As of July 9, 2025, Quebec has officially suspended the intake of new sponsorship applications for spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children aged 18 or older. The province has announced that it has reached its maximum allowable number of applications for these categories under the Family Reunification Program.
This abrupt pause means that Quebec residents will not be able to obtain Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQs) to sponsor these specific family members for permanent residence until June 25, 2026.
Also Read Quebec Freezes Spousal and Adult Child Sponsorships Until 2026 After Reaching Intake Limit
Why Has Quebec Stopped Accepting Sponsorship Applications?
The Quebec Ministry of Immigration decided in response to hitting the pre-established cap of 10,400 applications for the sponsorship of spouses and adult dependent children. This cap was introduced as part of a broader limit of 13,000 applications between June 26, 2024, and June 25, 2026. Of these, 2,600 spots remain open for the sponsorship of parents, grandparents, and other eligible relatives.
This policy change does not impact applications involving:
- Dependent children under the age of 18
- Adult dependent children with disabilities
- Addition of dependents to an existing sponsorship application
Any new applications received in the now-closed categories will be returned to the applicants, along with a full refund of processing fees.
Sponsorship in Quebec: A Distinct Pathway
Quebec administers its own immigration programs under a special agreement with the federal government. As a result, individuals residing in Quebec who wish to sponsor family members must follow a unique process that includes:
- Obtaining federal sponsorship approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Signing a Quebec-specific undertaking
- Receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)
This system adds an additional layer of provincial approval not required in other parts of Canada.
Current Status and Future Outlook
At this time, the Quebec government continues to accept sponsorship applications for:
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Other qualifying relatives (provided the 2,600-application cap for these categories is not yet met)
The suspension on spousal and adult child sponsorships is expected to last until June 25, 2026, unless changes to the policy are announced earlier.
Immigration practitioners are advising Quebec residents who wish to bring family members to the province to explore alternative immigration routes or prepare to apply once the cap resets.
What Should Affected Individuals Do?
If you were planning to sponsor a spouse or adult dependent child to immigrate to Quebec, here are your current options:
- Seek professional advice to evaluate alternative immigration pathways.
- Monitor updates from Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration for any changes or exceptions to the current policy.
- Consider sponsorship outside Quebec, if applicable, where different rules and caps may apply.
Final Note
This development significantly affects family reunification efforts in Quebec, where many residents rely on the sponsorship program to bring loved ones to Canada. The moratorium may add wait times and require applicants to adjust their plans until the next intake period begins.
Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available from the Quebec government.
