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Study or exchange programs lasting more than 6 months

Questions?

Registrar's Office
418 656-3080
immigration@reg.ulaval.ca

If you come for a study program that is more than 6 months or for a two-semester exchange, you need to get a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec [Québec acceptance certificate] (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration] (MIFI) as well as a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Some work permit holders may be exempt from these requirements. See details below.

Getting the necessary documents to enter and stay in Canada takes several months, so we strongly advise you get started as soon as possible.

Does the Canadian immigration process seem complicated? We have simplified it for you! Watch our webinar to learn more about each step in the process.

You can begin the immigration process when you receive your offer of admission. The Registrar’s Office (for regular students) or the International Office (for exchange students) will email you your offer of admission. You won’t receive a printed copy of your offer of admission by mail. This offer of admission, whether conditional or final, contains all the information required for your immigration process. 

If your study or exchange program includes a mandatory Québec-based internship, you can also apply for a co-op or internship work permit when you apply for a study permit. You don’t have to fill out a separate application for it.

You must use the official websites of the Québec and Canadian governments to complete the immigration steps.

Even if you intend to physically stay in Canada for only 6 months or less, what is important is the length of the study program. So, if your acceptance letter says that your study program is longer than 6 months, you have to take the necessary steps to get a CAQ and a study permit.

This is usually the case if you are in one of the following situations:

  • Study program that started via distance learning outside Canada, even if you have less than 6 months left to complete the program in Canada
  • Master’s double degree program
  • Cotutelle (joint supervision) agreement that involves being at Université Laval for 6 months or less
  • PhD defence

For your protection, if you would like to use an immigration representative for the process, make sure they can legally carry out this role. See the MIFI (in French only) and IRCC websites about this.

Passport

Certificat d'acceptation du Québec [Québec acceptance certificate] (CAQ)

The first step in the immigration process is to apply for temporary selection ($128) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration] (MIFI). Most international students need a CAQ to study in Québec. However, certain categories of students are exempt. The processing time for a CAQ application is approximately 25 working days. 

Study permit

The second step in the immigration process for coming to study in Québec is to apply for a study permit ($150 + $85 for biometrics) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Before you can apply, you must first receive the attestation of issuance of your CAQ, unless exempt. The processing time for study permit applications vary. If you apply for a study permit from outside of Canada, the application automatically includes your visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) at no additional cost.

IMPORTANT: As of January 22, 2024, initial study permit applications must be accompanied by a provincial attestation letter (PAL). Individuals who have received an offer of admission for a master’s or doctoral program are exempt from this new requirement. In Québec, CAQs serve as provincial attestation letters (LAPs) if they contain the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Québec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.” If you require a PAL and your CAQ does not have the required statement, find how to request an updated attestation of issuance of the CAQ at the top of this page.

Temporary resident visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If you apply for a study permit from outside of Canada, the application automatically includes your visa or eTA at no additional cost. You need the visa or eTA to be able to enter Canada unless you are a U.S. citizen or are exempt for another reason. The visa is placed directly in your passport, whereas the eTA is linked electronically to your passport. If you are from a country for which a visa is required, you will need to send your passport to the Canadian visa office that serves your country of residence so the visa can be placed in your passport. IRCC will provide you with instructions at the appropriate time.

Internship work permit

Students who have to do a mandatory internship as part of their study program in Canada must get a co-op work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in addition to a study permit. There is no fee for this permit, and you can apply for it when you apply for a study permit. It is best to apply for it before you arrive.

Getting authorization documents for your family members

If you would like members of your family (partner and/or children) to join you while you are studying in Canada, you can apply for their immigration documents when you apply for your study permit.

If you are only accompanied by your children, you must submit all the applications together through the IRCC portal. If you are accompanied by a spouse who is applying for an open work permit, you must submit all the applications together, including those of your children, if applicable, with an IRCC secure account (click here for details on creating, preparing, and submitting an application with an IRCC secure account). For more information, see the section on Getting authorization documents for your family members.

Underage students

Students who are minors under the age of 17 when they apply must meet special requirements to be allowed to enter Canada and study in Québec. In Québec, the age of majority is 18.

The Immigration Process for New Students

Does the Canadian immigration process seem complicated? We have simplified it for you! Watch this webinar, presented to newly admitted students at Université Laval for the fall 2024 semester, to learn more about each step in the process.

Please note that the information published by the governments of Québec and of Canada take precedence over that which is shared on this web page and in these videos.

The Immigration section of this website is intended to provide general information on current procedures, which may change at any time without notice. The laws and regulations in force in Québec and Canada, as well as the websites of Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s ministry of immigration, francisation, and integration] (MIFI) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), take precedence over this page.

Last updated on: 2024-09-25