FAQ

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We have offices in Montreal, Quebec, and we can complete the majority of our work anywhere. The majority of applications are filed online, so documents can easily be exchanged electronically. Video conferences are available for clients who cannot come to the office.

The Québec Acceptance Certificate, or Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) in French, is an authorization issued by the Government of Québec, more specifically by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI). The CAQ is a necessary requirement for most international students intending to study in the province of Québec.

The general rule is that international students intending to study in Québec need to obtain a CAQ, but there are a few exceptions. Students will not need a CAQ if they:

• Take a course that does not last more than 6 months;
• Are protected persons in Canada (recognized refugees);
• Are minor children of preschool age who are accompanying the holder of parental authority staying in Québec as a temporary foreign worker, international student or to receive medical treatment;
• Are minor children already in Québec, who are required to attend elementary or secondary school and who are accompanying the holder of parental authority staying in Québec as a temporary foreign worker, international student or to receive medical treatment (CAQ required if applying from outside Canada);
• Are minor children who have filed an application to obtain protection (asylum) or who are accompanying the holder of parental authority residing in Québec and who have filed such an application;
• Are arriving from the United States, Greenland or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. In that case, the CAQ exemption is only during the first six weeks of their arrival;
• Are participants in a federal assistance program for developing countries;
• Are family members or members of the staff accompanying a foreign national coming to Québec to carry out the official duties of a diplomat, consular officer, representative or official of a foreign country or of the United Nations or any of its agencies or of any organization in which Québec or Canada participates;
• Are the spouse or de facto spouse of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who have submitted a sponsorship undertaking on their behalf;
• Are foreign nationals who hold a temporary resident permit issued under Section 24 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and issued with a view to the granting of permanent residence.

The process is not particularly complicated, but there are a few steps to take and it can get confusing. First of all, you need to register on the MIFI’s website and complete an online application. Next, the system will generate a personalized checklist of documents based on your country of residence and situation. You then submit the required documents through the Arrima platform.

Once your application has been submitted, it will be processed by immigration officials who will determine whether or not they approve or refuse your request for a CAQ – and if necessary – send you a letter indicating what additional document(s) you need to provide in order to make up for any missing documentation.

The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) is committed to processing all complete files within 20 business days from the date of receipt.

If you obtained your CAQ for studies and now want to postpone your arrival by one semester, from the fall semester to winter semester, it is not necessary that you submit a new application. However, if the postponement exceeds one semester or if the planned start date of your program was for the winter semester, then obtaining a new CAQ will be necessary.

Yes. It’s not uncommon for students to change their level of study in Québec. Whether you want to start a new program or finish your current one, you will need to apply for new CAQ if you are changing levels. The CAQ is an authorization that the Government of Québec issues according to the level of study of your program and it is only valid for this particular level of study. If you want to change from college-level education (CEGEP) into university-level education (university) for example, then you must apply for new CAQ and obtain the authorization from immigration authorities before starting your new program.

The answer is no, as long as the new program of study is still in the same level. However, if your new program has a longer duration than before, then eventually you will have to submit an application to extend your current CAQ.

If you are a student who has received a CAQ, it is important to be aware of the conditions that come with this certificate. You must study for the level of education for which your CAQ was issued, have health and hospital insurance for yourself and any accompanying family member, and make your studies your primary activity (study full-time). It is important to know that you must comply with your CAQ conditions in order to renew your certificate.

The answer to this question is that, depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to do so.

In order to be eligible for a renewal of your current CAQ or to apply for a new CAQ, you must provide explanations in a letter as to why you did not study full-time and what steps you are taking now that would allow you to complete your studies. You would also need to provide proofs justifying your explanations.

The absence of proof and/or satisfactory explanations can lead to the refusal of your application.

Note that you may be exempt from the obligation of studying full-time if you are a refugee claimant, accompanying someone who is working or studying in Québec or being treated for an illness, or if your principal purpose of stay is work.

In order to be eligible for the PGWP, you must fulfill a number of requirements. To qualify:

• You need to have studied in Canada as a full time student for at least 8 months;
• Have completed your studies at an eligible institution and received your program completion letter and final transcripts;
• Apply within 180 days of reception of completion letter or final transcripts or when study permit has expired, whichever comes first.

You are not eligible if you have:

• Previously obtained a PGWP;
• Completed a program of study that is less than 8 months or graduated from a school that is not eligible for the PGWP Program;
• Received funding from Global Affaires Canada (GAC);
• Obtained the Equal Opportunity Scholarship;
• Participated in the Canada-China’s Scholars’ Exchange Program;
• Participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program;
• Completed the majority credits toward your degree by distance learning.

If you are planning to work after graduation, you may be wondering which institutions and programs are eligible for a post-graduation work permit. The following list includes all of the eligible institutions:

• public posts-secondary institution such as a college, a trade or technical school, university or a CEGEP (in Quebec);
• private post-secondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions in Quebec;
• private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees, such as an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, but only if you are enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree, as authorized by the province, which may not include all programs of study offered by the private institution

If you are a recent graduate from a private or public vocational institution in Québec, you will be eligible for the post-graduation work permit if your program is at least 900 hours or longer and lead to one of the following:

• Diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) (Diploma in Vocational Studies)
• Attestation de spécialisation professionnelle (ASP) (Attestation of Vocational Specialization)
• Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) (Diploma in College Studies)
• Attestation d’études collégiales (AEC) (Attestation of College Studies)

The first thing you should do when your school releases your final marks is apply for the PGWP. You have 180 days from when your final grades are released or from when your study permit has expired to submit your application online. You don’t have to wait until the day of your graduation ceremony or even when your diploma arrives in the mail before submitting an application; all you need is an official letter from your school and an official transcript.

If you apply within 90 days after the expiration date of your study permit, then yes. However, you must restore your status as a student in addition to applying for the PGWP. You can also choose not to restore your status and instead leave Canada and apply for the PGWP from overseas.

The duration of your Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) will depend on how long you studied in Canada and what your program of study was. If you were studying at a program that is 2 years or more in duration, then the work permit would be valid for 3 years. However, if you were studying as part of a diploma or degree that lasted more than 8 months, but less than 2 years, then the work permit will be valid for the same period as your study time in Canada.

If you have comleted more than one eligible program in Canada, you will be able to cumulate the duration of your programs when applying for your post-graduation work permit and the duration of your work permit will be based on the combined duration of your programs. In order to be eligible for this cumulation, all programs must have been completed within two years prior to PGWP application and they must be eligible to the PGWP program. If the cumulation of the programs durations is 2 years or more, the post-graduation work permit may be valid for up to 3 years.

The answer is no. You can only obtain the post-graduation work permit once in your lifetime. However, if you have received a post-graduation work permit and the expiration date is the same than your passport’s expiration date at the time of application, you can extend your work permit by applying for a new PGWP. This is the only exception where a person can hold two Post-Graduation Work Permits.

The post-graduation work permit is a great way to stay in the country after you graduate. It will allow you to work for any employer in Canada, and there are no limitations as to the type of jobs you can occupy. You can also work anywhere across Canada!

Yes! Your spouse may be eligible for an open work permit if you occupation is listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) as skill level 0, A or B. When you are applying for your spouse’s open work permit, make sure to include copies of:

• Your PGWP;
• Letter from your employer confirming that you have been offered a position in a skill level 0, A or B job; and
• Recent pay slips.

A study permit is a document issued by Canadian immigration authorities that allows foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLI) in Canada. A study permit is needed for most foreign nationals who want to come and study in Canada. Study permits are usually issued for the duration of the studies.

If you are coming to Canada to study at a designated learning institution (DLI), then you will need a study permit. There are some exceptions to the requirement of obtaining a study permit. For instance, you won’t need a study permit if you are :

• Enrolled in a course or program of 6 months or less;
• A minor child already in Canada and are refugee or refugee claimant;
• A minor child attending pre-school, primary or secondary school and you are already in Canada with a parent who has a work or study permit;
• A family or staff member of a foreign representative to Canada that has been accredited by Global Affairs Canada (GAC);
• A member of a foreign armed force on official duties in Canada;
• A registered Indian in Canada;

Designated learning institutions (DLI) are Canadian colleges and universities that have been designated by the Government of Canada to host international students. The issuance of study permits is limited to students who have been accepted at a DLI. Depending on the school, the admission application can be lengty and the places limited, so it’s important to start your admission process as early as possible.

Choosing a DLI can be difficult. There are many factors to consider like admission requirements, the application process, the cost of tuition and living expenses in Canada. When choosing a program, you must also take one that suits your educational goals. Keep in mind that you will have to justify your purpose of studying in Canada when applying for the study permit and therefore, choosing the right program and DLI is an important step towards your goals of studying abroad!

All primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically designated learning institutions for postsecondary institutions.

If you are planning on attending a post-secondary institution in Canada, then it is important to know if your school is on the designated learning institutions list. If not, then your study permit application may be denied and you will need to find another school that meets the criteria. Consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s website in order to confirm if your school is part of the list!

If you want to study in Canada, there are a few things that you need to be aware of before applying for a study permit. First and foremost, you’ll need to be enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI). You will also need to prove that you have enough money set aside for living expenses while studying in Canada – typically around $10,000 CAD per year, in addition to being able to pay your tuition fees.

Furthermore, if your home country requires a police certificate from prospective students who wish to study in Canada then it’s important to get one before coming up with the application. Some countries also require that you pass a medical exam. Finally, when applying to the study permit, you will need to prove that you will leave Canada when your study permit expires.

The process of applying for a Canadian study permit varies from country to country, so make sure that you consult your local visa office instructions before starting the process. Once all the necessary documents have been gathered according to the specific instructions of your local office, there are certain application forms available on IRCC’s website which need to be filled out. When this is done, you can submit your application either online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). At the moment of submission, you will be required to pay the application processing fees of 150$ and biometric fees of 85$, if applicable.

The answer varies depending on where you are applying. You can verify the processing times on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s website.

The cost to apply for a Canadian study permit is $150 CAD. If you need to provide biometrics, there is an additional $85 CAD.

If you are looking to apply for a study permit, the documents that are required vary depending on your country. Be sure to check the official checklist with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before applying.

When applying for a Canadian study permit for the first time (from outside of Canada), the most basic form to fill out is the IMM 1294, which will require to provide information such as your personal details, passport information, contact information, details of your school, employment history and background information.

Other documents that are typically required for a Canadian study permit application include: valid passport, letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI), proof of funds, CAQ (if you enrolled in a Québec institution), and more. A detailed letter of motivation outlining your purpose of studies in Canada may also be required.

It is not guaranteed that your study permit application will be approved. It is therefore important to know what you can do in order to increase your chances of getting a study permit.

One thing you can do is having a study plan that can show evidence of academic or professional goals related to your field of study, what you hope to get out of it and who might benefit from your experience when you return home.

Another thing you can do is to make sure that you provide all the required documents according to your local visa office. Indeed, each Canadian visa office have different requirements, especially regarding the proofs of financial support, and it is therefore important that you check with your visa office in order to ensure that you will be able to provide all the required documents.

Some other things that you can do to increase your chances of approval are to provide sufficient evidence of funds for living and studying in Canada, provide evidence of good English skills, such as a TOEFL score or IELTS result, and provide evidence of sufficient ties to your home country.

Each situation is unique and you should present your situation as best as you can in the application.

If you are a student who is in Canada with a valid study permit and want to change your school, there’s no need to renew your study permit. If you’re changing between school levels, such as from university level courses to college level courses, all that is needed is for IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada) to be notified of the change in DLI number.

If you move to a school in Québec or plan on attending school in the province, you will also be required to obtain a CAQ – Québec Acceptance Certificate.

If you are a student currently studying in Canada on a study permit, then it is important that you know the date of expiration of your permit. Study permits are issued for specific time periods and if your program’s end date is after the expiration date of your study permit or if you plan to take on another program after the expiration of your permit, it is important that you renew your status on time.

It is recommended that you apply to extend your study permit at least three months before your permit’s expiration date to avoid any problems.

If you have applied but haven’t received an answer from IRCC by the time of your permit’s expiration date, you have maintained status and can continue studying until they get back to you with a decision.

If you have not applied to extend your permit before its expiration date and are still residing in Canada, there are two options available: apply for restoration of status or leave the country. To restore your status, you must apply within 90 days from the moment your permit has expired. You will be allowed to stay in Canada while waiting for the restoration of your permit, but you won’t be allowed to study.

One of the best parts of studying in Canada is the ability to work off-campus. If you have a valid study permit, you might be able to work part-time during your studies without a work permit, as long as you meet the following conditions:

• You are enrolled at a designated learning institution (DLI) in a full-time program of at least six months leading to a degree, diploma or certificate
• You have already started your studies and have obtained your Social Insurance Number
• Your study permit has the condition “May work 20 hours per week off campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations”

If you meet all these conditions above, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during your full-time studies. You are NOT allowed to work more than that, unless during scheduled breaks in your school year, such as during the winter holidays or summer breaks.

A Québec selection certificate, or Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) in French, is a permanent selection that will allow you to live and work as a permanent resident in Quebec. The document is mandatory for all newcomers who intend to settle in Quebec.

It is issued and administered by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec (MIFI).

There are different programs leading to a CSQ. They can be categorized as:

• permanent workers
  • Regular Skilled Worker Program
  • Quebec experience program
• business people
  • Entrepreneur program
  • Investor program
  • Self-employed worker program
• family reunification
• humanitarian immigration

Yes, although you have obtained a CSQ, it doesn’t grant you any permanent or temporary residence status in Quebec. You still have to extend your temporary status while waiting for your permanent residency.

A CSQ is valid for two years and for as long as your permanent residence application is under process.

No, if Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada receives your permanent residence application before your CSQ expires, it will be considered valid until a final decision is taken on your application.

Yes, you can include your spouse or common-law partner and your dependent children in your CSQ application.

Yes, there is no requirement to physically remain in Quebec while waiting for your canadian permanent residency.

The Quebec Experience Program, also known as the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) in French, is a permanent residence program for French-speaking applicants who are already living in Quebec and have either earned qualified work experience or completed a qualifying program of study and earned qualified work experience.

The PEQ has two streams:

• Temporary foreign workers
• Québec graduates

The knowledge of French is assessed by taking into account your language skills in oral communication (speaking and listening only). As proof of your knowledge of French, you can use any of the following:

• Results of a standardized language test
• Attestation that you have successfully completed a French course
• If you have studied in French: final transcripts demonstrating that you have successfully completed at least three years of studies entirely in French
• If you are a member of a Quebec professionnal order: documents from a professional order in Quebec attesting that you meet the language requirements of the professional order or that you have completed the French language exam

For the PEQ, only language tests and diplomas recognized by Québec’s Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration will be accepted. Those tests are:

• Test d’évaluation du français (TEF)
• TEF Québec (TEFAQ)
• TEF Canada
• Test de connaissance du français (TCF)
• TCF Québec
• Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)
• Diplôme approfondi de langue française (DALF)

The official processing times are 6 months.

In order to be eligible to apply under the foreign workers stream, you must meet all the following conditions at the moment of application:

• Have acquired at least 24 months of full-time (30 hours per week or more) paid work experience in the past 36 months in Quebec;
• Have occupied positions of the level 0, A or B of the National Occupation Classification;
• Have a valid work permit or authorization when you have acquired this work experience, such as a work permit obtained under the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, work permits obtained under International Experience Canada, or another closed work permit obtained under LMIA or LMIA exemption;
• Have sufficient knowledge in French and be able to demonstrate it;
• Pass the Quebec values test;
• Have complied with all the conditions of your stay in Quebec.

If you had a work permit or otherwise were authorized to work without a permit (for example, maintained status) and were working in Quebec on July 21, 2020, you can benefit from the previous selection conditions under the PEQ – Foreign workers program.

Under the previous selection conditions, you can be eligible under the PEQ if you:

• Have acquired at least 12 months of full-time (30 hours per week or more) paid work experience in the past 24 months in Quebec (the work experience can be in any NOC level);
• Have a valid work permit or authorization when you have acquired this work experience, such as a work permit obtained under the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, work permits obtained under International Experience Canada, or another closed work permit obtained under LMIA or LMIA exemption;
• Have the level B2 in French speaking and listening and be able to demonstrate it;
• Pass the Quebec values test;
• Have complied with all the conditions of your stay in Quebec.