The province of Quebec is unique in the landscape of Canadian immigration. The federal government has granted Quebec significantly more autonomy in the conduct of immigration policies and procedures, which is why Quebec’s immigration programs are often treated separately from the other provinces.
A number of Quebec’s temporary resident programs require a certificat d’acceptation du Québec(CAQ), or Quebec Acceptance Certificate, to authorize stay in Quebec.
Foreign nationals interested in attending a post-secondary institution in the province of Quebec have to complete an extra step compared to all other provinces and territories in Canada. If a foreign national wishes to study in Quebec for a period longer than 6 months, they must obtain a CAQ. Foreign nationals are only eligible to submit a study permit application after they have obtained a CAQ.
Below are the step-by-step instructions a foreign national may follow to obtain a certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ):
1 – Letter of Acceptance In order to apply for a CAQ, a foreign national must first demonstrate that they have been accepted into a program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) located in the province of Quebec. This is demonstrated through an acceptance letter, an official document issued by the institution attesting to the student’s acceptance into a study program.
2 – CAQ Documents In order to prepare a CAQ application, a foreign national must first determine which documents are required. Document requirements vary significantly depending on an applicant’s personal situation and country of citizenship. Country-specific requirements are listed on the Immigration Quebec website. Be very careful to ensure that your application is complete, because any incorrect information or missing documents could result in the refusal of a CAQ, jeopardizing your chances of success.
3 – CAQ Application When a foreign national is ready to submit their CAQ, they can complete the application using the Immigration Quebec web portal. They must enter the required information and pay the application fees using a credit card. Once the payment is submitted, the foreign national must print the application, sign it, and mail it in hard copy to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI). Please note: Only original signatures are accepted on CAQ applications. Any application submitted without an original signature will be refused.
4 – After CAQ is Received Once an applicant successfully receives their CAQ, they must apply for a study permit from Canada’s federal government. Other than under exceptional circumstances, foreign nationals will not be authorized to participate in studies in Canada unless they have a valid study permit. Please note: Processing times for CAQs vary depending on the applicant’s country of citizenship as well as the volume of applications received by MIDI. Foreign nationals are advised to plan in advance to ensure they have adequate time to receive both their CAQ and their study permit before their intended start date.
When applying for a CAQ, an applicant must ensure that they meet all requirements outlined by the Quebec immigration agency, le Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI). The following are general requirements for staying in Quebec as an international student, though it should be noted that the exact requirements may vary from person to person. To obtain a CAQ for an educational program in Quebec, a foreign national must: