June 30th, 2024 at 07:30 am
Canada Immigration: Now Set CAPS on Family & Spousal Sponsorships | Quebec Immigration
A major policy shift was implemented by Quebec on June 26, 2024, when spousal sponsorship applications were limited. By addressing the growing backlog and processing times for family reunification cases, this new rule seeks to create a more effective and controllable system.
For many families and couples wishing to rejoin in Quebec, the implementation of this policy signals a turning point. It has sparked a range of reactions and raised significant considerations about how to strike a balance between immigration control and family unity.
With some exceptions, Quebec has imposed a cap on applications for sponsorship of spouses and children (18 years of age and up), as well as for parents, grandparents, and extended relatives. The Ministere de la Francisation, de l’Immigration, et de l’Integration will only accept 13,000 applications for a 2-year period starting on June 26, 2024.
One significant change in the province that will impact families hoping to get back together is the family sponsorship cap.
Breakdown of Cap on Family Sponsorship
| Type of Application | Capping Until June 25, 2026 |
| Spouses, common-law spouses, and dependent children aged 18 and up | 10,400 |
| Fathers, mothers, grandfathers, grandmothers, or other eligible relatives | 2,600 |
But this capping isn’t relevant for
- A minor child of a sponsor-dependent
- Little ones who the sponsor hopes to adopt
- A small child who is orphaned and belongs to the brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandchild, or granddaughter of the sponsor
- An adult child of a sponsor who is reliant on a parent because of a disability
These individuals cannot be common-law partners or married.
Applications to add dependents (dependent child, spouse, or common-law partner) of a sponsored individual who is waiting to be admitted as a permanent resident and is already eligible for coverage under an undertaking application or a concluded undertaking are also exempt from the application reception cap.
Current Processing Times
Applications for spouse sponsorship in Quebec are currently taking 28 to 34 months, which is much longer than the national average of 10 months. The most recent IRCC processing time comparison for family sponsorship applications can be found below.
| Application Type | Current Processing Time | Change From Last Week | Change Since Last 2 Weeks |
| Spouse or common-law partner outside Canada (intending to live outside Quebec) | 10 months | – 3 months | – 2 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner outside Canada (intending to live in Quebec) | 34 months | No Change | – 6 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner inside Canada (intending to live outside Quebec) | 10 months | – 1 months | – 2 months |
| Spouse or common-law partner inside Canada (intending to live in Quebec) | 28 months | – 1 months | – 4 months |
| Parents or Grandparents PR (intending to live outside Quebec) | 24 months | – 4 months | – 3 months |
| Parents or Grandparents PR (intending to live in Quebec) | 48 months | – 15 months | – 11 months |
When is the cap set to expire?
This Quebec family sponsorship cap will end on June 25, 2026.
If the cap is reached, what happens?
If the cap is reached and the MIFI receives any applications that are not exempt, it will return such applications without processing them or charging the application fee.
Why did Quebec decide to cap?
The cap’s objective is to ensure that the quantity of family class applications submitted equals the annual immigration thresholds that Quebec has established for 2024 and 2025.
What does this mean for families hoping to get back together in Quebec?
The cap might mean longer wait times for families wishing to return to Quebec. Those who will be impacted need to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and consider other immigration options if the cap influences their application.
What happens if my application is returned because of the cap?
If the cap results in a return of your application, you may need to consider other immigration options or wait until the cap is raised or eliminated.
How can you remain informed about the cap and its implications?
Keep an eye on official government channels and trustworthy immigration news sources for the most recent information on the cap and how it might impact Quebec family sponsorship applications.
Conclusion
The imposition of a cap on applications for spousal sponsorship in Quebec, which will take effect on June 26, 2024, is an essential step in the administration of the province’s immigration laws. Although the goal of this voyage is to expedite the process and minimize backlogs, the new limits may present difficulties and cause worry for families and couples.
The ramifications of this choice will become apparent as Quebec works through the complexities of immigration law, underscoring the continuous conflict between the need for family reunification and the effectiveness of regulations.
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