Update to the Certificat d'Acceptation du Québec (CAD) requirements
As of January 1, 2026, the financial eligibility requirements for the CAQ will increase.
More details in the guide below.
As of January 1, 2026, the financial eligibility requirements for the CAQ will increase.
More details in the guide below.
If you desire to study in Quebec, you will most likely have to apply for a “Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec” (CAQ) to the Government of Quebec before applying for a Study Permit at the Federal level. This article will help you navigate through the paperwork needed for applying, your eligibility, the fees and process associated with getting a CAQ.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Overview
If you are intending on studying in a Quebec Designated Learning Institution, you will need, besides exceptions, to apply for a CAQ before applying for a Study Permit. Be careful before applying to schools in Canada (including Quebec) as you need the school to be a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). If the school is not a DLI, don’t bother trying to get a CAQ or Study Permit. There is a list of exception to obtaining a CAQ, mainly if you plan to study for less than 6 months, or are holding a Commonwealth Scholarship, etc. You can find the full list here to see if you need to apply or not for a CAQ.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Eligibility
To be able to obtain a CAQ for your studies, you will need to:
- Pay the application fee.
- Be accepted by a Québec educational institution that is included in the Designated Learning Institutions list,
- Agree to respect all of the CAQ for studies issuing conditions:
- Receiving the level of education that appears on your CAQ or on your Attestation of issuance of your CAQ,
- Study in the learning institution indicated on your Attestation of issuance of your CAQ,
- Making your studies your main activity (study full time) unless exception applies, and
- Maintaining insurance for health and hospitalization for you and the members of your family.
- Possess sufficient financial resources.
Note: Starting September 1, 2023, there will be changes to Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for certain programs at some DLIs in Quebec. Before you enrol in an institution, make sure to check its Details page in the DLI list.
- If you complete your program of study prior to September 1, 2023, and apply for a PGWP within 6 months of completing your studies, you will have access to the PGWP under the current criteria.
- If you begin a program of study after September 1, 2023, you will only be able to apply for a PGWP if you graduate from a subsidized program of study that remains eligible for the PGWP after September 1, 2023.
- If you are studying in a program that will no longer be eligible for the PGWP after September 1, 2023, the time you spent studying in the program prior to that date may be counted towards a PGWP in the future.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Financial Requirements
In addition to the living expenses amounts below, you will need to add (i) the tuition cost for the first year, (ii) the transportation costs to make the round trip from your country of origin/residence for you and all accompanying family member, (iii) the $500 settlement fees for the first year, and (iv) costs of health and hospital insurance for the entire duration of your stay in Quebec for you and all accompanying family member (your might be exempt if your country of origin has a social security agreement with Quebec).
For a CAQ application submitted on or after January 1, 2026
If you apply for a CAQ on or after January 1, 2026, you need to meet these requirements for financial support.
| Number of family members | Total Amount for 1 year (in CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $24,617 |
| 2 | $34,814 |
| 3 | $42,638 |
| 4 | $49,234 |
| 5 | $55,045 |
| 6 | $60,299 |
| For each additional members | $5,254 |
For a CAQ application submitted before January 1, 2026
If you apply for a CAQ before January 1, 2026, you need to meet these requirements for financial support.
| Number of people above 18 | Number of people under 18 | Total Amount for 1 year (in CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | $7,756 |
| 2 | $11,634 | |
| For each additional person | ADD $3,878 | |
| 1 | 0 | $15,508 |
| 1 | $20,843 | |
| 2 | $23,526 | |
| For each additional person | ADD $2,683 | |
| 2 | 0 | $22,745 |
| 1 | $25,479 | |
| 2 | $27,499 | |
| For each additional person | ADD $2,021 | |
| For each additional person | - | ADD $7,231 |
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – How to Apply
You must submit an online application for the CAQ. The request is made in two steps:
- Presentation of the request on the MIFI website (it is not possible to save the request, it must be completed in one go). This step will require payment of the application fees.
- Submitting the required documents on the Arrima platform. Each candidate will receive a personalized list of required documents a few days after the end of step 1.
Application Management Rules – December 17, 2025 to December 17, 2027
Each educational institution, school service centre or school board has a set maximum number of applications for temporary selection for studies. This rules only apply to vocational, college and university studies.
The International Student Program Application Tracking Tables will let you find out the maximum number of applications for temporary selection for vocational, college and university studies at your educational institution, school service centre or school board.
- Although the Tracking Tables document is updated regularly, it is not a real-time source of information. It is possible that the maximum number of applications has actually been reached but that this information does not yet appear in the document. In most cases, people will know whether places are available by completing the application for temporary selection for studies.
You will not be able to submit your application if the maximum number of applications has been reached, unless eligible to one of the exemptions below:
- Applying to continue a current vocational training program at the same educational institution and at the same level of study.
- Asylum seeker.
- Dependent child of a temporary foreign worker or foreign student.
- Applying for a refresher training required by a health professional order.
- Selected for the Programme de bourse d’excellence (Merit Scholarship Program) for International Students in Vocational Training (awarded by Éducation internationale).
- Holding a certificate issued by the Protocole of the Gouvernement du Québec.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Supporting Documents
The following list of documents in support of your application is not exhaustive, it will be necessary to rely on the personalized list of documents that will be issued by the MIFI:
- Copy of the identity pages of your passport
- Letter of admission from your educational institution in Quebec
- If your country of residence is one of the following, you will need to submit proof of financial capacity (whatever your country of residence is, proof of financial capacity will still have to be submitted at the federal level with IRCC, and they will use the Quebec requirements above to assess the eligibility):
- Austria
- Canada
- United States
- France
- Greenland
- Hong Kong
- Reunion Island
- Monaco
- Mexico
- Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
- In the case of financial support by another person and for minors, it will be necessary to submit the financial documents of this person as well as to submit additional forms.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Application Fees
As of January 1, 2026, the application fee for a CAQ is $135.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Processing Times
The Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) has a target service standard of processing 80% of Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for studies within 25 working days.
The timeframe is calculated from the receipt of a complete application file (including supporting documents) and continues until the date the MIFI makes its decision.
Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) – Next step?
You will need, after receiving your CAQ, to apply for a Study Permit at the federal level with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Find out here how to apply for a Study Permit.
