1. What changed on July 2, 2026
From July 2, 2026 to June 30, 2028, Quebec’s immigration ministry (MIFI) may receive up to 15,700 sponsorship undertaking applications: at most 13,300 for a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner, and at most 2,400 for a parent, grandparent or other eligible relative.
If a category’s cap is reached before June 30, 2028, the Ministry stops receiving applications in that category. Applications received afterward are returned unprocessed and the processing fees are not cashed. You would then have to wait for a new intake period.
2. The schedule: when can I apply?
To prioritize those who have waited longest, applications are received according to the issue date of the sponsor’s IRCC eligibility letter or, for the “Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada” category, the IRCC acknowledgment of receipt addressed to the sponsor.
| You may apply starting | If your IRCC letter or acknowledgment is dated no later than |
|---|---|
| July 2, 2026 | July 31, 2024 |
| September 1, 2026 | January 31, 2025 |
| November 1, 2026 | June 30, 2025 |
| January 1, 2027 | August 31, 2025 |
| March 1, 2027 | October 31, 2025 |
| May 1, 2027 | November 30, 2025 |
| July 1, 2027 | December 31, 2025 |
| September 1, 2027 | February 28, 2026 |
| November 1, 2027 | May 31, 2026 |
| January 1, 2028 | August 31, 2026 |
| March 1, 2028 | December 31, 2026 |
| May 1, 2028 | May 27, 2027 |
An application sent before your start date is inadmissible and returned to you. If your letter is dated June 30, 2025 or earlier, your window opens on November 1, 2026.
Source: MIFI — Rules for the reception of applications (updated July 22, 2026).
3. What is not subject to the cap
The cap and schedule do not apply, and applications can be received at any time, for sponsoring a dependent child (under 22, or 22 and over if dependent on a parent because of a physical or mental condition), a minor child to be adopted, or an orphaned minor close relative. Applications to add a dependant to an already filed application are also exempt.
4. Admissibility rules not to miss
An undertaking application must be filed with the forms on Quebec.ca and all required documents, by mail only, with one application per envelope. The date of your IRCC letter or acknowledgment must respect the schedule above. An inadmissible application is returned without review, which can cost you several months.
5. Sponsoring in Quebec: two steps
For a sponsor living in Quebec, sponsorship involves a federal step (IRCC) and a provincial step (an undertaking with MIFI). Federal processing continues regardless of Quebec’s cap, and some spouses already in Canada may qualify for an open work permit during processing. The exact sequence depends on your category: have it validated before mailing anything.
See also: Immigration plans and sponsorship: what is in force, what is coming · Sponsoring a spouse: the mistakes that delay or sink an application · 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 and MIFI websites.