On July 9, 2025, the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) formally announced that the annual quota under the Family Reunification Program has been reached. As a result, all new applications for the sponsorship of spouses, de facto or civil partners, and adult dependants are temporarily suspended until June 25, 2026.
This suspension applies to residents of Quebec as well as to those intending to immigrate to Quebec under family sponsorship provisions.
1. Quota Reached: Official Confirmation
According to the MIFI announcement, as of July 9, 2025, the following intake limits under the Family Reunification Program have been met:
- 10,400 applications — for the sponsorship of spouses, de facto partners, civil partners, and adult children;
- 2,600 applications — for the sponsorship of parents, grandparents, and other eligible relatives.
Applications were assessed on a first-come, first-served basis. Any application submitted after July 9, 2025, will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant without review or consideration of accompanying documentation.
2. Categories Affected by the Suspension
This suspension directly impacts individuals who were planning to sponsor the following categories:
- legally married spouses;
- de facto or civil partners;
- adult dependants (including children aged 18 or older).
Therefore, the sponsorship process for these categories is not available until June 25, 2026, unless the applicant qualifies under one of the permitted exceptions outlined below.
3. Exceptions Permitted During Suspension
Despite the general moratorium on new applications, MIFI continues to allow submissions in exceptional circumstances, specifically to protect vulnerable family members. The following cases remain eligible for sponsorship:
- unmarried dependants under the age of 18;
- adopted children;
- orphaned minor relatives of the sponsor (including siblings, nieces/nephews, or grandchildren);
- adult dependants with a documented disability;
- dependants being added to an application submitted before July 9, 2025.
These exceptions are intended to ensure the preservation of essential family ties and to safeguard the best interests of children and vulnerable persons during the suspension period.
4. Rationale Behind the Suspension
As indicated in the MIFI notice and corroborated by third-party sources such as Travel Biz, the decision to temporarily halt new sponsorship applications is grounded in two key considerations:
- Administrative capacity — the need to manage high application volumes and ensure timely processing of existing submissions;
- Socioeconomic constraints, particularly Quebec’s ongoing housing crisis, most severe in urban centres such as Montreal, where demand for affordable housing has far outpaced supply.
The government of Quebec aims to balance immigration levels with the province’s ability to integrate newcomers effectively, particularly in terms of housing availability and public service access.
5. Next Steps for Applicants
Depending on your specific circumstances, the following actions are recommended:
- If your application was submitted on or before July 9, 2025, it will be processed in accordance with existing procedures;
- If your case falls under one of the listed exceptions, a new application may still be submitted;
- If you planned to apply after the cutoff date and do not qualify for an exception, you must wait until at least June 25, 2026 to submit a new application.
6. Practical Recommendations
- Regularly monitor the official MIFI website (www.quebec.ca/immigration) for updates regarding the reopening of application intake;
- Begin preparing documentation in advance if you anticipate applying in 2026, including proof of relationship, financial undertakings, and required forms;
- Consult a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant who is experienced with Quebec’s immigration framework to explore your eligibility under both provincial and federal pathways.
7. Conclusion
The Quebec government’s temporary suspension of new sponsorship applications under the Family Reunification Program represents a significant procedural shift with far-reaching implications for many prospective applicants. Individuals currently residing in or intending to immigrate to Quebec are strongly encouraged to assess their eligibility under the outlined exceptions and, where necessary, explore alternative immigration pathways — including federal programs — which remain open and unaffected by this provincial moratorium.
