Quebec issues six Arrima invitations following system glitch

Quebec has confirmed a delayed update to its online immigration platform, announcing that six Arrima invitations have been issued under special provisions of the Quebec Immigration Act.

These invitations were published on November 28, 2025, having originally been scheduled for the July 31 selection round but not sent due to a system error. With this latest release, Quebec has now invited 1,040 candidates via Arrima in 2025.

Detailed article on the Arrima.

Why Quebec’s latest Arrima invitations matter

This delayed invitation round highlights how Quebec manages technical anomalies while maintaining transparency in its immigration selection process. Although small in scale, this round reinforces the practice of issuing supplementary invitations when administrative issues affect scheduled draws.

The six candidates invited under exceptional circumstances fall within Quebec’s legislative framework, allowing the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) to maintain fairness for candidates who met selection criteria but were missed during the previous system phase.

These invitations also contribute to a broader trend. Since Arrima launched in July 2019, Quebec has invited 56,877 foreign nationals across 78 draws, continually refining how it selects skilled workers for permanent immigration.

Quebec skilled worker selection structure

Quebec operates a multi-stream selection system under the Skilled Worker Selection Programme (PSTQ). Each stream targets specific skill segments based on occupation, training level, French proficiency and labour market needs.

The main PSTQ streams comprise four streams:

Stream 1: High-skilled and specialised

Applicants must have:

• Working in occupation TEER 0, 1 or 2
• Having at least 12 months of recent experience
• Demonstrating French proficiency level 7 in speaking and level 5 in writing or above
• Avoiding regulated occupations unless otherwise permitted

Stream 2: Intermediate and craft skills

Applicants must:

• Working in a TEER 3, 4 or 5 role
• Provide proof of French proficiency at level 5 or higher in speaking
• Avoid regulated professions
• Meet the spouse language threshold if applicable

Stream 3: Regulated professions

Designed for candidates intending to work in a regulated TEER 0, 1, or 2 profession, requiring:

• French level 7 in speaking and level 5 in writing
• Spouse language level meeting the minimum standard

Stream 4: Exceptional talent

For candidates possessing:

• Recognised achievements listed by the ministry, or
• A positive assessment from a partner organisation in the target sector

Additional invitations under special regulations

Beyond scheduled rounds, Quebec immigration regulations allow the minister to invite individuals under special circumstances.

Since 1 July 2025, MIFI has issued:

• 15 invitations under section 26 of the Quebec Immigration Regulation and section 47 of the Immigration Act
• 6 invitations issued under an exemption for technical errors on 31 July

These provisions support candidates who encountered administrative errors or require special consideration.

Who is ineligible for Arrima invitations?

Certain professions requiring permanent residency or Canadian citizenship are automatically excluded from selection. These professions include roles in:

• Canadian Armed Forces
• Police and investigative services
• Military operations and primary combat roles

This exclusion ensures Quebec does not invite candidates for professions requiring national security clearance or federal authority.

What this means for future Arrima candidates

Although this round invited only 6 candidates, it highlights several important realities of Quebec immigration:

• MIFI continues to rectify system issues transparently
• Candidates who meet criteria but missed a scheduled invitation may still be considered later
• French proficiency remains central across all streams
• Quebec will continue to refine its selection model to meet labour market needs

The province’s long-term selection strategy remains focused on professional skills, strong French proficiency, and prioritising regional workforces.

If you are preparing to submit an application or waiting for the next Arrima round, explore our Quebec immigration guide to increase your chances and stay updated on upcoming changes on the government website at here.