Once again, Quebec has surprised immigration applicants with sudden regulatory changes. In response to numerous questions about recent adjustments to Quebec’s immigration programs for permanent residence applicants, as well as for clarification of the minister’s announcement regarding suspensions in selection, the following points are declared:
- The suspension of intake of applications under the "Québec Graduate" stream of the Québec Experience Program;
- The temporary suspension of invitations to submit an application for permanent selection under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), which will replace it as of November 29, 2024.
These measures will be in place until June 30, 2025, at the latest, when the next pluri-annual immigration planning orientations are expected to be established.
"Québec Graduate" Stream of the Québec Experience Program
As of October 31, 2024, the Government of Quebec will not accept any new applications for permanent selection under the "Québec Graduate" stream of the Québec Experience Program. This measure is in effect until June 30, 2025, at the latest.
- All applications for permanent selection already submitted under this stream of the Québec Experience Program will continue to be reviewed by the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Francisation et de l'Intégration (MIFI).
- Individuals already selected by Quebec under this stream can pursue their immigration process leading to permanent residence.
- Applications to add family members, including dependent children and spouses, are not affected by this suspension and will continue to be received under the "Québec Graduate" stream.
- The "Temporary Foreign Worker" stream of the Québec Experience Program is unaffected by this suspension and will continue to accept applications for permanent selection.
Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
The Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration will not be issuing any invitations to submit an application for permanent selection under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), which will replace it as of November 29, 2024. This measure is in effect until June 30, 2025, at the latest.
- Those invited to submit an application for permanent selection under the RSWP before October 31, 2024, may submit their application within the 60-day timeframe required by this program.
- Applications for permanent selection already submitted under the RSWP will continue to be reviewed by MIFI in accordance with the program's conditions, even after the SWSP comes into effect.
Applications for Job Offer Validation
The temporary suspension of invitations will not impact the validity period of validated job offers (VJO), which remains at 18 months.
- When invitations resume after June 30, 2025, at the latest, anyone holding a VJO may use it.
- The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration will continue to accept and process applications for job offer validation from employers who wish to submit them, despite the temporary suspension of invitations.
These measures are being implemented in response to a significant increase in the number of non-permanent residents, enabling Quebec to limit admissions under permanent immigration programs. A new pluri-annual planning exercise, for the period beginning in 2026, will consider both temporary and permanent immigration. This planning exercise is scheduled for spring 2025.
