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Study or exchange programs lasting more than 6 months

Questions?

Registrar's Office
418 656-3080
immigration@reg.ulaval.ca

If you come for a study program that is more than 6 months or for a two-semester exchange, you need to get a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec [Québec acceptance certificate] (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation, and Integration] (MIFI) as well as a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Some work permit holders may be exempt from these requirements. See details below.

Getting the necessary documents to enter and stay in Canada takes several months, so we strongly advise you get started as soon as possible.

Does the Canadian immigration process seem complicated? We have simplified it for you! Watch our videos to learn more about each step in the process.

You can begin the immigration process when you receive your offer of admission. The Registrar’s Office (for regular students) or ULaval monde (for exchange students) will email you your offer of admission. You won’t receive a printed copy of your offer of admission by mail. This offer of admission, whether conditional or final, contains all the information required for your immigration process. 

Your CAQ and study permit will indicate the learning institution you have chosen for your studies in Canada. Therefore, make sure to use your Université Laval offer of admission during your immigration process.

If your study or exchange program includes a mandatory Québec-based internship, you should also apply for a co-op or internship work permit when you apply for a study permit. You don’t have to fill out a separate application for it.

You must use the official websites of the Québec and Canadian governments to complete the immigration steps.

Protect yourself from immigration fraud. If you would like to use an immigration representative for the process, make sure they can legally carry out this role. See the MIFI (in French only) and IRCC websites about this.

Passport

Certificat d'acceptation du Québec [Québec acceptance certificate] (CAQ)

Study permit

Temporary resident visa (TRV) or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Starting the immigration process

Since immigration is a long process, it is important to get started as soon as possible. Our videos will guide you step by step through the process, which is crucial for you to be able to come to campus to study and experience Québec.

Please note that the information provided by the governments of Canada and Québec take precedence over the information on this page and in these videos.

The Immigration section of this website is intended to provide general information on current procedures, which may change at any time without notice. The laws and regulations in force in Québec and Canada, as well as the websites of Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s ministry of immigration, francisation, and integration] (MIFI) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), take precedence over this page.

Last updated on: 2025-07-23