On 12 December Quebec released full details of its 4 December Arrima selection round—the largest of 2025. The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) invited 1,870 skilled-worker candidates across four separate streams of its Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ). Stream 1 (Highly Qualified & Specialized Skills) alone accounted for 605 invitations, while Stream 3 targeting regulated professions issued 649.
Cut-off scores ranged from 535 to 781 points, and most invitees were already living and working in Quebec, highlighting the province’s preference for candidates who have integrated linguistically and economically. French-language proficiency at Level 5 or higher was mandatory for mid-skilled roles, and Level 7 oral proficiency was required for many regulated professions.
![Quebec Publishes Results of Record-Breaking Arrima Draw]()
If your assignees still need visitor, work-permit, or transit visas on their path to a CSQ, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Its Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers step-by-step online applications, tailored document checklists, and courier options, helping mobility teams save time while ensuring compliance with federal and provincial rules.
For employers, the draw offers welcome relief. With Quebec unemployment hovering below 5 percent, sectors such as construction, health care and manufacturing have lobbied for faster foreign-talent pipelines. Arrima invitations allow selected candidates to apply for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ); once issued, they can seek a Bridging Open Work Permit while waiting for federal permanent residence processing.
Mobility managers should note that Quebec continues to run its system independently of federal Express Entry. While a CSQ does not grant the 600 CRS points enjoyed by other PNP nominees, it remains the only route for most foreign workers who wish to settle in la Belle Province. Companies should therefore maintain parallel compliance processes tailored to Quebec’s unique language and settlement requirements.
Cut-off scores ranged from 535 to 781 points, and most invitees were already living and working in Quebec, highlighting the province’s preference for candidates who have integrated linguistically and economically. French-language proficiency at Level 5 or higher was mandatory for mid-skilled roles, and Level 7 oral proficiency was required for many regulated professions.
If your assignees still need visitor, work-permit, or transit visas on their path to a CSQ, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Its Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers step-by-step online applications, tailored document checklists, and courier options, helping mobility teams save time while ensuring compliance with federal and provincial rules.
For employers, the draw offers welcome relief. With Quebec unemployment hovering below 5 percent, sectors such as construction, health care and manufacturing have lobbied for faster foreign-talent pipelines. Arrima invitations allow selected candidates to apply for a Québec Selection Certificate (CSQ); once issued, they can seek a Bridging Open Work Permit while waiting for federal permanent residence processing.
Mobility managers should note that Quebec continues to run its system independently of federal Express Entry. While a CSQ does not grant the 600 CRS points enjoyed by other PNP nominees, it remains the only route for most foreign workers who wish to settle in la Belle Province. Companies should therefore maintain parallel compliance processes tailored to Quebec’s unique language and settlement requirements.
