Extending or changing your student authorization documents

The first step to getting or renewing your student authorization documents is to apply for temporary selection ($128). 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.

To extend your CAQ, we strongly recommend that you apply 6 months before it expires. To get your first CAQ in Canada or to get a new CAQ if you are moving to the next level of education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD), 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 is approximately 25 working days from the time the documents are received through Arrima, don’t delay in sending them in.

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 6, if you are staying in Canada while renewing your study permit, select “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)”.
d) Create your online consultation profile (Step 10), and save your application. Only applications filled in up to Step 10 can be saved.
e) Receive payment instructions (Step 11).

2. Pay the processing fee ($128) on the Arrima platform.

• 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. It can take several hours after the application number has been issued for it to be recognized in Arrima.
• 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.

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)

List of documents to provide

A customized list of documents to provide (checklist) will appear at the end of your online application. It will mention the following:

• Document "Declaration, undertakings and authorizations": to print, sign with a pen, and scan.
• 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):
  • A letter dated, signed with a pen, and written by you to describe each of the semesters where this happened, explaining your situation and the reasons for your difficulties.
  • If available, documents supporting your explanation.

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.

Proof of financial capacity

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, $15,078 to cover living expenses plus enough to cover tuition and health insurance fees.

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.

• 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): Declaration 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. 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].

Intent to refuse

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). To submit the documents through Arrima, you first have to upload them to your Arrima file (click on “Joindre des documents”) before you can submit them (click on “Déposer”). Make sure you receive confirmation that the document or documents have been submitted. Look in the Arrima message centre.

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 3 to 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). 

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 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 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)).

Note that current study permit holders in Canada who are applying to renew their permit are not affected by the IRCC cap announced on January 22, 2024, and therefore do not need a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or specific mention of this on their CAQ.

How to apply

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. For more information about applying online, see the document 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.  You must submit your application to renew your study permit using your IRCC secure account, not using IRCC's new portal. The note «If you're applying for a study permit, we encourage you to apply using the IRCC Portal» applies only to new study permit applications made outside Canada. Even if you applied for your initial study permit using another account, you must use the secure account when you apply to extend your study permit. In the preliminary questions before creating the online application, you must mention that you do not have a provincial attestation letter and that you qualify for the following exception: "I am an applicant applying within Canada as described under section 215(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR)."

Requested documents (a customized list of documents will be created in your IRCC account).

• “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 (beginning with C00).
    • “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).
• Acceptance letter: If you are starting a new study program, this is your offer of admission. If you are already studying in Québec, provide your proof of enrolment for the current semester and, if possible, for the following semester (available through monPortail—cost: $8). We also recommend that you provide your transcript (order through monPortail or make a request in person at the Registrar’s Office—cost: $9) or 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.
• 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.
• 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 for medical exams exempts many in-Canada applicants from medical requirements. For more information, go to Medical exams for visitors, students and workers.
• 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:
  • Citizens of all countries (except the United States and other minor exceptions) have to give their biometrics to get or renew a study permit. If you have already given your biometrics for a Canadian visa or permit application, your biometrics will remain valid for 10 years. 
  • Important: You must give your biometrics to the Canadian government even if you have a biometric passport.
  • You will have to pay the biometric fee ($85), when you apply for your study permit if it is required.
  • Within hours 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.

While your application is being processed

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.

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.

Usually, your visa will expire at the same time as your study permit. However, due to COVID-19 temporary measures, your visa may be issued so that it expires at the same time as your passport, which would be after your study permit expires. But it is your study or work permit that gives you the right to stay in Canada, so you may have to renew your study or work permit, 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.

How to apply for a 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.  

In the questions prior to creating your online application, 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”.

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.

Documents to send (a customized list of documents to provide will appear at the end of your online application)

• “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).
• A medical exam is sometimes required, for example, if you lived in a specified country for more than 6 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 for medical exams exempts many in-Canada applicants from medical requirements. For more information, go to Medical exams for visitors, students and workers.
• Biometrics:
  • Citizens of all countries (except the United States and other minor exceptions) have to give their biometrics to get or renew a visa. If you have already given your biometrics for a Canadian visa or permit application, your biometrics will remain valid for 10 years.
  • Important: You must give your biometrics to the Canadian government even if you have a biometric passport.
  • You will have to pay the biometric fee ($85), when you apply for your visa if it is required.
  • Within hours 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 should complete this step as quickly as possible because your application processing time starts once the biometrics have been collected. 

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.

If you are here with family members (partner or children), you can renew their status (visitor, student, or worker) when you renew your study permit. When you are answering the questions for creating your online application, answer “Yes” to the question “Do you want to submit an application for a family member?”

If your family members are outside Canada, you have to renew your study permit first before you can arrange for them to join you.

For more information, see the section on Getting authorization documents for your family members.

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. Please note: The temporary lifting of the 20-hour limit on off-campus work per week for certain students applies during maintained status only in certain circumstances, for study permit renewal application that has been received by IRCC no later than December 7, 2023. 

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

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 $229 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. 

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 right 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.