Starting June 26, 2024, Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration has enforced a new cap on family sponsorship applications. This cap will remain in effect until June 25, 2026.
Breakdown of the Cap
The new regulations limit the number of family sponsorship applications to 13,000 over the two-year period. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the allocations:
- Spouses, Common-Law Spouses, and Dependent Children (18 and up): 10,400 applications
- Parents, Grandparents, and Other Eligible Relatives: 2,600 applications
- Once the cap is reached, the Ministère will stop accepting further applications.
Exemptions to the Cap
Certain categories are exempt from this cap. These include:
- Sponsor’s Dependent Minor Child: Minor children who are dependents of the sponsor.
- Adopted Minor Children: Minor children whom the sponsor wishes to adopt.
- Orphaned Relatives: Orphaned minor children who are siblings, nieces, nephews, or grandchildren of the sponsor.
- Dependent Adult Children: Adult children who are dependent on the sponsor due to a disability.
For these exemptions to apply, the person being sponsored must not be married or in a common-law relationship.
Additional Considerations
The cap also does not affect applications for adding a dependent to a sponsored person already covered by an existing application, or for adding a dependent to a sponsored person who is awaiting admission as a permanent resident after an approved application.
Communication and Application Process
The Ministère will make a public announcement once the cap has been reached. Applications received after this point, which do not qualify for exemptions, will be returned without processing, and the application fee will not be charged.
Reasons Behind the Cap
Quebec Premier François Legault has previously linked the province’s housing crisis to the influx of temporary residents. By imposing this cap, the government aims to manage the number of new residents and alleviate some of the pressures on housing and social services.
Implications for Potential Sponsors
This new cap significantly impacts those planning to sponsor family members. Prospective sponsors should be aware of the limited slots and ensure their applications are submitted promptly to avoid missing the opportunity. It’s also crucial to understand the exemptions and ensure any applications meet the specified criteria to avoid unnecessary delays or rejections.
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