Quebec Immigration: Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Foreign nationals who wish to apply for permanent selection under Quebec’s skilled worker immigration pathways must begin by submitting an online Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Arrima portal.
The EOI outlines an applicant’s socio-economic background and qualifications. This information is used to evaluate and rank candidates within a selection pool. Applicants who receive higher rankings may be invited by the Quebec government to apply for permanent selection.
At Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA), we assist candidates in preparing accurate and competitive EOIs in line with Quebec’s current selection criteria.
What Is Quebec’s Expression of Interest (EOI) System?
Quebec introduced the Expression of Interest system in 2018 to manage applications for permanent selection more efficiently.
This system was part of a broader modernization initiative, similar to Canada’s Express Entry system, which was launched in 2015. Like Express Entry, Quebec uses an online platform—Arrima—to streamline the immigration process, reduce processing times, and better align immigrant selection with labour market demands.
Through the EOI system, Quebec creates a pool of foreign nationals interested in settling permanently in the province under its skilled worker immigration programs. Interested individuals must first create an Arrima profile and submit an EOI, which captures their socio-economic information.
After submission, candidates are assigned a ranking score based on various factors related to human capital and labour market needs.
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) manages Arrima and conducts regular invitation rounds. Selections may be based on ranking scores, targeted occupations, employment location, and other criteria. The number and frequency of invitations depend on Quebec’s labour market priorities, annual immigration targets, and MIFI’s processing capacity.
Key Features of the EOI System
EOIs are submitted online only through Arrima
There is no application fee to submit an EOI
No supporting documents are required at the EOI stage
There is no cap on the number of EOIs that can be submitted
EOIs can be submitted at any time, with no fixed deadline
Each EOI remains valid for 12 months
Profiles can be updated at any point during the validity period
Information Required When Submitting an EOI
When completing an EOI, applicants are asked to provide information relating to:
Personal details
Contact information
Family composition
Status in Quebec (if applicable)
Educational background
Work experience
Details of any job offer validated by MIFI
French and English language proficiency
Information about a spouse and dependent children, whether accompanying or not
How to Register an EOI to Immigrate to Quebec
The first step toward immigrating to Quebec under its skilled worker programs is submitting an EOI through Arrima. The overall process involves the following stages:
The candidate submits an Expression of Interest through the Arrima portal and enters the candidate pool
MIFI issues invitations to apply to top-ranked candidates, based on labour market needs and other selection factors
Invited candidates submit a complete application for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
Applications are reviewed, and successful applicants receive a CSQ
CSQ holders may then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
What Happens After an EOI Is Submitted?
Once submitted, an EOI remains active for one year, during which candidates may update their profile. For example, improving language test results can increase ranking scores and improve the likelihood of receiving an invitation.
Invitations are typically issued to candidates with the highest scores or those meeting specific selection priorities, such as employment in targeted occupations or regions outside major metropolitan areas.
Candidates invited to apply for permanent selection generally have 60 days to submit a complete CSQ application.
Applications are processed using Quebec’s online application management system. Once the review begins, applicants may be asked to provide additional documents or attend an interview to confirm the accuracy of the information provided.
Processing Time After Invitation
The Quebec government aims to process complete applications within six months. This timeframe begins once MIFI has received:
The application for permanent selection
All required supporting documents
Payment of the applicable processing fees
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is an Expression of Interest the same as applying for immigration to Quebec?
No. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is not an immigration application. It is a formal declaration that you wish to be considered for permanent selection by the Province of Quebec.
While submitting an EOI is the first step toward immigrating to Quebec, it is a critical stage of the process. All information entered must be accurate and verifiable, as this data is used to assess your eligibility and determine whether you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection.
At Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA), we emphasize the importance of submitting a well-prepared and truthful EOI to avoid issues later in the immigration process.
2. How long is an Expression of Interest valid?
An Expression of Interest submitted through Arrima remains valid for 12 months from the date it is filed.
If you are not invited to submit an application for permanent selection within this period, the EOI will automatically expire. Expired EOIs cannot be renewed or extended. However, candidates are free to submit a new EOI at no cost if they wish to remain in the selection pool.
3. How does the Expression of Interest scoring system work?
After submitting an EOI, candidates are assigned a score based on selection criteria established by the Government of Quebec to meet its economic and social priorities.
This points-based system is used to assess and rank profiles within the Arrima pool. Key factors considered in the evaluation include:
Language proficiency
Educational qualifications
Work experience
Adaptability and other relevant factors
Candidates with the highest scores are typically invited during scheduled invitation rounds to submit a full application for permanent selection.
4. Why does Quebec use a points-based system?
The points system helps Quebec identify candidates who are most likely to integrate successfully into the provincial labour market and society.
For instance, Quebec may prioritize applicants whose education or professional experience aligns with occupations experiencing labour shortages. By selecting candidates with skills that are in demand, the province aims to support economic growth and encourage long-term settlement.
Another important objective of the EOI system is transparency. The points-based approach allows candidates to understand how they are assessed and whether their profile is competitive enough to receive an invitation.
5. How can I improve my Expression of Interest score?
One of the most effective ways to improve your score is to keep your Arrima profile up to date. As long as your EOI remains active, you can modify your profile to reflect new or improved qualifications.
Ways to strengthen your EOI score may include:
Retaking language tests to achieve higher results
Gaining additional work experience
Completing a new certificate, diploma, or degree
With professional guidance from Career Education Consultancy Australia (CECA), candidates can better understand how to enhance their profile and improve their chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent selection.