Quebec Immigration

Order matters here: Canada will only look at your permanent residence application once Quebec has selected you.

Skilled workers are handled by Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program, which runs on an online platform named Arrima.

Arrima is the province's online service where you let Quebec know you want to immigrate. To take part, you sign in to your Arrima account or set one up. Once the page loads, the button you want is "Accéder aux services en ligne."

Within Arrima, you complete an expression of interest. Think of it as a profile that introduces you to Quebec and explains why you wish to settle there. It does not count as an application at this point.

A few things are worth knowing before you begin:

• You must be at least 18 to file one.
• No paid help is needed to fill it in.
• Quebec provides help capsules that walk you through Arrima, but they are only in French.

The province wants to know about your circumstances, status, studies, work background, and plans. Keeping your documents at hand makes filling in the profile smoother and more accurate.

Include all paid jobs and internships from the past five years, including compulsory internships completed as part of a degree, whether paid or unpaid.

It also helps to have your French test results ready, plus those of your accompanying spouse if you have one. Quebec only accepts certain French tests and certificates, and they must be from the past two years.

You also provide details on your accompanying spouse and about your children, no matter whether the children travel with you or stay behind.

If your spouse also files an expression of interest, they must enter your expression of interest number in theirs to link the two.

Children under 18 cannot submit a profile of their own. When a dependent child under 18 comes along with you, list that child under "Family situation" within your own profile.

Your profile stays good for a full year, or 12 months, counted from the day you file. During that year you can make changes, say after fresh French results or a new position.

A change does not reset the timeline. Update your profile in month eleven if you like, and it still runs out 12 months after your original filing date.

Through Arrima, Quebec may send you an invitation to apply for permanent selection. Only once Quebec has selected you can you apply to Canada for permanent residence.

The province offers other programs via its online immigration services, and a few of them open or close on fixed dates.

• For information about the Quebec Experience Program, check Quebec's online immigration services page.
• Group sponsorship of a refugee abroad is paused until 31 December 2029.

If studying in Quebec first is on your mind, the province has its own guide on coming to study there.

This page gives information, not immigration advice.