Quebec Skilled Worker (Arrima) — Quebec selection certificate

Quebec runs its own immigration selection system outside the federal Express Entry / PNP framework. The Quebec Skilled Worker (PRTQ in French, QSW in English) program uses the Arrima Expression of Interest pool.

Successful Quebec selection results in a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). The applicant then applies to federal IRCC for permanent residence with the CSQ; federal admissibility check (criminal, medical, security) is separate.

Heavy weight on FRENCH proficiency — Quebec immigration policy mandates French integration. English proficiency provides minor secondary value.

Draft a Quebec Arrima strategy for [CLIENT_NAME].

§1 — QUEBEC PROGRAM OVERVIEW (120-150 words)

QSW (Programme régulier des travailleurs qualifiés) — main path:
  • Arrima Expression of Interest (EOI) pool
  • Quebec issues invitations to apply for CSQ to top-scoring profiles
  • Selection criteria: French (mandatory), education, work experience, age, area-of-training, employment validation, spouse / partner factors, children, ties to Quebec

PEQ (Programme de l'expérience québécoise) — separate fast-track:
  • For graduates of recognized Quebec post-secondary institutions OR foreign workers with 2 years Quebec work experience
  • Faster CSQ processing
  • Higher French language threshold (B2 oral)

Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) → federal PR:
  • Quebec selects (CSQ)
  • Federal IRCC processes admissibility (background, medical, security)
  • Processing time: ~12-18 months federal stage; Quebec stage 6-12 months

§2 — FRENCH LANGUAGE — THE LOAD-BEARING REQUIREMENT (150-180 words)

Quebec immigration in 2024-2026 heavily weights French. Required level:
  • Oral comprehension: B2 (TEF Canada) / B2 (TCF Canada)
  • Oral production (speaking): B2
  • Written comprehension (reading): B1 minimum (B2 preferred)
  • Written production (writing): B1 minimum (B2 preferred)

For [FRENCH_TEST]: assess gap to B2 thresholds.

Indian applicants without prior French exposure face the steepest hurdle here. Plan:
  • Alliance Française programs in India (B1 → B2 = ~9-15 months intensive)
  • Online programs (Lingoda, Polyglot Coach)
  • French-immersion sessions in Quebec (after work permit, if applicable)
  • Verify CIQ-recognized test (TEF Canada or TCF Canada — TEF Canada most common)

§3 — ARRIMA POINTS GRID (180-220 words)

Quebec uses a points grid for Arrima Expression of Interest selection. Maximum points vary by category. Key factors:

A. Area of training (max 12-16):
  Specific Quebec MIFI list of priority areas:
    - Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, computer)
    - Computer science / IT
    - Healthcare (nursing, medicine, physiotherapy)
    - Education (early childhood, special needs)
    - Agriculture / forestry
    - Trades (electricians, plumbers, welders, machinists)
    - French / French-language teaching

For [EDUCATION]: identify if it falls in a priority area.

B. Validated employment offer (max 10-14):
  • Job offer from a Quebec employer
  • Offer "validated" by MIFI (Quebec immigration ministry)
  • In a priority occupation OR with employer in regional Quebec (outside Montreal)

C. Age (max 16):
  18-35: 16
  36-43: ...sliding scale...
  44+: 0

D. Education (max 12-14):
  Doctorate: 14
  Master's: 12
  Bachelor's (3 yr+ Canadian equivalent): 10
  Two-year post-secondary: 6
  Less: 0-4

E. Work experience (max 8):
  5+ years: 8
  3-4 years: 6
  1-2 years: 4
  Less: 0

F. French proficiency (max 20):
  Oral B2 + writing B1+: 16-18
  Oral B2 + writing B2+: 20
  Lower scores: proportional

G. English (max 6):
  CLB 9+: 6
  CLB 7-8: 4

H. Spouse factors (max 17 collectively):
  Spouse French, spouse education, spouse age, accompanying children's age.

I. Quebec ties (max 5):
  Stay in Quebec for ≥3 months in last 5 years, family ties.

J. Settlement funds (mandatory threshold).

§4 — APPLICATION STAGES (120-150 words)

Stage 1 — Arrima Expression of Interest:
  • Create Arrima profile online
  • Submit EOI with self-scored points
  • Wait for invitation (Quebec issues monthly draws)

Stage 2 — Invitation to apply for CSQ (60 days):
  • Submit CSQ application
  • Fee: CAD 905 (principal applicant), CAD 194 spouse, CAD 194 per child
  • Supporting documents

Stage 3 — CSQ issuance:
  Quebec issues Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ)

Stage 4 — Federal PR application:
  • Apply to IRCC with CSQ
  • Federal fee: CAD 1,365 (principal), CAD 1,365 (spouse), CAD 230 (child)
  • Federal admissibility (criminal, medical, security)
  • Federal processing: ~12 months

§5 — DOCUMENTS (80-100 words)
  □ Passport
  □ French test (TEF/TCF) results
  □ English test (optional, for English points)
  □ Education credentials + Comparative Evaluation for Studies done Outside Quebec (Évaluation comparative des études)
  □ Work experience proof
  □ Settlement plan (Quebec)
  □ Settlement funds proof
  □ Criminal record (will need for federal stage)
  □ Photos

End with: "DRAFT QUEBEC ARRIMA STRATEGY — for RCIC + Quebec-licensed consultant review. French B2 is the load-bearing requirement; budget 9-15 months of structured French study for non-French-speaking Indian applicants. Quebec policy updates frequently — verify against quebec.ca/en/immigration."