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Professional & Skilled Workers

Professional & Skilled Workers

The vast majority of newcomers to Canada become residents through economic immigration programs. Canada’s immigration targets for 2018-2020 indicate that nearly 200,000 new economic immigrants will be welcomed to the country each year. This means that there are many opportunities for foreign nationals with the skills needed to fill labour gaps in the Canadian economy.

  • Express Entry
  • Provincial Nominee Programs for Skilled Workers
  • Quebec Immigration for Skilled Workers
  • Work Permits

Economic immigration refers to those immigration programs which aim to positively affect the Canadian economy. The majority of economic immigration programs aim to attract skilled workers to Canada. Skilled workers can fill shortages in Canada’s labour force and build lasting careers contributing to the Canadian economy. Skilled worker immigration programs are permanent resident programs, and successful applicants receive Canadian permanent resident status.

Express Entry

Express Entry is the system Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage applications to three major federal skilled worker immigration programs.

  • Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
  • Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

As well, many provinces operate Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) streams that are aligned with Express Entry. Candidates who are eligible for one of the programs managed by Express Entry must submit a profile to the Express Entry pool.

All Express Entry candidates are then assigned a score based on their profile using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), regardless of the program for which they are eligible. This score is based on various criteria, including age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and connections to Canada. The highest-ranking candidates are issued invitations to apply for permanent residence in periodic Express Entry draws. Once invited, processing times are as fast as 6 months.

Federal Skilled Worker

All Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) candidates must have a minimum of one year of skilled work experience. However, this program does not require a connection to Canada, so it can be an ideal immigration option for foreign nationals living outside of Canada. Please note that the program does have strict eligibility requirements regarding work experience, level of education, age, and language proficiency.

Federal Skilled Trades

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) program, candidates must have at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade. This experience must have been obtained within the previous 5 years. Also, eligible candidates must have either an offer of full-time employment for a position lasting at least 12 months or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade which is issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an economic immigration program that requires some Canadian experience. Candidates must have at least 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience, completed in Canada within the previous 3 years. This program is not an option for foreign nationals who do not possess this Canadian experience.

Provincial Nominee Programs for Skilled Workers

Canada’s provinces and territories operate unique immigration programs designed to meet their individual economic and demographic needs. These are called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Many of these programs target skilled workers who can fill gaps in provincial and territorial workforces, so there are a variety of options for skilled workers.

Quebec Immigration for Skilled Workers

The province of Quebec retains significant autonomy and authority over its immigration policies and procedures, especially when compared to the other provinces and territories. For this reason, Quebec operates its immigration programs that are outside of the federal Express Entry system.

Applying for permanent residence through the province of Quebec follows a two-step process. First, it is necessary to apply to the Quebec government to receive a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Once an applicant has a CSQ, they are then able to submit a paper-based application for permanent residence to Canada’s federal immigration authorities. Quebec operates two major permanent residence programs for skilled workers:

  1. Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
  2. Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW)

Quebec Experience Program

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) program requires skilled workers to be living in Quebec and to have 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience completed within Quebec in the previous 2 years. The program has a faster processing time than Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) but it also has stricter eligibility requirements. This program does require applicants to demonstrate advanced intermediate knowledge of oral French.

Quebec Skilled Worker

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) program may be an option for skilled workers living outside of Quebec, as it does not necessarily require a Quebec connection. The QSW program uses a points grid to assess eligibility for the program and to rank candidates against one another. Interested candidates must submit an electronic Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima Portal. The most competitive candidates will be invited to apply to the program.

Work Permits

Skilled workers who are interested in working in Canada, but are not eligible for an existing immigration program, may be interested in pursuing a temporary work permit. Work experience gained while on a temporary work permit may increase the candidate’s eligibility for permanent residence immigration programs. To obtain a work permit, candidates usually require a job offer from a Canadian employer.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Eligibility

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program is ideal for candidates who have recent Canadian work experience and are seeking permanent immigration to Canada. CEC is also one of the fastest routes to Canadian permanent residence, taking as little as three to four months to process! 

  • What is the Canadian Experience Class Program?
  • Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class Program?
  • Canadian Experience Class requirements
  • How to calculate your Canadian Experience Class CRS points
  • Can I apply to the Canadian Experience Class program from outside of Canada?
  • Is proof of funds required for Canadian Experience Class?
  • Does internship experience in Canada count towards my Canadian Experience Class application?

Find out if you are eligible to apply for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or any other Canadian immigration program today! Take our free online assessment to get started.

CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY UNDER THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS

What is the Canadian Experience Class program?

CEC is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank interested candidates. Applicants who have competitive CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Who is eligible for the Canadian Experience Class Program?

In order to be eligible for CEC, a candidate must have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equivalent amount of part-time), skilled work experience in Canada. The Canadian work experience must have been acquired within the previous three years from the date of the application.

CEC is not an option for foreign nationals who do not have recent Canadian work experience.

Canadian Experience Class requirements

In order to count your 12 months of Canadian work experience towards your CEC application, it must meet the following conditions:

  1. Be obtained in Canada within the 36 months prior to the date of submission of the electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
  2. Your employment duties in Canada fall under the NOC Code Skill Level 0, A, or B.
  3. Be lawfully obtained, paid work experience in Canada.

An applicant cannot count on work experience obtained while engaged in full-time studies in Canada.

In addition to the Canadian experience requirement, CEC has several other eligibility criteria which must be met to submit:

  1. Language: Reach a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test for NOC skill level 0 or A jobs. Reach a CLB 5 for NOC B jobs.
  2. Residence in Canada: Intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

Provided a candidate meets these requirements, they will be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile for the Canadian Experience Class program. However, candidates should note that they must meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offenses and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.

How to calculate your Canadian Experience Class CRS points?

Express Entry holds rounds of invitations and invites CEC candidates based on their CRS scores. To calculate your points for CEC, you simply need to use Global Solicitor’s handy CRS calculator tool.

Can I apply to the Canadian Experience Class program from outside of Canada?

Yes. As long as you meet the basic eligibility requirements for CEC as mentioned above, you can apply from anywhere in the world.

Is proof of funds required for the Canadian Experience Class?

Proof of funds is not a requirement of the CEC program. You will not be required to provide any documentation regarding your finances.

Does internship experience in Canada count towards my Canadian Experience Class application?

It depends. If your paid internship is not part of your education, then you may count it towards the Express Entry work experience requirement.

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs contained within Canada’s Express Entry system for processing immigration applications. The FSW program allows candidates with foreign work experience and no connections to Canada to apply for permanent residency.

CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY AS A FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER

Federal Skilled Worker Program Overview

  • What is the FSW program?
  • Who is eligible to apply under the FSW program?
  • How can I apply for the FSW program?
  • How long does it take to process an FSW application?
  • Am I required to show settlement funds for FSW?
  • What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?
  • Do I need to provide language test results for the FSW program?
  • Federal skilled worker program eligible occupations
  • Federal skilled worker program vs express entry

Federal Skilled Worker Points

  • How do I calculate Federal Skilled Worker points?
  • What is the difference between my FSW eligibility points and CRS score?
  • How do I calculate FSW points for part-time work experience?
  • What is foreign work experience?
  • How do I calculate CRS points for foreign work experience?

Federal Skilled Worker Program FAQs

  • Is the Federal Skilled Worker program open?
  • Can a Federal Skilled Worker candidate work in Quebec?
  • Is there an age limit to apply under the FSW program?
  • Can my spouse and children be included in my FSW application?
  • Can I include my parents in my Federal Skilled Worker application?
  • Do I need a job offer to apply for the FSW program?
  • I have a criminal background or serious medical condition – can I still apply under the FSW program?

What is the FSW program?

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is managed under the Express Entry system and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates who wish to settle permanently in Canada. Unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, Federal Skilled Workers are not required to have Canadian work experience to enter the Express Entry pool. Instead, candidates must meet a minimum points requirement based on factors such as work experience, language ability, and education. Once in the pool, applicants with the most competitive CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Who is eligible to apply under the FSW program?

In order to qualify for the FSWP, a candidate must meet certain minimum requirements regarding years of experience, level of education, age, and English or French language proficiency:

  • Work Experience
    • At least 12 months of continuous, full-time, skilled work experience completed within the previous 10 years (or an equal amount in part-time experience).
      • Skilled work experience refers to experience classified under NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.
  • Language Proficiency
    • Reach a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
  • Education
    • A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in foreign education.
  • Financial Support
    • Enough funds to support themselves and any spouse and/or children in their settlement in Canada.
  • Residence in Canada
    • Must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If a candidate meets the requirements listed above, they must also demonstrate that they score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid.

Provided a candidate meets these requirements, they will be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, candidates should note that they must meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offenses and medical conditions may make a person inadmissible to Canada.

How can I apply to the FSW program?

Interested candidates must submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submitting an Express Entry profile does not guarantee a candidate will receive Canadian permanent residence. Only after submitting an Express Entry profile will a candidate be assigned a CRS score and be considered in future Express Entry draws for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

When submitting your Express Entry profile, an FSW candidate will need to provide the following documents:

  • Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
    To claim points for education, an FSW candidate must provide a valid ECA report attesting to the value of foreign education by Canadian standards. There are five organizations in Canada authorized to issue ECA reports. This is not required for educational credentials obtained from a Canadian educational institution.
  • Language Proficiency Test Results
    All candidates under the Express Entry programs must provide results from an approved language test taken within the previous two years. Accepted tests for English include the IELTS exam, and the CELPIP exam (only available in Canada). Accepted tests for French include the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).
  • Identification Documents
    Candidates will be required to provide information from identification documents. Ideally, a candidate and all accompanying family members should possess passports valid for travel.

If a candidate is successful in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, they will move onto the second stage of the application process. In this second stage, the applicant will have 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). This application requires further documentation.

Since the Express Entry system launched in 2015, the lowest-ranking FSW candidate to receive an ITA held a CRS score of 413 points. If an applicant’s CRS score is below this score, they should actively pursue options for improving their score.

How long does it take to process an FSW application?

A Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Express Entry profile will remain valid in the pool of candidates for 12 months.

If, while in the pool of candidates, you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to submit a full application and documentation to the Government of Canada.

The standard processing time for Express Entry applications is six months from the time the application is received by the Canadian authorities to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.

Additional factors may affect your processing time, including:

  • The complexity and/or completeness of your application
  • The ease with which the officer can confirm the information provided in your application
  • Adding an additional family member to your application

Am I required to show settlement funds for FSW?

Federal Skilled Workers are required to demonstrate that they can provide for themselves and their families once they settle in Canada. The funds required for settlement depend on the number of family members included in your application. Please refer to the below table for the amount required for your family size.
Number of Family Members Funds Required
1
$13,757
2
$17,127
3
$21,055
4
$25,564
5
$28,994
6
$32,700
7
$36,407
For each additional family member
$3,706
Required amount as of May, 2023

For more information on what is accepted as proof of settlement funds, visit our Settlement Funds page.

If you are not able to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, you can still apply as a Federal Skilled Worker if you first secure an offer of employment from a Canadian company.

What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?

The government processing fees must be remitted when submitting an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker program. These fees are separate from a candidate’s settlement funds, which must be demonstrated as part of the Federal Skilled Worker eligibility requirements.

The processing fees to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program are as follows:

Application Processing fee in $ CAD
Principal applicant (Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee)
$1365
Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (with right of permanent residence fee)
$1365
A dependent child under the age of 22 who is not a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition
Add $230 each per dependent
Last updated May 10, 2022

Do I need to provide language test results for the FSW program?

To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program, candidates must provide results from an approved language exam. To meet the minimum eligibility requirements, Federal Skilled Workers must score at least a CLB 7 or higher in each area of the language exam.

Federal Skilled Worker Program eligible occupations

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), you must have at least one year of work experience in an occupation skill type A, B, or 0. For a complete list of eligible occupations, please see below:

NOC code Occupation title Skill type
0011
Legislators
0012
Senior government managers and officials
0013
Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
0014
Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
0015
Senior managers – trade, broadcasting and other services, n.e.c.
0016
Senior managers – construction, transportation, production and utilities
0111
Financial managers
0112
Human resources managers
0113
Purchasing managers
0114
Other administrative services managers

Federal Skilled Worker Program vs Express Entry

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a program operated through the Express Entry system. Express Entry is not a program itself, but a system that organizes applications for three main economic immigration programs, including FSWP.

How do I calculate Federal Skilled Worker points?

In order to submit a program under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must meet a minimum score of 67 on the FSW points grid. To calculate your Federal Skilled Worker score, you can check your points against the grids below.

For a free assessment of your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, complete our free online assessment form today!

Factor Points
Education
25
Language Proficiency
28
Age
12
Work Experience
15
Arranged Employment
10
Adaptability
10
Minimum Pass Score
67

What is the difference between my FSW eligibility points and my CRS score?

In order to submit a profile as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), you must meet the minimum of 67 eligibility points. Once you can submit an Express Entry profile to the pool of candidates, you are ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and given a CRS score. All candidates that enter the Express Entry pool are given a CRS score, but only FSW candidates need to meet the minimum FSW score.

What is foreign work experience?

To be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile, Federal Skilled Workers must have at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) foreign work experience. Foreign work experience is any paid work experience acquired outside of Canada within the past 10 years.

The work experience must be in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type A, B, or 0. To determine the skill type of your work, you will first need to find your NOC code.

How do I calculate CRS points for foreign work experience?

Foreign work experience CRS points are calculated as part of the skill transferability factors in combination with a candidate’s:

  1. Official language proficiency; and
  2. Canadian work experience.

Having three or more years of foreign work experience will allow you to claim the highest amount of points under these factors. See the below tables for a full breakdown of foreign work experience CRS points.

Foreign Work Experience and Official Language Proficiency

Years of Experience Points for foreign work experience + CLB 7 Points for foreign work experience + CLB 9
No foreign work experience
1-2 years of foreign work experience
13
25
3+ years of foreign work experience
25
50

Foreign Work Experience and Canadian Work Experience

Years of Experience Points for foreign work experience + 1 year of Canadian work experience Points for foreign work experience + 2 or more years of Canadian work experience
No foreign work experience
1-2 years of foreign work experience
13
25
3+ years of foreign work experience
25
50

How do I calculate FSW points for part-time work experience?

Part-time work for Federal Skilled Workers can be calculated one of two ways:

  1. Combining the total number of hours worked per week in two or more part-time, skilled roles (e.g. 15 hrs/week in job A + 15 hrs/week in job B = 30 hrs/week)
  2. Combining the total hours worked in one part-time job over two or more years (e.g. 15 hrs/week for two years = 1 year equivalent of full-time work) and 15 hours per week in one part-time job over two years, etc.).

All part-time roles must be in NOC skill type A, B, or 0 to be considered toward one’s eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker program.

Is the Federal Skilled Worker program open?

Express Entry draws for Federal Skilled Worker candidates have been paused since December 2020. The Canadian government recently announced that draws targeting federal skilled workers would resume in early July 2022.

That said, FSW candidates may submit a profile at any time. While FSW candidates may not be invited in a federal Express Entry draw until July 2022, provinces continue to invite candidates for the chance to be nominated for permanent residency through Provincial Nominee Programs.

Can a Federal Skilled Worker work in Quebec?

According to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, Federal Skilled Workers are persons who have the intention to become economically established in Canada and reside in a province outside of Quebec.

Therefore, to be eligible for the program, you must not intend to reside in the province of Quebec. If you intend to settle in Quebec, you should immigrate through a Quebec immigration program. However, you may work for a Quebec company as long as you can sufficiently demonstrate your intention to reside in another province.

Is there an age limit to apply for under the FSW program?

There is no age limit to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. However, after the age of 35, candidates will begin to lose points toward the FSW eligibility requirement. After the age of 29, candidates will also lose points toward the age factor of their Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS). For this reason, candidates with lower age points may need to increase their eligibility points and CRS scores through other factors.

Can my spouse and children be included in my FSW application?

Individuals applying under the Federal Skilled Worker may include their children and spouse on their application for permanent residence. However, an applicant should consider how their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score may be affected when applying with a spouse.

Can I include my parents on my Federal Skilled Worker application?

Unfortunately, parents cannot be included in an application for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, after becoming a permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor your parents to come to Canada.

Do I need a job offer to apply for the FSW Program?

A job offer is not required for the Federal Skilled Worker program. A large majority of candidates invited under the Express Entry system do not have a formal Canadian job offer. That said, having a valid job offer may increase a Federal Skilled Worker’s CRS score by 50-200 points. To qualify for these points, the job offer will likely require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

I have a criminal background or serious medical condition - can I still apply under the FSW program?

If you have a criminal record or serious medical condition, you may be considered inadmissible to Canada and unable to successfully apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, inadmissibility is not necessarily a permanent ban from entering Canada. There are solutions available to help people otherwise considered inadmissible to enter Canada. Visit our inadmissibility page for more information.

Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)

The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) is an immigration program operated by the province of Quebec for candidates who have skilled work experience and will be able to make lasting contributions to Quebec’s economy as members of the workforce.

Overview

  • How to Apply
  • Arrima
  • Quebec Regular Skilled Worker processing time
  • Regular Skilled Worker fees
  • Is French required for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program?

\Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points

  • Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points systems
  • Selection Factors – RSWP Points Grid
  • Arrima EOI Points Grid
  • Recent Draws Using the Arrima Portal

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program - How to Apply

All RSWP candidates must demonstrate that they meet the minimum required score on the RSWP points assessment grid. If you have sufficient RSWP points, you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) using the Arrima online portal to be considered for the program. The Quebec government will then invite some candidates to submit a complete application for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate).

Upon receiving a CSQ, an applicant becomes eligible to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence.

Arrima Online Portal

The Quebec Ministère de l’Immigration, Francisation et Integration (MIFI) launched the Arrima online portal to manage applications to the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker (RSWP) program. Candidates who want to apply to RSWP must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form online, which contains information regarding the candidate’s language proficiency, work experience, field of training, and education.

MIFI will select candidates from this pool to apply for a CSQ, however, they have not yet confirmed how they will determine which candidates to invite. Upon receiving an invitation to apply to the program, candidates will have a limited amount of time to submit their complete application.

Applications for a CSQ submitted through the Arrima portal are expected to be processed within 6 months.

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker processing time

There are two processing times to consider for your Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program: the processing time for the CSQ and the Canadian permanent residence application. Both of these processing times are subject to change. The most up-to-date processing times can be found on the government website.

Regular Skilled Worker fees

When immigrating through the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), candidates must pay for both the CSQ application and the federal permanent residence application. Please see the most up-to-date CSQ fees below. Note that they are updated every year.
Applicant Processing fee in $ CAD
Principal applicant
$844
Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner
Add $181
A dependent child under the age of 22 or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition
Add $181 per dependent
Last updated May 4, 2022

Is French required for the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program?

Although the official language of Quebec is French, QSW does not require applicants to show proficiency in French, making the program attractive to English speakers who wish to reside in Quebec.

French language proficiency does, however, factor into your eligibility points and ranking in the Arrima pool. For this reason, it is helpful to have some proficiency in French to increase your chances with the program.

Quebec Regular Skilled Worker points systems

Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program uses two points systems: one to determine who is eligible to submit an Arrima profile, and one to determine who is invited to apply for permanent selection. If a candidate meets the minimum points requirement to submit an Arrima profile, they will receive another score. Quebec uses this score to rank candidates against each other and can be used to determine who receives an invitation to apply for a CSQ.

Selection Factors - QSW Points Grid

In order to submit a profile to the Arrima portal under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program, applicants must meet the minimum required scores on the eligibility points grid below.

Please note that points for education are awarded based on the applicant’s area of study.

Applicants applying without a spouse or common-law partner must reach a minimum of 43 points on the employability factors and 50 points total.

Applicants applying with a spouse or common-law partner must reach a minimum of 52 points on the employability factors and 59 points total.

Factor Points Without spouse Points With spouse
Education
26
26
Experience
8
8
Age
16
16
Language Proficiency
22
22
Connection to Quebec
8
8
Accompanying Spouse Factors
17
17
Valid Job Offer
14
14
Employability Eligibility Score
43
52
Children
8
8
Capacity for financial autonomy (eliminatory)
1
1
Minimum Eligibility Score
50
59

Area of Training

QSW – Points for Area of Training

Arrima Expression of Interest Points Grid

Once you have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Arrima portal, you are given a score that helps to determine your ranking against other candidates.

Quebec then holds regular Arrima draws, in which they invite candidates to apply for a certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ – Québec selection certificate). In these draws, Quebec will sometimes target a minimum EOI score to determine who receives an invitation.

Quebec uses the below points grid to determine RSWP candidates’ scores.

Factor Maximum Points Without spouse Maximum Points With spouse
Education
90
70
Quebec Education
50
50
Age
130
110
French Proficiency
180
180
French & English Proficiency
80
80
Accompanying Spouse Factors
40
40
Response to Quebec’s needs
100
100

Recent Draws Using the Arrima Portal

Invitation Date Number of Invitations Selected Applicants Met the Following Criteria
February 9, 2023
1011
they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 619 points; or they had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
December 15, 2022
1047
Their occupation is included in the following list of the National Occupational Classification (NOC): 0213 – Computer systems managers 2147 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) 2131 – Civil Engineers 2132 – Mechanical Engineers 2133 – Electrical and electronics engineers 2141 – Industrial and manufacturing engineers 2231 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians 2232 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians 2233 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians 2171 – Computer analysts and consultants 2172 – Database Analysts and Data Administrators 2173 – Software Engineers and Designers 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers 2175 – Web Designers and Developers 2241 – Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians 2281 – Computer network technicians 2282 – User Support Agents 3012 – Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses 3233 – Practical nurses 3413 – Caregivers/Aids and Beneficiary Attendants 4031 – Secondary school teachers 4032 – Elementary and preschool teachers 4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants 5241 – Graphic designers and illustrators 5131 – Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations 5223 – Graphic arts technicians 6221 – Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 571 points
December 8, 2022
517
These invitations were addressed to people who met one of the following criteria: they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 591 points they had a validated job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community
November 24, 2022
998
These invitations were addressed to the persons meeting the following criterion: they had a score (PDF 290 Kb) equal to or greater than 603 points they had a validated job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community
September 26, 2022
1195
They had a score equal to or greater than 597 points.
September 15, 2022
1,009
their occupation appears in the following list of the National Occupational Classification (NOC): 0213 Computer and information systems managers 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants 2172 Database analysts and data administrators 2173 Software engineers and designers 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers 2175 Web designers and developers 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians 2281 Computer network technicians 2282 User support technicians 2283 Information systems testing technicians 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 3233 Licensed practical nurses 3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 4214 Early childhood educators and assistants 5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations 5223 Graphic arts technicians 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators they had a score equal to or higher than 563 points.
September 8, 2022
1,202
they had a score equal to or higher than 620 points.
August 11, 2022
58
Applicants held a valid job offer outside the territory of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal.
July 7, 2022
351
– They had work experience in one of 14 select occupations and a score equal to or higher than 624 points; or – They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community; or – They had work experience in NOC 3233 and a score equal to or higher than 575 points; or – They had work experience in NOC 3413 and a score equal to or higher than 580 points; or – They had work experience in NOC 4214 and a score equal to or higher than 551 points; or
May 5, 2022
30
– They had a valid job offer outside the territory of the Montréal Metropolitan Community

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