Today, Jean-François Roberge, Quebec's Minister of Immigration, revealed the specifics of the province's Immigration Plan for 2025.
In this announcement, the province reaffirmed its commitment to its annual target of 50,000 permanent immigrants. For 2025, Quebec plans to welcome between 48,500 and 51,500 newcomers.
The economic category represents the largest share of newcomers, projected to include approximately 31,000 to 32,900 individuals.
In addition to these “regular admissions,” ongoing admissions will continue under the Quebec Graduates component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)*. This brings the total for the economic immigration category to 72% of all planned admissions.
The remaining permanent residents (PRs) are expected to arrive through other avenues, including family reunification (between 10,200 and 10,600 individuals) and refugee programs (between 6,600 and 7,200 individuals).
*The Quebec Immigration Levels Plan is published annually by the Quebec Immigration Department, outlining the number of new immigrants the province aims to admit in the coming year and the categories under which they will be admitted.
Emphasis on French
The plan emphasizes the province's commitment to "strengthening the status of French" while remaining competitive in attracting talent in crucial economic sectors.
For 2025, the proportion of immigrants fluent in French at the time of admission is projected to be between 79% and 80%. This figure increases to 95% for principal applicants in the economic immigration category.
Suspension of Two Popular Permanent Residency Pathways
Alongside the Immigration Levels plan, the province also announced the suspension of two popular programs that have served as pathways to permanent residency.
The first program affected is the Regular Skilled Workers Program (RSWP). The province will not issue any invitations for permanent selection under the RSWP or its successor, the Skilled Worker Selection Program, until June 30, 2025, at the latest.
Additionally, the intake of applications under the "Quebec Graduate" stream of the Quebec Experience Program will also be suspended. This stream is frequently utilized by international students as a pathway to citizenship.
These measures will remain in effect until June 30, 2025, at the latest.
Temporary Foreign Workers
In contrast to the federal Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-27, the province has not set limits on temporary residents.
However, it has announced plans for a multi-year immigration planning exercise in 2025, which will include public consultation and focus specifically on temporary immigration.
This initiative will help shape multi-year immigration guidelines for 2026.
Country Cap for Regular Skilled Worker Program
Today’s announcement follows a series of changes to Quebec’s immigration system this year.
Earlier this month, the province revealed that it would limit the number of foreign nationals invited under the Regular Skilled Worker Program to a maximum of 25% from any single country.
This policy, effective for one year starting October 9, 2024, will cap the proportion of invitations issued to individuals from any one country at 25% in each draw.
Immigration and Quebec
Quebec is distinct among Canadian provinces due to its control over the annual intake of skilled workers and immigrants. It also places a strong emphasis on Francophone immigration across Canada, a pathway that has consistently expanded each year.
Last year, Quebec announced plans to welcome 50,000 newcomers annually in 2024 and 2025. This figure does not include graduates selected through the Quebec Experience Program or temporary foreign workers.
This announcement follows Canada’s release of its Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-27, which indicates a 21% reduction in targets for 2025.
The federal targets for permanent resident admissions over the next three years are set at 395,000 for 2025, 380,000 for 2026, and 365,000 for 2027.
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