Jun 26, 2019 – Quebec has introduced three important changes to its Expression of Interest system, as the immigration ministry (MIDI) prepares to issue the first invites from the Arrima portal.

A regulation effective June 26, 2019 makes the following changes:

1) Existing Profiles Get Extra 6 Months Validity

All profiles registered in the Expression of Interest Bank as of June 26, 2019 will have their validity prolonged by 6 months.

This gives those who registered profiles as far back at September 2018 a fair chance to receive an Invitation to Apply once draws begin, understood to be happening imminently.

The Quebec Expression of Interest system opened in September 2018, but no draw has been conducted to date. This is because the governing Coalition Avenir Quebec has pushed through Bill 9 to scrap the backlog of applications under the old Quebec Skilled Worker system. This happened earlier in June.

2) Invited Candidates Get Reduced 60 Days To Submit Applications

Candidates receiving an Invitation to Apply have their window of opportunity to submit a complete application reduced from 90 to 60 days.

The first message to glean from this change is that the first Expression of Interest draw is imminent.

The reduction from 90 to 60 days is designed to provide a kickstart to the Quebec Skilled Worker immigration system, by getting candidates to submit their applications quickly.

It means candidates need to have their affairs in order and their applications ready, should they receive an Invitation to Apply.

3) Profiles of Candidates Who Decline Invitations To Remain In Quebec EOI Bank

The profiles of candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply, but choose to decline, will remain in the Quebec Expression of Interest Bank for the duration of their validity.

How Does Quebec Expression of Interest Work?

1. Candidates submit an online expression of interest profile to the MIDI.
2. Profiles enter into an Expression of Interest pool, where they are ranked against each other and are valid for 12-months.
3. Profiles will be classified in two categories: one for candidates who are living in Quebec or have a job offer and meet specific criteria, and the another for candidates living outside Quebec and meet specific criteria.
4. The highest-ranking candidates will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Quebec Certificate of Selection under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
5. Quebec will conduct periodic draws, inviting candidates to apply for a Quebec certificate of selection (CSQ).
6. Candidates receiving an invitation have 60 days to submit a full application.
7. Approved candidates who receive a nomination certificate (CSQ) may then apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Priority To Temporary Residents Who Applied Under Old System

Initial rounds of invitations will give priority to candidates who applied under the old system before August 2, 2018 and were living in Quebec temporarily, either at the time of their application or at the time Bill 9 was passed. These candidates still need to create a profile in the Arrima system.

This is understood to affect 3,700 applications and 5,500 people.

Quebec Expression of Interest works similarly to Canada Express Entry, with candidates completing a self-assessed profile into an Expression of Interest pool. The top-scoring candidates are then drawn from the pool and invited to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate.

According to MIDI, the invitation criteria can be modified ‘according to the needs of Quebec’, with priority given to those deemed able to integrate the fastest.

Once candidates have submitted Quebec Skilled Worker applications, they are scored against a points grid based on education, work experience, age, language ability, Quebec experience and whether they have a job offer in hand. An applicant’s spouse can also score points towards the total.

Employer Portal Being Developed

Meanwhile, Quebec is in the process of developing a new employer portal which will allow employers to view profiles and communicate with candidates who have submitted an Arrima profile.

The employer portal is slated for launch in February 2020.

It will allow employers to make job offers directly through the system, accelerating the candidate’s arrival in the province.

Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette says priority will be given to candidates receiving job offers in this way.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.