As an international student who wants to study in Quebec, you are required to have a study permit also known as a student visa Quebec for the duration of your study in Quebec.
Quebec is a French province (the only French province) in Canada. It is home to several prestigious universities and research centers in the leading-edge field in the world, which is why it gains a lot of attraction from international students.
International students studying in Quebec have the option to study in English, French, or both and earn for themselves an internationally recognized and respected education.
Once you have your study permit, you can still renew it while you’re still within Quebec if you decide to further your studies. The student visa Quebec allows you to work part-time on-campus, off-campus, as a co-op/intern as part of your program, stay in Quebec as a permanent resident or even find work after you graduate.
In this article, you will learn about the student visa Quebec, the requirements to get the student visa, the student visa Quebec application process, and other important things you need to know as an international student who intends to study in Quebec.
Types of Student Visas in Quebec
While a student visa Quebec is mandatory for most international students who want to study in Quebec, International students whose course or program lasts six months or less do not need a student visa in Quebec.
International students whose course or the program will require them to spend less than 6 months in Quebec should consider applying for the following options:
- Travel visa in your passport (if you expect to study in Canada for less than 6 months)
- An ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) if your passport is from a designated country.
However, it is still a good idea to apply for a student visa before you come to Quebec so that you won’t have to leave Canada to apply for a student visa if your course requires you to stay for a longer period than expected.
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What are the Eligibility Requirements for Studying in Quebec?
Studying in Quebec as an international student differs greatly from other provinces. This is because Quebec, as a province, has more autonomy in creating its immigration policies and procedures.
This means that international students who intend to study in Quebec need to apply to the province for acceptance first before applying to the Federal government for a Canadian study permit.
With that said, let’s dig into the basic requirements you need as an international student who wants to study in Quebec.
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Acceptance in a school in Quebec:
Your first step in your journey to study in Quebec as an international student would be your acceptance into a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in the Quebec province.
To be accepted into a Quebec school, you will have to meet certain educational and language criteria. These criteria largely depend on the program you are applying to.
If you intend to stay in Canada even after your graduation, then you have to make sure that the program that they have accepted you into qualifies for that.
This is because not all programs offered at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) make you eligible to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit or permanent residence.
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Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ):
The CAQ is an official document that attests that Quebec has accepted you as an international student. The CAQ is issued by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation et Intégration (Ministry of Immigration, Frenchisation, and Integration, also known as the MIFI).
To apply for a student visa Quebec, you must get your Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec. If your program will last for six months or less than, you do not need a CAQ or a study permit. To become eligible to apply for a CAQ, there are some requirements you must meet. These requirements include the following:
- Be accepted into a Designated Learning Institution in Quebec
- Make a complete payment of the CAQ application fees
- Confirm your agreement to comply with the conditions for issuing a CAQ for studies
- Meet the minimum financial capacity.
Biometric Data:
International students from Europe, the Middle East, or Africa need to provide their biometric data during the student visa application process.
Immigration Medical Examination (IME):
International students from some countries may also need to get a medical examination before submitting their application. Sometimes, international students can be denied a study permit if they have a criminal record.
This means that you may also be asked to provide a Police clearance certificate as proof.
Valid Passport:
Unless you are an international student from the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you will need a valid passport that allows you to return to your country after you complete your study.
Two passport-sized photos are also required, with your name and date of birth written on the back.
Proof of Funds:
You will have to show proof of funds to support yourself during the duration of your study in Quebec. At the present, it is deemed to be around $8,400 for every year of your stay in Quebec. You will also need to show proof that you have enough money to pay for your transportation to return home.
Proof of funds can be via your bank statements, evidence of a Canadian account in your name if the money’s been transferred, a bank draft in a convertible currency, etc.
English language proficiency exam score :
For international students from China, Vietnam, India, or the Philippines, the requirements include an IELTS score of at least 6 for English, or a 7 in the Niveaux the Compétence Linguiste Canadiens for French.
Statement of Purpose:
When applying for a student visa, Quebec, you will be required to submit an essay that describes the purpose of your journey to Quebec and why you have studied at a particular Institution.
Although sometimes it is prompted as an optional document in the checklist, it will be an added advantage to you.
What are the Conditions of a Student Visa Quebec?
As an international student, they attach certain terms and conditions to the student visa Quebec that you must respect to retain all the benefits of your study experience. Some of them include the following. You must;
- be enrolled at an accredited Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Quebec
- be enrolled either as a part-time student or a full-time student studying in Quebec
- not take any authorized leave that lasts longer than 150 days from your program of study.
As an international student, you must respect the terms and conditions of your study permit so that you can get the most out of your experience studying abroad in Quebec.
Generally, International students who respect these conditions of the study permit get a better chance of being granted a post-graduate work permit.
What is the Cost of a Student Visa Quebec Application
The student visa application in Quebec costs CAD 160, which is about $110. If you are making the payment online, it is important to know that it is not a must that you make this payment with your credit card.
Student Visa Quebec Application Process
International students can apply for a student visa Quebec either online or through a paper application, which can be obtained from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
If you are considering going through the paper application process then it is important to know that it takes almost twice as long as the online process and it is always recommended to check the processing times in advance.
The online application process will require you to use your credit or debit card and the ability to create electronic copies of your supporting documents using a scanner or camera.
In case you are not sure of the required documents, the visa office in your country will provide specific instructions about the required documents. The required documents can vary based on location.
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Below is a step-by-step process of the student visa Quebec application process:
1. Choose an Educational Institution:
The first thing every international student who intends to study in Quebec needs to do is to consult a list of academic institutions in Quebec according to the level of studies (Vocational, college, or university education).
It is only you who have been accepted by any of the Designated Learning Institutions in a program of study that can be able to continue with the next steps.
2. Obtain a standardized letter of acceptance:
Once you have been accepted by any of the Designated Learning Institutions, the next step is to apply and get a standardized letter of acceptance, also known as a CAQ (Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec) from the government of Quebec.
You are required to have this document before you can proceed to apply for a study permit. Once you have this CAQ, you need to submit it to the Ministry of Immigration, Frenchisation, and Integration (MIFI).
It is at this point in your application process that you will need to prove your financial capacity to cover all your tuition fees (based on an estimate), transportation costs, and settlement and living expenses for the first year of studies.
3. Obtain your study permit/student visa Quebec package:
Your CAQ application has been favored by the decision of the MIFI then you must submit a student visa Quebec application to the Canadian government.
You can submit your application online via the Canadian Immigration Center (CIC) or via paper. If you are confused in any part at this point in the student visa application process, you can visit the closest Visa Application Center (VAC) to you for help.
Answer a few questions on the Canadian Immigration Center (CIC) website:
To get your student visa application package you’ll need to answer a few questions about yourself on the CIC website.
The questions on the website will determine if you are eligible to apply online for a student visa Quebec, and the documents that you will need to complete your application.
Get the Checklist Code:
Once you are done answering the questions on the CIC website, you will receive a personal checklist code if you are found eligible. The checklist code is valid for only 60 days.
This means that within 60 days after you get the checklist code, you will need to submit your application online. You need to print out the page containing your checklist code for future reference.
This page includes an application guide, estimated tuition fees amount, the list of required documents, and guidelines for the next steps in your student visa Quebec application process.
Create a MyCIC account:
After you have gotten the checklist code, the next step is to set up a MyCIC account where you will enter your checklist code.
Once entered, you will receive a personal document checklist which allows you to upload and send documents to the Canadian Immigration Center (CIC). You will need a printer and scanner this time.
Submit your application:
Once you have paid your fees, and have all the required documents and your application ready, you can submit your completed application to the Canadian Immigration Center (CIC).
Go for your interview:
While submission should be the last step of the student visa application process for most international students, others need to attend an interview at the nearest Visa Application Center in their area to complete the process.
It is important to know that the student visa application does not go through any intermediary to complete your application. Also, you can apply for a work permit if your professional experience is an essential component of your program of studies.
You may be required to submit your biometric information when applying for your student visa Quebec. If this is the case for you then you need to visit the nearest Visa Application Center on your area in person for them to collect your biometric data.
After you are done with your student visa application process, you can check the status of your student visa application on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website. They update the information on the website daily. You will need to set up an account on the website first.
What’s next after the Student Visa Application Process
Once your student visa Quebec application is approved, you will receive a Port of Entry (POE) Letter of Introduction. Students from countries that require an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and/or a temporary residence permit will be issued these too. The ETA is valid for only 5 years or until your passport expires and it will be linked to the passport you used for your student visa application.
You will have to present these documents along with your proof is finances and letter of acceptance (and other required documents) to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in Canada. The CBSA will then issue your student visa and allow you access to Canada.
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Student Visa Process Time in Quebec
The processing is the time taken by the CIC to process a visa application. It starts from the moment you submit your application until the final decision day. As such, there is no specific time for the process.
All you can do is track the status of your application through your MyCIC.
Can I Get a Student Visa in Quebec without IELTS?
International students especially those from countries like China, India, Vietnam, Philippines, etc who want to study in the English Language, need a good IELTS score for them to study in Quebec as they have to prove that they are proficient in the English Language.
Working as a Student in Quebec
Once you are a full-time student, have a valid student visa, and are enrolled in a program at a Designated Learning Institution in Quebec, you are qualified to work while you study in Quebec.
You can decide to do a part-time job to help support yourself while studying in Quebec, work off-campus for up to 20 hours during university semesters, and full-time during breaks such as winter or summer holidays. You don’t need a work permit.
Your student permit in Quebec becomes invalid 90 days after you have completed your study program, so you will need to acquire a post-graduation work permit if you want to stay in Quebec after your studies and seek work
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Frequently Asked Questions
A student visa is a document that is issued by the Canadian immigration authorities that serve as your permission to study in Quebec, Canada as an international student.
Yes, so long as your program of study will last longer than 6 months, you must apply and obtain a student visa to study in Quebec.
The student visa Quebec will cost you CAD 150 which is about $110 based on the current exchange rate.
No, the student visa application fee doesn’t include the VAC service charges. You will have to pay additional service charges based on your region.
Yes, international students are required to submit a biometric fee of $85 in addition to the regular student visa application fee.
Your student visa will stay valid as long as the duration of your program or course in Quebec.
No, once you have your valid student visa Quebec, you are eligible to work while you study in Quebec.
No, you can’t be sponsored by anybody for a student visa. You must pay all costs such as tuition yourself in advance to get a student visa in Quebec.
Conclusion
The student visa Quebec is mandatory for international students who plan to study in Quebec, especially if the program or course will last for over 6 months.
The student visa application process is straightforward and is even easier when you meet the requirements. Also, if you intend to work during your study in Quebec, you don’t need a work permit, you just have to get a student visa.
References
- star-education-advisors.wixanswers.com – What are the student visa requirements in Canada.
- topuniversities.com – How to get a Canadian student visa
- canadim.com – Study in Quebec as an international student
- studyinmontreal.ca – Student visa requirements
- quebecentete.com – Study permits in Quebec
- quebec.ca – Period of study in Quebec
- mcgill.ca – Quebec (CAQ) and Study Permits
- topuniversities.com – How to get a Canadian Visa in 2024
- Image source
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