Immigration Updates Newcomers to Canada Quebec Experience Program
Quebec Pauses Certain Sponsorship Applications
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) announced on July 9, 2025, that they have officially reached their limit for sponsorship applications for certain family members.
Who Is Affected?
Effective immediately, Quebec residents can no longer submit sponsorship applications for those who wish to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children over the age of 18.
It is important to note that if you submit a sponsorship application during this time, your application will be returned as you will only be allowed to submit a new application when MIFI opens up the application period again.
When Will Applications be Accepted?
Quebec residents who wish to sponsor their spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent children over the age of 18, will be able to apply to do so no earlier than June 25, 2026. MIFI is currently not accepting sponsorship applications for these family members and while an exact reopening date has not yet been confirmed, MIFI has stated that further details will be announced by June 25, 2026.
Why Is There a Cap?
The Quebec government had set a limit of 13,000 family sponsorship applications to be processed between June 2024 and June 2026. Following this announcement, there was a large influx and increase in sponsorship approvals with more than 26,500 family applications accepted in 2022 and the beginning of 2023 alone. MIFI has placed the most recent pause on sponsorship applications to better manage Quebec’s immigration levels and meet certain processing standards.
How Long Does It Take to Sponsor My Spouse or Partner to Quebec?
The current processing time to sponsor a spouse or partner living outside the country is 36 months in Quebec, compared to 11 in the rest of Canada.
If you would like to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner who is living inside Canada to Quebec, then the Processing time would be 38 months.
Who Can Still Be Sponsored?
Despite this pause, not all family sponsorships are affected. MIFI clarified that applications for dependent children under the age of 18 will continue to be accepted and processed.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation evolves and as Quebec approaches its 2026 reopening for spousal sponsorship applications. Contact to see if there is another immigration pathway suitable for you or your loved ones.
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