Maple News reports that Quebec has introduced a new limit on family sponsorship applications, effective from June 26, 2024, through June 25, 2026. The measure, announced by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), restricts the number of applications that will be accepted over the two-year period.
According to the updated policy, the total maximum number of applications Quebec will accept during this time frame is 13,000. Of these, 10,400 will be allocated for the sponsorship of spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children who are 18 years of age and older. The remaining 2,600 applications are reserved for sponsorships of parents, grandparents, and other relatives who meet eligibility criteria.
The new cap is part of Quebec’s broader strategy to manage immigration levels in light of ongoing pressures on housing and social services. Premier François Legault has previously linked the province’s housing crisis to the growing number of temporary residents, indicating tighter immigration controls could help alleviate the strain.
Crucially, several categories are exempt from the cap. These include the sponsorship of minor dependent children, children being adopted, orphaned minors who are close relatives (e.g., nieces or nephews), and adult children with disabilities who are financially dependent on their parents. To qualify for an exemption, the individual being sponsored must not be married or in a common-law relationship.
In addition, any updates to add a dependent to an already-submitted or approved application will not be counted toward the cap limit. This allows families already in the immigration process to remain flexible as life circumstances change.
The Ministère will formally announce when the 13,000-application cap has been reached. Any non-exempt applications received after that point will be returned unprocessed, and applicants will not be charged any fees.
With this development, Quebec joins other jurisdictions that are balancing immigration intake with infrastructure capacity. Those looking to reunite with family members in Quebec are urged to submit their applications early and ensure compliance with the updated regulations.
Maple News will continue monitoring the impact of these changes and how they affect family reunification goals for immigrants in Quebec.