Quebec issued 231 invitations on August 28, 2025, under the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program. The draws, through the Arrima expression of interest system, targeted candidates with highly qualified and specialized skills under Stream 1, and those with exceptional talent under Stream 4. Both categories reflect the province’s focus on recruiting highly educated, French-speaking candidates with strong local connections or global achievements.
Stream 1: Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills
Invitations issued: 227
Date of extraction from Arrima: August 25, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
Minimum score required: 760 points
This draw focused on individuals already residing in Quebec who had completed local post-secondary education and met high French language proficiency thresholds. To be eligible for this stream, candidates were required to:
- Have a main occupation in FEER category 0, 1, or 2 (training, education, experience and responsibilities);
- Avoid regulated occupations listed on the Liste des professions réglementées;
- Have at least 12 months of work experience in their main occupation over the past five years;
- Demonstrate French oral skills at level 7 or higher, and written skills at level 5 or higher, based on the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français or equivalent;
- If accompanied by a spouse, show that the spouse has at least level 4 oral French proficiency;
- Be physically present in Quebec at the time of the draw;
- Hold a Quebec diploma:
- At least 900 hours of vocational or college education, or
- At least 30 university credits.
Only candidates with a score of 760 or above in the Arrima points system were invited.
Stream 4: Exceptional Talent
Invitations issued: 4
Date of extraction from Arrima: July 14, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.
Stream 4 was reserved for candidates recognized for their exceptional achievements or contributions in a targeted field. To qualify, individuals had to present:
- A positive opinion from a designated Ministère partner in a priority field, or
- A document showing notable accomplishments from the Liste des accomplissements exceptionnels.
Additional criteria applied to those presenting exceptional achievements:
- A PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree;
- At least three years of work experience in their main occupation in the past five years.
This stream is designed to attract world-class individuals whose profiles exceed traditional selection criteria and contribute to Quebec’s cultural, scientific, or economic landscape.
Quebec Expression of Interest Draw
| Stream | Number of Invitations | Cut-off Score | Minimum Requirements | Additional Draw-Specific Criteria |
| Stream 1 – Highly Qualified and Specialized Skills | 227 | 760 | – Occupation in FEER 0, 1, or 2 – Not in a regulated profession – 12 months of work experience in past 5 years – French level 7 (oral), level 5 (written) – Spouse: French level 4 (oral) | – Living in Quebec – Quebec diploma (university: ≥30 credits, college or vocational: ≥900 hours) – Score-based selection |
| Stream 4 – Exceptional Talent | 4 | N/A | – Positive opinion from ministry partner or proof of exceptional achievement – 36 months of work experience in past 5 years | – If applying via exceptional achievement: must hold a PhD and three years of work experience in the last five |
