Quebec CAQ for studies: how the online application works

If you've been admitted to a school in Quebec, there's a provincial step before your federal study permit: the Quebec Acceptance Certificate for studies, or CAQ. You apply for it online through Arrima, using the application for temporary selection for studies. This guide explains who needs a CAQ, what to gather before you open your account, how the online application and payment work, and what happens once Quebec makes its decision. It is based on the Government of Quebec page checked on October 21, 2026 (in French).

Key points before you start

• The application for temporary selection for studies is Quebec's process for the CAQ. The study permit is a separate federal authorization.
• Whether you need a CAQ depends on your situation, your program and where your classes take place. Check the rules and exemptions on the Government of Quebec page (in French).
• Get your letter of admission and pull together your identity, education and financial information before you open Arrima.
• The processing fee ($135 in 2026) and the published processing time are covered below, with official links. A published processing time doesn't predict how long your own file will take.
• A favourable decision from Quebec doesn't replace the federal study permit application when one is required.

Who needs a CAQ to study in Quebec?

The application for temporary selection for studies is how an international student gets the Quebec Acceptance Certificate when the rules call for one. The study permit is a different authorization, issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As a rule, a foreign national planning a program in Quebec that requires provincial authorization should deal with the CAQ before applying for the study permit. How long the program lasts, how it's delivered, where classes are held and your personal situation can all change what's required. The Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) sets out the rules on its temporary selection for studies page.

A program taken entirely online from abroad isn't necessarily treated like one with in-person classes in Quebec. Online programs that include an in-person component in Quebec, however, may need a closer look. Don't assume you're exempt just because part of your program is virtual.

Quebec allows exemptions in some situations, but you can only rely on one if your situation is expressly covered by the official rules, and you have to include the supporting documents that prove it. For an overview of the CAQ process, see our CAQ for studies page and our CAQ document checklist.

Also make sure your school and program fit the path you have in mind. From December 17, 2025 to December 16, 2027, the Government of Quebec has set, by decree, a maximum number of applications for temporary selection for studies for each educational institution, school service centre or school board, with some exemptions from that cap. Check the measures that apply on the MIFI page when you apply.

What to prepare before you open Arrima

Get your letter of admission first. It contains information you'll need about the school, the program and the planned dates, and your answers in the application have to match it.

Gather your identity documents and the personal, education and travel information Arrima asks for. The exact list depends on your situation and is set out in Quebec's official documents to submit page (in French).

• Your letter of admission and the details that identify the program and the school.
• Identity documents that match the names and dates you'll enter in the form.
• Proof of financial capacity and, where needed, documents explaining where the money comes from.
• Documents supporting any exemption you claim or any special situation, as MIFI instructs.
• Any extra documents required because of your age or circumstances.

Scan every document in full, the right way up, clearly enough that the text, dates, signatures and stamps can be read. Give your files clear names, sort them by category and keep a copy of everything you send, including your answers.

If you'd like help working out the requirements and putting the documents together, we offer support with the CAQ for studies application. It can also help you line up your Quebec file with your federal one, though it isn't part of the government process itself.

Filling in the application in Arrima

Go to Arrima and choose the application for temporary selection for studies. This is Quebec's application for the CAQ, not IRCC's federal study permit form.

1. Create your Arrima account, or sign in to the one you'll use for this file. Quebec asks that the names in your Arrima profile be exactly the ones in your passport, which are also the ones you'll enter in the application.
2. Select the application for temporary selection for studies and enter the information requested.
3. Fill in the sections on your identity, your admission, your program and your situation.
4. Review your answers, then attach the documents required for your file as the instructions appear.
5. Follow the payment and submission steps shown in the online process.

Copy names, dates and education details exactly as they appear on your documents. A mismatch between your passport, your letter of admission and the form can raise questions or slow down the review.

Before you submit, check every answer and make sure the documents that fit your situation are ready. A contradictory answer or a missing document can keep MIFI from treating your file as complete.

Forms, requirements and instructions can change. Keep the official Quebec procedure open while you fill in Arrima so you're following the current steps.

Paying the fee and sending complete supporting documents

You pay at the step shown in the online process. Before you consider the application sent, make sure the payment shows as processed or confirmed in your file, and keep the proof and any confirmation you see.

As of January 1, 2026, the fee to review an application for temporary selection for studies is $135 for an international student, according to the Government of Quebec. It must be paid in full by credit card, it's adjusted every January 1, and it isn't refunded, even if the application is refused; only an application found inadmissible is refunded.

Your proof of financial capacity should make it easy to see how much money is available, where it comes from and how you can access it. Organize the documents so each amount is clearly tied to the person who holds it and to your study period.

• If you're using your own funds, include the documents that show they're available.
• If a parent or sponsor is contributing, add the documents that identify that person, your relationship and the amount they're committing.
• If several sources are funding your stay, keep each source's documents separate and explain what each one covers.

Before you upload, open each file to check it's readable, complete and in the right category. A consultation can also help you organize your file; you can book a consultation on the CAQ for studies.

Following your file and answering MIFI

After you pay, check your online file regularly. That's where you'll find your file number, the status of your application and any messages from the ministry.

Within 48 hours of paying, you'll receive a file number in your online file, according to the Government of Quebec. You need that number to send the required documents. If you don't see it, check your messages and the status of your file.

If MIFI asks for more information or documents, answer every point in its message. Choose documents that address the request directly, check that they're readable and complete, and make sure they show up as sent in your online file.

A request for more documents isn't the same as a notice of intent to refuse. If you get a notice of intent, respond to the specific concerns the ministry raises, provide evidence that addresses them, and follow the instructions and deadline in the notice.

A decision is made within 25 business days of receiving a complete application for 80% of applications, according to the Government of Quebec. An incomplete or non-compliant application can take longer. That figure describes complete applications as a whole; it isn't a forecast for your file.

After the decision: CAQ, confirmation letter and study permit

Read the decision in your online file and download the documents in it. Keep your CAQ and the confirmation letter, when one is issued, because you'll need these Quebec documents for the next steps.

The CAQ comes from Quebec; the study permit comes from IRCC. Having a CAQ doesn't exempt you from applying to the federal government when IRCC's rules require it.

For the federal application, follow the order and instructions IRCC gives for your situation. You may be asked for proof of admission, financial documents and the relevant Quebec documents; check the requirements, fees and process on IRCC's study permit page.

According to the Government of Quebec, the CAQ confirmation letter is what you use to apply for your study permit with the Government of Canada, as your provincial attestation letter (PAL), as proof for your school and to access services that require a CAQ. Check the exact documents to include in IRCC's instructions, since the list depends on your situation.

Submit your federal application as instructed and wait for the authorizations you need before starting classes in Quebec. Our study permit page walks through that part of the process.

Renewals and common mistakes

You may need to renew if your studies and stay continue beyond the period your CAQ covers. Check the conditions, documents and timelines that apply to you on Quebec's page on renewing your study authorizations (in French), and in our guide to the order for renewing your CAQ and study permit.

For a new application, gather documents that reflect where you stand today, and make sure your education details, identity and financial proof all line up. Documents from an earlier application may no longer describe your current situation.

The most common mistakes are starting without a letter of admission, confusing the CAQ with the study permit, leaving out a document, uploading an unreadable file, or claiming an exemption without the proof. Also check that the dates of your study plans match the documents you attach.

Keep your payment and submission confirmations, a copy of the completed application and every file you sent. If you'd like a broader look at the steps ahead for you, you can describe your situation.

Other resources

These links cover processes other than the CAQ for studies, for later plans or particular needs.

• Guides and articles
• Work permits in Canada
• Post-graduation work permit
• Quebec Experience Program
• Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program
• Visitor visa for Canada
• Understanding a visa refusal

Frequently asked questions about the CAQ for studies

Can I apply for a CAQ from outside Canada?

Yes. The CAQ for studies application is done online and can be prepared from abroad. Where you are when you apply doesn't change the criteria tied to your program and your situation.

Does a CAQ for studies let me work in Quebec?

No. The CAQ is Quebec's authorization to study and isn't a work authorization on its own. Whether you can work depends on federal rules and on the conditions on your study permit, if you have one.

What if my school or program changes after my CAQ is issued?

Don't assume your CAQ automatically covers the new school or program. Tell MIFI about the change and follow the instructions for your situation before going ahead with the new plan.

Can I start classes while my CAQ application is being processed?

If your plans require a CAQ and a study permit, wait until you have both before starting classes in Quebec. Being registered, or having an application in process, doesn't replace the documents you need to study.

What if I lose access to the Arrima account I used?

Use the official recovery options for the account and keep the information that identifies your application. Avoid opening a second file for the same plans; if you're still locked out, contact the ministry using the details on its official pages.

Conclusion

A well-prepared CAQ application starts with checking whether you need one, your letter of admission and documents that tell the same story. In Arrima, review your answers, confirm the payment and keep an eye on your file, then move on to the federal study permit application if you need one. For advice on your own situation, you can book a consultation.

Official sources

Official pages consulted on October 21, 2026:

• Québec — Application for temporary selection for studies (in French)
• Québec — Documents to submit (in French)
• IRCC — Study permit