Quebec blocks family sponsorships until 2026 - what families need to know
On This Page You Will Find:
- Breaking news on Quebec's family sponsorship closure affecting thousands
- Exact categories blocked and surprising exemptions still available
- Smart alternatives to reunite with family despite the restrictions
- Timeline predictions for when applications will reopen
- Strategic moves to consider if you're caught in this situation
Summary:
If you're planning to sponsor your spouse, partner, or adult child to Quebec, you just hit a massive roadblock. As of July 9, 2025, Quebec slammed the door shut on new family sponsorship applications until June 2026 - nearly a full year away. This affects over 10,000 potential applications and leaves families in limbo. But here's what most people don't realize: there are still legal pathways to bring your loved ones to Canada, and some surprising exemptions that might apply to your situation. Understanding these alternatives could save your family reunion plans.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Quebec closed spousal and adult child sponsorships until June 25, 2026 after hitting their 10,400 application cap
- Children under 18 and dependent adults with medical conditions can still be sponsored
- Moving to another province removes Quebec's involvement but adds 34+ month processing times
- French-speaking family members may qualify for Express Entry with bonus points
- Applications submitted after July 9, 2025 will be returned with full fee refunds
Marie Dubois refreshed her computer screen for the third time that morning, hoping the Quebec immigration website was just experiencing technical difficulties. She'd spent months gathering documents to sponsor her husband from Morocco, only to discover that Quebec had quietly reached its sponsorship cap three days earlier. Her dream of reuniting with her family just got pushed back by nearly a year.
If you're in Marie's situation, you're not alone. Thousands of Quebec residents are now facing an unexpected delay in bringing their loved ones to Canada. But before you panic, let's break down exactly what happened, who's affected, and most importantly - what options you still have.
What Exactly Happened with Quebec's Sponsorship Program
On July 9, 2025, Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI) announced they'd hit their maximum capacity for family sponsorship applications. This wasn't a surprise closure - it was actually predictable math that many immigration lawyers saw coming.
Back in June 2024, Quebec set a strict two-year limit: only 13,000 family sponsorship applications would be accepted between June 26, 2024, and June 25, 2026. They allocated these spots as follows:
- 10,400 spots for spouses, partners, and adult children
- 2,600 spots for parents, grandparents, and other relatives
The spouse and partner category filled up in just over 12 months - exactly when experts predicted it would happen. Applications were processed first-come, first-served, which means if you didn't submit by early July 2025, you're waiting until summer 2026.
Here's the frustrating part: any application received after the cap was reached gets returned unprocessed, with full fee refunds. It's not just delayed - it's completely rejected until the next intake period opens.
Who Gets Hit Hardest by This Closure
The Affected Categories
If you live in Quebec (or plan to move there) and want to sponsor these family members, you're currently out of luck:
- Spouses (married partners)
- Common-law partners (living together for 12+ months)
- Conjugal partners (in committed relationship but unable to live together)
- Dependent children aged 18 or older
The emotional impact hits hardest for newlyweds and couples separated by immigration status. Imagine planning your life together, only to discover you'll be apart for at least another year - possibly longer if the 2026 quota fills up quickly again.
The Lucky Exemptions
Not everyone is affected by this closure. These categories can still submit applications:
- Children under 18 (still processing normally)
- Orphaned minor relatives like siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren
- Dependent adults with physical or mental conditions requiring care
If your family member falls into these exempt categories, you can still move forward with your sponsorship application as usual.
The Two-Step Quebec Sponsorship Maze
Understanding Quebec's unique process helps explain why this closure is so problematic. Unlike other provinces, Quebec requires a double approval system:
Step 1: Submit your sponsorship application to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They evaluate whether you qualify as a sponsor and assess your family member's permanent residence application.
Step 2: If IRCC approves you as a sponsor, you must then apply to Quebec (MIFI) for an "undertaking" - essentially Quebec's permission to bring your family member to the province. This generates a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).
Without the CSQ, your family member's permanent residence application cannot be finalized, even if IRCC has already approved everything else.
This is where the current situation gets messy. MIFI is no longer accepting undertaking applications for spouses, partners, or adult children. So even if IRCC gives you the green light, you'll hit a wall when trying to get Quebec's approval.
Can You Still Apply to IRCC? The Gray Zone
Here's where things get complicated, and honestly, a bit unclear. You can still submit your initial application to IRCC, but what happens next is uncertain.
Typically, once IRCC approves a sponsor, they request the CSQ from Quebec and set a deadline for submission (usually a few months). But with Quebec not accepting applications, this creates a bureaucratic nightmare.
IRCC is already struggling with massive delays - 34 months for inland sponsorships and up to 38 months when Quebec is involved. It's unlikely they'll pause processing applications for an entire year, especially since there's no guarantee Quebec won't hit their cap again quickly when intake reopens in 2026.
The smart money says IRCC will continue processing applications but may extend deadlines for CSQ submission. However, this is speculation - there's no official guidance yet on how they'll handle this situation.
Your Strategic Options If You're Affected
Option 1: Relocate to Another Province
The most straightforward solution is moving to a province that doesn't require Quebec's involvement. This eliminates the CSQ requirement entirely and puts you in the federal system.
But let's be realistic about what this means:
- Major life disruption: Changing provinces means new job searches, housing arrangements, and potentially learning English if you're more comfortable in French
- Still long waits: Federal processing times are currently 34 months - you're not escaping delays entirely
- Opportunity costs: Leaving Quebec might mean giving up better job prospects, family connections, or language preferences
Despite these challenges, there's one significant advantage: your sponsored family member can apply for an open work permit while their permanent residence application is being processed. This means they can work anywhere in Canada while waiting for final approval.
Option 2: Explore Express Entry for French Speakers
If your family member speaks French, Express Entry might offer a faster route to permanent residence. French-speaking candidates receive substantial bonus points in the Comprehensive Ranking System:
- 30 points for strong French with good English
- 25 points for strong French with basic/no English
- Additional points for French-speaking work experience in Canada
Recent Express Entry draws have specifically targeted French-speaking candidates, with some draws having lower point requirements. Your family member might qualify independently, bypassing the sponsorship system entirely.
Option 3: Consider the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot
This lesser-known program targets French-speaking immigrants for smaller communities outside Quebec. While it requires a job offer, it's designed specifically for francophone immigrants and might offer faster processing.
Participating communities include places in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. If your family member has skills that match community needs, this could be a viable alternative pathway.
What to Expect When Applications Reopen
Quebec plans to resume accepting applications on June 25, 2026, but here's what you should prepare for:
Expect another rush: Pent-up demand from the closure period will likely create a surge of applications when intake reopens. The quota could fill up even faster than it did this time.
Potential system changes: Quebec might modify their process, quotas, or requirements during the closure period. Stay informed about any policy updates as 2026 approaches.
Documentation preparation time: Use this waiting period productively by gathering all required documents, getting translations done, and ensuring everything is ready for immediate submission when applications reopen.
The Bigger Picture: Family Immigration Under Pressure
Quebec's cap closure reflects broader challenges in Canada's family immigration system. Even federal programs are under strain:
- IRCC's family reunification target is dropping from 70,000 in 2025 to 66,500 in 2026
- Processing times continue stretching longer across all categories
- Growing backlogs affect both federal and provincial programs
This isn't just a Quebec problem - it's a system-wide capacity issue that affects families across Canada.
Making the Best of a Difficult Situation
If you're caught in this closure, here's how to use the waiting time strategically:
Document preparation: Gather all required documents now, so you're ready when applications reopen. This includes police certificates, medical exams, and financial documentation.
Language improvement: If your family member needs better French or English skills for Express Entry or other programs, use this time for language training.
Professional consultation: Consider speaking with a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer to explore all available options. They might identify pathways you haven't considered.
Financial planning: Use the delay to save additional funds for the immigration process and your family member's settlement in Canada.
Looking Ahead: When Will This Situation Improve?
The honest answer is that we don't know when family immigration processing will return to reasonable timeframes. Quebec's cap system is relatively new, implemented in response to processing backlogs and resource constraints.
What we do know is that family reunification remains a stated priority for both federal and Quebec governments. However, capacity limitations and administrative challenges continue creating barriers for families trying to reunite.
The best approach is staying informed about policy changes, preparing thoroughly for when opportunities arise, and considering all available pathways rather than waiting for a single program to reopen.
Quebec's family sponsorship closure is frustrating and disruptive for thousands of families, but it's not the end of the road. Whether you choose to relocate, explore alternative immigration programs, or wait for the 2026 reopening, the key is understanding your options and making informed decisions based on your family's specific situation.
Remember that immigration policies can change quickly, and new opportunities sometimes emerge unexpectedly. Stay connected with reliable information sources, consider professional guidance for complex situations, and don't lose sight of your goal - bringing your family together in Canada.
FAQ
Q: What specific family sponsorship categories are blocked in Quebec until 2026, and are there any exceptions?
Quebec has suspended applications for spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, and dependent children aged 18 or older until June 25, 2026. This closure affects the largest sponsorship category, which had 10,400 available spots that filled up by July 9, 2025. However, several important exceptions remain open: children under 18 can still be sponsored normally, orphaned minor relatives (siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren) are exempt, and dependent adults with physical or mental conditions requiring care can still apply. Additionally, the parent and grandparent sponsorship category operates under a separate quota of 2,600 spots and may still have availability. If your family member falls into any exempt category, you can proceed with applications as usual without waiting for the 2026 reopening.
Q: Can I still submit my application to the federal government (IRCC) even though Quebec isn't accepting undertaking applications?
This creates a complex gray area in the immigration process. Technically, you can still submit your initial sponsorship application to IRCC, but you'll face significant challenges later. Quebec's family sponsorship requires two approvals: first from IRCC to qualify as a sponsor, then from Quebec (MIFI) for an "undertaking" that generates the required Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Without the CSQ, your family member cannot receive permanent residence, even with federal approval. IRCC typically gives sponsors a few months to obtain their CSQ after federal approval, but with Quebec not accepting applications, this creates an unprecedented bureaucratic deadlock. While IRCC hasn't issued official guidance, they may extend CSQ submission deadlines, but this remains uncertain. Most immigration experts recommend waiting until Quebec reopens unless you're prepared to relocate to another province.
Q: What are my realistic alternatives if I need to bring my family to Canada before 2026?
Your most viable option is relocating to another province, which eliminates Quebec's CSQ requirement entirely and puts you in the federal system. While federal processing still takes 34 months, your sponsored family member can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work anywhere in Canada while waiting. If your family member speaks French, explore Express Entry where French speakers receive 25-30 bonus points and may qualify independently. Recent Express Entry draws have specifically targeted French-speaking candidates with lower point thresholds. Consider the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot for smaller communities outside Quebec - it requires a job offer but targets French-speaking immigrants specifically. For skilled workers, Provincial Nominee Programs in other provinces might offer faster pathways. Each option requires careful evaluation of processing times, eligibility requirements, and your family's specific circumstances, but they provide concrete alternatives to waiting until 2026.
Q: How quickly will the 10,400 sponsorship spots fill up when Quebec reopens applications in June 2026?
Based on the current closure pattern, expect applications to fill extremely quickly when intake reopens on June 25, 2026. The 10,400 spots for spouses and adult children filled in just over 12 months this time, but pent-up demand from the closure period will likely create a much faster rush. Thousands of families are now waiting, plus new applications that would normally be submitted throughout 2025-2026. Quebec processes applications strictly first-come, first-served, so preparation is crucial. Start gathering documents now: police certificates, medical exams, financial documentation, and certified translations. Monitor Quebec's immigration website closely as the reopening date approaches, as they may announce specific submission procedures or system changes. Consider having your application professionally reviewed before submission to avoid delays or rejections. Some immigration lawyers predict the quota could fill within weeks or even days of reopening, making immediate submission essential for success.
Q: If I move to another province to avoid Quebec's closure, what are the specific requirements and processing times I should expect?
Moving to another province eliminates Quebec's involvement entirely, putting you in the federal family sponsorship stream. You must establish genuine residence in your new province before applying - this means getting a job, lease, bank accounts, and other proof of settlement intention. Federal processing times are currently 34 months for inland applications and similar timeframes for outland, compared to 38+ months when Quebec is involved. A major advantage is that your sponsored family member can apply for an open work permit, allowing them to work anywhere in Canada while their permanent residence is processed. You'll need to meet federal sponsorship requirements: demonstrate financial ability to support your family member, sign an undertaking promising support for 3 years (spouses) or longer (dependent children), and pass background checks. The financial requirements are generally lower than Quebec's, and you won't need to demonstrate French language ability. However, consider the practical challenges: job searching, housing costs, and potentially adapting to English if you prefer French.
Q: How does Quebec's two-step approval process work, and why does this closure create such a significant bottleneck?
Quebec's unique system requires dual approval that creates the current bottleneck. First, you apply to Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for federal sponsorship approval and your family member's permanent residence application. IRCC evaluates your eligibility as a sponsor, your relationship authenticity, and your family member's admissibility to Canada. If approved, IRCC then requests a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) from Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI). This second step requires a separate application to Quebec for an "undertaking" - essentially Quebec's permission to bring your family member to the province. Quebec evaluates factors like your financial capacity, settlement plan, and commitment to remain in Quebec. Without the CSQ, IRCC cannot finalize permanent residence, even if everything else is approved. The current closure means Quebec isn't accepting undertaking applications, creating an impossible situation where federal approval becomes meaningless. This dual system exists because Quebec has constitutional authority over immigration selection, but it creates delays and complications not found in other provinces.
