Quebec’s 2025 Immigration Levels Plan: Key Programs Paused But Immigration Levels Won’t Drop (Yet)

However, it’s not all good news given the extremely high demand for immigration to Quebec, Canada’s only predominantly francophone province and home to the city of Montreal. In addition to the planned levels, Quebec has suspended two of its economic programs until at least June 30, 2025. And that’s in addition to the cap placed on family immigration that’s due to run through to at least June of 2026. 

Key Takeaways

• Quebec plans to admit 48,500-51,500 newcomers in 2025, comparable to the 48,310-52,250 planned for admission in 2024. 
• Applications to graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Program (programme de l’expérience québécoise) are closed, but are expected to recommence by June 30, 2025. 
• Quebec does not plan to invite any further applicants via the Regular Skilled Worker Program (soon to be Skilled Worker Selection Program) in the near term. Invitation rounds are expected to recommence by June 30, 2025.

Quebec’s Planned Immigration Levels for 2025

Quebec’s immigration levels for 2025 remain largely unchanged for 2025 compared to 2024. However, like elsewhere in Canada, demand for Quebec’s programs remains high – so the immigration levels plan is not likely to meet demand for immigration in 2025:

Other notable updates gleaned from Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan are as follows: 

Quebec Graduate Student Stream Paused On October 31, 2024

Quebec’s government has announced a pause on intake for applications for the graduate stream of the Quebec Experience Program. Applications are likely to resume in 2025, with the government sharing that this measure will be in effect until June 30, 2025 at the latest.

If you have already submitted your application under this program, it will be reviewed by Quebec’s government and you may receive a Quebec Selection Certificate, which allows you to apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent residency. 

Also, applications to add family members for those applications that are already submitted or approved can proceed. These applications will continue to be received and reviewed in Quebec.  

Temporary Foreign Worker Stream of the Quebec Experience Program

This stream is not currently suspended. It is only the Quebec graduate stream that is currently paused. So temporary foreign workers looking to apply may still submit an application. 

Also notable is that Quebec’s Experience Program, including the Temporary Foreign Worker stream, is not subject to the Levels Plan outlined above. It’s possible that targets will be announced for temporary residents in June 2025. 

Quebec’s Skilled Worker Selection Program

Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) will be replaced by the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP) on November 29, 2024. However, Quebec has paused sending invitations via the SWSP until June 30, 2025 at the latest. 

Those who have already been invited can still submit their application within the 60-day timeframe.

The RSWP is a points-based, invitation-only program whereby eligible prospective applicants first express their interest in living and working in Quebec permanently. Only those invited by the government of Quebec may submit a complete application. Points are awarded for a range of factors including, but not limited to, language proficiency (where French ability is weighted heavily, but English is still rewarded), age, education level and sector, work experience, and whether or not the candidate has a valid job offer. Interestingly, and in contrast to the federal Express Entry system that is also points- and invitation-based, Quebec awards additional points to those with children.