Studying in Québec
How to get your "Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec"
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If you desire to study in Quebec, you will most likely have to apply for a "Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec" (CAQ) to the Government of Quebec before applying for a Study Permit at the Federal level.
This article will help you navigate through the paperwork needed for applying, your eligibility, the fees and process associated with getting a CAQ.
This article will help you navigate through the paperwork needed for applying, your eligibility, the fees and process associated with getting a CAQ.
Do you need a CAQ?
If you are intending on studying in a Quebec Designated Learning Institution, you will need, beside exceptions, to apply for a CAQ before applying for a Study Permit.
Be careful before applying to schools in Canada (including Quebec) as you need the school to be a Designated Learning Institution. If not don't bother trying to get a CAQ or Study Permit. Check here for the Designated Learning Institutions list.
There is a list of exception to obtaining a CAQ, mainly if you plan to study for less than 6 months, or are holding a Commonwealth Scholarship, etc. You can find the full list here to see if you need to apply or not for a CAQ.
Be careful before applying to schools in Canada (including Quebec) as you need the school to be a Designated Learning Institution. If not don't bother trying to get a CAQ or Study Permit. Check here for the Designated Learning Institutions list.
There is a list of exception to obtaining a CAQ, mainly if you plan to study for less than 6 months, or are holding a Commonwealth Scholarship, etc. You can find the full list here to see if you need to apply or not for a CAQ.
Pre-requisites
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To be able to obtain a CAQ for your studies, you will need to:
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How to Apply
You can either apply online or on paper.
We would strongly advise you to apply online, for the following reasons: (i) you can pay the fees by credit card (you try another card if refused and not see your entire application being sent back to you), (ii) you will be provided with a personalized list of supporting documents, (iii) you can correspond online and avoid postal delays, and (iv) you can follow-up online on your application.
- If you apply online, you will have to pay the fees online and print, fill and send any additional forms or supporting documents by mail.
- If you apply on paper, you will have to fill the Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate for studies form, sign it and send it by mail with your supporting documents. You can still pay be credit card, but you will have to fill a form with your card number, and if the credit card number is refused, the whole application will be returned to you by mail and you will not be advised of the card refusal.
We would strongly advise you to apply online, for the following reasons: (i) you can pay the fees by credit card (you try another card if refused and not see your entire application being sent back to you), (ii) you will be provided with a personalized list of supporting documents, (iii) you can correspond online and avoid postal delays, and (iv) you can follow-up online on your application.
Required Forms and Supporting Documents
If you apply on paper, you will have to fill the Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate for studies form. When applying online, you will have to answer the same questions that are in the form.
When applying online or on paper, you will have to provide supporting documents. Below is the list of documents required:
If you live or reside in Austria, Canada, United States, France (including La Réunion), Greenland, Hong Kong, Mexico, Monaco, or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, you will need to also provide (i) proof of your financial capacity, or (ii) a recent proof of financial capacity of the person who supports you financially and a Declaration of financial support signed by this person (forms here). Depending on your situation, you have to provide originals or photocopies of the all or part of the supporting documents listed here.
You need to demonstrate that you have the financial means to cover the following expenses for the duration of your stay:
If a child under 17 is applying, and accompanied by one parent, they will need to also provide:
If a child under 17 is applying, and not accompanied by any parent, they will need to also provide:
The documents provided must be in French or English or be accompanied by a translation into French or English, signed and certified by a professional translator.
When applying online or on paper, you will have to provide supporting documents. Below is the list of documents required:
- Original of a recent passport-size identity photo (35 mm x 45 mm), with your name on the back,
- Photocopy of page(s) of your passport with personal information and photo,
- Letter of admission from the registrar (or Admissions Office). If a child under 17 is accompanying his/her parent who holds a study or work permit, he will not need this document.
If you live or reside in Austria, Canada, United States, France (including La Réunion), Greenland, Hong Kong, Mexico, Monaco, or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, you will need to also provide (i) proof of your financial capacity, or (ii) a recent proof of financial capacity of the person who supports you financially and a Declaration of financial support signed by this person (forms here). Depending on your situation, you have to provide originals or photocopies of the all or part of the supporting documents listed here.
You need to demonstrate that you have the financial means to cover the following expenses for the duration of your stay:
- tuition fees,
- transportation expenses (return ticket to your country of origin),
- settling-in expenses in the first year ($500),
- annual living expenses (minimum of CAN $12,538 for one adult, $6,270 for one child, $18,388 for two adults, $16,849 for one adult and one child, $20,598 for two adults and one child, $22,231 for two adults and two children), and
- cost of medical and hospitalization insurance for yourself and accompanying family members (about $600-1,000/year for a single person). If you are a citizen from a set of countries that signed reciprocity healthcare agreements with Quebec, you won't need to demonstrate financial means for this point. Find out here if you are a citizen of those countries.
If a child under 17 is applying, and accompanied by one parent, they will need to also provide:
- If the parent accompanying the child has sole custody, a photocopy of an official document attesting the latter.
- If the parent accompanying the child has not sole custody:
- an Original of a Declaration of consent (forms here) to the child’s stay in Quebec, signed by the parent who is not accompanying the child,
- a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate with the name of his parents, and
- a photocopy of an identity document of the non-accompanying parent bearing his or her signature.
If a child under 17 is applying, and not accompanied by any parent, they will need to also provide:
- a photocopy of the child’s birth certificate with the name of its parents,
- a photocopy of an identity document of each parent with their signature,
- the Original of the Declaration of parental authority (forms here) by a resident of Québec who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. This declaration must be signed by both parents or by the legal guardian. If only one parent has signed, a photocopy of an official document attesting that the signing parent has sole custody of the child,
- the original of the Declaration of guardianship (forms here) for a child under age 17 for the full duration of the CAQ or until the child is 17 years old, signed by the child’s guardian in Québec, and
- a photocopy of a document showing that the child’s guardian in Québec is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
The documents provided must be in French or English or be accompanied by a translation into French or English, signed and certified by a professional translator.
Processing Times
Application are processed within 20 business days from receipt of a complete application package. However, it can take longer in periods of high demand. The 20 business days do not include postal delivery times of the CAQ.
Note that it takes around 3 weeks for the online tracking system to receive confirmation of receipt of documents.
Note that it takes around 3 weeks for the online tracking system to receive confirmation of receipt of documents.
You will need, after receiving your CAQ, to apply for a Study Permit at the federal level with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Find out here how to apply for a Study Permit.
