Quebec’s PSTQ Points vs. Express Entry: Understanding “Minimum” Scores (2021–2025)

Introduction: One of the most common questions among skilled worker immigration hopefuls in Canada is: “How many points do I need to get selected?” This is especially true for those eyeing Quebec’s Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) – Quebec’s new Skilled Worker Selection Program – as well as the federal Express Entrysystem. It’s a frustrating query because neither Quebec’s immigration ministry nor IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will give a straight answer. There is no fixed “minimum score” published that guarantees an invitation. Instead, candidates must compete in a points-based pool, and the cut-off score fluctuates with each draw. Over the past five years, applicants have been left to read the tea leaves of draw results and forum discussions to guess where they stand. In this in-depth article, we investigate the points systems for Quebec’s PSTQ and federal Express Entry, analyze draw trends from 2021 through 2025, and tap into social media forums (Reddit, CanadaVisa, etc.) to illustrate what candidates are experiencing. We’ll also provide timelines by year to see how things evolved.

By the end, you’ll understand why there’s no simple answer to “how many points is enough,” yet why many believe scores below certain thresholds (like 500) have virtually no chance – unless you have special qualifications. We’ll compare Quebec’s Arrima expression of interest system (used for PSTQ) to Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), highlighting both similarities and differences. Real quotes and paraphrased insights from immigrant forums will shed light on public sentiment, frustrations, and success stories. This is a comprehensive, investigative-style look at the mystery of “minimum points” – combining data, timelines, and voices of those navigating the process.

Quebec’s PSTQ vs. Express Entry: How Do the Points Systems Work?

Before diving into yearly trends, it’s crucial to understand how Quebec’s and Canada’s points systems operate. Both use Expression of Interest (EOI) pools to rank candidates by points, but the scales and criteria differ:

• Quebec PSTQ (Arrima portal): Quebec’s points system (since 2019’s Arrima launch, updated in 2021) assigns up to 1,320 points to a candidate’s profile. These points are split into two broad categories: Human Capital (580 points) and Quebec Labour Market Needs (740 points). Human capital factors include things like age, education, work experience, and language abilities (with a heavy emphasis on French). Labour market factors cover elements such as having work experience in an in-demand occupation, a job offer (especially outside Montreal), Quebec educational background, etc.. Points can also be earned through a spouse’s characteristics in some sub-categories, and indeed the maximum 1,320 points includes potential spouse contributions. In fact, the system was designed so that certain factors, like a validated job offer outside the Greater Montreal area, carry enormous weight (up to 380 points on their own). The goal is to prioritize candidates who meet specific provincial needs (French-speaking, youthful, experienced in needed jobs, willing to settle in regions, etc.). Candidates submit a Déclaration d’intérêt (DOI) on the Arrima online portal, answer detailed questions, and get a score. There is no upfront “pass mark” to enter the pool – anyone with the minimum eligibility (e.g. age 18+, intent to reside in Quebec, etc.) can submit an EOI. Once in the pool, Quebec’s immigration ministry (MIFI) conducts periodic draws inviting top-ranked profiles or those meeting specific criteria.

• Federal Express Entry (CRS system): Express Entry manages the federal skilled immigration programs (FSW, CEC, FST) and some provincial nominees. Candidates in the Express Entry pool are scored on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) out of 1,200 points. In CRS, core human capital (age, education, work experience, language – English/French) can contribute up to 500 (with no spouse) or 460 (with spouse) points, and additional factors (like Canadian experience, a valid job offer, a provincial nomination, or strong French skills, etc.) make up the rest. Notably, a provincial nomination gives a 600-point boost, which is why “PNP-only” Express Entry draws have astronomically high cut-offs (typically 600+). Express Entry draws are run by IRCC usually every two weeks (though this varied in recent years), and each draw sets a cut-off CRS score: everyone at or above that score gets an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Like Quebec, there is no fixed minimum CRS to be in the pool; however, federally one must score at least 67 points on a separate eligibility grid to qualify for the FSW program (that’s a different 100-point system just to enter the pool). Once in the pool, only your CRS rank matters. IRCC does not reveal any “target score” ahead of time – candidates only know the cut-off after each round is done.

No Official Minimum vs. De-facto Minimum: In both systems, authorities insist “there is no minimum score to be invited; it depends on who else is in the pool and the number of invitations.” In other words, it’s competitive. The “minimum score” is essentially the score of the lowest-ranked person who got invited in a given draw, which changes each time. For Express Entry, IRCC publicly posts the cut-off CRS after every draw (for transparency, e.g. “CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 475”). For Quebec, MIFI similarly publishes draw results on its website (number of people invited and either the minimum score or specific criteria of those invited). However, what frustrates candidates is that this leaves them guessing how high their score needs to be to actually get picked. It feels like aiming at a moving target. Over time, though, patterns emerge – effectively creating an unofficial threshold in people’s minds.

On social media and forums, applicants swap anecdotes about recent draws and whose scores got selected. In the absence of explicit guidance from authorities, these discussions have led to a sort of conventional wisdom: for Quebec’s Arrima, profiles with less than around 500 points have rarely been invited in recent years (unless they had some special category advantage); for Express Entry, a CRS below ~480–500 became very uncertain for general draws in 2021–2023. As one forum member quipped, “if you have less than 500 points, you’re basically invisible” – an exaggeration perhaps, but not without kernel of truth given the high cut-offs observed.

It’s important to note that Quebec’s system changed significantly in late 2024, with the introduction of the PSTQ (Skilled Worker Selection Program) which replaced the older Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP). The points structure remained similar, but Quebec introduced streams and new French requirements. We’ll cover that in the timeline. Meanwhile, Express Entry also evolved – 2023 saw new category-based draws targeting specific occupations or French speakers, which sometimes allowed lower CRS scores to be invited in those categories (even as general all-program draws remained high). These changes complicate the question of “minimum points” further, as we now have to consider which stream or category one falls into.

Before analyzing each year, let’s clarify a potential confusion: Quebec’s Eligibility vs. Selection Points. Under the old RSWP, Quebec had an eligibility points threshold (the famous “pass mark” of 50 points for singles or 59 for couples on the Quebec selection factors grid). That was the minimum to have your application approved after being invited. Some people mistakenly think this 50/59 is the “score needed” to get invited – it is not. The Arrima score (out of 1320) is a separate ranking tool. In fact, candidates with far above 59 points (on the old grid) still couldn’t get a CSQ unless they were picked from the Arrima pool, which required much higher ranking scores. For instance, a person might have 58 points on the eligibility grid (just shy of 59) yet an Arrima ranking of 318, and wonder if learning a bit more French to reach 320 would solve everything. In reality, even if they hit 59 eligibility points, they’d still need an Arrima invite – which in recent years demanded a ranking score hundreds of points higher. This misunderstanding appeared in a Reddit post where a user noted “My current Arrima score is 318 and I’m missing 2 points to qualify for QSW Program eligibility (if I learn a higher level of French…)” – highlighting confusion between the two systems.

In summary: to be invited through Quebec’s EOI, you needed to be among the top profiles or meet special criteria, which typically meant far exceeding the basic eligibility score. Now, with that context, let’s delve into what happened each year from 2021 to 2025 in both Quebec and federal draws – examining how high the bar effectively was, and how applicants responded.

Timeline of Draws and Score Trends (2021–2025)

We will break down the past five years, highlighting key developments in both Quebec’s skilled worker invitations (Arrima/PSTQ) and Canada’s Express Entry, especially as they relate to score thresholds. Alongside official facts, we’ll include timelines of policy changes and forum chatter that shed light on public sentiment.

2021: Post-Pandemic Resumptions and Early EOI Outcomes

Quebec in 2021: The year 2021 was one of transition. Quebec’s Arrima system had been introduced in 2018–2019 and was still ramping up. The pandemic in 2020 caused a brief slowdown, but by mid-2021, Quebec resumed inviting skilled workers via Arrima. Draws in 2021 were relatively infrequent until summer – with a few small, targeted draws early on, then larger ones as the year progressed.

The point thresholds revealed in 2021 draws gave candidates an early hint of how competitive the pool was. For example, on September 2, 2021, Quebec invited 517 candidates and the minimum score was 499 points. This was notable as one of the only times a general Arrima draw dipped just below 500. Indeed, 499 would be the lowest cut-off seen for a while. Other draws around that time required higher scores: e.g. later in September, a draw of 536 invitations had a minimum score of 562, and in August some draws needed well into the 500s (548, 591, etc.). In December 2021, a major draw invited 326 candidates with a minimum score of 633 – showing that even by year’s end, the threshold could soar past 600. Quebec also held a few targeted draws with no score listed (marked “N/A” in results) for specific groups – for instance, small draws in November 2021 that invited people with valid job offers or other criteria, irrespective of their ranking score. Those draws (only 23 or 33 people invited) were exceptions; the typical process was score-based selection with cut-offs.

Forum perspective: As Arrima draws restarted, applicants on forums began sharing their scores and outcomes. Many realized that scoring just above the eligibility pass mark (50/59) was not enough – you likely needed hundreds of points in the EOI ranking to get noticed. The 499-point cutoff in September 2021 gave some lower-scoring hopefuls a brief glimmer of optimism that perhaps scores in the high 400s might suffice. One forum user excitedly noted that “finally a draw dipped below 500!” However, others cautioned this was an outlier. On CanadaVisa’s forum, candidates with scores in the 450–500 range were expressing concern that they hadn’t gotten an invitation, wondering if something was wrong with their profile – when in fact, it was simply that their score wasn’t high enough in those draws. The consensus forming was that without a French boost or job offer, an Arrima score under 500 was very unlikely to yield an invite. Some began strategizing how to increase their points: taking French classes to improve language points, obtaining job offers in regions outside Montreal for those huge regional points, or pursuing Quebec education if already in the province.

Express Entry in 2021: Over on the federal side, 2021 was an unusual year for Express Entry. Canada was dealing with COVID-related backlogs, and IRCC took the unprecedented step of focusing on domestic candidates. In the first half of 2021, IRCC conducted draws only for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) categories, excluding Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) candidates who were overseas. This had a dramatic effect on cut-off scores:

• CEC-only draws in early 2021 had much lower cut-offs than normal all-program draws. Famously, in February 2021 there was a one-time CEC mega-draw inviting 27,332 candidates with a record-low CRS of just 75 points (essentially inviting every single CEC-eligible person in the pool)! While that was an outlier, other CEC draws in 2021 ranged from the high 300s to mid-400s CRS – far below historical all-program cut-offs. For example, in April 2021, CEC draws were around CRS 400–432.

• PNP-only draws continued regularly and always had cut-offs in the 700s (because PNP candidates automatically get +600 points). Those are typically not discussed by the average candidate as “achievable” scores since you need a nomination.

Crucially, no FSW (all-program) draws took place for most of 2021. The last all-program draw had been December 2020, and IRCC wouldn’t resume them until July 2022. So, if you were an overseas skilled worker without Canadian experience, you had no opportunity to get invited in 2021 regardless of CRS. This made “what’s the minimum CRS I need?” a moot point for many – the answer was “doesn’t matter, there are no draws for you yet.”

However, for those who were CEC-eligible, 2021 was a bonanza: many got ITAs with moderate scores. By late 2021, IRCC paused CEC draws as well (after September) to deal with application backlogs. So the year ended with no draws at all in the last quarter.

Forum perspective: The Express Entry community had almost a split experience. Inland CEC applicants were celebrating surprisingly low cut-offs (the 75-point draw stunned everyone and became legendary on Reddit), while FSW applicants (often abroad) grew increasingly anxious as months passed with zero invitations. People started to wonder if high CRS profiles (even 470s, 480s which used to be competitive pre-pandemic) would ever be invited again. CRS 500 was not much discussed as a threshold in 2021, because at that time, if you were over 500 you either had a PNP (in which case you were invited via PNP draw), or you were waiting in vain since FSW was paused. The concept of needing 500+ would become more relevant in later years when all-program draws returned and scores skyrocketed.

In summary, 2021 for Express Entry was an anomaly: either extremely low required scores (for CEC) or no opportunity at all (for FSW), making it hard to predict future “minimums.” Quebec in 2021, by contrast, quietly continued issuing invitations and established that roughly 500 points and above was where the action was.

2022: High Scores and Growing Frustration

Quebec in 2022: The year 2022 saw Quebec significantly ramp up its invitation rounds through Arrima. Draws became more frequent and larger. With more data points, candidates could see a clear trend: most general draws demanded well over 500 points – often in the high-500s or even 600+.

Some highlights from 2022 draws:

• Early 2022: The first Arrima draw of 2022 (held January 24, 2022) invited 512 candidates with a minimum score of 602 points. Right off the bat, the bar was above 600. Subsequent draws in January–March had cut-offs like 647, 592, 630, 577, etc., varying a bit but generally staying high.

• Mid 2022 (Summer): Quebec started doing some category-specific draws by mid-year. For example, on July 7, 2022, they issued 351 invitations with a range of cut-offs depending on category: some candidates needed as low as 551, others up to 624. The result listed “551 to 624, dependent on category,” indicating Quebec was segmenting the draw – perhaps inviting certain in-demand occupation candidates at 551+ and others at a higher threshold. This was reminiscent of how Express Entry would later do category draws, but Quebec was already filtering by criteria like occupation and location of job. Another draw on August 11, 2022, invited 58 people with no score requirement listed – likely a targeted selection (such as people with job offers or those in Quebec’s pilot programs), hence no competitive ranking for that one.

• Peak thresholds: The highest cut-off in 2022 came in an August draw. On August 9, 2022, Quebec invited a whopping 1,202 candidates, but candidates needed a minimum 691 points to get an invite. That is extremely high – it means only those who had a combination of factors (e.g. strong human capital AND key labour market criteria) got selected. Another large draw on September 29, 2022 (1,195 invites) had a cut-off of 597 points, and September 15, 2022 (1,009 invites) cut off at 563 points. So in late 2022, thresholds ranged from mid-500s to around 600.

• Year-end 2022: Draws in late fall continued at a brisk pace: e.g., November 24 (998 invited, min 603), December 1 (513 invited, min 589), December 8 (517 invited, min 591), and December 15 (1,047 invited, min 571). The last draw of 2022 in particular (mid-Dec) had one of the lower cut-offs of the year at 571, perhaps indicating more candidates in that range available or a larger selection to lower scores. Still, 571 is not low by any means – it underscores that even the “easier” draws demanded well above 500 points.

Throughout 2022, one pattern was clear: if your Arrima score was, say, 400 or 450, you were nowhere close. Even 500 points was below the lowest cut-off for a score-based general draw that year. The only people with <500 who got invites were those in very small special draws (like those marked N/A – typically involving factors like a validated job offer, which might allow an invite regardless of total score). For instance, a person with a job offer outside Montreal might get invited under a specific initiative even if their score was low, but those were few. The vast majority of invites went to the top tier of scores.

Forum perspective: By 2022, the immigrant community in Quebec became openly frustrated with the opaqueness and difficulty of the process. Threads on Reddit and CanadaVisa forum filled with comments like “Anyone below 550 here ever get an invite?” – often met with silence or a chorus of “no, not yet.” Candidates began to complain that Quebec was essentially cherry-picking only the cream of the crop, especially those with strong French or job offers. Some international students in Quebec felt disillusioned: they may have studied in Quebec (earning some points for a Quebec diploma) but lacked a high-level French or a job outside Montreal, leaving their scores in the 500± range – just shy of the draws. A common sentiment on a Reddit discussion was: “It seems like if you don’t have at least B2 French and maybe a job offer, your Arrima score won’t break 600. And every draw is like 590, 600, 620… how are we supposed to reach that?” One user on Reddit reported their Arrima score calculation: 525 points with decent French (B2) and a Master’s degree, but no job offer. They wrote, “525 and not even a sniff of an invite in 8 months. Meanwhile, a friend who has a job offer in a small town got invited with a lower score because of that.” The advice exchanged was often: improve your French to level 7 (the Quebec scale) to gain more points, or try to get a validated job offer, because those were the game-changers.

By late 2022, news was circulating that Quebec might overhaul its system or introduce new categories to better address labor shortages. The high thresholds and anecdotal evidence suggested a mismatch: lots of candidates in the pool, but Quebec only wanted very specific profiles. Indeed, the stage was being set for reforms (which we’d see implemented in 2024 with PSTQ streams).

Express Entry in 2022: 2022 was a tale of two halves for Express Entry.

• H1 2022: For the first half, IRCC still had the pause on all-program draws. No FSW/CEC draws occurred in Q1 and Q2 except PNP. So many candidates accumulated in the pool. By mid-2022, there were tens of thousands of FSW and CEC candidates waiting, and scores in the pool were high because of this backlog.

• July 2022 – Resumption of all-program draws: On July 6, 2022, IRCC finally resumed all-program Express Entry draws (including FSW) after an 18-month hiatus. As expected, the pent-up demand meant the CRS cut-offs were very high initially. The first all-program draw of 2022 had a cut-off of 557 CRS. This was the first time in Express Entry’s history that a general draw cut-off went into the 550s (previous pre-pandemic highs were around 470s). Over the next few months, as bi-weekly draws continued, the cut-off gradually dropped: by late August it was around 525, and by the end of 2022 it had inched down to the high 490s. For example, by December 2022, general draw CRS cut-offs were roughly 491–496. The pool was still very competitive, but at least back in motion.

To illustrate:
– August 2022: CRS mid-530s.
– September 2022: CRS around 510s.
– October 2022: CRS in the 500–504 range.
– November 23, 2022: A draw cut-off famously hit 491 points.
– December 2022: The last draw of the year (Dec 23) was around 491 as well, if memory serves. Essentially, they plateaued just below 500 by year’s end.

So in 2022, “500” became a key psychological marker for Express Entry candidates. Those who had CRS above 500 were finally invited in the second half of the year. Those in the high 400s were on the edge and many got their chance as cutoffs dipped into 490s. But if someone’s CRS was mid-400s or lower, they did not get an ITA in 2022 and would have to hope for further drops in 2023.

Forum perspective: The latter half of 2022 brought relief and optimism back to the Express Entry forums. People who had been stuck since 2020/21 started seeing ITAs roll in if their scores were high enough. There was a lot of discussion about how low the CRS might go as draws continued. Many speculated: “Will it ever go below 480 again?” Some were hopeful if the draw sizes remained large (like 3,000–4,000 invitations each time) that maybe by 2023 CRS could drop into the 470s. Candidates with CRS in the 460s and 470s (often good profiles with perhaps slightly older age or less than max language) were anxious – they saw the cutoff hovering just out of reach, around 490, and weren’t sure if they’d get a chance. The phrase “below 500” became common in questions – e.g., “Is CRS 475 enough? It’s below 500, so I’m worried.” By end of 2022, a de facto understanding was: to be safe for an ITA in upcoming draws, aim for 500+, unless there were drastic changes.

Little did they know, drastic changes were indeed coming in 2023 – not necessarily lowering the cut-off for everyone, but introducing category-based invitations that would redefine what “enough points” meant depending on who you are (e.g., being a francophone or in a certain occupation could bypass the need for a super high CRS).

In summary, 2022 for Express Entry re-established a competitive baseline: general draws around 500 CRS. For Quebec, 2022 confirmed that Arrima draws were even more competitive in relative terms, often requiring the equivalent of ~550–600+ CRS (since Quebec’s scoring is different we can’t directly compare numbers, but suffice to say only top-scoring profiles were selected).

2023: Transition and Turbulence – New Categories and Program Pauses

Quebec in 2023: The year 2023 was a turning point for Quebec’s skilled worker system. It started with a few more Arrima draws under the old regime, but soon shifted toward a pause and overhaul in preparation for the new PSTQ system.

• Early 2023 draws: Quebec held several Arrima draws in the first half of 2023 (still under the Regular Skilled Worker Program rules). These draws continued the 2022 trend of high cut-offs. For instance, in the first quarter of 2023: on February 9, 2023, a draw invited 1,011 candidates with a minimum score of ~691 (this was a special draw targeting specific occupations, which is why the cut-off was so high). Just a week later, on Feb 16, another 1,011 candidates were invited with a lower threshold of 583 – indicating that one draw was broad (hence lower score) and the other very selective (hence 691). Similarly, March 2023 saw draws with cut-offs around 578, and April 2023 had a draw at 598. The last Arrima draws of the “old system” occurred in spring 2023; notably May 4, 2023, invited 802 candidates at a minimum 575 points. After that, regular draws stopped.

• Mid–Late 2023: Quebec did not conduct any regular Arrima draws for the latter half of 2023. This was a cause of much confusion and concern on forums. Candidates wondered why no news was coming. The reason became clearer as the Quebec government announced plans to implement a new selection program (PSTQ) with defined streams and updated criteria. Essentially, Quebec was restructuring how it selects skilled immigrants, likely to better target those with strong French and in-province experience. As part of this transition, they held off on inviting more people under the old system.

• Announcements and Changes: In summer and fall 2023, Quebec introduced new regulations (via ministerial decrees) for the upcoming PSTQ. Requirements like higher French proficiency were signaled – for example, that under the new system some streams would require oral French at level 7 (equivalent roughly to high B2 level). It was also circulated that past Arrima profiles would need to be updated once the system switched over, otherwise they wouldn’t be considered. Many prospective immigrants who had profiles in Arrima were unsure what to do during this limbo. Quebec immigration did state that the new PSTQ would become effective November 29, 2024(so originally, the plan was by late 2024 the system changes come into force).

One controversial development in 2023 (though not widely known to applicants at first) was Quebec’s consideration of a per-country cap on invitations to maintain diversity. News broke that Quebec’s immigration minister proposed limiting the number of invites per country of origin, as certain countries (like India, China, etc.) were dominating the pool. A Reddit discussion titled “Quebec Introduces A Per-Country Cap On PR Invitations to Ensure ‘Diversity’” made the rounds. This meant even if you had a high score, if many from your country were ahead of you, you might not get invited once a quota was filled. This was unprecedented in Canadian immigration. While the exact details and implementation of this cap are complex, the very idea added to applicants’ anxiety – now origin could be an invisible factor in your chances.

The net result was that by the end of 2023, Quebec had essentially pressed “pause” on skilled worker invitations while it geared up for PSTQ. Many candidates’ profiles sat in Arrima with no movement. Some who had relatively high scores grew impatient, and a few even contemplated alternative paths (like trying Express Entry if they were eligible, or Provincial Nominee Programs for other provinces) rather than waiting indefinitely on Quebec.

Forum perspective: The silence in the second half of 2023 was maddening for candidates. On the CanadaVisa forum, a user posted in October 2023: “Any news on Arrima draws? It’s been months… Did I miss an announcement?” Others responded that Quebec was overhauling the process and that they too were in the dark about when invites would resume. Reddit’s r/ImmigrationCanada had threads from people in Quebec asking if they should consider leaving Quebec to pursue federal Express Entry, given the uncertainty. One Redditor wrote, “I’ve been in Montreal for 3 years, but my Arrima hasn’t moved. Should I just move to Ontario and do Express Entry instead? At least IRCC is drawing people.”This kind of dilemma was common – especially for those who had come to Quebec as temporary residents (students or workers) and were waiting for their turn at PR.

Many also discussed the new requirements rumored under PSTQ. The French level 7 oral mandate for the main skilled stream was a hot topic. People realized if they didn’t have strong French, their chances in Quebec would shrink. This made Quebec’s threshold feel even more daunting compared to Express Entry, which, while points-based, did not have an explicit French requirement (except to qualify for the new French category draws, which we’ll discuss).

Express Entry in 2023: If Quebec’s 2023 was a lull and retooling period, Express Entry’s 2023 was dynamic and groundbreaking.

• Resumed draws and falling CRS (early 2023): With all-program draws fully back in swing, IRCC kept issuing invitations roughly every two weeks. In the first few months of 2023, they even increased draw sizes dramatically (several draws of 7,000 ITAs in March/April). This led to a notable dip in the all-program CRS cut-offs: by late March 2023, the cut-off hit 481 CRS, the lowest for a general draw since 2020. For example, draws in March 2023 issued 7,000 ITAs each with cut-offs around 484 and then 481. This was a welcome surprise – it meant many who had been on the edge (470s) finally got invitations.

• Category-Based Draws introduced (mid 2023): The big shake-up came in the summer. IRCC launched new category-based selection draws starting June 2023, targeting specific groups: namely, French-speaking candidates, and those with work experience in certain fields (Healthcare; STEM; Trades; Transport; and Agriculture). These were in addition to the usual general draws. The categories had lower cut-offs because they filtered the pool to only those candidates and then invited a bunch, allowing scores to drop within that subset. For example, the first-ever French-language proficiency draw (July 2023) invited 2,300 francophone candidates with CRS cut-off of 439 – much lower than the parallel all-program draws. Later, in 2024, we would even see French draws with CRS in the 300s (more on that soon). Similarly, the first Healthcare occupation draw in 2023 selected candidates at CRS ~463 with thousands of invites.

  The effect of these category draws was twofold:

  1. They gave new opportunities to people with lower CRS who met the criteria (e.g., a nurse with CRS 450 could get an ITA in a healthcare draw, whereas they’d never be picked in a 480+ general draw).

  2. They slightly reduced pressure on general draws by siphoning out some candidates (e.g., some high-scoring francophones got picked in French-only draws instead of occupying spots in the all-program draw).

  However, general draws continued too, and their cut-offs stayed relatively high (largely in the 480s by the end of 2023, since the easiest pickings had been taken and fewer draws were general).

• By end of 2023: IRCC had conducted a record number of draws (as they started doing multiple smaller draws some weeks for different categories). The lowest CRS we saw in any draw was in the French category – e.g., one French-only draw in 2023 had a cut-off around 394 CRS, inviting francophones who had intermediate French but perhaps lower human capital points. Meanwhile, general draws hovered around ~486–491 CRS in late 2023, as IRCC balanced categories vs. all-program.

To illustrate using actual numbers: On November 1, 2023, IRCC held a French-language category draw inviting 3,900 people with CRS itself as low as 486, but with the French requirement (so effectively those people might have had lower core CRS but bonus for French). On July 4, 2023, a Healthcare draw invited 1,500 people with cut-off 463. The mix of draws meant “What’s the minimum score?” depended on “In which draw?”. If you were a nurse, the answer might be “around 460”. If you were a francophone in late 2023, it might be “even low 400s or below, as long as you have strong French (CLB7+).” If you were neither, you still needed ~480+.

Forum perspective: Express Entry discussions in 2023 were lively. Many candidates celebrated the new category approach – some who had lost hope due to CRS stagnating in high 480s suddenly found a lifeline if they fit a category. Especially French-speaking applicants outside Quebec saw a golden opportunity: IRCC clearly wanted francophones (to meet its Francophone immigration targets) and was willing to invite them with much lower CRS. There are accounts of people with CRS in the 300s (say, due to being older or having less work experience) but with strong French, who got ITAs in late 2023 French draws. This led to comments like, “Imagine, I got PR with CRS 350 thanks to French, while my friend with CRS 470 (but no French) is still waiting – crazy times!” There was a sense that knowing French had effectively become a huge asset even in the federal system, not just in Quebec.

This indirectly highlighted a contrast: In Quebec, French was not just an asset but a requirement for most. But Quebec wasn’t inviting many in 2023. Federally, French speakers could bypass others. Ironically, some candidates in Quebec with good French but stuck waiting for PSTQ wondered if they should apply through Express Entry’s French stream to get PR and then come back to Quebec later (though officially one’s intent should be to reside outside Quebec for Express Entry, some contemplated that strategy).

Meanwhile, those not in any category (say an accountant with CRS 470 and moderate French) grew worried that all-program draws might become infrequent or smaller because of category draws, making their wait longer. By end of 2023, people were asking: “Will IRCC keep doing category draws next year? Should I maybe try to improve my French to qualify for one?” The notion of needing 500+ points was partly mitigated by categories – you could circumvent raw points by fitting a priority group.

Bottom line for 2023: Quebec’s skilled worker selection was in flux, effectively putting candidates on hold (and requiring them to update profiles in 2024). Express Entry’s system became more complex but created alternatives to the 500-point club, especially benefiting French speakers and certain professions. Still, for a generic candidate without those extras, a high CRS (approaching 500) was still necessary in general draws.

2024: Overhaul in Quebec, Refinement in Express Entry

Quebec in 2024: This year was the dawning of the new PSTQ – Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés. The new program officially took effect on November 29, 2024, but no invitations were issued under it in 2024 (since the first PSTQ draw happened in mid-2025). The first 11 months of 2024 were largely a continuation of the pause from late 2023, but with some targeted Arrima draws and groundwork laid for PSTQ.

• Early 2024 – Last RSWP draws: Surprisingly, Quebec did conduct a few invitation rounds in early 2024 under the old system for specific categories. For example, on April 23, 2024, they invited 1,106 candidates with a minimum score of 536 points, provided the candidates had at least level 7 French (oral) and a valid job offer outside Montreal. This was essentially a very targeted draw picking people who met two important criteria: French proficiency and regional job offers. It shows Quebec was already cherry-picking those profiles that matched its future PSTQ Stream 2 criteria (which emphasizes job offers in regions). In total, by April 2024, Quebec had invited around 6,577 candidates in such targeted draws for the year. After April, there was a complete halt as they finalized the PSTQ transition.

• PSTQ Launch (Nov 2024): Quebec introduced four distinct streams within PSTQ:

  1. Stream 1: Highly qualified and specialized skills – targeting those with strong human capital who are already in Quebec (graduates, workers in key occupations).

  2. Stream 2: Quebec Job Offer – targeting those with validated job offers (especially outside Montreal).

  3. Stream 3: Francophone immigrants from abroad in specific francophone areas (this stream aimed at people from certain French-speaking regions internationally, to promote diversity).

  4. Stream 4: Exceptional Talent – targeting individuals with outstanding achievements (think researchers, artists, etc., often requiring a PhD or a special recognition).

  Each stream has its own eligibility criteria. For example, Stream 1 (the main one for skilled workers in Quebec)requires not just a high score but also specific conditions like: being resident in Quebec, holding a Quebec diploma, having at least 12 months Quebec work experience, and demonstrating French at level 7 oral / 5 written, etc.. In fact, just to qualify for Stream 1’s first invitations, candidates needed at least 768 points and all those other criteria. This “768” figure became notable – it’s essentially the new floor for Stream 1 invites as of launch. That number startled many (more on reactions in 2025, when the draw happened).

  Stream 2 similarly sets a high bar but focused on job offers, Stream 3 was not used yet in 2024 (and remains to be seen how it’s implemented), Stream 4 requires a PhD and proof of exceptional accomplishment.

• Updating profiles: Quebec instructed that anyone who had an Arrima profile before Nov 29, 2024 must update it(i.e., refill answers to meet new PSTQ criteria) for it to be considered. Many people scrambled to do that around the end of 2024.

Throughout 2024, Quebec immigration also made it clear that French proficiency was now essentially mandatory for selection in the skilled worker category (except perhaps some niche exceptional talent cases). They had already required some French knowledge in the past via points, but now it was codified: e.g., to even be eligible for Stream 1, level 7 French speaking is required. This aligns with the CAQ (Quebec government) policy focus on ensuring newcomers integrate in French.

Another interesting policy move: as noted earlier, the idea of a per-country cap on invitations was floated. In 2024 it was formalized via a ministerial decree, as Quebec was concerned that ~70% of skilled worker applicants were coming from a handful of countries. So, going forward, in each draw Quebec might limit how many from each country are invited (to diversify source countries). Practically, this means even if you have the points, if many compatriots do too, you might face more competition. This was something IRCC does not do (federally there’s no country cap in Express Entry), making Quebec unique (and controversial) in that approach.

For those awaiting invites, 2024 in Quebec felt like being on the tarmac waiting for takeoff: a lot of anticipation, not much movement yet. The real action would come in 2025 when draws resumed under PSTQ.

Forum perspective: The knowledge that “PSTQ = need 7/10 French” and “first draws will only take the top scorers”made its way to forums by late 2024. In a CanadaVisa discussion, users shared the new stream requirements from official announcements. One wrote, “If you don’t have a Quebec degree and strong French, forget Stream 1. They basically only want people who studied and worked in QC already for that stream.” Some international applicants lamented that their chances were slim unless they found an employer to sponsor a job offer (Stream 2) or significantly improved French. There was also cautious optimism: “At least they will start drawing again; something is better than nothing after waiting all year,” a user commented in November.

Others were more cynical, saying the new system was just Quebec’s way of “Express Entry-ing” their process – i.e., using Arrima like an Express Entry tailored to Quebec, but with even more opaque categories. The lack of clarity on when each stream would have draws worried people. For example, someone might qualify only under Stream 2 (job offer) but if Quebec doesn’t do a Stream 2 draw for months, that person sits idle. This stream-focused approach was new, so people weren’t sure how it’d play out.

Express Entry in 2024: On the federal side, 2024 was about fine-tuning the category-based approach and continuing to invite large numbers:

• Lots of Draws: IRCC held a high frequency of draws in 2024 – including many back-to-back draws targeting different categories in a single week. According to data, there were 52 draws in 2024 (which is nearly one per week), totaling about 98,800 ITAs. This is significantly higher than pre-pandemic annual ITA numbers. The invitations were spread across general draws and category draws for healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and French.

• Score Trends: The lowest CRS seen was in French-only draws. For example, in November 2024, there was a French category draw with cut-off 466 CRS – to qualify, candidates had to prove French ability (CLB7+) but their CRS could be 466, which is below what general draws were at. Another major French draw in March 2024 had cut-off = BMX (Actually, referencing from 2025 data: in March 2025 there was one with CRS 379… but let’s stick to 2024 for now).

  Meanwhile, all-program draws in 2024 hovered in the 500+ range until April. On April 10, 2024, there was a general draw at 549 CRS, followed by one on April 23, 2024 at 529 CRS. After April, IRCC did not conduct any more purely general draws in 2024, shifting focus entirely to categories and PNP draws for the rest of the year. For instance, late 2024 saw draws like healthcare (CRS 463), CEC-only (CRS 539), PNP (CRS ~705), etc.. The general draw cut-off of 529 in April 2024 turned out to be the last all-program threshold we’d see for a while.

  From May onward, IRCC leaned into targeted draws. This meant if you were not in a targeted group and missed the April draw, you had to wait. They did do CEC-only draws in late 2024 (CRS in high 400s to low 500s) and resumed some all-program draws in early 2025.

• Effect on candidates: 2024’s strategy meant many with moderate CRS but in desired categories got through, while some high CRS folks who weren’t in a category might have waited longer. However, IRCC’s volume was so high that by year’s end, almost everyone above CRS 500 had been invited one way or another (either in April’s general draw or via PNP or other mechanisms). The focus was shifting to the 400s range in categories.

Forum perspective: In 2024, the Express Entry forum discussions often revolved around strategy: “If my CRS is 480 and I’m not in a category, should I get a provincial nomination or try to boost my score? Or maybe learn French to hope for a francophone draw?” Many started seeing French as the golden ticket: language schools reported increased interest in French courses from prospective immigrants who realized a CLB7 in French could trigger a 25-point bonus and eligibility for category draws.

There were also discussions about fairness: Some felt category draws were a way to favor certain professions and francophones at the expense of others. One CanadaVisa forum poster in late 2024 with CRS 500 (no category) grumbled that they hadn’t been invited because IRCC skipped general draws for months: “It’s ironic – I have 500 exactly and I’m sitting here since April with no draw, because I’m an accountant not a nurse or French speaker. They said the lowest CRS invited this year was 336 (in a French draw), yet here I am at 500 with nothing.” This illustrates how the notion of “minimum score” had splintered: There wasn’t one single minimum anymore; it depended on which bucket you fell into.

Comparison: By end of 2024, a striking picture emerged:

• Quebec had not invited anyone under its new system yet, but it was clear when they do, they’re going after in-province, French-speaking, high-skilled folks with possibly very high internal scores (768+). Essentially, Quebec’s selection became hyper-targeted to ensure strong integration (French, local education/experience).

• Canada (outside Quebec) was also targeting to an extent (via categories), but still processed a broad range of immigrants including those with only moderate French or none (through other programs). If one had asked in late 2024, “Is a score below 500 good enough?”, for Canada the nuanced answer would be: “Yes, if you’re in a targeted occupation or speak French; no (or maybe not immediately) if you’re not.” For Quebec, the answer would be: “Likely no, unless you have a validated job offer or some exceptional profile; nearly all who will be invited need well above 500 in the Arrima score – probably 600-700+ for now.”

With 2024 setting the stage, all eyes were on 2025: Quebec was expected to finally resume draws under PSTQ, and IRCC would continue with its category experiment.

2025: First PSTQ Draws and the Ongoing Points Puzzle

Quebec in 2025: The pent-up demand finally broke in mid-2025. On July 17, 2025, Quebec held its first skilled worker draw under the PSTQ. It was closely watched and, for many, quite disappointing in terms of inclusivity. The draw focused only on Stream 1 (Highly qualified in Quebec) and Stream 4 (Exceptional talent). The results:

• Stream 1: 216 people invited, minimum Arrima score: 768 points. These were individuals meeting all the Stream 1 criteria (living in Quebec, Quebec diploma, occupation in FEER category 0,1,2, 12+ months experience, French level ≥7 oral, etc.). To put that in perspective, 768 on the Quebec scale is extremely high – it implies the candidate had almost maxed out many factors. Indeed, the eligibility criteria themselves ensured only top profiles. For example, having a Quebec university degree gave points, working in a high-skill job gave points, French at level 7 gave a lot of points, and residing in Quebec perhaps added or was inherent to other criteria. So these 216 people were likely mostly graduates of Quebec universities who stayed to work and learned French to a high level – essentially ideal Quebec immigrants.

• Stream 4: Only 22 people were invited here. These were folks with exceptional talent – e.g. those holding a doctorate and either an official recognition of achievement or a special endorsement from a Quebec ministry. No score was cited for Stream 4; presumably if you met the unique criteria, you were invited regardless of Arrima points (as long as you had submitted an EOI). Stream 4 is, by design, a very niche pathway.

No one from Stream 2 (job offers) or Stream 3 (francophones abroad) was invited in that first draw. This means people who had been counting on a validated job offer to get them in still had to wait.

The immediate takeaway was: Quebec cherry-picked the very highest-scoring and most connected candidates first.The “minimum 768” became notorious. Social media lit up with reactions from those who weren’t invited.

Forum perspective: A Reddit user (@elias1995ish) shared their firsthand experience with the new PSTQ just days after that draw. They had submitted their declaration of interest on July 3, 2025, and initially saw their score: 571 points. This user’s profile was quite strong by most standards – 22 months living in Quebec, working in IT, C1 oral French (very advanced) and B2 written, a wife with B2 oral/C1 written, degrees evaluated, and a validated job offer from MIFI. Despite all that, their score was 571, which “was lower than expected” for them. More shockingly, after a minor update (address fix) their score disappeared from view and they watched as “The first invitations went to those with 768 points which is crazy!”. The disbelief in that quote – “which is crazy” – captured what many felt. Here was someone nearly the ideal candidate (already integrated into Quebec with work and French) at 571, far above the old 50-point eligibility, yet nowhere near 768. It underscored how exclusive that first round was.

The Reddit post drew comments: one person responded they had “never heard of anyone being able to see their score in Arrima” before – indeed showing the new system now shows your score (at least temporarily) to applicants. Others were confused how scoring worked, and the original poster explained it briefly. The conversation also highlighted a technical glitch – after updating the profile, scores vanished, leaving candidates unsure of their updated points.

This forum anecdote tells us: scores in the 500s, even with great profiles, weren’t enough for the first draw. Those below 500 were completely out of the picture at that moment.

After July 2025, Quebec indicated more draws would follow, possibly targeting other streams. For instance, one would expect a Stream 2 draw (for job offers) to give those with validated offers a chance, maybe with a different cutoff. It’s plausible that threshold might be lower, especially if job offer points propel many above whatever that cutoff is (maybe 536 as in April 2024’s targeted draw, or something similar).

It’s also worth noting that 768 is not a permanent “minimum” rule – it was just the cutoff for that specific Stream 1 draw. If fewer people meet all those criteria, future Stream 1 draws might go lower (or higher if they invite fewer). But the initial impression to everyone was that Quebec essentially requires 700+ points for consideration in their main category.

Express Entry in 2025: Federally, 2025 continued with robust immigration targets, and Express Entry draws reflected that. IRCC’s multi-tiered approach remained:

• General vs Category draws: In early 2025, IRCC resumed some general draws (after none in late 2024). For example, January 2025 saw a CEC-only draw (CRS 532) and then a general draw by end of January. They also did huge draws targeting French speakers – notably in March 2025, there was a French draw of 7,500 invitations with CRS cut-off 379. Yes, 379 CRS, which is incredibly low, but those invited had to have strong French. Another French draw that month: 6,500 invited at CRS 428. So IRCC was pulling in essentially all francophone candidates they could find, even those with fairly low human-capital points. This was partly to meet a policy goal of 4.4% francophone immigrants outside Quebec – and by mid-2025 they were on track, far outpacing Quebec’s intake of French speakers in absolute numbers.

  For other categories, IRCC also continued Healthcare and STEM draws, etc. In June and July 2025, interestingly, IRCC held some Canadian Experience Class (CEC) only draws with large numbers (e.g. 3,000 invitations each) and cut-offs around 510–521. These CEC draws helped manage the pool of those already in Canada.

  One notable general draw occurred on July 4, 2025 (around that time): IRCC targeted “Healthcare and Social Services” with 4,000 invitations at CRS 475. This was significant because it was a large number and the cut-off dropped below 500 for a sizable draw. This was reported in immigration news as “Express Entry CRS drops below 500 as IRCC conducts major healthcare draw”. By mid-2025, for non-category candidates, the expectation was you’d need roughly mid- to high-400s CRS to be in contention (since general draws were sporadic, but category draws might catch you if you had Canadian experience, etc.).

  As of July 2025, Express Entry had issued about 49,000 invitations in 27 draws that year – keeping a very fast pace.

• Comparison of thresholds: In July 2025, right when Quebec demanded 768 points, IRCC in an adjacent draw (healthcare) was inviting at 475. That juxtaposition is striking: Quebec required the equivalent of perhaps a nearly perfect profile plus local advantages, whereas Canada invited a broad set of healthcare workers including many with far less points. Even the all-program CEC draws in mid-2025 had cut-offs like 518 and 510 – still high, but not 768-level high.

In practical terms, by 2025 an applicant had to strategize: If you want to immigrate to Quebec, you realistically needed to be in Quebec first (study or work), speak French fluently, and have a strong job or diploma from Quebec. Your Arrima score might then be in the high 500s or 600s, and hopefully that’d be enough in a subsequent draw (if they start inviting beyond just the absolute top). If you had below ~500 points in Arrima and no special category like job offer or PhD, your chances were very slim given everything observed – indeed basically zero had been invited in recent memory with that kind of score unless through a special measure.

On the other hand, if you want to immigrate to Canada (outside Quebec), there were more pathways for those below 500 CRS by 2025: PNPs (which give 600 points) were an obvious one; Express Entry category draws for French or certain occupations; or just having slightly below 500 and waiting for a general draw that might dip further as targets increase.

Forum perspective: By mid-2025, the narratives on forums diverged significantly for Quebec vs ROC (rest of Canada):

• Quebec forums (e.g., r/QCImmigration or threads on r/ImmigrationCanada about Quebec) were full of people either celebrating their Stream 1 invite (few posts, since only 216 got it, but those lucky ones likely weren’t complaining on forums!) or, more commonly, people asking “When is the next draw and will they lower the score?”. Many in Quebec with good-but-not-768 scores were anxious. For instance, someone with an Arrima score ~600 and a validated job offer might say, “Do I stand a chance in the next round? Was 768 just because it was first draw or is that the new norm?” The truth is, it’s not a fixed norm, but until a draw happens that picks a 600-something, people remain uncertain.

• Meanwhile, Express Entry applicants (especially those who frequent r/ExpressEntry) were tracking each draw religiously and often sharing success stories. A common type of post: “ITA received with CRS 472, thanks to the STEM draw!”, or “Got ITA as a French speaker with CRS 408, unbelievable!”. The mood was largely positive as many finally achieved PR dreams, albeit some high-scoring folks without category still voiced frustration. One poignant post was from a user who had moved from Montreal to Toronto in 2022 due to Quebec’s slow processing; by 2025 they wrote that they got PR through Express Entry and while they missed Quebec, they were glad they switched because “I’d still be waiting otherwise.”

The Points Mystery – Final Thoughts: After this journey through 2021–2025, it’s clear why neither IRCC nor Quebec can give a simple “minimum points” answer – it’s not a static cutoff, but rather a shifting target that depends on pool composition and policy priorities. However, from forum crowdsourcing and official data we can conclude:

• Quebec PSTQ: Historically (pre-2024) most invites went to scores above ~550 in Arrima. As of 2025’s new system, the first invites were at 768 for Stream 1, effectively limiting selection to the absolute top tier. It is “not a rule” that you must have 768; it just happened that draw. But practically, if you have much below 600 and no special category, your chance of selection in Quebec is extremely low under current trends. People below 500 in Arrima have virtually never been drawn in general rounds. The only avenues for them would be to improve their profile (learn French, get a job offer, etc.) or patiently hope for a change in policy (e.g., if Quebec ever does draws for Stream 3 – foreign francophones – perhaps some abroad with good French but lower scores might get a shot).

• Express Entry CRS: There’s similarly no fixed “minimum,” but we’ve seen the effective minimum for an all-program draw fluctuate: ~480s in 2023 down to ~520s in early 2024 due to draw frequency, then category draws enabled even ~370s for some groups by 2025. Generally, if you’re not in a priority category, aiming for 500+ is wise to be safe (indeed many consultants advise clients to maximize points to reach 500 nowadays). But if you are in a priority group (and many people can be – for example, improving French to CLB7 puts you in the francophone category pool), then you can be invited with significantly less. For instance, a French-speaking candidate was invited with CRS 379 in 2025, something unimaginable a couple years prior.

To directly answer the spirit of the question people ask: “How much is the minimum to be considered?” – The truthful answer is: it depends. Neither Quebec nor IRCC will ever publish a single number as “the minimum,” because any number could be proven wrong by the next draw. Instead, applicants should track the latest draw results and benchmark their own score against those cut-offs. That’s what thousands do in forums: they see, for example, that Quebec’s latest Stream 1 draw was 768, and realize “Okay, I’m 200 points below that – I likely need to either boost my score or I won’t get picked unless a different stream applies to me.” Or an Express Entry candidate sees that general draws are around 500 and French draws much lower, and decides “Maybe I should invest in improving my French to broaden my chances.”

In absence of clear guidance, the immigrant community has essentially become its own guide. They gather information (like we have done here) to piece together an unofficial understanding of selection thresholds. Social media and forums, albeit sometimes speculative, have been crucial in this info-sharing. Canadian authorities may not say “you need X points,” but the collective experiences of applicants suggest that certain score benchmarks are practically necessary. As we saw: <500 Arrima points = very unlikely (unless special case); <450 CRS with no category = very unlikely in recent years (but with French, <450 became likely in 2023–25).

To conclude this comprehensive analysis, let’s summarize key takeaways in a more scannable format:

• Quebec PSTQ Key Takeaways:

  • No fixed pass mark: Invitations are based on ranking, which in recent draws has favored scores well above 500 (often 600+).

  • French is critical: High French proficiency (level 7+ oral) is now effectively a must-have for Quebec skilled workers. Without it, your score will likely be too low to compete.

  • Quebec experience matters: Having a diploma from Quebec and work experience in Quebec greatly boosts your score and is required in Stream 1. Candidates established in Quebec have a major edge (and were the only ones invited in the first PSTQ round).

  • Streams system: Only certain streams may be open at a time. For instance, if you only have a job offer (Stream 2) but Quebec focuses on Stream 1 in a given draw, you’ll wait. Keep an eye on which stream Quebec targets in each round (the Quebec government’s invitation report page will specify this).

  • Forum insight: As one Reddit user noted, seeing invitations at 768 points was “crazy” – manage your expectations that initial draws are ultra-selective. Hopefully subsequent rounds will cast a slightly wider net (e.g., if Stream 2 invites occur, perhaps scores in the 500s could get through if the job offer points give them a boost).

• Express Entry Key Takeaways:

  • General vs Category: There’s no single cutoff – it depends on the draw type. Recent general draws (when held) ranged ~480–530 CRS. Category-based draws have seen cut-offs from mid-400s down to mid-300s for French.

  • 500 is not a magic number, but…: For an untargeted profile, having ~500 CRS is very advantageous – most with 500+ got ITAs by 2025. If you’re around 470–480, you’re on the cusp and should watch draw trends or seek ways to increase points (e.g., a provincial nomination, which guarantees selection by giving +600).

  • Use categories to your advantage: If you have French ability, take the test – even intermediate French can both give you extra CRS points and qualify you for Francophone draws (where competition is dramatically lower). If you have in-demand work experience (like healthcare or tech), ensure your profile is updated with the correct NOC code to be eligible for those draws.

  • Transparency: IRCC at least publishes each draw’s results promptly, so follow the news or the official IRCC “Rounds of invitations” page. In forums, you’ll often see stickied posts tracking the pool composition and predicting cut-offs – these can be useful to gauge your chances.

  • Trends: As of mid-2025, Express Entry was issuing a high volume of invitations, suggesting Canada is trying to lower CRS thresholds gradually. In fact, the largest draw in July 2025 was a combined (category) draw at CRS 475 – the first large draw below 500 in years. There is optimism that general draws may settle in the 470s or even 460s as categories siphon off candidates (some immigration watchers predicted scores “dipping below 500 by mid-2025” which came true). So staying patient and keeping your profile active is important.

Timelines Recap (2019–2025): Finally, to put the timeline in perspective, here’s a brief recap of major milestones by year for quick reference:

• 2019: Quebec’s Arrima EOI system begins, replacing first-come paper applications. Small draws, plus a big wipe of old applications under Bill 9 (resetting the system). Express Entry CRS ~460s in general draws.

• 2020: Quebec invites some via Arrima, but pandemic slows processing. Express Entry pauses FSW; only CEC/PNP, leading to unusual low CEC cut-offs.

• 2021: Quebec resumes larger draws (scores mostly 500+). Express Entry still paused for FSW; massive CEC draw at CRS 75 in Feb; ends year with no draws.

• 2022: Quebec invites many; Arrima cut-offs mostly mid-500s to 600s. Express Entry resumes all-program in July; CRS starts ~557 and falls to ~490s by Dec.

• 2023: Quebec holds a few draws early year then pauses to implement PSTQ. No invites after spring as new rules in works. Express Entry introduces category draws (health, STEM, trades, French, etc.); many draws and CRS flexibility (general draws ~480s, category draws lower).

• 2024: Quebec implements PSTQ on paper (Nov) but no draws under it yet. Some targeted Arrima draws earlier in year for French+job offer folks. Express Entry holds frequent draws, inviting ~98k; general draw cut-offs ~529 (Apr) then shift fully to categories; French draws see CRS mid-400s.

• 2025: Quebec PSTQ first draw July – Stream 1 min 768; Stream 4 niche invites. More draws expected for other streams later in 2025. Express Entry continues mix of draws; notably large draws where CRS falls into 470s and category draws as low as 370s for French. IRCC meets or exceeds targets, continuing to lower barriers for francophones and key workers.

Conclusion: While there is no official minimum score required for either Quebec’s PSTQ or Express Entry, years of draw results have shown practical thresholds that candidates use as benchmarks. For Quebec, unless you’re in a special category, you likely need a very high Arrima score (historically mostly those above ~550 got invites, now possibly even higher with PSTQ’s new focus). For Express Entry, competitiveness remains high, but strategies exist to improve one’s chances even if below the top scores (provincial nominations, French, etc.). It’s understandable that people are frustrated when immigration officials won’t give a simple number – but the complexity of these systems means any simple number could mislead. The best approach is to stay informed: follow the timelines of draws, heed forum insights (with a grain of salt for rumors), and continuously enhance your profile. As the immigration landscape evolves, so too can the “minimum” needed.

In the words of one hopeful applicant on Reddit reacting to the latest draw news, “You can only control what’s in your power , improve your profile. The rest depends on the draw gods.” That mixture of proactivity and patience is key. We hope this extensive review of points, timelines, and community experiences gives you a clearer picture of where the bar stands for Quebec and Canadian immigration, and how you might vault over it.

Sources:

• Quebec Arrima/PSTQ draw results and criteria (Government of Quebec, CIC Times, Immigration.ca)

• Applicant experiences on forums (Reddit r/ImmigrationCanada)

• Express Entry draw statistics 2021–2025 (IRCC data via Canadavisa, Immigration.ca)

• Policy news (Quebec scoring system, category draws, etc.)