Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) and Study Permit for Canada

Canada is one of the best countries in the world for higher education. It is no doubt then that it is also the most favoured country for Indian students to pursue their education. Favorable immigration laws, and longer post-study work permits, work in the favor of the students, making Canada an obvious choice for the students.

The process to study in Canada, or for that matter, any country, starts with researching the colleges and universities, coursing through the programs offered, and meeting the general admission requirements. Admission to a Canadian university requires students to complete 13 years of schooling to get into an undergraduate degree program. Some institutions also accept 12 years of schooling, as a result, the duration of the degree is extended by a year. A degree earned outside of Canada is evaluated by the higher learning institutions or the regional admission service at the college level. Apart from this, the students also need to have sufficient language skills to complete the program.

Once a student has obtained admission to a Canadian university, they need to get appropriate study permits to study in Canada. The type of permit depends on the region - for Quebec, students need a CAQ and the general Study Permit, and for the rest, students only need the general Study Permit.

Let’s find out more about each of these permits -

What is CAQ?

Students often wonder what is CAQ, the Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) is an important document for the students who are planning to study in Quebec, Canada. It serves as an official authorization from the Quebec government that allows students to apply for a study permit referred to as the Quebec study visa.

Students Who have Received Admission to an Institution in Quebec Need to Obtain

• 
  A CAQ, issued by the Government of Quebec
• 
  A Study Permit, issued by the Government of Canada.

The basic CAQ requirements that are necessary to become eligible for the CAQ is that students must be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institute (DLI). If the institute is not on this list, students will not be able to study in Canada. Some of the universities in Quebec for which students need a CAQ are McGill University, Concordia University, University of Montreal, Laval University, HEC Montreal, Bishop’s University, and the University of Sherbrooke.

Next Steps After Admission in Québec

After securing admission to an institution in Quebec, three steps must be followed -

• 
  Fulfilling the CAQ requirements to stay as a foreign student.
• 
  Applying for CAQ.
• 
  Applying for a Study Permit

There are certain CAQ requirements to be fulfilled before you can apply for your CAQ, which includes getting the Minister’s consent to study in Quebec. There are some prerequisites to get approval. They are as follows -

• 
  Pay the CAQ application fee required to process the application.
• 
  Be admitted to an institution in Quebec
• 
  Agree to comply with all the conditions for issuing the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for studies, including -

  • 
    Receiving instruction for the level of study for which the Minister’s consent was granted.
  • 
    Making studies the principal activity, and maintaining health and hospitalization insurance for the duration of the stay. 
• 
  Have the financial capacity to cover -

  • 
    Tuition fees, 
  • 
    Transportation cost (to and fro the country of residence), 
  • 
    Living expenses for the duration of the stay
  • 
    Health and hospitalization insurance cost.

   

For the year 2023, the living expenses for a student who is aged 18 and above are USD 14,349. To find CAQ document checklist visit here.

Application Process of CAQ

To apply for the CAQ, you can submit an online application or print the PDF of the form and mail it. The steps to complete the online CAQ application are as follows -

• 
  To fill out the CAQ online, you need a computer, a working email address, and a credit card to pay the CAQ fees. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards are accepted.
• 
  Complete the CAQ application in full. It is important to fill the application in full as you won’t be able to save an incomplete application. You can visit the FAQ section for general questions.
• 
  Create your consultation profile online and save the application.
• 
  Pay the CAQ application fee.
• 
  Print the checklist and additional forms that complement your application.
• 
  Sign the forms or have them signed, as applicable.
• 
  Submit the required documents on the Arrima platform.
• 
  Create an Arrima account. To avoid confusion, use the same first and last names as in:

  • 
    Your passport.
  • 
    Log into your Arrima account if you already have one.
• 
  To submit your documents, follow the platform's instructions.
• 
  The Canadian visa office will handle your study permit application after receiving your proof of financial capability.
• 
  Before giving you a study permit, the federal authorities will evaluate your financial capabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Gouvernement du Québec.
• 
  You will get a confirmation message in your Arrima message centre after your documents have been received.
• 
  Your application will not be reviewed or processed until these documents have been received. Therefore, students should send these documents without any delay.

Before you start filling out the application make sure you have all the required documents you would need to fill the form. If the form is left incomplete for more than 30 consecutive minutes, the session terminates without saving any data. You should have your passport, complete contact information of the educational institution, information about the program, and a credit card.

Documents Required for the Application of CAQ

Below are the CAQ document checklist that you will need with your CAQ application -

• 
  Payment of the fees.
• 
  Pages of your passport containing your identity and personal information and passport expiration date.
• 
  Letter of admission from the registrar of the institution where admission is secured.

Students must keep the originals with them safely, as they can be asked anytime during the application review process. On successful acceptance of the application, you will receive a copy of the CAQ for studies. A conditional agreement will also be dispatched to the Canadian Visa Office indicated on your application. This office will validate your financial capacity to study in Quebec.

What is the CAQ Fees?

The CAQ fee is CAD 124, to be paid in full. It is over and above the fee for the Study Permit issued by the Government of Canada. This fee is not refundable in case of refusal or rejection and cannot be adjusted against any other fees.

CAQ Processing Time

The time taken to process the application is 25 days. The applications are processed according to the date of receipt. It can take up to three weeks to receive confirmation of receipt of documents. In any case, DO NOT contact the ministry for the confirmation of receiving the documents or request priority processing. 

Validity of the CAQ

The CAQ is valid for the duration of your study program or the level of your study for up to a maximum of 49 months. If you meet the prerequisites, a CAQ will be issued in your name. If your application is rejected, you can submit a request for administrative review. To extend your stay in Quebec, you can either renew your authorization to study in Quebec or hold a temporary job.

After the CAQ, you need to apply for a Study Permit from the Government of Canada. Let’s read about the process in detail -

What is a Study Permit?

A study permit is issued to foreign nationals who want to study in Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) in Canada. This Study Permit is not a visa, and students need to apply for the Canadian Student visa separately. You can get your Study Permit faster through the Student Direct Stream. The process for the same is covered in this blog - Your Go-To-Guide for Canada's Study Direct Stream Visa.

What is the Fee for the Study Permit?

The fee for the Study Permit is CAD 150. 

Processing Time for the Study Permit

The processing time for the study permit is 8 weeks and the time required for you to provide biometric data is not included in this processing time.

Validity of the Study Permit

The Study Permit is valid for the length of your study program plus 90 days. These 90 days give you the time to either leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.

• 
  If you are taking prerequisite courses before the institution accepts you to the main program, the Study Permit will be valid for the length of the prerequisite courses plus 1 year. Once you get admitted to the main program, apply to extend your stay as a student. 
• 
  If your Study Permit expires before the end of your studies, you need to apply to extend your stay as a student. Otherwise, you would have to leave Canada. 
• 
  If your studies finish before the expiration of your Study Permit, the permit will be valid for another 90 days, as is the norm, no matter the date printed on your Study Permit. 

Who can Apply for the Study Permit?

The eligibility criteria for the Canada Study Permit is as follows -

• 
  Students must be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). 
• 
  Students must prove they have the funds to pay for their tuition fees, living expenses, and transportation expenses. 
• 
  Students must obey the law and have no criminal record. 
• 
  Students must be healthy and get a medical exam done. 
• 
  Students must prove to an officer that they will be in Canada when the Study Permit expires.

Documents Required for the Canada Study Permit

The following documents are required to apply for a Study Permit -

• 
  Proof of Acceptance from the university/college. An original or an electronic copy must be attached to the application. 
• 
  Proof of identity - a valid passport and two recent passport-size photographs. 
• 
  Proof of Financial support. The minimum funds required for a student are CAD 10,000. In addition to this, the amount required per month is CAD 833. The amount does not include the tuition fee and is for students studying outside Quebec.

You May Also Need:

• 
  A letter of explanation
• 
  An attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
• 
  A medical exam
• 
  A custodian declaration (minors only), or
• 
  Other documents (if they request documents from you for an application in progress)

Application Process for the Permit

You can apply for the permit online. To apply for the permit, you need scanned copies of the documents and a valid debit or credit card to pay the fees. Follow these general guidelines -

• 
  Make sure you have all the required documents to fill out the application. Read the instruction guide before you start filling out the form. Read about it here.
• 
  You should know the fee you need to pay. It will include the processing fee and biometrics. 
• 
  Create an online account to fill out the form. 

What Happens After You have Applied for the Permit?

Before you are issued the permit, there are a few additional steps you need to complete. They are as follows -

• 
  In most cases, students need to give the biometrics, which includes fingerprints and a digital photo. Students need to pay the fee for the same. 
• 
  The application is processed. You may have to go to an interview or send more information. It includes a medical exam and a police certificate. 
• 
  Once your application is approved, you will get your Study Permit at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada. 
• 
  You will receive a port of entry letter of introduction that states you are allowed to study in Canada. This letter is not your permit. This letter needs to be shown to a border services officer when you arrive.

What Happens If Your Application is Rejected?

If your application for a study permit is rejected, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. If you have any questions regarding the refusal, you can contact the visa office that sent you the letter.

Common Mistakes While Applying for the CAQ and How to Avoid Them

Incorrect or Incomplete Documentation:

One of the common mistakes among students who apply for the quebec study visa is failing to provide required documents, they even end up submitting outdated documents. Hence, it is advisable to carefully review the official list of necessary documents and ensure that they are current before submission. 

Errors in Application Form:

Common reasons behind delays and rejection are typographical errors or incorrect personal details. Before final submission of the application, students must double-check all the information carefully to avoid any delays. Make sure you verify every detail and it matches with the official documents that you have.

Late Submission of Applications:

It is observed that students often underestimate the time that is required for the processing of their CAQ application. It can take up to a month or even more during peak times which can cause delays in getting your study visa. To ensure that you have enough time for the complete process, start your application procedure at least 3 months before the start of your program.

Failing to Address the Follow-Up Requests:

When the authorities ask you for more information or documents and if you fail to provide the same in the given time frame, it can put your application at risk of rejection. Hence, students should regularly check their mails for updates on their application and must resolve the issue raised by the authorities.

As mentioned, students need to show proof of funds to get a study permit as well as a student visa. Get in touch with GyanDhan to ensure you have the required funds to study in Canada. Check your loan eligibility here and start your hassle-free education loan process.

Read Also:

• 
  Top Universities in Canada
• 
  Education Loan to Study in Canada
• 
  Part-Time Work Options in Canada
• 
  Canada's Study Direct Stream Visa
• 
  Path to Permanent Residency in Canada
• 
  Canada Scholarships for Indian Students

Frequently Asked Questions