Quebec Invites 523 Skilled Workers in Latest Arrima Draw Across Four Immigration Streams

Canada’s immigration system continues to rely on provincial selection programs to meet regional labour market needs, and Quebec has once again demonstrated its targeted approach. On July 30, 2026, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) released the results of the 86th Arrima invitation round, issuing 523 invitations through the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). 

Unlike many provincial immigration programs that rely primarily on points, Quebec’s Arrima system selects candidates based on labour shortages, French-language ability, education, work experience, and specific occupational needs. The latest draw reflects the province’s continued focus on filling vacancies in healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, education, skilled trades, and community services.  

Quebec Arrima Draw #86 Results 

The latest invitation round included four separate streams: 

Stream	Invitations
Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills	105
Intermediate and Manual Skills	296
Regulated Professions	110
Exceptional Talent	12
Total Invitations	523

With this draw, Quebec has now invited 13,763 candidates through Arrima in 2026, demonstrating a consistent pace of provincial immigration selections.  

Why This Draw Matters 

Rather than conducting one broad invitation round, Quebec continues to divide invitations across multiple labour-market streams. 

This strategy allows the province to address shortages in different sectors simultaneously while ensuring employers have access to workers with the skills they need. 

The July 30 draw highlights three important priorities: 

• Retaining workers already contributing to Quebec’s economy,  

• Filling occupations facing persistent shortages,  

• Supporting regulated professions requiring provincial licensing.  

This targeted approach differs from many other Provincial Nominee Programs, making Quebec’s immigration selection system unique within Canada. 

Stream 1 Focused on Highly Skilled Professionals 

The Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills stream invited 105 candidates. 

Candidates generally required: 

• TEER 0–2 occupations  

• French proficiency equivalent to Level 7 orally  

• Relevant work experience  

• Quebec-recognized education  

• Strong selection scores  

Priority occupations included: 

• Data scientists  

• Cybersecurity specialists  

• Engineering managers  

• Industrial engineers  

• Early childhood educators  

• Pharmacy technicians  

• Therapists  

• Social workers  

• Construction and manufacturing specialists  

Many selected occupations align with sectors where Quebec continues to experience recruitment challenges.  

Intermediate Skills Continue to Receive Strong Support 

The largest share of invitations went to Stream 2, where 296 candidates received invitations. 

This stream primarily targets workers in TEER 3–5 occupations who already possess Quebec work experience and French-language skills. 

Priority occupations included: 

• Medical administrative assistants  

• Nurse aides  

• Pharmacy assistants  

• Home support workers  

• Teacher assistants  

• Cooks  

• Light-duty cleaners  

The continued emphasis on healthcare support staff and community services reflects growing demand as Quebec responds to an ageing population and expanding public services.  

Regulated Professions Remain a Provincial Priority 

Another 110 invitations were issued under Stream 3, which targets candidates intending to work in regulated professions. 

Invited occupations included: 

• Physicians  

• Dentists  

• Pharmacists  

• Registered nurses  

• Nurse practitioners  

• Psychologists  

• Physiotherapists  

• Teachers  

• Social workers  

• Civil engineers  

• Electrical engineers  

• Industrial engineers  

Since many of these professions require provincial licensing before employment, Quebec continues to prioritize applicants who can help address shortages in essential public services.  

Exceptional Talent Stream Continues for Specialized Candidates 

The Exceptional Talent stream issued 12 invitations. 

Unlike the other streams, this pathway targets individuals with significant professional achievements or recognition in specialized fields. 

Applicants generally require: 

• Extensive work experience,  

• Exceptional accomplishments,  

• Or positive recommendations from recognized provincial partners.  

Although the number of invitations remains relatively small, this stream allows Quebec to Attract globally competitive talent that may not qualify under standard selection criteria.  

What Makes Quebec’s Arrima System Different? 

Unlike Express Entry, Quebec controls its own skilled worker selection process. 

Candidates first submit an Expression of Interest through Arrima. 

The province then invites applicants who best match current labour market priorities rather than simply selecting the highest-scoring profiles. 

Selection factors typically include: 

• Occupation  

• Work experience  

• French proficiency  

• Education  

• Quebec employment  

• Regional economic needs  

This allows Quebec to adapt invitations as labour shortages evolve throughout the year. 

What Should Candidates Do Next? 

Candidates who received an invitation should begin preparing their permanent selection application as soon as possible. 

Supporting documents such as education credentials, work experience records, language test results, and identity documents should be reviewed carefully before submission. 

For candidates who were not invited, maintaining an updated Arrima profile remains important. Improving French-language proficiency, gaining additional work experience, or qualifying in an in-demand occupation may improve future selection prospects. 

As Quebec continues conducting regular invitation rounds, profiles that align with changing provincial priorities may receive invitations later this year. 

Quebec’s latest Arrima draw demonstrates that the province remains focused on recruiting workers who can immediately contribute to key sectors of its economy. By distributing 523 invitations across four specialized streams, MIFI continues to balance labour market needs with long-term economic planning. 

With 13,763 invitations already issued in 2026, Quebec remains one of Canada’s most active provincial immigration destinations for skilled workers who possess strong French-language ability and experience in priority occupations.