Quebec Conducts Two Draws and Invites 162 Skilled Worker Candidates

Quebec held two draws in October and issued 162 invitations to apply to the aspirants in the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. 

Firstly, On October 23, it invited 89 persons to meet the labor market requirements. Also, the Candidates receiving the invitations in this round belonged to 16,000 QSWP category and the original applications submitted by them were canceled after the passing of reforms in the Provincial Immigration Act. There was a set of changes in law made on June 16th, 2019.

Additionally, they had an exemption from the cap, put in place, while they first applied, to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, or were Quebec residents, availing the work or study permit, as of June 16, 2019. The invited candidates on Oct 23rd had put in the Expression of Interest in Arrima that serves as an online portal for registration in Quebec. Also, on Oct 29th, 2019, Quebec had invited 73 persons to submit an application and seek permanent selection.

The invited persons needed a valid employment offer. Among the Invited persons were overseas nationals staying in the province doing the official duties. Also included were consular officers, diplomats, and inter-governmental organization representatives of the UN. Since July 4 Quebec invited 1757 candidates in QSWP who had the Arrima profile.

Arrima was initiated in 2018 for managing the candidates’ bank for QSWP after there was a shift in the program from the application based on a paper to the timing of arrival approach in the system of Expression of Interest. This system manages the candidates’ bank to get the Quebec Selection Certificate necessary for applying to get provincial permanent residence through QSWP.

Candidates state the interest after creating the Arrima, profile that later goes to the candidates’ pool and gets a rank calculated on the score and other criteria. Then the Immigration Ministry issues ITAs for CSQ calculated on the score and other factors like the labor needs in rural areas. Finally, the Candidates receiving the CSQ can seek permanent residence with federal immigration authorities of Canada that has the task of verifying admissibility based on medical and non-criminal factors.