Canada is one of the most sought-after countries for immigration, for several reasons: universal healthcare, employment opportunities, cultural and religious diversity.
Furthermore, Canada is internationally recognized for its high-quality education system, and the country welcomes many international students every year. However, to study in Canada, it is essential to obtain a study permit. This article therefore aims to provide an overview of the step-by-step procedure for obtaining a study permit in Canada and becoming a student in Canada, taking into account the specifics regarding Quebec and briefly explaining how the Canadian education system works.
We will first briefly present the Canadian study system in order to have a better understanding of the different procedures (I).
Next, we will discuss the procedure to follow regarding the study permit at the federal level outside Quebec (II).
Finally, we will explain the specific procedures to follow to obtain a study permit in the province of Quebec (III).
I. UNDERSTANDING THE CANADIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM:
In Canada, each of the 13 provinces and territories operates its own school system and follows government standards, so each province and territory is responsible for administering its education system.
This means that educational laws, policies, and programs can vary from province to province. Each province has its own Ministry of Education that sets standards and regulations for elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools.
Therefore, different modalities such as, curricula, admission criteria, school calendars, inclusive education policies, diploma requirements and teaching regulations may differ from one province to another.
For example, the province of Quebec has a distinct education system due to its French-speaking majority. Quebec offers French-language programs and follows an educational system based on the college and university model.
School is compulsory in Canada from the age of 6 until approximately 18. After high school, students have the choice between college and university. Both education systems help prepare students for their future.
At college, students can learn practical and technical skills specific to their desired career. They can study subjects such as graphic design, web development, culinary arts, occupational health, and many others. Colleges often collaborate with employers in various industries to develop the most up-to-date curricula. College education typically lasts from one to three years, and upon completion, students earn a certificate or diploma.
At university, students often study in-depth and theoretical subjects such as law, medicine, art history, engineering, and many others. The duration of university studies typically ranges from three to seven years, and upon completion, students earn a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree.
Quebec's education system is unique. After high school, students can attend a general and vocational college (CEGEP). CEGEPs offer a two-year program of study called the College Studies Program (DEC), which prepares students for university or the job market.
| French education system | Quebec education system | Education system in the rest of Canada | |
| Primary | Kindergarten (3-6 years), elementary school (6-11 years) | Primary (6-12 years) | Kindergarten (5 years), primary school (6-11 years) |
| Secondary | Middle school (11-15 years old), high school (15-18 years old) | Secondary school (12-17 years old) | Secondary school (12-17 years old) |
| College | No direct equivalent, post-secondary education begins | CEGEP (17-19 years old) | No direct equivalent, post-secondary education begins |
| Post-secondary (university) | University (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate), Grandes Ecoles | University (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) | Community college, technical college, university (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) |
| Assessment | Rating out of 20 | Generally graded out of 100 or by letter (A, B, C, etc.) | Generally graded out of 100 or by letter (A, B, C, etc.) |
| Length of the school year | From September to June, with regular holidays | From late August to June, with summer, winter and spring holidays | From September to June, with summer, winter and spring holidays |
| Access | Selection based on file from high school and higher education | University admission is based on CEGEP grades | University admission is usually based on high school grades |
| Final secondary school diploma | Baccalaureate | Secondary school diploma (DES) | High School Diploma |
II. THE PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING A STUDENT IN CANADA OUTSIDE QUEBEC:
First, we will provide preliminary information about the process (A). Then, we will examine in detail the various requirements (B) and the documents needed to submit a visa application (C). Finally, we will guide you precisely on the procedure for submitting this application and the procedure after submitting this application (D).
A) Process information
A) 1. What is a study permit?
A study permit is an official document issued by the Canadian government that allows international students to reside temporarily in Canada to pursue full-time studies at a designated educational institution. This document is of critical importance for international students wishing to study in Canada, whether at a university, college, or language school.
The study permit is issued by Canadian immigration authorities and is a legal requirement for international students, unless they are exempt.
This document indicates the authorized length of stay in Canada, generally linked to the duration of the study program. It also specifies the conditions that the student must comply with, including maintaining full-time student status, respecting the start and end dates of studies, as well as the obligation to leave the country at the end of the program, unless a request is made for an extension of stay or a change of status. Indeed, after a study permit in Canada, one can obtain an open work permit to work for any job and then obtain Permanent Residence.
A study permit grants international students legal status, allowing them to reside in Canada for the duration of their studies. It is therefore essential to comply with the conditions established by Canadian authorities and adhere to current regulations to maintain this status and take full advantage of the opportunity to study in Canada.
A) 2. Fees relating to obtaining a study permit.
Here are some key points to consider regarding study permit fees:
· Application fees
International students must pay an application fee of $150, so it is strongly recommended to check the current rates on the official Canadian immigration website or the office responsible for processing applications: https://www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/etudier-canada/permis-etudes.html
· Biometrics fees
In some cases, international students must also pay a biometrics fee, which covers the collection of their fingerprints and the taking of a biometric photo, amounting to 85 C$
· Additional processing fees
Depending on the province or territory in which you plan to study, specific additional processing fees may apply.
A) 3. The processing time for an application for a study permit.
The processing time for a study permit application can vary depending on various factors, such as your country of origin, your chosen study program, and the province where you plan to study.
Processing times may also fluctuate depending on the time of year, with some periods receiving a higher volume of requests than others.
It is always possible to obtain an estimate of the processing time by consulting an immigration lawyer or by visiting the following official link:
B) Eligibility conditions
The eligibility requirements for a student visa to Canada are as follows:
– You must have received a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution in Canada.
– You must also demonstrate that you have the financial resources necessary to cover tuition fees, living expenses and additional expenses during your stay in Canada.
– If requested by Canadian authorities, you may be required to provide proof that you have no criminal record and that you do not pose a threat to the security of Canada.
– Canadian authorities may require you to undergo a medical examination to prove that you are in good health and do not pose a risk to public health in Canada. Finally, you will need to prove that you intend to return to your home country once you have completed your studies.
C) Documents required to obtain a study permit
C) 1. Proof of acceptance:
Obtaining a study permit in Canada requires the submission of certain documents, you will first need to provide a copy of the acceptance letter from the school that admitted you.
IRCC, or Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, is the government agency that oversees immigration and citizenship in Canada.
For a school to welcome international students to Canada, it must be designated by the IRCC.
A designated school is a school that has been approved by a provincial or territorial government to accommodate international students.
The list of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) is available on the IRCC website, which you can consult at this address:
It is very important to check that the school you are interested in is on this list before applying for a study permit.
As for the documents requested by schools, this may vary depending on the school and the study program, but generally, they include:
– Proof of language proficiency: You may need to prove that you are able to take classes in the school's language of instruction (English or French). This may involve taking a language proficiency test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS for English, or the TEF for French.
– Academic transcripts: Schools will want to see transcripts from your previous studies to verify that you have the necessary prerequisites for the program you want to pursue.
– Letters of Recommendation: Some schools may ask for letters of recommendation from your previous teachers or employers.
– Personal Essay or Statement of Purpose: Some schools may require a personal essay or statement of purpose where you explain why you want to attend the program and how it fits into your career plans.
– Proof of financial support: You may need to prove that you have the financial means to pay for your studies and support yourself while you are in Canada.
Please check with the specific school you are applying to for the exact list of required documents.
If you receive a conditional acceptance from the school you applied to, this means you must take prerequisite courses. These may include, for example, English or French language courses. You will then need to successfully complete these courses before being admitted to your primary program of study.
If you are accepted into a preparatory study program before being admitted to your main program, the Canadian authorities will issue you a study permit for the duration of these courses, plus one additional year.
However, once you have been accepted into your main program, you will need to apply for a new study permit in order to extend your stay as a student.
There are, however, exceptions. If you are a family member of someone whose study permit or work permit application was approved in writing before your arrival in Canada, you are not required to provide a letter of acceptance.
C) 2. A valid passport:
When applying for a study permit in Canada, you must have a copy of your valid passport to prove your identity and foreign resident status, as well as a passport photo that meets the standards specified by Canadian immigration.
C) 3. Proof of financial means:
To submit your application you will need to prove that you can support yourself.
You can prove that you have financial resources by means of:
– Either proof of a bank account in Canada in your name, if you transferred money to Canada,
– Either a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution,
– Either proof of a student or study loan issued by a bank,
– Either your bank statements for the last 4 months,
– Either a bank draft that can be converted into Canadian dollars,
– Either proof that you have paid tuition and accommodation fees,
– Either a letter from the person or school that is giving you money,
– Proof of funds paid to Canada, if you have a scholarship or are part of a study program funded by Canada.
It is important to note that you will need to provide official and authentic documents to support this financial evidence. If you have family members accompanying you while you are in Canada, you will also need to prove that you or they will be able to support themselves.
| Who ? | Financial resources required per year (does not include tuition fees) | Financial resources required per month (does not include tuition fees) |
| You (the student) | 10 000$ CA | 833$ CA |
| First member of your family | 4 000$ CA | 333$ CA |
| Each additional family member accompanying you | 3 000$ CA | 255$ CA |
Official source:
It is therefore important to budget these funds to cover accommodation, food, transportation, health care and other living expenses during your stay in Canada.
Ensure you have these financial resources in place before applying for a study or visit permit, in order to meet the requirements for proof of financial support when applying.
C) 4. Letter of explanation:
This letter is optional, but it can be important because it helps the visa officer understand who you are and what your goals are. You will need to explain in this letter why you want to study in Canada and that you understand your responsibilities as a student. You will need to include this letter with any study permit application, even if you do not require a study permit as part of your program.
C) 5. Medical examination
A medical examination may be required in the following situations:
– If you plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months.
– If you have recently visited certain countries identified as presenting risks to public health.
– If you plan to work in positions that require mandatory public health protection, such as working in health, education, or childcare related fields.
In these cases, you may be required to undergo a medical examination to assess your health and ensure that you do not pose a risk to public health in Canada.
However, it's important to note that for some study or work permits, a medical exam is not systematically required, even for a stay of more than six months. This depends on several factors, including your country of origin or the countries you have recently visited, as well as the type of work you plan to do in Canada.
Here is the link to the IRCC website where you can check if you need to take a medical exam:
D) How to apply for a student permit and what are the steps to follow after applying?
D) 1. Prepare your documents
You need to gather the necessary documents such as the acceptance letter from the educational institution, your valid passport, financial proof, it is important to provide as many documents as possible to have a complete application.
The study permit application must be made online, whether you are outside Canada or already in Canada, on the Canadian immigration website Canada.ca.
D) 2. The steps after having submitted your request
The typical procedure includes the following steps:
– You will receive confirmation of receipt of your study permit application. This may be in the form of an acknowledgment of receipt or a tracking number, depending on the country.
– Your application will be processed by the relevant authorities. This may take some time depending on the volume of applications and country-specific processing times.
– Once your application has been assessed, a decision will be made regarding the approval or rejection of your study permit. You will be notified of the decision by email, mail, or in person.
– If your application is approved, you will need to obtain your study permit. Follow the instructions provided to retrieve your study permit, whether it is a physical or electronic document.
– Compliance with study permit conditions: Once you have obtained your study permit, ensure that you comply with all the conditions indicated on it, such as attendance requirements, maintaining enrollment at the designated learning institution, etc.
III) THE PROCEDURE FOR BECOMING A STUDENT IN QUEBEC
To come and follow a training of more than 6 months in Quebec as a foreign student, you must obtain 2 documents:
– A Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies, issued by the Quebec government,
– A study permit, issued by the Government of Canada.
The criteria for obtaining a CAQ are as follows:
– Be admitted to a designated educational institution in Quebec,
– Demonstrate your financial capacity to cover the costs of studies and living in Quebec,
– Pay the fees for the examination of your application,
– You agree to comply with all the conditions of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ).
A) Admission to a designated educational institution in Quebec
To apply for a study permit, you need a letter of acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
An EED is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students.
All elementary and secondary schools in Canada are designated as DLIs. You can find a list of the different DLIs on Canada.CA: https://www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/etudier-canada/permis-etudes/preparer/liste-etablissements-enseignement-designes.html
B) Demonstrate financial capacity
In order to come and study in Quebec, it is necessary to demonstrate your financial capacity to cover the various costs: tuition, transportation and daily living.
For information purposes, here are the amounts in Canadian dollars that you must be able to provide between January 1 and December 31, 2023:
– For a person under 18 years old: 7 176 $
– For a person aged 18 and over: 14 349 $
– For two people aged 18 and over: 21 046 $
– For two people over 18 and one person under 18: 23 575 $
– For two people over 18 and two people under 18: 25 444 $
It's also important to budget for the first-year installation fee, which amounts to 500 Canadian $. All this information is available on the website:
https://www.quebec.ca/education/etudier-quebec/conditions-requises
Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have health and hospitalization insurance for yourself and all accompanying family members for the duration of your stay in Quebec. However, if you can prove that you already have valid health and hospitalization insurance in Quebec, or if your home country has a social security agreement with Quebec, you will not need to prove your financial capacity for insurance.
To demonstrate your financial capacity, you must present to immigration at the time of your application one or more of the following documents:
– Recent evidence of fund transfers,
– It may also be proof of your assets and other sources of income, a recent authorization to transfer funds from the Exchange Control Office of your country of origin or residence,
– An official and recent confirmation that you have received a scholarship,
– A bank statement for the last three months, this must show the current balance of your account and proof that you are the holder, and
– An up-to-date bank book, you must also provide proof that you own the book.
If another person is covering the costs of your study stay in Quebec, you will need to provide the documents: a financial support declaration form and detailed financial proof from that person, as mentioned in the previous section.
You can consult all the precise terms and conditions on the site: https://www.quebec.ca/education/etudier-quebec/conditions-requises
C) Payment of the application examination fees
The examination fees for a CAQ/STUDY PERMIT from January 1, 2023 are as follows:
– Foreign student: 124 $
It should be noted that these fees are non-refundable, even if your application is denied. Furthermore, you cannot deduct them from the fees charged by the Government of Canada.
Please note that other fees related to the study permit application, imposed by the Government of Canada, may also be required.
You will find all the precise information on the site:
https://www.quebec.ca/education/etudier-quebec/demande-selection-temporaire#c115477
D) Compliance with the obligations of the Quebec Acceptance Certificate:
It is imperative that you comply with the conditions of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), otherwise it could be revoked.
You must agree to:
– Follow the level of education indicated on your CAQ for studies or on your letter of attestation of issue of the CAQ for studies.
– Have health and hospital insurance for yourself and any family members accompanying you for the duration of your stay.
– Dedicate your studies as your main activity, by studying full-time.
However, this condition does not apply if you are:
– A temporary worker.
– A family member accompanying a temporary worker.
– A family member of a foreign student.
– A person with refugee or protected person status in Canada.
– A person seeking asylum.
– A foreign student or a foreign student in the last session of their study program.
It is essential to respect these commitments in order to maintain the validity of your CAQ and to continue studying in Quebec.
E) Obtain the CAQ and the study permit in Canada
Once you have obtained the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), there is one important step left to take to study in Canada: obtaining your study permit.
The CAQ is an authorization issued by the Quebec government, which certifies that you have been accepted into an educational institution in Quebec. However, to study in Canada, you must also obtain a study permit from the federal government.
To begin the study permit process, you will need to provide the required documents, such as:
– The study permit application form, available on the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
– Proof of acceptance from the designated learning institution in Canada to which you were admitted.
Your valid passport.
– Proof that you have the financial resources necessary to support yourself during your studies and stay in Canada.
– Proof of health insurance covering the duration of your stay in Canada.
You will need to submit your study permit application to IRCC, following specific deadlines and procedures.
Once your application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction (sometimes called a port of entry letter) that will allow you to travel to Canada. Upon arrival, a border services officer will assess your eligibility and issue you with your study permit.
It is important to note that the process for obtaining a study permit may vary depending on your country of origin. It is therefore recommended that you consult the IRCC website or contact the Canadian embassy or consulate in your country for specific information on the requirements and procedures to follow.
For more detailed information on the study permit process, please refer to section II) of this article, where we have discussed in detail the steps to follow to study in Canada.
By following these steps, you will be on the right track to carrying out your study project in Canada after obtaining your CAQ from the MIFI.
The law firm has a direct platform with Immigration Canada to file your application on your behalf as a Canadian lawyer.
We offer three types of packages:
– Canadian immigration law consultation: you have a one-hour call with a Canadian lawyer who will choose the best way for you to immigrate to Canada. Once you have chosen your program, you are free to complete your application alone or with the help of the firm;
– The turnkey Immigration package from A to Z: in concrete terms, we send you an email with the list of documents we need (we assist you in case of difficulty in retrieving the documents if necessary) and we take care of everything from verifying the documents, filling out the forms, interacting with the Canadian administration and submitting the file via our lawyer platform as well as monitoring until you obtain the study/work/permanent residence permit); or
– The proofreading package: you choose your program, you gather the documents and fill out the forms and at the time of sending we intervene to proofread the forms and documents to ensure that there are no inconsistencies/errors that could delay your file or in the worst case you may be refused the study/work/resident permit.
