Quebec will cut immigration targets further in 2026, i.e., the province has announced lower immigration targets for 2026 under its latest Immigration Levels Plan, presented on November 6. The province aims to welcome 45,000 new permanent residents next year, with a minimum of 43,000 and a maximum of 47,000 admissions.
This marks a continued downward trend in immigration targets for Quebec, following previous years of reductions.
This new range represents a decline compared to Quebec’s 2025 target, which allowed for between 48,500 and 51,500 permanent resident admissions.
| 2026 Target Ranges | 2025 Target Ranges |
| 43,000 – 47,000 | 48,500 – 51,500 |
Under the 2026 plan, economic immigration will make up about 64% of all new permanent residents, continuing to prioritize skilled workers.
For the first time, Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan also includes specific targets for temporary residents, projecting up to 124,200 foreign workers and international students (including permit extensions) in 2026.
Which Permanent Residents Will Quebec Welcome In 2026?
Out of the 45,000 planned permanent residents, up to 54% are expected to come from temporary residents already living in Quebec, such as foreign workers and international graduates.
The 2026 admissions targets will be divided among the following categories:
- Economic Immigration: 27,500 to 30,100
- Family Reunification: 9,600 to 10,400
- Refugees And People In Similar Situations: 5,500 to 6,000
- Other Immigrants: 400 to 500
Within the economic category, skilled workers will account for between 27,050 and 29,500 of the total admissions.
Quebec also aims to maintain a French-language proficiency rate of 76% among new permanent residents, emphasizing its commitment to protecting the French language.
These figures align with earlier projections discussed during Quebec’s 2024 immigration consultations, where the government proposed three possible targets, i.e., 25,000, 35,000, or 45,000, before finalizing its decision for 2026.
Which Temporary Residents Will Quebec Welcome In 2026?
As Quebec will cut immigration targets further in 2026, let us see which temporary residents the province will welcome in the coming year.
Well, the province’s immigration authority has also shared its 2026 targets for temporary foreign workers and international students. Quebec expects to admit up to 55,700 temporary foreign workers and 68,500 international students, including those extending their permits.
Similar to the permanent resident targets, both categories include minimum and maximum ranges for admissions:
| Category | Minimum Range | Maximum Range |
| Temporary foreign workers | 40,400 | 55,700 |
| International students | 44,500 | 68,500 |
Among the temporary foreign workers, 48% will work in agriculture, while 52% will be employed in non-agricultural sectors, reflecting the province’s ongoing reliance on seasonal and skilled labour.
To support these admissions goals, Quebec will issue the following number of Quebec Acceptance Certificates (CAQs) in 2026:
| Category | Minimum Range | Maximum Range |
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program | 43,400 | 63,700 |
| International Student Program | 87,300 | 114,100 |
CAQs are essential documents that all foreign workers and international students must obtain from the Quebec government before applying for a study or work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
By 2029, Quebec plans to reduce its temporary resident population, i.e., targeting 65,000 foreign workers and 110,000 international students, thus representing a 13% decrease compared to 2024 levels.
Additional Measures To Manage Temporary Residents
Quebec has announced several measures to help manage its growing temporary and permanent resident populations. These include stricter language requirements and continued suspension of certain programs.
Key measures include:
- Extending the suspension of specific Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for positions in Montreal and Laval until December 31, 2026.
- Introducing a spoken French requirement of NCLC Level 4 for applicants seeking a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This is expected to take effect on December 17, 2025.
- Allowing a three-year grace period for foreign workers already in Quebec to reach the required NCLC Level 4 in spoken French.
- Exempting certain categories, such as agricultural workers, from the French requirement.
- Extending the suspension of applications under the Program for Refugees Abroad (Collective Sponsorship) until December 31, 2029.
Applications already submitted will still be reviewed if eligibility criteria are met, especially for cases involving dependent children or spouses.
The province has also confirmed that the Skilled Worker Selection Program will become the only permanent selection pathway for skilled workers starting in late 2025.
As a result, both the Quebec Graduate and Temporary Foreign Worker streams of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will officially close on November 19, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will continue to be processed.
Similarly, Quebec’s three pilot immigration programs will close as planned on January 1, 2026.
Foreign nationals can only apply for the Francophone profile of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) stream under the pilot program for workers in AI, information technology, and visual effects sectors. All other streams under these pilot programs have already reached their intake caps.
Quebec’s Immigration System
As Quebec will cut immigration targets further in 2026, let us discuss about the province’s immigration system.
Quebec’s immigration framework is unique in Canada. Under the Canada–Quebec Accord of 1991, the province holds greater control over immigration than any other province or territory.
This agreement allows Quebec to set its own annual immigration targets including both permanent and temporary residents based on its economic, demographic, and linguistic goals.
Immigration to Quebec is overseen by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). MIFI designs and manages the province’s economic immigration programs, selection criteria, and French integration initiatives.
Quebec’s immigration policies are designed to support labour market needs while ensuring the preservation of the French language, which remains central to the province’s identity and social fabric.
Individuals wishing to immigrate to Quebec must first obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) issued by MIFI. Once they receive a CSQ, they can then apply to IRCC for permanent residence.
While Quebec has significant control over selecting its immigrants, the federal government remains responsible for admissibility checks and for granting permanent residence status after provincial approval.
This new Immigration Levels Plan reflects Quebec’s ongoing effort to balance economic needs with its cultural and linguistic priorities, even as it tightens immigration targets and introduces new language requirements for temporary workers.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
