While studying in other states in Canada only requires you to obtain a study permit from the federal government, studying in Quebec also requires you to obtain the Quebec Acceptance Certificate.
The Quebec Acceptance Certificate is a legal document proving that you are accepted by the Quebec government to live and study temporarily in Quebec.
Eligibility
To obtain the Minister’s consent to stay in Québec as a foreign student, you must:
- Pay the fee required to process your application
- Be admitted to Designate Learning Institution in Québec
- Agree to comply with all the conditions for issuing your 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 your studies your principal activity and maintaining health and hospitalization insurance for you and the members of your family accompanying you for the duration of your stay
- Have the financial capacity to cover:
- Tuition fees
- Transportation costs (round trip from your country of origin)
- Settling-in expenses for the first year (C$500)
- Living expenses for the duration of your stay
- Health and hospitalization insurance costs.
Exemption from obtaining the Acceptance Certificate
The following persons are exempt from the requirement to obtain the Minister’s consent to stay in Québec as a foreign student:
- individuals participating in a federal assistance program for developing countries
- individuals who wish to enrol in a training course lasting six months or less
- for a maximum period of six weeks as of the date of their arrival in Canada, individuals residing legally in the United States, Greenland or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
- minor children who are asylum seekers, recognized refugees or protected persons in Canada, or the children of an asylum seeker, recognized refugee or protected person in Canada
- minor children
- of preschool age
- who are required to attend primary or secondary school and are already in Québec accompanying a person having parental authority who is residing in Québec as a temporary foreign worker, a foreign student or in order to receive medical treatment
- the spouse and dependent children of diplomats, consular officers or international civil servants residing in Québec
- protected persons in Canada (including refugees)
- persons residing in Québec whose spouse or de facto spouse is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who has submitted a sponsorship application on their behalf
- holders of a temporary resident permit that is issued with a view to the eventual granting of permanent residence
- persons registered as status Indians under the Indian Act
Process to start your studies in Quebec
