Canada’s Quebec Sets Family Sponsorship Cap Until 2026

Quebec has placed a limit on family sponsorship applications, which will be in effect until June 25, 2026. This new rule caps the number of applications at 13,000, with specific categories receiving designated quotas. Among these, 10,400 spots are set aside for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children over 18 years old. The remaining 2,600 applications are reserved for parents, grandparents, and other eligible relatives.

Once the cap is reached, the Ministry will cease accepting further applications until the period ends.

Certain exceptions apply to this cap. It does not affect the following groups:

• A sponsor’s dependent minor child
• Minor children the sponsor intends to adopt
• An orphaned minor child who is the sponsor’s sibling, niece, nephew, grandchild, or great-grandchild
• A sponsor’s adult child who is dependent on a parent due to disability

To qualify for these exceptions, the person being sponsored must not be married or in a common-law relationship, according to CIC News.

Additionally, this cap does not prevent adding a dependent to a sponsored person already in the application process or a dependent to someone awaiting permanent resident status after their application has been approved.

Quebec will announce when the cap is met. Any non-exempt applications received after this point will be returned without processing or charging a fee.

The province has cited the ongoing housing crisis as a reason for this cap, pointing to the influx of temporary residents as a contributing factor.