Quebec's immigration ministry announced on June 19 that the province is lifting a year‑long freeze on family reunification applications and has introduced a new processing system to handle the backlog.
The suspension, which began in June 2025, halted all new requests for spouses, children and other close relatives to join members already residing in Quebec. Officials said the pause was intended to give the government time to redesign the administrative framework and address staffing shortfalls that had slowed case reviews.
Under the newly announced system, applications will be entered into a digital platform that tracks each step from submission to final decision. The ministry described the change as a move toward greater efficiency and transparency, though no specific timelines for individual cases were provided.
The reopening follows months of advocacy from community groups and legal representatives who warned that the freeze left many families separated for extended periods. While the government did not release figures on the number of pending files, it acknowledged that the backlog includes cases that have been waiting since the suspension began.
Family reunification remains a core component of Quebec's immigration policy, allowing citizens and permanent residents to bring immediate family members to the province. By restoring the pathway, the province aims to support family cohesion and address demographic needs.
The announcement was made in a press briefing held in Quebec City, where the minister in charge of immigration confirmed that the new workflow will be fully operational within the coming weeks. Applicants are instructed to submit their documents through the online portal and to monitor their case status via the same system.
The government indicated that it will continue to evaluate the processing model and may adjust resources as demand evolves. The reopening marks the end of the first year of the freeze and signals a return to normal operations for the family reunification stream.