Quebec has unveiled its immigration plan for 2026-2029. Find out what will change for foreigners in Canada next year

On November 7, 2025, the Quebec government presented a new immigration plan that significantly changes the province's approach to welcoming foreigners. The document sets out guidelines for 2026-2029 and aims to reduce the overall flow of migrants in order to reduce pressure on housing, social services and the integration system for newcomers.

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Reduction in the number of permanent residents

Starting in 2026, Quebec plans to limit the annual number of permanent immigrants to 45,000. This is a significant reduction compared to the projected 61,000 in 2025. The main goal is to slow down population growth and ensure the effective integration of those already settled in the province.

Knowledge of the French language is becoming an important priority: the government aims for about 80% of new immigrants to have a French language proficiency of at least intermediate level by 2029. For comparison, in 2019 this figure was about 50%.

Closing programs and reforming selection

Quebec has announced the closure of several existing immigration programs. In particular, the Quebec Experience (PEQ) program will be permanently closed on November 19, 2025, as well as three pilot programs for food industry workers, nurses, and IT and artificial intelligence specialists.

The suspension of applications for the Refugee Program Abroad has also been extended until the end of 2029.

In the future, the main route to obtaining permanent status will be the Skilled Worker Selection Program (Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés, PSTQ). It will give preference to candidates who have knowledge of French, have studied or worked in Quebec, and meet the needs of the regional labor market.

Reducing temporary immigration

For the first time, the Quebec government is setting official targets for temporary residents. In 2026, it plans to accept between 84,900 and 124,200 temporary residents, and by 2029, their number should decrease by 13% compared to the 2024 level.

The reduction will primarily affect the large cities of Montreal and Laval. This should contribute to a more balanced distribution of the population across the regions.

Among the innovations: the extension of the suspension of LMIA applications for low-wage positions in Montreal and Laval until the end of 2026, as well as the introduction of a mandatory French language proficiency requirement (level 4) for temporary workers who have been in the province for more than three years - from December 17, 2028.

Why did Quebec introduce such changes?

According to government data, the number of temporary residents in Quebec has exceeded 500,000 people, which creates a significant burden on infrastructure, the housing market and social services. The new plan is designed to align the pace of immigration with the economic and linguistic capabilities of the province.

The multi-year planning model, introduced back in 2019, was supposed to ensure stability and predictability of immigration policy. Quebec is now seeking a more balanced approach, with French proficiency, integration, and regional balance as key criteria.

The province is expected to focus on implementing new rules and tightening immigration controls in the coming years. The focus will be on candidates who speak French and are willing to work outside the major cities.

For foreign nationals and employers, this means stricter language requirements, a limited number of programs, and more competition for immigration slots.

Are you planning to move to Quebec or are you looking for the best immigration route to Canada? Our licensed immigration experts will help you assess your chances, prepare documents and go through all stages of the process.

Get an individual consultation right now on the Visit World portal.

Reminder! In 2025, India is actively working on changes to its legislation. We have already talked about the key changes to India's migration policy in 2025: a new Immigration and Foreigners Act, stricter registration and reporting requirements, a digital management system and increased penalties for violations.

Photo – Freepik

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