Immigration procedures

Congratulations! You’ve received your Letter of Admission, which means your application to a cégep in Québec has been accepted.

It is now your responsibility to complete the following immigration steps to be able to study in Québec.

IMPORTANT: If you hire immigration consultants or lawyers to assist you in the process, make sure they are properly accredited to avoid fraud.

Did you receive a call or email and aren't sure if it’s a scam? Visit this section of the IRCC website.
Do you have doubts about the behaviour of an immigration lawyer? Check this page from the Barreau de Montréal.

Step 1

Before applying for a study permit, you must have applied to and been accepted into one of the programs offered by our cégeps.

Step 2

Obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies

Duration: 25 to 35 days

You must submit your temporary selection application to study in Québec and upload the required documents online. Before applying, prepare:

A valid email address
A credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Amex) to pay the $128 CAD processing fee

The processing time for a complete application is around 25 business days.

Step 3

Obtain a Canadian Study Permit

Duration: 1 to 3 months

As soon as you receive the CAQ issuance confirmation letter in your online file, you must submit your study permit application online.

The Government of Canada charges $150 CAD for the study permit application and $85 CAD for biometrics.
Processing times vary. You can check the status of your application using this tool.

Step 4

Provide your biometrics

Duration: Varies
Biometrics include your fingerprints and a photo.
Most international students must provide biometrics to obtain a study permit. Biometrics are valid for ten years and cost $85 CAD per person.

Do you need to provide biometrics?
Check here to find out.

When to provide biometrics?

You cannot give your biometrics before submitting your study permit application. A few days after submitting the application online, you’ll receive an email with a biometrics instruction letter. You will then have 30 days from the date you receive the letter to complete your biometrics.

Where to provide biometrics?
Applicants must appear in person at a biometrics collection point.

There are many collection locations.

Notes:

The time spent collecting and verifying biometrics is not included in the study permit processing time.
The study permit application process cannot begin until IRCC has received the biometric results

If this is your first study permit application, you must provide your biometrics, unless exempt.
If you’ve already given biometrics for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit, they may still be valid—you might not need to give them again.

Step 5

Get a visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Duration: Several weeks

Depending on your nationality, you may need either an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or a visitor visa, in addition to your study permit.
Your eTA or visa will be issued at the same time as your study permit. You don’t need to submit a separate application or pay additional fees.

Step 6

Take a medical exam

Duration: Varies

You may be required to undergo a medical exam (at your expense) to obtain your study permit. This applies if:

Check the Government of Canada website for full details.

You’ve lived or stayed in one of the designated countries or territories for six consecutive months during the year before applying for your study permit
You are studying in a program that involves contact with vulnerable persons or the health sector

Step 7

Get health and hospitalization insurance

Duration: Several weeks

As an international student, you must hold valid health insurance coverage while in Canada. Find out about mandatory health insurance during your stay.

Congratulations!

Check the Before you leave section to make sure you don’t forget anything.