Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI) has released details of the second draw of 2020, which took place six months after the first.
On June 18, Quebec invited seven candidates to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). These 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 about 16,000 Regular Skilled Worker Program applications were cancelled with the introduction of Bill 9.
The Government of Quebec previously stated in August 2019 that rounds of invitations for these candidates were to take place until January 16, 2020. Yet this draw of seven people still included candidates that were affected by Bill 9.
In order to be invited, candidates needed to have filed an expression of interest with MIFI before December 17, 2019. They also needed to be either a temporary resident of Quebec when they applied, or hold a work or study permit in the province at the time.
In order to immigrate to Quebec under the Regular Skilled Worker Program, candidates must first submit an Expression of Interest through Arrima. MIFI will then review the bank of profiles and issue invitations to those who meet specific criteria based on the labour market needs of Quebec.
What is Arrima?
Arrima was introduced in 2018 to manage the bank of candidates for the Regular Skilled Worker Program after the program was switched from a paper-based “first-come, first-served” application approach to an Expression of Interest system.
Quebec’s EOI system manages the bank of candidates for the CSQ, which is required in order to apply for permanent residence in the province through the Regular Skilled Worker Program.
Candidates express their interest by creating a profile in Arrima, which is then placed in the pool of candidates and ranked based on either a score or other criteria.
Quebec’s immigration ministry issues invitations to apply for a CSQ based on either a candidate’s score or other factors such as labour needs in the province’s regions.