CAQ and study permit: the file for studying in Quebec

Quebec is the natural gateway to Canada for French-speaking Tunisian students: studies in French, a large Maghrebi community in Montreal, recognised universities and cégeps. But before the federal study permit, you need a document specific to Quebec: the CAQ, or Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate). Here is how the file is organised, from admission to the permit.

For the general Canadian framework (federal proof of funds, work, after graduation), first read Studying in Canada from Tunisia.

The Quebec system in brief

Quebec has a different educational path from the rest of Canada:

• the cégep (collège d'enseignement général et professionnel, general and vocational college) awards the DEC: 2 years for the pre-university DEC, 3 years for the technical DEC, which leads directly to employment;

• the AEC (attestation d'études collégiales) is a shorter technical programme;

• the university awards the baccalauréat (bachelor's degree, generally in 3 years in Quebec), the maîtrise (master's) and the doctorate.

With the Tunisian bac, direct access to university is possible in many programmes; others require prerequisites (notably in sciences) or going through cégep. Each institution assesses your file.

Step 1: choose and apply

• French-language universities: Université de Montréal, Université Laval, UQAM and the Université du Québec network, Université de Sherbrooke…

• English-language universities in Quebec: McGill, Concordia, Bishop's.

• Cégeps: public and private, throughout Quebec. Applications often go through regional admission services.

Applications for the autumn session are generally made from the previous winter; some programmes have deadlines early in the year. A winter session (January) also exists in many programmes.

Step 2: apply for the CAQ

Once you have been admitted, you apply for the CAQ for studies from the Quebec ministry responsible for immigration. The application is made online. Main documents:

• the institution's admission letter;

• your passport;

• proof of financial capacity according to the amounts set by Quebec (tuition fees, living costs, transport, settling in);

• a commitment to respect the conditions of stay;

• payment of the processing fees.

Quebec may limit the number of CAQ applications processed for certain categories of institutions or programmes. Submit your application as soon as you receive your admission.

Step 3: apply for the federal study permit

With the CAQ, you submit the study permit application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), online. You need:

• the admission letter and the CAQ;

• proof of funds (you can reuse the CAQ documents, updating them);

• a letter of explanation about your plans;

• your biometrics;

• a medical examination if requested.

Proof of funds: prepare it well

This is the most sensitive part of the file. Officers check the amount but also the origin and stability of the funds:

• bank statements over several months;

• parents' income certificates (payslips, tax returns, trade register);

• signed letter of financial support;

• possibly a scholarship or fee exemption.

A large, recent deposit with no explanation raises suspicion. Prepare your supporting documents several months in advance.

How long should you allow?

Allow several weeks for the CAQ, then several weeks to a few months for the study permit, depending on the period. For a September intake, ideally you should have your admission in spring and launch both procedures immediately.

Costs to plan for

Rather than figures that change, remember the expense items:

• application fees for the institutions;

• CAQ processing fees;

• study permit and biometrics fees;

• tuition fees (variable depending on the institution and programme; some students may benefit from exemptions from the additional fees under limited Quebec programmes);

• compulsory health insurance for international students;

• accommodation and settling in in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke or elsewhere.

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying for the study permit before having the CAQ.

• Choosing a programme without checking its eligibility for the post-graduation work permit.

• Presenting funds whose origin is not documented.

• Writing a generic letter of explanation.

• Forgetting to renew the CAQ and the permit if your studies are extended.

Typical timeline for a September intake

1. September – December: choice of institutions and programmes, preparation of documents and financial evidence.

2. December – February: applications (some deadlines fall at the very beginning of the year).

3. February – April: responses from the institutions.

4. As soon as you are admitted: online CAQ application.

5. As soon as you receive the CAQ: study permit application, biometrics.

6. Summer: accommodation, insurance, flight ticket.

For the winter session (January), shift this timeline by about four months.

The letter of explanation: how to write it

The letter of explanation accompanies the study permit application. It must explain:

• who you are and your academic background;

• why this programme and why in Quebec;

• how you will finance your studies and your stay;

• what you will do after the programme;

• any particularities of your file (a gap year, a change of direction).

Stay factual, precise and consistent with the other documents in the file.

Documents to prepare in Tunisia

• transcripts and diplomas (translated if necessary);

• valid passport;

• bank statements over several months;

• income and employment certificates for your parents or guarantor;

• signed letter of financial support;

• birth certificate;

• photos in the required format.

Our support

Worldwide Studies helps you choose between cégep and university, apply, and then put together the CAQ and study permit files with solid proof of funds. We handle both procedures with you. See our page Study in Canada.

👉 Amounts and processing times change: talk to an advisor for a Quebec timeline suited to your intake.