First Things First...
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You need to get accepted into a school first! We have listed some school on this page. You'll need a letter of acceptance.
Documents
There are some legal documents that you are required to have before attending school in Quebec. Here, I have listed 1-3 documents that you might need.
1 / CAQ (Québec Acceptance Certificate)
The CAQ is given by Immigration Quebec, and it allows you to study in Quebec as an international student.
YOU NEED THIS IF: Your last CAQ has expired. AND you are an international student. (Not a dependent minor.)
Steps:
1.
Fill in an online form. This form asks you about your basic information. You need to complete this form in one sitting – if you quit after doing half of it, it will not be saved!
https://www.form.services.micc.gouv.qc.ca/dcae/faces/faces/pages/identite1.jspx?lang=en
You need to pay $ when you complete the form, you have your credit card on hand.
After you complete the form, you will receive access to a consultation profile. After a few minutes, you will be given a checklist which contains all the documents you need to apply for a CAQ.
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2.
Prepare the documents on the checklist. The checklist will usually ask for forms like: (This is not an exhaustive list)
- Proof of financial capacity. Usually, just ask your parents for a statement from their bank. This statement will show how much money they have, and this will show that you can pay for your studies next year.
- Some forms you can download and sign
- (For first applications) A transcript of grades. You might also need to translate some documents.
- (For renewals) A letter of Attestation from your current school. Ask your school's front office! You also need to show that you have medical insurance. (We have a page covering insurance.)
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3.
Submit the documents on Arrima. Arrima is the online platform we use to upload the documents. It can get annoying at times, but be patient!
2 / Study Permit
Study Permit allows you to study in Canada. It is given by the Government of Canada – more specifically, the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
YOU NEED THIS document to get your visa.
Steps:
1.
Log in to your government of Canada account. You have used it the last time you applied for your study permit.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html
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2.
Complete a questionnaire.
https://onlineservices-servicesenligne.cic.gc.ca/eapp/eapp
The information that you enter here doesn’t have to be 100% correct. It is just to generate your personal checklist. You can re-do the questionnaire. If you are unsure about something, remember to click the ? button.
3.
You will receive a list of documents that you need. Complete them and submit them.
I can’t download the forms help???: It’s rare that download links on the website will work correctly. To download the forms you need, you can 1) switch a browser (Firefox works a bit better!); 2) just google the name of the form (for example, IMM 5709) and download it. Usually you’ll need:
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IMM5709 (https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5709e.pdf )
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CAQ. That’s why if you’re not coming with your parents as a dependent minor, you should apply for the CAQ first!
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Passport
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Letter of Acceptance
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Proof of means of financial support
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If you’re younger than 18 years old: guardian / custodianship documents.
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Schedule 1 IMM 5257 https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/kits/forms/imm5257b_1.pdf
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4.
Check your application status by logging in to your IRCC account.
3 / C o E (Certificate of Eligibility for English Instruction)
Normally, students newly arriving to Quebec has to attend French high schools (because of the language law -- Bill 101). However, if you obtain Eligibility, you can attend a English high school.
YOU NEED THIS IF: You want to attend an English secondary school in Quebec.
*If you are in cegep, you may need this to be exempt from French exams, but keep checking Bill 96! If you're in univeristy, you don't need this.
Click here to apply:
https://www.emsb.qc.ca/emsb/admissions/eligibility
https://www.lbpsb.qc.ca/admissions/
https://www.swlauriersb.qc.ca/en/parents/admission-and-registration/eligibility-bill-101-criteria/
https://www.nfsb.qc.ca/eligibility/
https://www.rsb.qc.ca/eligibility-for-english-instruction/
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USUALLY:
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You need to book an appointment with the Law 101 Office at your school board. You can find the details on the school board website. (I’m at the EMSB, and the appointment didn’t take very long! My custodian and I had to fill in a form, and that was it.)
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Bring necessary documents. The list varies according to your parents’ status. For me – I just bought all the documents my parents and I used to apply to our CAQ and study permits.
Congrats! Once you get these documents, you’re all set for the new school year.
However, if you don’t get the documents when school starts, don’t worry! There are still some things you can do:
1. If you haven’t left Canada AND nothing changed in your application (e.g. you didn’t change schools, you are still studying / working, etc.), you are allowed to stay in Canada while your application is being processed. This is called the maintained status.
2. From what I’ve known, as long as you show the school that you have started your application and you are waiting for a result, they will usually let you continue studying. This is NOT guaranteed though!
3. Don't be afraid to COMPLAIN! Talk to your international student advisor, talk to community centers, talk to other international students. You can also call the IRCC. If nothing works – complain to your local MP.
The application can be somewhat frustrating, but have patience! Good luck.
Author: Shupeng Liu.
Last updated: March 26 2023
Useful Links / References:
https://www.mcgill.ca/internationalstudents/immigration-documents/renewing-documents
^ How to renew your immigration documents. For McGill students.