Quebec Issues 6 Arrima Invitations After System Glitch in Delayed Selection Round

Quebec has confirmed a delayed update to its online immigration platform, announcing that 6 Arrima invitations were issued under special provisions of the Quebec Immigration Act. These invitations published on November 28, 2025 were originally scheduled for the July 31 selection round but were not sent due to a system error. With this latest release, Quebec has now invited 1,040 candidates through Arrima in 2025.

Why Quebec’s Latest Arrima Invitations Matter

This delayed batch of invitations highlights how Quebec manages technical irregularities while maintaining transparency in its immigration selection process. Although small in size, this round reinforces the ministry’s practice of issuing supplementary invitations when administrative issues affect scheduled draws.

The 6 candidates invited under exceptional circumstances fall within Quebec’s legislative framework, enabling MIFI to uphold fairness for applicants who met selection criteria but were missed during an earlier 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, steadily refining how it selects skilled workers for permanent immigration.

A Look at Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Structure

Quebec operates a multi-stream selection system under the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ). Each stream targets a specific skills segment based on occupation, training level, French proficiency and labour-market needs.

The four main PSTQ streams include:

Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills

Candidates must:

• Work in TEER 0, 1 or 2 occupations
• Hold at least 12 months of recent experience
• Demonstrate French proficiency at level 7 oral and level 5 written or higher
• Avoid regulated professions unless otherwise permitted

Stream 2: Intermediate and Manual Skills

Applicants must:

• Work in TEER 3, 4 or 5 roles
• Demonstrate French at level 5 oral or higher
• Avoid regulated occupations
• Meet spouse language thresholds if applicable

Stream 3: Regulated Professions

Designed for applicants intending to work in regulated FEER 0, 1 or 2 occupations, requiring:

• French at level 7 oral and level 5 written
• Spouse language levels meeting minimum standards

Stream 4: Exceptional Talent

For applicants holding:

• A recognized achievement listed by the ministry, or
• A positive evaluation from a partner organization in a targeted field
• Additional Invitations Under Special Provisions

Alongside scheduled draws, Quebec’s immigration regulations allow the minister to invite individuals under exceptional circumstances.

Since July 1, 2025, MIFI has Issued

• 15 invitations under section 26 of the Quebec Immigration Regulation and section 47 of the Immigration Act
• 6 invitations issued by exemption due to the July 31 technical error

These provisions support applicants who face administrative errors or require special consideration.

Who Is Not Eligible for Arrima Invitations?

Some occupations that require permanent residence or Canadian citizenship are automatically excluded from selection. These include roles in:

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

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

What This Means for Future Arrima Applicants

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

• MIFI continues to correct system issues transparently
• Candidates who meet criteria but miss scheduled invitations may still be considered later
• French-language proficiency remains central across all streams
• Quebec will continue refining its selection model to meet labour-market needs

The province’s long-term selection strategy remains focused on specialized skills, strong French ability, and regional workforce priorities.

If you’re preparing to submit your profile or waiting for the next Arrima draw, explore our Quebec immigration guide to strengthen your chances and stay ahead of upcoming updates.