New Québec Immigration Plan 2026 Unveiled With Lower Targets & Stricter Rules

Last Updated On 7 November 2025, 9:05 AM EST (Toronto Time)

On November 6, 2025, the Quebec government officially unveiled its new Immigration Levels Plan for 2026–2029, which marks a major change in the province’s immigration strategy.

The plan, tabled in the National Assembly by Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration Jean-François Roberge, introduces reduced thresholds for both permanent and temporary immigration.

It aims to balance Quebec’s economic needs with its capacity to integrate newcomers while reinforcing the province’s commitment to preserving the French language and protecting its social infrastructure.

New Quebec Immigration Targets for 2026–2029 At A Glance

Under the new plan, Quebec will admit approximately 45,000 permanent residents annually over the next four years.

This marks a clear reduction compared to previous years, reflecting the government’s objective to manage population growth while easing pressure on housing, healthcare, and integration programs.

For temporary residents, they have now set the following limits to achieve by 2029:

65,000 permit holders under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
110,000 permit holders under the International Student Program

These caps, the government says, will help maintain control over population growth and protect the province’s ability to deliver public services effectively.

Detailed Breakdown by Immigration Categories for 2026

For the year 2026, Quebec has set clear numerical goals for permanent and temporary admissions under its jurisdiction.

Permanent Immigration (Total: 45,000)

Economic Immigration: 28,800 individuals (including 28,275 skilled workers)
Family Reunification: 10,000 individuals
Refugees and similar cases: 5,750 individuals
Other Immigrants: 450 individuals

Temporary Immigration

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): 40,400 to 55,700 permits
International Student Program: 44,500 to 68,500 permits

These figures reflect the province’s multi-year planning approach—designed to offer predictability and stability while preserving the demographic balance.

Emphasis on French and Regional Settlement

Minister Roberge reaffirmed that protecting the French language remains at the heart of Quebec’s immigration strategy.

The government intends to prioritize immigrants who already live in Quebec—especially those settled in regional areas—and maintain a strong preference for French-speaking newcomers.

“The excessive growth in non-permanent residents in just a few years, largely caused by the federal government, has real impacts on our public services,” Roberge said.

“We must act and use the tools at our disposal to reduce immigration levels and facilitate better integration of immigrants, particularly in rural areas, in French.”

This focus aligns with the government’s goal of promoting linguistic integration and regional vitality, ensuring that new arrivals can participate fully in the French society and economy.

5 Key Measures Introduced in the Quebec’s 2026–2029 Immigration Plan

To align immigration with Quebec’s social and economic capacity, the government announced several major policy changes and program terminations that will take effect in late 2025 and early 2026.

1. End of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)

The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)—a popular fast-track pathway to permanent residency for temporary workers and international graduates—will officially end on November 19, 2025.

The Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) will replace it as the sole pathway for selecting skilled workers.

The new PSTQ aims to better match immigration with the labour market priorities, focusing on:

Quebec graduates trained in local institutions
Skilled professionals ready to settle long-term in rural regions
French-speaking candidates who can integrate quickly into local communities

2. Termination of Pilot Programs

All permanent immigration pilot programs—including those for food processing workers, personal care attendants, and professionals in artificial intelligence, information technology, and visual effects—will end on January 1, 2026.

These programs will be absorbed into the broader PSTQ structure.

3. Suspension of Collective Sponsorship of Refugees

The suspension of the receipt of new applications under the Refugee Abroad Program (Collective Sponsorship) will continue until December 31, 2029.

The focus will instead shift to supporting refugees who are already in Quebec, helping them integrate and settle successfully.

4. Suspension of LMIA Applications in Montreal and Laval

To curb labour inflows in overpopulated regions, Quebec is extending the suspension of certain Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under the TFWP in Montreal and Laval until December 31, 2026.

This measure aims to redirect labour migration toward regions facing acute labour shortages, supporting balanced economic development.

5. French Language Requirement for Temporary Foreign Workers

Starting December 17, 2025, temporary foreign workers applying for the renewal of their Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) after three years of work experience will need to demonstrate at least Level 4 proficiency in French on the official Scale of French Proficiency Levels.

This rule underscores the government’s commitment to linguistic integration and the primacy of French in the province.

Quebec Demands Federal Action to Reduce Non-Permanent Residents

The government is also calling on Ottawa to take immediate action to reduce the number of non-permanent residents (NPRs) in the province to 200,000.

This reduction, Quebec insists, must focus primarily on Montreal and Laval, where the majority of NPRs currently reside.

The province has urged the federal government to:

Reduce the influx of asylum seekers
Redistribute migrants more evenly across Canada
Respect Quebec’s limited capacity to accommodate newcomers

According to the government, these steps are critical to ensuring sustainable population management and equitable access to essential public services.

Focus on Balance and Integration

Minister Roberge emphasized that immigration policy must consider both economic needs and integration capacity.

The declining birth rate and aging population require an ongoing inflow of skilled talent, but the government insists that it must happen within sustainable limits.

The new approach seeks to:

Strengthen the use of French in workplaces and communities
Support regional economic growth through decentralization of newcomers
Avoid overwhelming housing and public service systems
Provide stable long-term immigration planning for both employers and communities

This marks a decisive shift from the growth-oriented immigration model of the past decade to a balanced and controlled framework.

Minister Roberge’s Statement

Minister Jean-François Roberge summed up the new vision for immigration by saying:

“This four-year plan provides predictability and stability to our immigration programs. We must never forget that immigrating to Quebec is a privilege, not a right.”

Roberge stressed that the government’s role is to ensure Quebec remains a welcoming society without compromising its linguistic and cultural foundations.

The province aims to maintain control over its destiny by aligning immigration with its own social, linguistic, and regional realities.

What This Means for Immigrants and Workers

The new plan brings significant implications for international students, skilled workers, and temporary residents planning to settle in Quebec:

Increased Competition for Fewer Spots: With lower annual targets, the selection process for permanent residence will become more competitive.
End of PEQ Fast Track: Students and workers who previously relied on PEQ will need to transition to the PSTQ, which places stronger emphasis on labour market alignment and French proficiency.
French Proficiency as a Must: The new French requirement for temporary workers means investing in language training will be essential for renewal or progression toward permanent status.
Regional Settlement Incentives: Those willing to live and work in regions outside Montreal and Laval may benefit from more favourable selection conditions.
Impact on Employers: Businesses relying on temporary foreign workers must adjust hiring and compliance strategies to align with new LMIA and CAQ rules.

Broader Implications for Future

Quebec’s 2026–2029 immigration plan is more than an administrative update—it’s a strategic reset.

By reducing intake levels and emphasizing linguistic and regional integration, the province aims to strengthen its cultural identity while managing demographic and economic realities.

The plan also positions Quebec to respond to growing concerns over housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and service delivery challenges.

In doing so, it seeks to maintain public confidence in the immigration system and ensure newcomers can integrate successfully into French-speaking communities.

Quebec’s 2026–2029 Immigration Levels Plan represents a bold recalibration of how the province approaches immigration.

With reduced targets, new French-language rules, and the elimination of certain programs, Quebec is shifting toward a more controlled, integration-focused model.

The government says the move will protect the cultural identity and ensure sustainable growth.

For prospective immigrants, the message is clear: mastering French, considering regional settlement, and aligning with Quebec’s labour market needs will be key to success in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Quebec Immigration Levels Plan 2026

Why did Quebec decide to lower its immigration levels?

Quebec reduced its immigration thresholds to ensure better integration of newcomers, maintain the vitality of the French language, and alleviate pressure on housing and public services. The province aims to balance its economic needs with its integration capacity.

What will replace the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)?

The PEQ will end on November 19, 2025. It will be replaced by the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), which will serve as the sole pathway for skilled workers, prioritizing Quebec graduates and French-speaking candidates committed to regional settlement.

What is the new French language requirement for temporary foreign workers?

Starting December 17, 2025, temporary foreign workers renewing their Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) after three years of work experience will need to demonstrate Level 4 proficiency in French according to the official scale.

How many permanent residents will Quebec admit annually under the new plan?

The province will admit approximately 45,000 permanent residents each year between 2026 and 2029, divided among economic, family reunification, refugee, and other categories.

How will the plan impact international students in Quebec?

While the International Student Program will continue, Quebec will limit the number of student permits to a maximum of 110,000 by 2029. International students will also face a more competitive pathway to permanent residence following the end of the PEQ.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.