Quebec’s immigration landscape in 2024 has been marked by significant changes, many of which are set to affect immigration in the province in 2025. Well, these changes, especially to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ), the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PTSQ), family sponsorships, and Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), will affect both prospective immigration candidates and those already navigating Quebec’s immigration pathways. Today, we will discuss the changes shaping Quebec immigration in 2025.
So, without further ado, let us begin!
Changes To The Quebec Immigration Levels Plan For 2025
Quebec’s immigration plan for 2025 aims to admit between 48,000 and 51,500 immigrants.
These levels are aligned with the previous years of immigration: in 2024, the province aimed to welcome between 48,310 and 52,530 new immigrants. The economic category will see the largest production of newcomers, with approximately 31,000 to 32,900 immigrants expected.
Economic immigration is planned to make up 72% of admissions to Quebec in 2025, with the remaining allocation earmarked for family reunification and refugee programs. Notably, the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will continue to play a significant role in new admissions, despite the pause on new applications.
French proficiency will continue to be a key selection factor for Quebec immigration in 2025, with the province targeting 95% francophone immigration through economic pathways and 79-80% francophone immigration overall.
Suspension Of The PEQ Graduate Stream
Quebec has paused its PEQ Graduate Stream until June 30, 2025. During this time, the province will not accept applications for permanent selection under this stream.
Note that, unlike the SWSP, there isn’t any ‘invitation’ step for the PEQ – Diplômés. As long as newcomers meet the eligibility criteria for the program and the stream they apply to, they may submit an application to be considered for a CSQ.
The suspension is part of a broader effort to curtail the increase in immigrant numbers in Quebec.
The number of Quebec Selection Certificates – which allow recipients to apply to the federal government for permanent residency – issued to PEQ Graduates will probably fall, with targets ranging from 4,500 to 5,700 CSQs in 2025. This target significantly decreased from the estimated 14,500 CSQs issued in 2024.
As a result, the overall number of permanent residents admitted through the PEQ will be significantly reduced, from a previous target of between 15,000 to 19,000 admissions to a revised target of between 13,500 to 15,000 admissions.
The pause of invitations issued through this stream will impact many foreign graduates and Quebec workers who previously could use the PEQ as a pathway to permanent residency.
Graduates looking to apply to the PEQ – Diplômés stream might have other options to immigrate to Canada via provincial pathways.
Increased French-Language Requirements For PEQ Graduate Stream
Another one of the changes shaping Quebec immigration in 2025 is the increased French-language requirements for PEQ Graduate Stream.
As of November 23, 2024, graduates from Quebec post-secondary institutions will need to meet stricter French-language requirements to be eligible for the PEQ Graduate Stream.
Specifically, students should have completed a minimum of 75% of their program’s courses or credits in French. This change applies to both colleges as well as university-level programs, with slight variations based on the level of study.
These changes impact students differently depending on their levels of study:
| Level and Type Of Study | New French Language Criteria |
| Students in vocational and college training programs | 75% of courses must be completed in French |
| Students in University undergraduate programs | 75% of program credits must be completed in French |
| Students in University master’s or PhD programs | 75% of program credits must be completed in French Theses, master’s dissertations, internships, and research labs may be completed in a language other than French, but all other program courses or credits must meet the French-language requirement |
Theses, master’s dissertations, internships, and research labs might be completed in a language other than French. However, all other program courses/ credits must meet the French language requirement.
Moreover, graduates from programs that do meet the new language requirements might still be eligible if they previously completed a minimum of three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies in French, either in Quebec or abroad.
Impact On Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ)
Another thing to know about the changes shaping Quebec immigration in 2025 is the impact on the Regular Skilled Worker Program.
Well, the Regular Skilled Worker Program has also been put on hold until June 30, 2025. There are no new invitations issued for permanent selection via this pathway during this time.
As of November 29, 2024, the PRTQ was replaced by the Qualified Skilled Worker Selection Program. This will contribute to the admission of up to 32,350 economic immigrants in 2025.
For context, newcomers applying to the PRTQ use the following process:
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) through the Arrima pool. Arrima is the online e-filing service that the government of Quebec uses to manage immigration applications.
- If scored high, candidates obtain an ITA to the province for permanent selection via the issuance of a CSQ.
- If the application is successful, the newcomer will obtain a CSQ and can apply directly to IRCC for permanent residence.
- If the second application is successful, newcomers will be approved for permanent residency. They should land in Canada to complete the permanent residence process.
Applications for permanent residence made via the PRTQ before November 29 will continue to be processed under the criteria of the earlier program.
This transition will impact candidates who were preparing to apply under the PSTQ in the next six months. Candidates eligible for the PSTQ might have other alternatives for Canadian immigration available to them.
Country-Specific Limits On Invitations Under The PRTQ
In another major shift, Quebec has introduced a new policy to limit the number of invitations issued to candidates from any single country under the Skilled Worker Selection Program.
Effective from October 9, 2024, to October 9, 2025, the policy will ensure that no more than 25% of invitations issued in any given draw can be issued to candidates from the same country.
This move will help increase diversity in the pool of economic immigrants. Well, that’s because Quebec immigration authorities noted a reduction in the diversity of candidates in 2024.
Though this policy was initially instituted under the PRTQ, it has been extended to the PSTQ.
Suspension Of LMIAs For Low-Wage Jobs
Beginning September 3, 2024, Quebec imposed a six-month suspension on LMIA for job offers with hourly wages below CAD 27.47.
This suspension applies specifically to job offers in the administrative region of Montreal. It also aims to regulate the number of temporary foreign workers in Quebec.
This change also applies to renewals of LMIAs with no applications under the low-wage stream of the TFWP.
This change does not affect certain high-demand sectors such as agriculture, construction, education, food processing, and health and social services. Jobs with a salary higher than the Quebec median wage and those who applied for an LMIA before September 3 are also exempt from this change.
The federal government followed suit, imposing a freeze on some low-wage LMIA applications in metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate equal to or above 6%. It is effective from September 26, 2024.
Because of the importance of LMIAs in hiring foreign nationals, this change will impact foreign nationals in Quebec seeking PR.
Family Sponsorship Cap Implemented
Another one of the changes shaping Quebec immigration in 2025 is that the family sponsorship cap has been implemented.
From June 26, 2024, through June 25, 2026, only 13,000 family sponsorship applications will be accepted. It includes 10,400 for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children, as well as 2,600 for other eligible relatives.
After the cap has been hit, any further applications will be returned without processing. Moreover, the application fee will be refunded as well.
The limit reflects Quebec’s intention to control the intake of family-sponsored immigrants, which some provincial government officials have linked to pressures on the province’s housing market.
About Quebec Immigration
Quebec holds a major position among Canada’s provinces for the control that it has over the immigrants it welcomes.
As a result, the province’s immigration pathways are run separately from federal pathways, with different eligibility criteria and requirements.
Newcomers intending to settle in Quebec are not eligible for Express Entry or other federal programs. They must instead apply to the Ministry of Immigration, Frenchisation, and Integration (MIFI). MIFI is Quebec’s provincial immigration authority to obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
Accordingly, Quebec often has its own versions of federal immigration programs and services. For instance, where the federal economic immigration uses the Express Entry system, Quebec uses Arrima. Similarly, the federal system includes the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for newcomers with work experience. And Quebec employs the Quebec Experience Class for newcomers in the province who have experience working and studying there.
Seek professional assistance from Immigtoronto for a hassle-free immigration process. Our skilled consultants are focused on guiding potential immigrants. If you have inquiries, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
