Key Takeaways
- Quebec’s Immigration Plan 2025: Introduces strict measures to manage the number of immigrants, including suspending certain application streams.
- Temporary Program Suspensions: Temporary changes affect the “Québec graduate” and “Regular Skilled Worker Program,” limiting options for permanent residence.
- New Multiyear Planning Approach: Quebec will revise its approach to temporary and permanent immigration starting in 2026, based on new demographic metrics.
Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francization, and Integration, Jean-François Roberge, introduced the 2025 immigration plan, incorporating stringent measures to curb the growth of permanent residents. This decision responds to a sharp rise in temporary residents, aiming to control immigration rates until a new multiyear plan is introduced in 2026.
The plan projects that Quebec will admit between 48,500 and 51,500 immigrants through its regular program, as well as graduates under the “Québec graduate” stream of the Quebec Experience Program. In addition, temporary restrictions are being enacted, such as a halt in new applications for permanent residence under this stream. Existing applications will continue to be processed, but no new applications will be accepted until June 30, 2025.
Invitations for the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and its new version, effective in November 2024, are also suspended until June. Applications submitted before this date will still be reviewed, but no new invitations will be issued.
Employers may still validate job offers despite the restrictions. These measures do not affect temporary foreign workers, who are still eligible to apply for permanent residency.
Thus, Quebec’s government aims to control permanent immigration while a new approach is being developed that considers temporary residents and their economic contributions. In spring 2025, Quebec will present a multiyear plan that adjusts the balance of temporary and permanent immigration.
