International Students: Québec Sets Its Selection Quotas for 2025–2027

As immigration policies continue to tighten across Canada, Québec has taken another decisive step in asserting greater control over who studies within its borders. The provincial government has officially introduced new quotas for temporary selection applications from international students, bringing them into alignment with its broader multi-year immigration strategy.

A Two-Year Framework, A New Approach

Published in the Official Gazette on December 17, 2025, the new decree establishes caps on temporary selection applications required to obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for study purposes. What makes this round of quotas particularly notable is their extended timeframe: unlike previous years where limits were set on an annual basis, these new thresholds cover a two-year period stretching to December 16, 2027.

The quotas continue to be distributed by educational institution and by level of study, covering vocational training, college-level programs, and university education. Students applying to renew an existing CAQ to continue the same program at the same institution remain exempt from these caps, offering some continuity for those already established in their academic journey.

Francophone Regions Get a Boost

Not all sectors are being tightened equally. The decree includes a targeted increase in quotas for public francophone vocational training programs in regional areas, a move that reflects two of Québec’s most pressing priorities: decentralizing immigration away from major urban centers and strengthening the vitality of the French language outside of Montréal.

Québec’s Share of the National Pie

This provincial announcement comes on the heels of a federal one. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that a maximum of 408,000 study permits will be issued nationwide in 2026, representing a 7% decrease compared to 2025.

Within that national framework, Québec has been allocated 39,474 spots for applications requiring a provincial attestation letter, carving out the province’s defined share of Canada’s international student intake.

What This Means Going Forward

For prospective international students eyeing Québec as their destination, the message is clear: planning ahead has never been more important. With fixed quotas now spanning two years, spots at specific institutions and program levels will be finite and competitive. Those targeting francophone programs in regional areas may find slightly more room to maneuver, given the government’s deliberate push to attract students beyond the island of Montréal.

Understanding these thresholds early and aligning your application strategy accordingly could be the difference between securing your place in a Québec classroom and missing the window entirely.