Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) Application Guide

Are you inquiring about studying or working in Quebec? You're covered. In this text, you will learn more about the Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ), the document you need to achieve your academic and career goals. Specifically, you’ll need it before you apply for a study or work permit.

As Canada's largest province, Quebec boasts a distinctive French-speaking culture, making it a truly bilingual and multicultural environment. So, it’s an excellent choice for international students.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find who it’s for, how to apply for a CAQ, what documents are required, and everything about fees and processing times.

Let’s begin!

What is the Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ)?

A Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) is a document issued by the government of Quebec (Quebec’s Ministère d’Immigration, de Francisation et d’intégration (MIFI) ), and it’s mandatory for international students who want to study and work in this French-speaking province.

Obtaining the CAQ for studying at DLI is essential, but also for temporary work, which affects the validity of the job offer. It’s important to know that CAQ is not required for programs lasting less than six months. Otherwise, you must apply for CAQ to get a bachelor’s, graduate, or master’s degree. 

CAQ must be obtained before applying for a study permit.

There is an eligibility criteria, so individuals who need to require CAQ are:

• Foreign students
• Temporary foreign workers
• Individuals applying for permanent residence
• Spouses and dependents of applicants

Your application may be denied if the application criteria are not met. It’s subject to approval based on eligibility criteria

Required Documents for a CAQ Application

Proper documentation is an essential part of the CAQ application process. In the following, we’ll detail each document.

A Valid Passport

The application needs to be accompanied by a valid passport.

Basic passport validity requirements include:

• Applicants personal information
• A picture 

• Date of issue
• Date of expire

Tips about ensuring passport validity throughout the immigration process imply the following:

1. The pages of your valid passport must show your identity, passport issue and expiration date, and any changes to this information.
2. A recent photo of you and family members travelling to Canada with you
3. A photocopy of the identity pages of your passport
4. Your passport must be valid at the time of submission, but it doesn’t have to be valid for your studies. In that case, you can renew it later.

Letter of Acceptance by a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)

Designated Learning Institution (DLI) is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. You must obtain an acceptance letter from DLI when applying for a study permit. 

The key components of the acceptance letter are:

• The student’s full name, date of birth, and email address
• The student’s ID number
• The DLI number
• The name of the institution and the contact information of the institution (Educational institution accreditation)
• The type of school or institution (e.g. private, public, post-secondary college, community college, or technical college)
• The study program, level, and year of study 
•  The start date of the study program, the estimated duration of the study program, or the estimated date of completion of the study program
• The estimated tuition fees for the first year of study and scholarships or other financial aid 
• The expiry date of the Letter of Acceptance
• Conditions of acceptance to the DLI (prerequisite courses, previous qualifications, or proof of language knowledge)
• The Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) should be clearly stated

Proof of Financial Self-Sufficiency

The CAQ application process includes an assessment of financial self-sufficiency as one of the leading financial requirements, which implies that you have enough financial resources to cover certain expenses.

Acceptable financial documents are recent proof of funds transfer, recent funds transfer authorisation from the exchange control office in your country of origin or residence, your latest Income Tax Assessment Notice, bank statement for the last three months, and up-to-date bank book, recent official confirmation of the award of scholarships or bursaries, payrolls, bank letter(s)

Health and Travel Insurance

Health and travel insurance is required for study in Quebec as an essential part of the CAQ application.

Here are some types of insurance coverage:

• Health care services for refugees and protected persons
• Private health insurance 

A Clear Background Check

The Canadian government must thoroughly verify the information provided by an immigration applicant, which involves submitting personal and educational documents, including the applicant's identity, criminal record, and employment history. If the check is marked as "clear", the investigation didn’t reveal anything suspicious. The candidate is verified and has the right to study and work.

To procure a background check from your home country, you must:

1. Provide fingerprints taken by an accredited company or your local police
2. Send a printed form of your fingerprints to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
3. Provide photocopies of both sides of two valid identification documents (ID, passport, or driving license)

How to Apply for CAQ Online 

Applying for CAQ is part of the comprehensive immigration process for students. Most importantly, your application should be kept up-to-date with current information.

The most streamlined method is the online application.

The following steps will guide you through the application process. 

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

To complete the online application, you’ll need to submit the following documents:

• A photocopy of the identity pages of your passport (your personal information, picture, and passport expiry date)
• CAQ requires proof of admission from a recognised educational institution in Québec (Name of the study program, start and end date, tuition fee, number of course hours completed in Quebec and abroad, number of internship hours, or who you are part of the exchange program)
• Your proof of financial capacity (some of them are recent proof of funds transfer, pay slips, bank letter(s), your most recent income tax notice of assessment, bank statement for the last three months, or up-to-date bank book)
• Financial support from another person 
• Other documents (Declaration, undertakings and authorisation form)

Here are some tips for avoiding mistakes during application completion:

• Follow the instructions and requirements carefully
• Contact a qualified immigration professional
• Make sure you have all the documents
• Provide all correct information
• Double-check your application before submitting

Step 2: Pay the Application Fee

The current application fee for students is $128, for workers is $222, and for renewal is $120.

You or your financial guardians should keep the receipt of the payment if your checklist includes a request for proof of financial capacity.

Step 3: Submit the Application

To submit the CAQ application correctly, you must prepare legible, complete and accurate documents.

Documentation accuracy allows for legal study status in Quebec. So, double-check all the requirements before you submit it for legal compliance.

Step 4: Track Your Application

The application tracking feature keeps you updated about your application process.

Once your CAQ application has been approved, Immigration Quebec will send you a letter confirming the government issuance of your CAQ for studies directly on your MIFI portal.

Your application can be expedited under certain conditions. At BorderPass, the process becomes more efficient and more manageable. That's why we'll help you on your pathway from applying to submission.

Step 5: Respond to Additional Requests

Depending on specific circumstances, you may receive a request to submit additional information or documents for your CAK (Certificate of Acceptance) application. Make sure they meet the requirements listed.

Submit the requested information or documents as indicated in the request, either by mail or online. Also, we should emphasise the importance of timely responses to such requests.

Step 6: Receive Your CAQ

Immigration Quebec will send you a confirmation letter of issuing your CAK for studies directly on your MIFI portal after they approve your application.

After obtaining the CAQ, you can apply for a study or work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

If you are wondering what is the approval rate for CAQ applications, you must know that it can vary depending on various factors, such as the type of application, the completeness of the application, and the applicant's eligibility.

Step 7: Apply for a Work or Study Permit Quebec

You must first obtain a CAQ to apply for a study or work permit.

If you want to gain a detailed insight into the study permit application, you can find it in the study permit application guide.

After obtaining the CAQ, you can apply for a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Besides a CAQ, you’ll need to submit the following documents to apply for a study or work perm

1. Travel document
2. Acceptance letter
3. Proof of financial support
4. Medical exam
5. Criminal record
6. Other supporting documentation

Quebec CAQ Processing Time and Fees

As soon as you receive a letter of acceptance from a specific educational institution in Quebec, you must apply for a Certificate of Acceptance in Quebec (CAK). But it takes time to process the application. 

The detailed information is in the following subsections.

Processing Time for a CAQ Application

It will usually be processed within 25 working days for the following:

• Temporary Foreign Worker
• Foreign Student
• Renewal or Extension
• Change of Employer
• Spouse or Dependent
• Post-Graduation Work Permit
• Quebec Experience Program PEQ

If you want the processing time to go smoothly, follow these tips:

1. Submit a complete documentation
2. Double-check documents
3. Apply as soon as possible
4. Seek assistance if necessary
5. Track your application

Factors That May Affect Processing Time

Even though a CAQ has a standard processing time of approximately 25 days, several factors can contribute to delays in the processing of a CAQ.

Here are some common ones:

• High Volume of Applications
• Documentation verification
• Background checks
• Incomplete application
• Application errors
• Immigration policies change

There are always ways how to mitigate these factors:

• Double-check your documents before submission
• Check the validity period of your documents
• Submit a complete application
• Monitor your application to stay updated

Application Fees for the CAQ

CAQ application has a processing fee.

These are the current fees:

For students : $128

For workers : $222

For renewal : $120

Calculate all the costs and make a plan for yourself. You may need to factor in costs such as translation or certification, courier fees, etc. That's why it's wise to budget for all potential expenses.

One note: These fees are non-refundable.

Payment Methods Accepted for the Application Fee 

You can use various payment methods accepted by the Quebec immigration authorities.

At a service counter:

• Cash
• Debit card (Interac)
• Credit card (Visa or Mastercard)
• Cheque
• Postal money order
• Bank money order

Online:

• Credit card (Visa or Mastercard)

By mail:

• Credit card (Visa or Mastercard)
• Cheque
• Postal money order
• Bank money order

You can pay the fee by credit card, such as with a Mastercard, Visa, or American Express. Also, someone can pay for you with their card.

CAQ Requirements for International Students

CAQ application has specific requirements for international students, which are:

• Letter of acceptance from DLI in Quebec
• Payment of application fee for CAK processing
• Health insurance necessity. Educational institutions usually offer health insurance packages to their students
• Sufficient means of financial support to cover tuition and living expenses
• Language proficiency requirements

Ensure you meet all requirements for a complete and successful application.

Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec Validity

The validity of the certificate of acceptance of Quebec depends on whether you are a student or a worker.

These are the validity periods for both of them:

• For students, CAQ must be valid for the duration of your study program (up to a maximum of 49 months)
• For workers, it's valid for the length of your employment contract

For Students

As long as your study program lasts, you must have a valid CAQ.

If the expiry date approaches, you must renew it, even if it is your final semester of study.

Accordingly, you must:

• Apply online
• Pay the application fee\
• Submit documents
• Submit application

For Workers

As long as your employment contract lasts, you must have a valid CAQ.

As for the students, you must extend a CAQ for work purposes, which means:

• Providing required documents
• Paying fees
• Submitting application

Can CAQ Be Renewed?

If you attend a program lasting more than six months, you must have a valid CAQ. If it expires, it may be renewed for continued studies.

These are the steps for a smooth renewal process.

• Apply online
• Pay the application fee
• Download the personal checklist
• Submit the checklist along with the supporting documents (a photocopy of your passport, proof of financial capacity, and documents from the University)
• Submit everything electronically

How to Stay in Quebec After Receiving Your CAQ

You might realise you want to extend your stay in Quebec after receiving your CAQ. One of the options for extending one’s stay in Quebec post-CAQ is staying permanently after your studies.

In that case, you must:

• Obtain a post-graduation work permit
• Apply to permanent selection in the Québec Experience Program (PEQ)

One thing that you may be interested in is the gap accepted for study in Canada after graduation.

Key Takeaways

1. A Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) is a document mandatory for international students who want to study and work in Quebec
2. You must submit all required documents for a complete application - a valid passport, an acceptance letter from DLI, travel and health insurance, a clear background check, and proof of financial sufficiency
3. Applying online is the most efficient option
4. It usually takes up to 25 days to proceed with your CAQ application
5. You must pay application fees depending on whether you want to study, work, or renew your CAQ 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply for a Visa without CAQ?

Without CAQ, you won’t be able to study in Quebec province. Most importantly, you will need the CAQ to obtain a study permit. Accordingly, the CAQ is a prerequisite for applying for a temporary resident visa.

Can I Apply for a Study Permit with My Existing CAQ?

Once your new CAQ has been approved, you must send your CAQ approval letter to Immigration Canada so they can add it to your pending study permit application.

How Many Hours Can You Work on a Study Permit in Canada?

You can work up to 20 hours a week. Working more than 20 hours a week is a breach of the terms of your study permit.