Obtaining the necessary authorizations to study in Québec

Effective June 30, 2017, foreign students wishing to study in Québec in a training program of a duration of more than 6 months must be admitted to or enrolled in a designated learning institution, that is, an institution recognized by the Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur or another Québec government ministry, in order to obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), and a study permit from the federal government.

Before submitting your application, consult the list of designated learning institutions.

If the institution you have chosen is not on this list, it will not be possible for you to study there as a foreign student. Note that the Ministère does not refund processing fees for a CAQ, even in the case of a refusal.

Once you have received your letter of admission from a Québec educational institution, you need to obtain:

• a CAQ, issued by the Gouvernement du Québec (Government of Québec)
• a study permit, issued by the Government of Canada.

This applies whether you are pursuing primary, secondary, college-level or university studies, adult education or any other type of training program.

The time required for processing an application for a study permit may vary from one Canadian visa office to another. It may also depend on whether or not you need to undergo a medical examination.

3 important steps

As soon as you receive your letter of admission from the educational institution, you should take the following three steps:

1. Making sure you are familiar with the requirements for staying in Québec as a foreign student.

2. Applying for an Acceptance Certificate for studies.

3. Applying for a study permit.