1. Three numbers not to confuse
A levels plan (federal) or planning exercise (Quebec) sets targets for permanent resident admissions. MIFI’s intake cap, on the other hand, limits the number of sponsorship undertaking applications accepted in Quebec. These are separate mechanisms: a high target does not cancel an intake cap, and vice versa.
2. Federally
According to the 2026–2028 plan, as reported by several sources, the family class target is 84,000 admissions in 2026 (69,000 for spouses, partners and children, 15,000 for parents and grandparents), and 81,000 in 2027 and 2028 (66,000 and 15,000). These are secondary sources: verify them against the plan published by IRCC.
The law requires the minister to table a plan every year. As of mid-October 2026, the 2027–2029 plan had not yet been tabled, so there are no official targets to cite. Forecasts circulating in specialized media are assumptions, not decisions.
3. In Quebec
The Quebec government adopted a target of about 45,000 permanent residents a year for 2026–2029 and abolished the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ), according to Radio-Canada.
For sponsorship, MIFI accepts at most 15,700 undertaking applications between July 2, 2026 and June 30, 2028 (13,300 for spouses, 2,400 for parents and other relatives), on a schedule based on the date of your IRCC letter. See our article on the reopening of sponsorship in Quebec.
4. What this changes for your file
Nothing in the targets replaces the filing rule that applies to you. Find the date of your IRCC eligibility letter or acknowledgment of receipt, locate your opening date in MIFI’s schedule and prepare the file in advance: an application sent too early is returned, and one sent too late may arrive after the cap is reached.
We will update this article when the 2027–2029 federal plan is published.
Sources: MIFI — Rules for the reception of applications, Moving2Canada — 2027–2029 plan and Radio-Canada.
See also: Family sponsorship in Quebec: applications reopen, with an intake schedule based on your file · Express Entry: your occupation can now earn you more points (from November 3, 2026) · Official source: Québec.ca — Sponsor a family member
Need advice on your situation?
Every file is different. To discuss it with a regulated consultant (RCIC), you can book a 45-minute consultation, contact us or call 514 558-1541.
This article is for information only and does not replace personalized advice. Always check current requirements on the IRCC, ESDC and MIFI websites.