Studying in Québec
CAQ for studies: get your certificate without losing a semester.
To study in Québec, most international students must obtain the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before their federal study permit. An incomplete file or a late application can cost you an entire intake.
Who needs a CAQ for studies?
Any foreign national who wants to pursue vocational, college or university studies in Québec must obtain a CAQ. It's obtained by submitting an online application for temporary selection for studies to Québec's immigration ministry (MIFI).
The CAQ doesn't replace the study permit: it's the first of two authorizations. Once obtained, it's used to apply for the federal study permit with IRCC and serves as the provincial attestation letter.
The process, in the right order
- Admission: obtain a letter of admission from a Québec educational institution that meets the Ministry's requirements.
- CAQ: apply for temporary selection for studies as soon as you receive the letter of admission.
- Study permit: once you have the CAQ, apply for the study permit with the federal government.
- What comes next: working during your studies, the post-graduation work permit, then Québec's permanent residence programs.
Required documents
- A valid passport
- The institution's letter of admission
- Information on tuition fees
- Depending on your situation, proof of financial capacity
- Supporting documents if you claim an exemption from the application cap
Fees and processing time
For 2026, the fee to review an application for temporary selection for studies is $135 for an international student. It's adjusted on January 1 each year and is generally non-refundable.
The MIFI states that a decision is made within 25 business days of receiving a complete application, in 80% of cases. The clock only starts once all documents are received: a missing document pushes back the whole timeline.
The cap on applications per institution
Since February 26, 2025, Québec sets a maximum number of applications for temporary selection for studies per educational institution, school service centre and school board. The current rules apply until December 16, 2027.
Some people aren't subject to this cap, for example those continuing their studies at the same institution and level, asylum seekers, or dependent children of temporary foreign workers or international students.
Why it matters: when an institution reaches its cap, no new applications can be received for the period. Submitting a complete file as soon as you're admitted is no longer just a precaution.
What we do for you
- Check that your study plan holds up, and that it prepares what comes next (work, permanent residence)
- Prepare a complete CAQ file the first time, then the study permit application
- Anticipate common refusal grounds: financial capacity, a coherent study plan, ties to your home country
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for my study permit before getting the CAQ?
No. For studies in Québec that require it, the CAQ letter is part of the federal study permit application. You therefore need to obtain the CAQ first.
Does my CAQ entitle me to a post-graduation work permit?
Not directly. The post-graduation work permit depends on the program, its length (900 hours minimum for a program in Québec), the institution and language requirements. Better to check before choosing your program. See the PGWP guide.
Official source: Government of Québec, "Applying for temporary selection for studies" (quebec.ca, updated January 1, 2026), consulted September 14, 2026.
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