Quebec is capping the number of sponsorship immigration applications it will accept during the 12 months which will end June 25 next year at 13,000 with the exception of those applications for young and dependent children.
The latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals the province welcomed 10,295 new permanent residents last year through sponsorship immigration programs, including 735 children.
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), the francophone province’s immigration department, says children who are being sponsored will not be subject to this cap.
“These new rules do not apply to certain types of sponsorship applications,” notes the province.
“MIFI will accept sponsorship applications above this level at all times from June 26, 2024 through to June 25, 2026 for those applications in which people are requesting to sponsor:
- a child under the age of 18;
- a minor child who is to be adopted;
- a minor orphan who is the applicant’s brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandson or grand-daughter, or;
- the applicant’s adult child who is dependent on one or both of his or her parents due to his or her physical or mental state.”
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In 2023, Quebec also welcomed 2,440 new permanent residents through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and 7,000 new permanent residents through the sponsored spouse or common-law partner program.
Under the new rules which came into effect June 26, MIFI will accept up to 10,400 sponsorship applications for spouses and common-law partners and dependent children 18 years old or more. The provincial immigration department will also accept 2,600 sponsorship immigration applications for parents and grandparents and others who qualify under the PGP.
“If the maximum number of sponsorship applications is reached before June 26, 2026, the minister will no longer accept applications,” notes MIFI.
“In that case, MIFI will publicly announce that the minister can no longer receive applications for the remainder of the period and all applications received after the maximum number of applications has been achieved will be returned to the applicants without being processed and without the fees being accepted.”
Those whose sponsorship applications are returned to them because they were received after Quebec hit its cap will then have to wait until the following 12-month period to submit another application.
Quebec Runs Its Own Immigration Programs With Unique Criteria
In Canada, the province of Quebec is unique in that it administers its own immigration programs which have separate selection criteria from those of other provinces and the federal government.
The province has, for example, its own Expression of Interest immigration system to select candidates for the Quebec Skilled Worker program. Candidates submit profiles via an online portal called Arrima.
The system is designed to allow candidates with the best credentials to get to the front of the line to maintain a continuous flow of new workers with profiles that meet the needs of Quebec businesses.
Foreign nationals wishing to settle permanently in Quebec must undergo a two-step immigration process.
First, they must be selected by MIFI and get a Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ). This is an official document issued by Quebec immigration authorities to attest that the candidate has been selected by the province. It is not a visa, so it cannot be used to enter Canada.
Once the foreign national has his or her CSQ, the next step is to file a permanent residence application with IRCC within 24 months from the date the CSQ was issued.
The federal government’s role in evaluating a Quebec application for permanent residence is mainly limited to issues of health and criminality.
At this stage, an application will be submitted to IRCC, including police certificates and medical exams, when requested.
There are several programs for those who want to immigration to Quebec.
Under Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP), candidates declare their interest in immigrating to Québec to work. The province then selects candidates who are most likely to establish themselves economically in Quebec.
These are workers whose skills correspond to particular provincial market needs, which makes it easier for them to find work. Quebec bases its selection on a grid of factors for which points are awarded, namely education, work experience, language knowledge, age, children, spouse’s characteristics and financial autonomy.
Wealthy individuals may consider any of Quebec’s business programs, which are: Investors, Entrepreneurs and Self-employed.
Another program available for those candidates who are already living and working or studying in Quebec is the Quebec Experience Program – PEQ. Eligible candidates can apply for a CSQ under an accelerated process. Two streams are available: Quebec Graduate and Temporary Foreign Worker.
