International students

International students coming to study in a program of 6 months or more (preparatory, certificate, minor, major, bachelor, DESS, master’s, doctorate) as well as exchange students for two terms at UQAM must obtain valid study authorizations to study in Quebec for the entire stay. The procedures are carried out prior to arrival in Canada (with some exceptions).

International students coming to study as a free student or on exchange for one term at UQAM are not required to obtain valid study authorizations. However, students must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

Once you have received your admission letter, the first step is to apply for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec (MIFI).

For all information on the procedures, visit the MIFI website.

Since the total duration of your study program is not indicated in your admission letter, we invite you to use this tool to determine it.

You must apply for the CAQ online and submit your documents electronically. The processing time is 25 business days.

When you receive your CAQ approval letter, you can apply for your study permit.

Note that the CAQ serves as a provincial approval letter (PAL) when required.

The study permit application must be submitted outside of Canada before your arrival (with some exceptions).

Processing times vary depending on where and when you apply. It is therefore important to check processing times before making your application. For all information on the study permit application process, visit the IRCC website.

Preparing for Your Arrival

Once you have received the acceptance letter for your study permit application (introduction letter), you can arrive in Canada. The study permit should be issued upon your arrival in Canada upon presentation of this letter and other documents confirming that you are coming to study in Canada (CAQ and UQAM admission letter). It is therefore important to wait for the acceptance letter before arriving in Canada.

Upon your arrival, check that the information on your study permit is accurate. If you are eligible for on-campus or off-campus work, it should be mentioned on your study permit. Check if you are eligible for work. Your study permit should have the same expiration date as your CAQ unless your passport expires earlier, in which case the expiration date will be the same as your passport’s.

Spouses and Common-Law Partners

Is your spouse or common-law partner accompanying you during your study stay in Canada? They may be eligible for a work permit to be able to work in Canada during your study stay. The validity period of the work permit will be the same as that of your study permit.

What is Biometrics?

Take the time to read your CAQ approval letter and your study permit, important information about the conditions to respect during your stay can be found there.

To learn more about the conditions related to your stay in Quebec and Canada, consult our section on international student obligations and attend our information sessions, workshops, and webinars.

Who is affected by this new step in the immigration process?

• From July 31, 2018: foreign students coming from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• From December 31, 2018: foreign students coming from Asia, the Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.

What are the costs?

It costs $85 to make an individual application for biometric data collection. This amount does not include the fees related to the study permit nor those related to the CAQ.

Are There Any Deadlines to Anticipate?

Yes, it is best to plan ahead when submitting a request if you need to provide your biometric data. The processing times for a study permit application listed on the IRCC website do not include biometric data collection.

Here is an overview of the new steps in an application, including biometric data collection:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdBo_fAB6e0

IMPORTANT: You must therefore anticipate an additional period for the processing of your biometric data before your application can be evaluated.

For more information on biometrics, visit the Government of Canada’s Help Centre.

Where Can I Have My Biometric Data Collected?

Visit the Canada Visa Information website and select the country from which you are applying. Then consult the « biometrics » tab to get a list of Data Centers near you.

As these measures are new and Data Centers are not yet open everywhere, you can also consult a list of temporary offices.

If you have not received your letter via MyCIC within 24 hours, we advise you to directly contact the nearest visa application center (VAC).

We invite you to watch the following video clip to learn about the procedures. You will need to renew your CAQ if you are in one of these situations:

• You are extending your studies;
  Example: You are a bachelor’s student in law, you have the fall term left to complete your study program, but your CAQ expires on August 31. Since you will finish your studies in December, you must renew your CAQ so it is valid for the fall term.
• You are changing your level of studies;
  Example: You are a master’s student in computer science, you finish your master’s in the winter term and will start a PhD in computer science in the fall term. You must renew your CAQ so it is valid for the doctoral level from the start of your doctoral program.
• You are enrolled in a new program of study at the same level that will end before the expiry of your current CAQ.
  Example: You are a bachelor’s student in economics and your CAQ is valid until August 2020, but in the winter term 2022, you start a new program, a certificate in administration. Since you will finish your certificate in the winter term 2023, you must renew your CAQ before starting your new program.

The processing time is 20 business days (about 1 month) excluding postal delays.

We recommend keeping a photocopy or a scan of the documentation sent and requesting a tracking number for your mail shipment. Thus, you will have proof of sending and receiving your documents. 

Making Your CAQ Renewal Request

When you receive your CAQ approval letter, you can make your study permit renewal request.

It is crucial to apply for the renewal of your study permit BEFORE the expiration of your current study permit. This request is made from Canada. You will therefore receive your new study permit at your Canadian address. The processing time varies. This time is generally shorter when the application is made online.

CAUTION: The study permit normally expires on the same date as your CAQ unless your passport expires earlier. If your passport is about to expire, you must first renew your passport before applying for the renewal of the study permit.

Making Your Study Permit Renewal Request

Maintained Status

Your study permit has expired, and you have applied for the renewal of your study permit BEFORE its expiration date, but you have not yet received your new study permit. While waiting for your new study permit, you are in maintained status as long as you remain in Canada. This status allows you to continue studying and working under the conditions of your old study permit until a decision is made on your renewal request.

Restoration of Status

Your study permit has expired and you have not yet renewed your study permit. You have 90 days after the expiration of your status to apply for the restoration of your status. Additional fees are applied for this request. While waiting for a decision on your application, you cannot study or work. You must wait for your new study permit to resume studying and working (if you are eligible). While waiting for your new study permit, you must remain in Canada. If you leave Canada, you will need to make a new application from outside Canada.

CAUTION: If you find yourself in this situation, the University may be obligated to cancel your term.