CAQ and Study Permit
Studying in Québec: What You Need to Know About the CAQ and Study Permit in Canada
Many individuals who wish to pursue college studies in Québec must obtain a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) and a Study Permit for Canada because they do not have permanent status in Canada (permanent residency or Canadian citizenship).
These documents are issued by the Government of Québec and the Government of Canada, respectively. Obtaining them, which requires several months of processing time, is conditional on receiving an official letter of admission from a higher education institution recognized by the Canadian government.
You can visit the following websites for more information on obtaining the CAQ and the Study Permit for Canada:
- For the CAQ from the Government of Québec
- For the Study Permit for Canada from the Government of Canada
Important Information
Please be aware that the number of CAQs issued by the Government of Québec is limited for each CEGEP. This means that you may not be able to obtain a CAQ at the time of your application, even if you have been granted admission by the CEGEP.
However, some exemptions to these quotas exist for specific categories of temporary residents, including:
- Minors who are dependents of a parent holding a work permit or a study permit
- Individuals who are officially asylum seekers in Canada.
For detailed information on exemptions, visit this website . This page also includes a regularly updated tracking table for applications under the International Student Program, allowing you to check if the CAQ quota has been reached for your chosen institution.
The CAQ quota per institution is reviewed and renewed annually on February 26.
Please note that conditions may change without notice and that the information on the Government of Québec’s official website takes precedence over the information provided here.