Studying in Quebec
CAQ for studies: the document checklist to finish before you apply
Once you pay for your Quebec CAQ application, you have 15 days to upload documents. The checklist, the steps and the financial proof that makes a file convincing.
The Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ, for certificat d'acceptation du Québec) is the first authorization most international students need to study in Quebec, before the federal study permit. The application itself is short. What trips students up is the timing: once you pay, you have only 15 days to upload your documents. The fix is simple: gather everything first, apply second.
How the application works
You apply to Quebec's immigration ministry (MIFI) through an online application for temporary selection for studies, and you use an Arrima account to pay and upload documents. The steps, in order:
- Create an Arrima account with your names written exactly as in your passport.
- Fill in the online application in one sitting: it cannot be saved halfway.
- Pay in Arrima within one hour of submitting. The application only counts as submitted once paid. The fee is $135 in 2026 for an international student, payable by credit card.
- Your personalized document list appears in your online file after payment.
- Upload the documents in Arrima within 15 days.
The checklist to complete before you start
Your personalized list depends on your situation and your country, but most students will need some version of the following.
| Document | What to check |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid; identity page scanned in full; names match your Arrima account and forms exactly |
| Letter of admission | School name, program title, level, start date and length match what you enter in the form |
| Tuition information | Amounts and dates consistent with the admission letter |
| Proof of financial capacity | Shows whose money it is, where it comes from, and that it is available |
| Sponsor documents, if someone supports you | Signed commitment, sponsor's ID, proof of your relationship, sponsor's financial documents |
| Current CAQ, if you are renewing | Plus transcripts or proof of enrolment and progress |
| Exemption documents, if you claim one | For example, to be exempt from the cap on applications per school |
| Translations | For documents not in French or English, following the instructions on your list |
Depending on your country of residence, the proof of financial capacity goes either into Arrima or to the Canadian visa office. Your list tells you which.
Making the financial proof convincing
The most common weak spot is money. A balance on its own says little. Officers want to understand who owns the funds, where they come from and whether they will really be available for your studies. Bank statements in the account holder's name with transactions over time, a bank letter, a scholarship letter naming you, or loan documents naming the borrower all help. If a large deposit appears recently, explain it with documents.
If a parent or relative pays, their commitment, their identity, your relationship and their own financial documents should all tell the same story, with the same names and amounts.
A study plan that makes sense
Beyond documents, your file should make sense as a whole. If you are switching fields or have a gap in your studies, explain it briefly and factually. It also pays to think ahead: a program that can lead to a post-graduation work permit, and then to a permanent residence route, fits a coherent plan better than a choice with no link to your goals. Our guide to PGWP eligibility explains why the program matters.
The cap on applications
Since February 2025, Quebec has set a maximum number of applications for temporary selection for studies per school, school service centre and school board. When a school reaches its cap, new applications can no longer be received for that period. Some applicants are exempt, for example students continuing at the same school and level. In practice, applying as soon as you have your admission letter is no longer just good advice. Our CAQ page has the details.
After you receive your CAQ
Check that every detail on the certificate is correct, and report any error through the official process. Then apply for your study permit with IRCC, including your CAQ. Our study permit page covers that step.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CAQ fee refundable?
Generally not, unless the application is found inadmissible. Fees are adjusted every January 1.
Can I apply for my study permit before I have my CAQ?
No. For studies in Quebec that require it, the CAQ is part of the federal study permit application, so it comes first.
My start date changed. What should I do?
You may need an updated admission letter. If your application is already in process, follow MIFI's instructions to send the new information.
Official sources
Official pages consulted on October 11, 2026:
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About this guide
Written for Visa Canada Rouge, a Montreal immigration consultancy led by Moadh Rahmaoui, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB, licence R534941, listed on the public register of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants).
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Immigration requirements, fees and processing times change often: check them on the official websites (canada.ca, quebec.ca) when you apply. No outcome can be guaranteed.
Every file is different.
This guide covers the general rules. To find out what applies to you, talk to a regulated consultant.