Extending or changing your student authorization documents

If it is your first time applying for a CAQ or a study permit from within Canada, you will also find relevant information in this section. Only certain people can submit their first application for a study permit from within Canada. These include people with work permits, asylum seekers, and certain visitors (who do not have study or work permits). These visitors include:

• Visiting students or students on an exchange program
• Students who have completed a short-term course or study program that is a prerequisite for being accepted into a designated learning institution
• Children under the age of majority studying at primary or secondary school
• Spouses, common-law partners, or dependent children of international students or certain temporary workers

The first step to getting or renewing your student authorization documents is generally to apply for temporary selection ($132). You have to get the CAQ before getting a study permit from the Government of Canada. You have to apply to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s ministry of immigration, francisation, and integration] (MIFI) for the CAQ.

The government of Québec announced quotas on February 26, 2025. The quota allocated to Université Laval is enough to allow all our international students to renew their CAQ.

To extend your CAQ, we strongly recommend that you apply at least 6 months before it expires.  Although the MIFI website claims that the processing time is typically 25 working days, actual processing times often exceed that target by several weeks. 

To obtain your first CAQ in Canada, or to obtain a new CAQ that indicates a different level of study (bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D.) or a different learning institution (for CAQs issued after December 6, 2024), you must apply as soon as you receive your offer of admission.

Once your CAQ application is approved, you will receive a certificate of issuance in your MIFI online account (not in your Arrima account). You will not receive a paper CAQ in the mail. You have to provide the Registrar’s Office a copy of the attestation of issuance through monPortail (go to the “Documents légaux” (Legal documents) section under “Documents officiels” (Official documents)).

The expiry date of your passport won’t affect the expiry date of your CAQ. The same isn’t true for your study permit. Your study permit can’t be renewed beyond the expiry date of your passport. If you need to renew your passport, do so as soon as possible.

You have to complete your application for temporary selection online on MIFI website and then use the Arrima platform for certain steps of your application.

The processing time for a CAQ application begins when the documents are received through Arrima; do not delay in sending them in. Although the MIFI website claims that the processing time is typically 25 working days, actual processing times often exceed that target by several weeks. 

Five-step process:

1. Apply online for temporary selection for studies

a) Go to MIFI’s page “Online application for temporary selection for studies” to start your application. 
b) Complete the application by following the on-screen instructions.
c) In step 1, the vast majority of you must answer “No” to the question, “Does an exemption specified in the application management rules apply to you?” Important: The answer “I am applying to continue my current vocational training program at the same educational institution” is intended only for students in a DVS, AVS, or STC program, and therefore does not apply to university studies. See the MIFI website for more information on exemptions. The quota allocated to Université Laval is enough to allow all our international students to renew their CAQ.
d) In step 6, if you are staying in Canada while renewing your study permit, select “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)”.
e) Create your online consultation profile (Step 10), and save your application. Only applications filled in up to Step 10 can be saved.
f) Receive payment instructions (Step 11).

2. Pay the processing fee ($132) on the Arrima platform within one hour of submitting your application online.

• To create an account in Arrima, you will have to answer authentication questions (last name, first name, date of birth, sex, etc.). The information has to be exactly the same as the information provided in your passport and in your CAQ application in order for your CAQ application to be found in Arrima.
• If you already have an Arrima account, you can use that account.
• In Arrima, under the “Mes paiements“ (My payments) tab, select “Programme des étudiants étrangers“ (International student program) and enter the application number.
• Pay with a credit card.

3. Return to your online application account to receive your personalized reminder containing the documents and forms that you must submit, the “Declaration, undertakings and authorizations“ form, and other supporting documents for your application.

4. Submit supporting documents for your application using the Arrima platform.

• Within 48 hours of submitting the application and paying online on MIFI website, you will receive a file number (beginning with “C00“) in your online application file. It will be at the top of your online application for temporary selection for studies. You will not receive any email notification that you have received the number in your account. So you have to go and check your online application file on a regular basis.
• In Arrima, under the “Mes dossiers“ (My files) tab, select “Créer un nouveau dossier“ (Create a new file) and select “Programme des étudiants étrangers - Dépôt de documents“ (International student program - Submitting documents). Then, enter your application’s file number (starting with C00). It takes about 48 hours after the file number has been issued for it to be recognized in Arrima.
• Upload the requested documents (see the list below):
  • Make only one PDF file for each type of document that is requested.
  • For each document submitted, select which type of document it corresponds to (ex: passport, proof of financial support, etc.). To add a letter of explanation, you must select “Autre type de document“ [“Other type of document“].
• Finally, submit the documents to complete the process.
  • Once you have submitted your documents, you can not add new ones.
  • Make sure you receive confirmation that the documents have been submitted. Look in the Arrima message centre.

5. The response to your CAQ application will appear in your online application account.

Learn more

We encourage you to visit the following pages to learn how to use Arrima platform:

• Tutorial “Dépôt de documents – Demande de sélection temporaire pour études“ (in French only)
• Frequently asked questions (in French only)

A customized list of documents to provide (checklist) will appear at the end of your online application. Make sure to provide the documents indicated on your checklist, as well as all the documents listed here. Make sure to send documents that have been scanned properly, preferably in colour.

• Signed “Declaration, undertakings and authorizations” form (see below for the types of signatures accepted).
• Photocopy of the identity page of your passport (containing your photo and signature as well as the expiry date and number).
• Proof of your financial capacity (see details below).
• If you are starting or have started a new study program, your offer of admission.
• If you are already studying in Québec, a recent original official transcript order through monPortail or make a request in person at the Registrar’s Office (cost: $9), unless the current semester is your first semester of study. Transcripts printed from Capsule are not accepted.
• If you are already studying in Québec, your proof of enrolment for the current semester and, if available, for the following semester (order through monPortail—cost: $8).
• Letter of progress to be requested from your faculty’s academic advisors indicating how many credits you have earned, how many you will earn, and when your anticipated graduation date is. If you are working on your thesis, it's a letter from your supervisor confirming the expected completion date of your studies. For this letter, we suggest you assume a worst-case scenario completion date to avoid having to reapply for renewals. Use this wording: “Based on the current progress of his/her/their studies, we anticipate that X will finish his/her/their studies by the end of the Y semester at the latest.”
• If you earned less than 12 credits or if you weren’t registered full time for one or more fall or winter semesters during the validity period of your previous CAQ (including courses you withdrew from with or without a refund, those you failed, and admission deferrals), you must provide an explanatory letter (see details below) and supporting documentation, if available.

At any time while MIFI is assessing your application, it may ask you for the original or certified true copy of documents you sent in. So it is important to have the original or certified true copy of documents in your possession.

Several of the documents you provide (such as your declaration and the letter of commitment from your guarantor) must bear a handwritten signature. Handwritten signatures produced with a technological tool (e.g., a stylus, touch screen, or mouse) are accepted, as are digitized handwritten signatures (e.g., a handwritten signature on a paper document that is then scanned). Other types of digital or typed signatures are not accepted. Make sure your signature is identical to the one on your passport.

Proof of financial capacity is very important in a CAQ application. In general, you must demonstrate that you have financial resources for at least one year—that is, $15,508 to cover living expenses plus enough to pay for health insurance and two semesters of tuition.

Depending on your situation, include one or more of the documents below. These documents may be provided by you or the person covering the cost of your studies. Make sure to provide recent documents. If your financial proof is extensive and potentially difficult for MIFI staff to analyze, it is best to clarify in an explanatory letter. 

• Recent official confirmation of being awarded scholarships, indicating the length and monthly or annual amounts to be received.
• Recent pay slips, the most recent income tax notice of assessment (specifying annual income), a letter from the employer specifying the salary and the length of employment, etc.
• Bank letter(s) indicating the account balance (including bank address, full name of the account holder, currency, date account was opened, etc.).
• Bank statements from the last three months with current balance.
• Letter(s) from a professor specifying the amounts given as a scholarship or contract and the duration of the financial support offered.
• Recent proof of funds transfer, recent authorization for funds transfer from the currency exchange control office of your country of origin or residence (if the country limits fund transfers).
• If the expenses for your time studying in Québec are being covered by another person (your father, your mother, or a third party): Statement of financial support (PDF). If you have more than one guarantor, it is important for each one to fill out and sign a statement of financial support. 

Please note that you cannot use income from corporations or businesses owned by you or your guarantor, rental property, farm crops, or other similar income to prove your financial resources. Corporate bank statements are not accepted. If your income comes from such sources, use your savings and/or evidence of regular and substantial money transfers from your guarantor as proof.

Example of a table for calculating annual financial resources (adapt according to your personal situation)

Keep a scanned and/or paper copy of any documents you submit with your CAQ application. You will need them for your study permit application.

Additional information is available on the website of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration [Québec’s ministry of immigration, francisation, and integration].

When renewing your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), you must provide an explanatory letter if you earned fewer than 12 credits or if you were not registered full time for one or more fall or winter semesters during the validity period of your previous CAQ (including courses you withdrew from with or without a refund, those you failed, and deferred admission). It is also a best to include an explanatory letter if your financial proof is extensive and potentially difficult for MIFI staff to analyze.

The letter should be precise, factual, and no longer than 1–2 pages. We recommend being transparent and demonstrating your good faith. Here is a sample explanatory letter, which you will need to adapt to your situation.

Course failure or withdrawal without refund

If your transcript includes failures or withdrawals and you have earned fewer than 12 credits in one or more fall or winter semesters, you must explain the causes and the difficulties you faced. We recommend organizing your letter chronologically, semester by semester. Please provide clear, concise explanations and add any relevant proof to support your statements (medical certificate, letter confirming psychological treatment, letter from Academic Advising if you are excluded from the program, etc.). You need to convince the agent that even if you have failed or withdrawn from courses, your studies are your main activity.

You will find your course withdrawal dates in your registration history in Capsule. If necessary, you can save the document as a PDF as proof. To do so, log on to monPortail. In the “Études” (Study) section, select the “Cheminement” (Progress) tab. You will then be redirected to your Capsule account, where you can see your registration history. If you are deregistered by the Registrar’s Office, you will receive a notification by email. You can use the email as proof and attach it to your application.

Non-registration or course withdrawal with refund

If you did not pursue your studies during one or more fall or winter semesters, you must explain why. Registration for summer semesters is generally not required, with the exception of a few programs. If you were unable to register for financial or other reasons, please explain those reasons and attach proof (screenshot, email exchange with the Registrar’s Office, etc.).

Non-degree studies

If you have pursued non-degree studies, please explain why you were not registered in a program leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate (exclusion from the program, career change, etc.).

Authorized leave

If your program director grants you authorized leave for extenuating circumstances such as health problems, the Registrar’s Office will send you a document confirming that the authorized leave has been granted. The document allows you to keep your insurance coverage, and tuition fees are adjusted accordingly. You will need to provide the document, an explanation of your situation, and proof (medical certificate for illness, accident, pregnancy, etc.).

Deferred admission or second admission 

You must provide the MIFI with justification for your activities since the date your current CAQ was issued, whether or not you were on Canadian soil. Perhaps you needed to request a deferral or reapply for admission to begin your program of study later than originally planned. For example, if you were unable to begin your studies and had to defer because processing was delayed for your study permit or you arrived in Québec late, you must explain and prove that to the MIFI, including proof of your arrival in Canada (study permit or passport stamp) and proof of admission deferral (your new offer of admission).

Change of program, level of study, or learning institution

If you change your level of study or learning institution, you must explain the reasons for the change and provide your new offer of admission.

If you change programs during the course of your studies while remaining at the same level at Université Laval and you need to renew your CAQ to cover the entire duration of your new program, please mention the program change.

Financial proof

Financial proof is a common reason for refusal or intention of refusal. If your financial proof is extensive or from a variety of sources, you need to explain them in your explanatory letter. If your financial proof comes from outside Canada, your letter should include the value of the bank balances in the foreign currency, as well as the approximate equivalent value in Canadian dollars. Make sure to meet the minimum amounts required by the MIFI. For more information, please refer to the section on proof of financial capacity.

Health and hospitalization insurance

You must have health and hospitalization insurance that remains valid throughout your studies in Québec. You do not need to provide proof of insurance coverage for the fall and winter semesters you were registered for at Université Laval. If you were registered for a winter semester, that health insurance coverage is maintained for the following summer semester (unless that winter is your last semester of study).

If you stayed in Québec without studying or your initial arrival date in Québec was several weeks before the start of your first semester of study, you probably did not have access to health and hospitalization insurance. If you took out private insurance coverage for those periods, say so in your explanatory letter and provide proof and details (contract with your name on it, policy inclusions, etc.). If you left Québec for a period of time, mention it and include proof (plane tickets, passport stamps, study permit, etc.).

If you stayed in Québec without health and hospitalization insurance while in possession of a CAQ, you failed to fulfill one of the conditions of your stay. In that case, you must acknowledge your fault and commit to never staying in Québec again without health and hospitalization insurance.

Signature

Your explanatory letter must be signed by hand. Handwritten signatures produced with a technological tool (e.g., a stylus, touch screen, or mouse) are accepted, as are digitized handwritten signatures (e.g., a handwritten signature on a paper document that is then scanned). Other types of digital or typed signatures are not accepted. Make sure your signature is identical to the one on your passport.

Intention of refusal

If you receive an intention of refusal, you must respond appropriately to the comments and requests for additional documents indicated in the intention of refusal letter. To maximize your chances of obtaining a new CAQ, you must comply with all the points raised, providing clear explanations or supporting documents. If you are unable to provide a requested document, please explain why and what other documents you are able to submit instead, if any. You may submit a new explanatory letter to provide additional details. To avoid refusal, please reply by the stipulated deadline.

If you receive a notice of intent to refuse your temporary selection for studies application while your CAQ application is being processed, MIFI will ask you for additional document(s). In such cases, it is usually best to provide an explanatory letter, among other things. Here are the steps for submitting the required documents through Arrima: 

• Go to “Mes dossiers” (My files).
• Click on “…” next to the corresponding application for temporary selection for studies.
• Select “Mettre à jour mon dossier” (Update my file).
• Confirm your personal information, then click “Enregistrer” (Save).
• Click “Joindre des documents” (Attach files), then attach the relevant documents.
• Check your summary.
• Click “Soumettre” (Submit) to send your documents to the MIFI.
• Check the Arrima message centre for confirmation that your documents have been received. 

The second step to getting or renewing your student authorization documents is generally to apply for a study permit ($150) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

You must have a CAQ as well as a passport that will cover the duration for which you would like your study permit to be valid. Your study permit will be issued based on whichever of the two (your CAQ or your passport) expires first.

Processing times change constantly; under “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working),” see “Study permit extension.” We recommend that you apply 6 months in advance. It is very important that you submit the renewal application before your current permit expires so that you can benefit from maintained status (see the “Maintained status” section below for more information on the renewal deadline). 

If you are changing learning institutions, you will need to obtain a new study permit indicating the name of Université Laval before you can begin your studies at our institution. 

An application for a study permit within Canada doesn’t include a temporary resident visa (TRV). You must wait until you have received your new study permit before applying for the TRV. There is an application fee for this visa. 

When you get a new study permit, you have to provide the Registrar’s Office with a copy through monPortail (go to the “Documents légaux” (Legal documents) section under “Documents officiels” (Official documents)).

All applications for a study permit from within Canada must be submitted online, unless you have a disability that prevents you from doing so. You will need to use your IRCC secure account to apply. You must not use the IRCC portal, even if you used it when you applied for your initial study permit. For more information about applying online, please visit our Applying with a IRCC secure account page.

When you apply to renew your study permit in Canada, it will be mailed directly to your mailing address in Québec. If your mailing address changes after you have submitted your application, contact Canada Post to have your mail forwarded to your new address (fees apply) and tell IRCC about your change of address.

When you are in your IRCC secure account, click on “Apply to come to Canada“ under the “Start an application“ section. You have to select this even if you are currently in Canada. 

Questions before you create an online application

Here are some questions that require particular attention.

• Question “Do you have a provincial or territorial attestation letter or meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter?”
  • If you are renewing your study permit to continue your studies at the same institution and at the same level of study, you must answer “Yes, I meet an exception from submitting a provincial or territorial attestation letter”
  • Otherwise, answer, “I have a provincial or territorial attestation letter.” In Québec, CAQs serve as PALs if they contain the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Québec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it”.
• “Do you also want to apply for a work permit?
  • If your program of study includes a mandatory internship, you must answer “Yes, I wish to apply for a CoOp Work Permit.”
  • Otherwise, answer “No.”
• “Are you currently receiving financial support for your studies through: a Commonwealth scholarship; a full bursary (covering all expenses) from the Canadian International Development Agency (including Francophonie scholarships); a Canadian aid program for developing countries?”
  • If you are receiving a scholarship that grants you a CAQ exemption (e.g., CFSP or CIDS), you must answer “Yes.”
  • Otherwise, answer “No.”
• “Do you have a Certificat de selection du Québec (CSQ) for an application for Permanent Residence under an immigration category that was submitted to an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Office or Case Processing Centre?”
  • If you received a CSQ as part of a spousal sponsorship or refugee claim, you must answer “Yes.”
  • In all other cases, even if you have another type of CSQ, you must answer “No.”
• If you answered that you wish to work or do an internship in a profession that requires a medical exam, you must answer the question, “Will you be getting a medical exam before submitting your application?”
  • We suggest that you answer “Yes” and provide your eMedical receipt from your last exam or, if you fall under the temporary public policy exemption, provide the eMedical receipt from an earlier exam or, at a minimum, the IME (immigration medical exam) number or unique medical identifier number.
• “In the past 10 years, have you given your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) for an application to come to Canada?”
  • Biometrics are valid for ten years. Note that residence documents (visas, permits, etc.) cannot be valid past the date your biometrics expire. If the biometrics you provided to the Canadian government will expire during the desired validity period of your study permit, it is best to provide them again when you apply for renewal. If you wish to provide your biometrics again, you must answer “No.” 

A customized list of documents will be created in your IRCC account. Here are the documents you will need to provide.

• “Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM 5709]” form
  • The form must be validated (with barcodes) in order to upload it. (You don’t have to sign it.)
  • To help you complete the form correctly, read the Instruction Guide.
  • Here are some guidelines to help you complete the forms:
    • First section of the form
      • Box 1: UCI: You will find it on your current study or work permit.
    • “CONTACT INFORMATION“ section
      • Box 1: Current mailing address: the mailing address is generally the same as the residential address.
        • “P.O. box“: Leave empty unless you have a post office box at a Canada Post office.
        • “Apt/Unit“: Put your apartment number or your room number (if you live in residence).
        • “Street no.“: Corresponds to the building number. For example: 2325, rue de l'Université.
        • “Postal code“: Consists of 6 characters of alternating letters and numbers. For example: G1V 0A6.
    • “COMING INTO CANADA” section
      • Box 4: This number can be found in the top right-hand corner of your current permit. Study permit numbers start with the letter F, and work permit numbers start with the letter U; they are followed by 9 digits.
    • “DETAILS OF INTENDED STUDY IN CANADA” section
      • Box 1: University address: 2325 rue de l’Université, Québec, G1V 0A6
      • Box 2: Enter the designated learning institution (DLI) number that corresponds to Université Laval: O19359011020 (beginning with the letter O). Then enter your student ID number in the box on the right.
      • Box 7: Enter your CAQ file number (starting with C00) and its expiry date.
      • Box 8: If your situation is not an exception and a PAL is required in your case, enter your CAQ file number (starting with C00) and its expiry date.
    • “EDUCATION” section
      • Enter the most recent post-secondary diploma you have obtained.
    • “EMPLOYMENT” section
      • Box 1: Enter your current activity (student at Université Laval). In the boxes that follow, list your jobs from previous years.
    • “BACKGROUND INFORMATION” section
      • Box 2c): If you are currently in Canada or have previously applied to enter or remain in Canada, you must answer “yes” to this question and provide details in box 2d).
         
• Certificat d'acceptation du Québec [Québec acceptance certificate] (CAQ) (attestation of issuance).
• Letter of acceptance or letter of enrolment: If you are already studying in Québec, provide a single PDF file of your proof of enrolment for the current semester and, if possible, for the following semester (available through monPortail—cost: $8) as well as a letter of progress to be requested from your faculty’s academic advisors indicating the number of credits earned and to be earned and your anticipated graduation date. If you are working on your thesis, it’s a letter from your supervisor confirming the expected completion date of your studies. If you are starting a new program of study, provide your new offer of admission rather than your letter of progress. If you have changed programs or studied at another institution, please provide proof of these studies (e.g., transcripts).
• Passport: A clear copy of the ID page as well as all pages where there are stamps, visas, or entries.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources: The documents must be recent. For more details, see the section about this topic under the CAQ section above.
• Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) or proof of exception: the PAL is required unless you are renewing your study permit to continue your studies at the same institution and level of study. In Québec, CAQs serve as PALs if they contain the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Québec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it”.
  • If a PAL is required, you will need to upload your CAQ containing the statement once again.
  • If your situation is an exception and a PAL is not required in your case, you must provide proof of exception. If you are applying to renew your permit and continue your studies at Université Laval at the same level of study, you can provide a short explanatory letter (dated and signed) stating that you are covered by a PAL exception, since you are renewing your study permit to continue your studies at the same level and institution.
• Photo: It must be in colour and show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photo, and include the top of the shoulders. You can take it yourself with a digital camera. The image pixel size must be at least 420 x 540.
• A medical exam is sometimes required, for example, if you lived in a specified country for more than six months in the last year or if you want to work or do internships with certain clients (children, the elderly, etc.) or in certain settings (elementary and secondary schools, daycares, health care settings, clinical laboratories, hospitals, etc.). A temporary public policy exempts many in-Canada applicants from medical requirements. If this policy applies to you, make sure to provide the eMedical receipt for your previous exam, or the IME (immigration medical examination) number or unique medical identifier number at the very least.
• If you have to do a mandatory internship for credit as part of your study program, include a letter from your faculty mentioning the internship requirement (“Co-op letter”), and mention it in your study permit application form. For more information, see the section on Doing an internship for credit as part of your UL study program.

• Biometrics (with some exceptions) remain valid for 10 years, and residence documents (visas, permits, etc.) cannot be valid beyond the date the biometrics expire. As such, if your biometrics are due to expire during your document’s desired validity period, it is best to provide new biometrics when you apply.

  If required, you will pay the biometric fee ($85) when you apply. Within days of submitting your application, you will receive the instruction letter that you must bring with your passport to a Service Canada office in order to give your biometrics (appointment necessary). You must complete this step as quickly as possible because your application processing time starts once the biometrics have been collected.

  Note that you must provide your biometrics to the Canadian government even if you have a biometric passport.

If you have to do a mandatory internship for credit as part of your study program, you can apply for a co-op or internship work permit when you apply for a study permit. When you apply for a study permit, include a letter from your program director confirming that an internship is mandatory for all students in your program and that students have to complete the internship to graduate. Mention this in your study permit application form. The co-op or internship work permit application is free of charge, and you don’t have to have an internship already set up when you apply.

For more information, see the section on Doing an internship for credit as part of your UL study program.

In certain situations, it may be possible to renew the permits for your family members (life partner or children) at the same time as your study permit. It may also be possible to make applications for your family members once you have renewed your study permit. For detailed information on the subject, please visit our Obtaining permits for family members page.

If your application is being processed and IRCC asks you to provide another document through your secure account, be sure to follow these two steps: First, upload the document and submit it. Second, make sure you receive confirmation from IRCC that the document has been submitted successfully. You must submit the requested document within the given deadline. If you cannot do so, you must provide a letter with a reasonable explanation before the deadline. IRCC will assess whether to give you more time.

You should start the process to renew your study authorization documents three to six months before the documents expire. You have to renew the CAQ first, if you have one. The study permit renewal application must be accompanied by the renewed CAQ or with the current CAQ if it is still valid for a long time.

In order to continue your studies and retain all the rights that come with your status as an international student while your study permit renewal application is being processed, your application must be received by IRCC before your current study permit expires according to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). 

Please note that there is a delay ranging from a few minutes to a few hours between the time you submit your online application and the time it is received by IRCC, and that there is a time difference of several hours between Québec time and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). For those reasons, we recommend that you do not wait until the day before your study permit expires to apply for renewal. If you are still waiting for your CAQ and your study permit expires in the next few days, you can make an appointment at the Student Life Office to discuss your situation.

If you submit your renewal application on time and your current study permit expires while your renewal application is being processed, your status will be maintained until a decision is rendered by IRCC, as long as you remain in Canada. Maintained status allows you to continue to study and work as if you had a valid study permit. However, if you are changing learning institutions, you will need to obtain a new study permit indicating the name of Université Laval before you can begin your studies at our institution.

If you are registered for a given semester but your legal documents don’t cover the entire semester, the Registrar’s Office will remind you a few times that your legal documents will soon expire. However, it is your responsibility to be aware of when your immigration documents will expire and to renew them on time.

You must submit the following documents to the Registrar’s Office so that the office can keep you registered for the semester:

• Renewed CAQ (attestation of issuance) available in your MIFI online account
• Renewed study permit OR confirmation of receipt from IRCC of your study permit renewal application available in your IRCC account, unless another learning institution is indicated on your study permit.

You have to send the documents to the Registrar’s Office through monPortail (go to the “Documents légaux” (Legal documents) section under “Documents officiels” (Official documents)). 

Important: You will lose your maintained status if you travel outside Canada. 

Here are three possible scenarios if you travel outside Canada while your study permit is being renewed:

• If your study permit is still valid when you return and if you have a valid visa or eTA, you can return to Canada as a student and continue your studies.
• If your study permit has expired and your study permit renewal application has been approved while you were outside Canada, you will be able to enter as a student and continue your studies if you have a valid visa or eTA. Make sure you have proof (either electronic or on paper) that your study permit application has been accepted.
• If your study permit has expired, your application for renewal is still being processed, you have a valid visa or eTA, and you have proof of the funds needed for your stay, two options are possible:
  • 1. You could return to Canada as a tourist. However, you would not be able to study until you get your new study permit because you would have lost your maintained status.
  • 2. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) could send you back to your home country when you arrive in Canada.

For more information on maintained status, visit the IRCC site.

If you apply to renew your study permit after your study permit expires, you will lose your status as a student and will have to have it restored.

Requests for restoration of status must be made online with IRCC when you apply to renew your study permit. In addition to the $150 fee for the study permit application, you will have to pay a $239,75 fee for restoration of status. You will also have to explain why you didn’t apply to renew your study permit on time. After your study permit expires, you have 90 days to apply for restoration of status in Canada. If you don’t meet that deadline, you must leave Canada. 

When you are restoring your status, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) is required even if you want to renew your study permit to continue your studies at the same institution and level of study. In Québec, CAQs serve as PALs if they contain the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Québec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it”. 

While your application for restoration is being processed and until IRCC gives a decision and you have a new study permit, the Registrar’s Office can’t allow you to continue your studies. You will also have to stop working on and off campus. You won’t be able to register, or, if you are registered for the current semester, your educational activities will be cancelled. Once you have received your study permit by mail, you will be able to register for a later semester. Your authorization to work under your study permit will resume only on the first day of the next semester for which you are enrolled full-time.

For more information, visit the IRCC site.

The third step to getting or renewing your student authorization documents is, if needed, to renew your visa. If you are visa-exempt and need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) instead, when your new study permit is approved, an eTA will be issued automatically at no additional cost.

You have to submit your visa application ($100) to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

Once you have entered Canada, you don’t have to have a valid temporary resident visa. Your study or work permit is the document that gives you legal status in Canada. However, a valid visa is required if you leave Canada and want to return. If you plan to travel outside Canada and your visa will expire while you are abroad, it may be best to apply for a new visa before you leave Canada.

You will be issued either an S-1 student visa or a V-1 visitor visa. Usually, an S-1 visa will expire on the same date as your study permit, while a V-1 visa will be valid until your passport expires. If your visa remains valid after your study permit expires, remember that your permit is what gives you the right to stay in Canada, and it will be essential to renew it as necessary, even if your visa is still valid.

Processing times change constantly; under “Temporary residence (visiting, studying, working),” see “Visitor visa (from inside Canada).” In addition to the processing time indicated, it takes two to four weeks to send your passport to Ottawa and have it sent back with the new visa.

All applications for a visa within Canada must be submitted online, unless you are applying as a family. You will need to use you IRCC secure account to apply. For more information about applying online, see Applying with a IRCC secure account. 

When you are in your IRCC secure account, click on “Apply to come to Canada“ under the “Start an application“ section. You have to select this even if you are currently in Canada.  

Questions before you create an online application

Here are some questions that require particular attention.

• Answer “Study“ to the question “What would you like to do in Canada?“.
• After answering a few more questions, on your results page, you can choose to continue your application by clicking on “Temporary Resident Visa“.
• For other questions, please refer to the “How to apply for a study permit” section, as they will be similar.

By mail

Once your online temporary resident visa application has been approved, you will need to send your passport to IRCC so they can put the visa in your passport. You will find the mailing instructions on this IRCC site. If you are in Canada, you will need to send your passport to Ottawa. Be sure to follow the mailing instructions for Canada.

Important 
When you send your passport to Ottawa, remember to print and also send the confirmation you received in your IRCC account that your visa was approved. 

A customized list of documents will be created in your IRCC account. Here are the documents you will need to provide.

• “Application for Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa) Made Outside of Canada [IMM 5257]“ form
  • Despite its name, this is the correct form to fill out, even when you apply from within Canada.
  • The form must be validated (with barcodes) in order to upload it. (You don’t have to sign it.)
  • To help you complete the form correctly, read the Instruction Guide.
  • Here are some guidelines to help you complete the forms:
    • First section of the form
      • Box 1: UCI: You will find it on your current study or work permit.
    • “PERSONAL DETAILS” section
      • Box 7: If you are currently in Canada, your current country or territory of residence should be Canada.
    • “DETAILS OF VISIT TO CANADA” section
      • Box 1: If you are renewing your student authorization documents, select “Returning Student.”
      • Box 2: If you are currently in Canada, enter the current date and the expiry date of your permit.
      • Box 4: You can put Université Laval and its address down (2325, rue de l’Université, Québec, G1V 0A6).
    • “EMPLOYMENT” section
      • Enter the most recent post-secondary diploma you have obtained.
      • Box 1: Enter your current activity (student at Université Laval). In the boxes that follow, list your jobs from previous years.
    • “BACKGROUND INFORMATION” section
      • Box 2c): If you are currently in Canada or have previously applied to enter or remain in Canada, you must answer “yes” to this question and provide details in box 2d).
• Passport: A clear copy of the ID page as well as all pages where there are stamps, visas, or entries.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources: The documents must be recent. For more details, see the section about this topic under the CAQ section above.
• Photo: It must be in colour and show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photo, and include the top of the shoulders. You can take it yourself with a digital camera. The image pixel size must be at least 420 x 540.
• Recent transcript: Available through monPortail or in person through the Registrar’s Office—cost: $9.
• Canadian work or study permit: Provide a copy of the most recent permit.
• Proof of enrolment for the next semester: Provide your proof of enrolment for the current semester and, if possible, for the next semester (available through monPortail—cost: $8).
• Provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL) or proof of exception: see “Required documents for study permit applications” section above for details.
• A medical exam is sometimes required. See the “Required documents for study permit applications” section above for details.
• Biometrics: See the “Required documents for study permit applications” section above for details.