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Quebec Suspends Important Immigration Programs For 7 Months

Published on November 3, 2024

Quebec has announced two program suspensions to manage immigration numbers for 2025. These include the suspension of applications under the Quebec Graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Program and invitations under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP), set to transition to the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) on November 29, 2024.Both measures will remain in effect until June 30, 2025, according to Immigration Minister Jean-Francois Roberge, who presented Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan for the coming year.

Quebec Graduate Program

While Quebec Graduate stream applications are suspended, applications already submitted will still be processed. Selected applicants can continue their immigration process and may add family members to their applications.

Applications through the Temporary Foreign Worker stream of the Quebec Experience Program will proceed as usual. This change is expected to reduce Quebec Graduate admissions in 2025 to between 13,500 and 15,000, down from 15,000 to 19,000.

Regular Skilled Worker Program

Although RSWP invitations, soon to be rebranded as SWSP, are suspended, applicants already selected can submit applications within a 60-day timeframe. Existing applications will also be processed as normal.

Quebec Program Suspensions: FAQ

What immigration programs are affected by Quebec’s new measures for 2025?

Quebec has suspended applications under the Quebec Graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Program and invitations for the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP), which will transition to the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) on November 29, 2024. These measures aim to regulate immigration numbers.

How long will these suspensions be in place?

Both suspensions will remain effective until June 30, 2025. This temporary pause allows Quebec to manage its immigration levels, as part of its 2025 Immigration Levels Plan, in line with the province’s integration and labor market goals.

What will happen to Quebec Graduate applications already submitted?

Applications already submitted under the Quebec Graduate stream will be processed as normal. Applicants already selected through the program can also continue the immigration process and are allowed to add family members to their applications.

Are there exceptions for Temporary Foreign Workers?

Yes, applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker stream of the Quebec Experience Program will continue to be accepted as usual. The suspension applies only to the Quebec Graduate stream within the Quebec Experience Program, allowing Quebec to maintain flexibility in meeting labor market needs.

What changes are expected in the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)?

The RSWP will be rebranded as the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) on November 29, 2024. While new invitations are suspended, applications already submitted or from those selected before the suspension can still proceed, with applicants given a 60-day window to complete their submission.

Quebec’s Immigration Levels

According to the new levels plan, Quebec aims to welcome between 48,500 and 51,500 newcomers in 2025, matching the 2024 target as the province maintains immigration levels in line with its capacity.

This plan aligns with the recent federal Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines reduced newcomer targets over the next three years.

Quebec Immigration Plan 2025

	2022	2023	2024 (estimated)		2025 (planned)
	Min	Max	Min	Max
Economic	45,547	34,203	30,310	33,250	31,000	32,900
· Skilled Workers	40,065	29,826	29,000	31,900	30,600	32,350
· Business	5,201	4,300	1,300	1,300	400	500
· Other economic	281	77	10	50	0	50
Family	12,907	10,292	10,600	11,000	10,200	10,600
Refugees	7,809	5,435	6,700	7,300	6,600	7,200
Others	2,459	896	700	800	700	800
TOTAL	68,722	50,826	48,310	52,350	48,500	51,500

No Temporary Immigration Targets

In a change from 2024, Quebec refrained from issuing temporary immigration targets in the new plan. However, it did indicate that new multi-year immigration levels would be in place by June 30, 2025. It is likely that temporary immigration targets will be part of this plan.

Recent Changes

The latest changes follow a recent move by Roberge to announce a 25 percent cap on the number of foreign nationals from any single country invited to apply under the Regular Skilled Worker Program.

The policy is effective from October 9, 2024, to October 9, 2025.

The minister said the move was intended to diversify immigration sources while maintaining the province’s cultural and linguistic integrity, especially its Francophone character.

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