On This Page You Will Find
- Quebec’s new family sponsorship intake period
- New application caps for spouses and parents
- Which applications are exempt from the limits
- The full family sponsorship intake calendar
- Why Quebec introduced the new system
- Frequently asked questions
Quebec Reopens Family Sponsorship Applications
Quebec will reopen applications under its family reunification program on July 2, 2026, introducing a new two-year intake period and a structured reception schedule designed to prioritize applicants who have been waiting the longest.
Immigration Minister François Bonnardel announced that Quebec will accept up to 15,700 sponsorship undertaking applications between July 2, 2026, and June 30, 2028.
The new limit replaces the previous cap of 13,000 applications that applied between June 26, 2024, and June 25, 2026. That quota was reached in July 2025, resulting in a suspension of new undertaking applications.
Quebec says the new system is intended to ensure that family class admissions remain aligned with the province’s immigration planning levels while providing greater predictability for sponsors.
New Caps For Spouses, Parents And Grandparents
The overall cap of 15,700 applications will be divided into two categories:
- Up to 13,300 sponsorship undertaking applications for spouses or partners as the principal sponsored person
- Up to 2,400 sponsorship undertaking applications for parents and grandparents
The limits will remain in place until June 30, 2028.
Which Applications Are Exempt?
Several family sponsorship categories will not be subject to the new caps.
The following applications will continue to be accepted without counting toward the intake limit:
- Dependent children
- Orphaned minor children
- Children being adopted
- Requests to add family members to an existing undertaking application
These exemptions ensure that vulnerable children and ongoing family sponsorship files are not affected by the new intake restrictions.
Quebec Introduces Priority Intake Calendar
A significant feature of the new system is a reception calendar that prioritizes applicants based on how long they have been waiting in the federal sponsorship process.
Applicants must submit their undertaking application during the period corresponding to the date on their proof of eligibility or acknowledgement of receipt issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The oldest files will be processed first.
Family Sponsorship Intake Calendar – July 2, 2026 To June 30, 2028
| Intake Period | Deadline for IRCC Proof of Eligibility or Acknowledgement of Receipt* |
|---|---|
| July 2, 2026 to August 31, 2026 | July 31, 2024 |
| September 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026 | January 31, 2025 |
| November 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 | June 30, 2025 |
| January 1, 2027 to February 28, 2027 | August 31, 2025 |
| March 1, 2027 to April 30, 2027 | October 31, 2025 |
| May 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027 | November 30, 2025 |
| July 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027 | December 31, 2025 |
| September 1, 2027 to October 31, 2027 | February 28, 2026 |
| November 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027 | May 31, 2026 |
| January 1, 2028 to February 29, 2028 | August 31, 2026 |
| March 1, 2028 to April 30, 2028 | December 31, 2026 |
| May 1, 2028 to June 30, 2028 | May 31, 2027 |
* For sponsorship applications in the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada category, the date refers to the IRCC acknowledgement of receipt.
The phased schedule means applicants with older federal sponsorship files will gain access first, while more recent applicants will become eligible in stages through June 2028.
Applications Must Be Submitted By Mail
Quebec has confirmed that all sponsorship undertaking applications must be submitted by mail.
The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) will not accept applications in person at its offices.
Applicants should ensure that all required forms and supporting documents are included before mailing their application package.
Why Quebec Is Managing Family Sponsorship Intake
The province introduced intake management measures in June 2024 to control the volume of sponsorship applications and align them with planned admission levels.
Quebec argues that intake limits help prevent backlogs and ensure that the number of applications received remains consistent with annual immigration targets.
The previous two-year intake period allowed for a maximum of 13,000 applications. Because that cap was reached in July 2025, no new sponsorship undertaking applications could be accepted for the remainder of the period.
The new cap of 15,700 applications represents a modest increase while maintaining the province’s controlled approach to family class immigration.
Announcing the reopening, Bonnardel said family reunification remains an important part of the ministry’s mission and that the government is working to facilitate family reunification while respecting Quebec’s annual admission targets.
What This Means For Families
The reopening creates a new opportunity for Quebec residents seeking to sponsor spouses, partners, parents and grandparents.
However, applicants should pay close attention to the intake calendar because eligibility to submit depends on when they received documentation from IRCC.
Families with older sponsorship files are expected to benefit first, while those with newer files may need to wait for later submission periods.
For many prospective sponsors, the reopening marks the first chance in nearly a year to move forward with a family sponsorship application after the previous cap was reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Quebec reopen family sponsorship applications?
Quebec will begin accepting sponsorship undertaking applications again on July 2, 2026. The new intake period runs until June 30, 2028 and includes a maximum of 15,700 applications divided between spouses, partners, parents and grandparents.
How many family sponsorship applications will Quebec accept?
Quebec has established a cap of 15,700 undertaking applications over two years. Of those, 13,300 are reserved for spouses and partners, while 2,400 are reserved for parents and grandparents.
Are dependent children affected by the new limits?
No. Sponsorship applications involving dependent children, orphaned minor children and children being adopted are exempt from the intake caps. Requests to add family members to an existing application are also exempt.
How does the new reception calendar work?
Applicants may only submit their undertaking application during the intake period that corresponds with the date on their IRCC proof of eligibility or acknowledgement of receipt. The system gives priority to applicants who have been waiting the longest.
Can I submit my Quebec sponsorship application online?
No. Quebec has confirmed that undertaking applications must be submitted by mail. Applications cannot be filed in person at MIFI offices, and no online submission option has been announced.
