IRCC officially state that Quebec’s international students require a CAQ and attestation letter to pursue studies in the province. IRCC has verified that international students intending to pursue studies in Quebec must obtain an attestation letter from the province, in addition to a Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec (Quebec Acceptance Certificate, CAQ), to be eligible to apply for a study permit.
About Quebec Acceptance Certificate
For anyone wishing to enroll at a Quebec Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and applying for a study permit, the Certificat d’Acceptation du Quebec (CAQ) is a mandatory immigration document. This document serves as formal authorization, attesting to the applicant’s compliance with Quebec’s provincial requirements and enabling them to continue their education there.
Before beginning the IRCC study permit application procedure, international students who wish to study in Quebec must receive both the CAQ and an attestation letter. Together, these records show that the applicant satisfies Quebec’s prerequisites and eligibility standards, proving that they are qualified to pursue their academic goals in the province.
Explanation of an attestation letter
On January 22nd, IRCC made a significant announcement about imposing a cap on the number of approved study permit applications for the year 2024. This ceiling will be distributed among the provinces and territories in a manner that is weighted according to each region’s population. Provinces and territories must set up a mechanism for providing attestation letters to people who want to study abroad in order to streamline this process.
Applications for study permits that are submitted after January 22nd, as of the announcement date, must contain an attestation letter. Nonetheless, until March 31st, 2024, provinces and territories have an extension to create and put into place a working system for giving applicants attestation letters.
The purpose of these recently implemented policies is to combat the problem of misconduct among overseas students. They also aim to stabilize the number of temporary immigrants in Canada, especially those who fuel the country’s rising need for housing, healthcare, and other necessities. The main goal is to give foreign students studying in Canada a better regulated and sustainable environment.
Quebec’s international students require a CAQ and attestation letter – Studying in Quebec
With a diversified and vibrant student population, Quebec is the third-largest center for international students in Canada, behind British Columbia and Ontario. Among all Canadian cities, Montreal has the largest population of international students per capita. Renowned for its exceptional educational facilities, the province houses several of the nation’s best colleges and universities.
Quebec offers students an economical lifestyle due to its relatively low cost of living. Experience a singular and immersive journey in the province, thanks to its rich francophone history and culture.
In addition, Quebec is notable for having less expensive tuition than other Canadian provinces.
Once they obtain the necessary work experience inside the province, international students studying in Quebec can take advantage of region-specific immigration schemes like the Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). If these students choose to immigrate outside of Quebec, they can look into federal programs like Express Entry-managed paths. This potentially expands the immigration possibilities available to Quebec graduates by creating new pathways for admission.
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