🇨🇦 Quebec Freezes Family Sponsorships Until Mid-2026 — What It Means for Your Canada Plans
Dreaming of bringing your spouse or grown child to live with you in Quebec? You’ll want to pay close attention. In a move that’s shaking up immigration plans for thousands, Quebec has slammed the brakes on new family sponsorship applications until June 2026.
This isn’t just about bureaucracy — it’s a major policy shift that could delay your family’s reunification by years.
Let’s break down exactly what’s changed, who’s still eligible, and what you can do next.
Quebec Sets Strict Caps on Family Reunification
On June 25, 2025, Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) hit its self-imposed ceiling on family sponsorship applications. The province will now accept only 13,000 new family sponsorship files until the next intake window reopens on June 25, 2026.
Here’s how that cap is split up:
- 10,400 spots are reserved for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children aged 18 or older.
- 2,600 spots go to parents, grandparents, and other qualifying relatives.
Once these numbers are reached, Quebec stops accepting new applications. Any submissions beyond the cap will be returned, and your processing fee will not be refunded — a painful consequence for anyone who didn’t file early.
Want to see the official statement? Visit the MIFI updates page here: https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration.
Who Can Still Apply Right Now?
Don’t panic just yet. Quebec’s sponsorship freeze doesn’t apply to all family categories. You can still file an application if you’re sponsoring:
- An unmarried dependent child under 18
- A child you’re adopting
- An orphaned minor who is your sibling, niece/nephew, or grandchild
- A dependent adult child with disabilities
- A dependent added to an application already in progress
These exemptions ensure that minors and the most vulnerable family members can still be brought to Canada without delay.
Why Is Quebec Freezing Sponsorships?
It’s more than just about immigration paperwork. Quebec officials say they’re also trying to cool off the province’s red-hot housing market.
Soaring rents and a tight supply of homes in cities like Montreal have made it tough for newcomers to find affordable places to live. By slowing family sponsorships, Quebec hopes to ease the demand and give housing infrastructure a chance to catch up.
What Should You Do If You’re Affected?
If you were planning to sponsor a spouse, partner, or adult child to live with you in Quebec, this new rule means you’ll likely have to wait until mid-2026 to file your application.
But here’s what you can do now:
✅ Keep checking official updates. Sometimes policies shift sooner than expected. Stay informed by regularly visiting MIFI’s website.
✅ Get your documents ready. Use this waiting period to prepare your paperwork meticulously. The moment the intake window reopens, you’ll be ready to file.
✅ Explore other options. Depending on your situation, you might be able to sponsor family through federal immigration pathways in other Canadian provinces. Visit the Government of Canada site for broader sponsorship details: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html.
✅ Talk to a professional. Immigration consultants can help you navigate alternative routes or prepare for Quebec’s next intake. They may even identify exemptions or parallel streams you hadn’t considered.
A Quick Recap
- Quebec has capped new family sponsorship applications until June 25, 2026.
- This mainly impacts spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children 18 or older.
- Minor children under 18, orphans, adoptees, and dependents with disabilities are still eligible.
- The move is partly aimed at managing Quebec’s housing crisis alongside immigration volumes.
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FAQs: Quebec’s New Family Sponsorship Rules
Q: Can I still sponsor my spouse to move to Quebec?
Not right now. If they’re 18 or older, you’ll have to wait until June 2026 unless they qualify under a different exemption.
Q: Does this cap apply if I’m living in Ontario or British Columbia?
No. This policy is unique to Quebec. Other provinces follow federal family sponsorship guidelines.
Q: What happens to applications already submitted?
They’ll continue processing under the old rules. Only new applications beyond the cap are halted and returned.
Q: Will my processing fees be refunded if I submit after the cap?
No — applications received beyond the intake limit are returned without refunding processing fees.
Q: Is it possible this policy will change before 2026?
Potentially. That’s why staying updated through MIFI’s site or consulting a licensed immigration professional is essential.
Final Word
This isn’t easy news for families hoping to reunite in Quebec. But with careful planning, understanding the exemptions, and keeping a close eye on policy changes, you can be ready the moment new applications open.
Got more questions or looking at other provinces? Check out the Canadian government’s main family sponsorship page here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship.html.
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