following human capital and labour market needs criteria:

Human Capital (maximum of 580 points)

Criteria	Maximum points – Principal Applicant	Maximum points – Spouse or common-law partner accompanying the principal applicant
Knowledge of French	180	40
Knowledge of French and English	80	—
Age	130	110
Length of professional experience	100	—
Level of education	90	70 (principal applicant with accompanying spouse) 10 (spouse or common-law partner of principal applicant)

Quebec Labour Market Needs (maximum of 740 points)

Criteria	Maximum points – Principal Applicant	Maximum points – Spouse or common-law partner accompanying the principal applicant
Workforce diagnosis combined, if applicable, with the length of experience in the profession practiced;	100	—
Field of training	60	—
Québec diploma	50	10
Length of professional experience in Québec	100	—
Length of professional experience in the rest of Canada	30	—
Validated job offer combined, if applicable, instead of the job depending on whether it is located inside or outside the territory of Greater Montréal	380 (Outside of Greater Montreal Area 180 (In Greater Montreal Area)	—

Summary of recent invitation rounds via the Arrima portal

When invited, applicants receive a message in Arrima with the information they need to access the form and submit a permanent selection application.

The following is a summary of the latest round of invitations conducted using the Arrima pool of candidates and the corresponding selection criteria.

Date of invitation	Number of invitations issued	Candidates had to meet the following criteria
August 11, 2022	58	Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
July 7, 2022	352	Work in a targeted occupation and have the minimum required score in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
May 5, 2022	30	Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
April 7, 2022	33	Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
March 10, 2022	506	Work in an occupation on the list of 20 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 577 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank;
February 24, 2022	306	Have a score of at least 630 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
February 10, 2022	523	Work in an occupation on the list of 21 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 592 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank;
January 27, 2022	322	Have a score of at least 647 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
January 13, 2022	512	Work in an occupation on the list of 21 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 602 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank;
December 9, 2021	326	Work in an occupation on the list of 29 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 633 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
November 11, 2021	32	Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area;
October 21, 2021	23	Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area; Reside in Quebec as a diplomat, consular official, United Nations representative or representative of any intergovernmental organization operating in the province, and their staff.
September 30, 2021	536	Work in an occupation on the list of 6 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 562 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
September 2, 2021	517	Work in an occupation on the list of 17 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 499 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
August 26, 2021	585	Work in an occupation on the list of 17 targeted occupations and have a score of at least 517 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area.
August 19, 2021	502	Work in an occupation on the list of targeted occupations and have a score of at least 548 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank.
August 12, 2021	515	Work in an occupation on the list of targeted occupations and have a score of at least 591 points in the Arrima expression of interest bank; Have a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Area; Reside in Quebec as a diplomat, consular official, United Nations representative or representative of any intergovernmental organization operating in the province, and their staff ; Work as a self-employed person.
June 17, 2021	69	Have a validated job offer
May 27, 2021	90	Have a validated job offer Reside in Québec as diplomatic agents, consular officers or other types of eligible foreign representatives.
April 29, 2021	83	Have a validated job offer Reside in Québec as diplomatic agents, consular officers or other types of eligible foreign representatives.
March 30, 2021	208	Have a validated job offer Reside in Québec as diplomatic agents, consular officers or other types of eligible foreign representatives.
January 26, 2021	95	Have a validated job offer Reside in Québec as diplomatic agents, consular officers or other types of eligible foreign representatives.
December 16, 2020	233	Have a validated job offer Reside in Québec as diplomatic agents, consular officers or other types of eligible foreign representatives.
September 24, 2020	365	Have a validated job offer Reside in Québec as diplomatic agents, consular officers or other types of eligible foreign representatives. Be among those who are invited by the Minister on the basis of their ability to contribute to Québec’s prosperity by staying or settling there.
June 18, 2020	7	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.
January 16, 2020	23	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.
December 17, 2019	220	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.
December 12, 2019	85	Candidates had a valid offer of employment; OR They were staying in Quebec carrying out official duties as diplomats, consular officers, or representatives of intergovernmental organizations, among others.
October 29, 2019	73	Candidates had a valid offer of employment; OR They were staying in Quebec carrying out official duties as diplomats, consular officers, or representatives of intergovernmental organizations, among others.
October 23, 2019	89	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.
September 25, 2019	169	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.
September 4, 2019	32	Candidates had a valid offer of employment; OR They were staying in Quebec carrying out official duties as diplomats, consular officers, or representatives of intergovernmental organizations, among others.
August 19, 2019	444	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.
July 17, 2019	259	Candidates had a valid offer of employment; OR They were staying in Quebec carrying out official duties as diplomats, consular officers, or representatives of intergovernmental organizations, among others.
July 4, 2019	691	Candidates were either except from the cap that had been in place when they first applied to the Regular Skilled Worker Program or they were residing in Quebec on a study or work permit on June 16, 2019, when roughly 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled; AND They filed an expression of interest with the Minister before December 17, 2019.