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Do I need CAQ to go to school in Quebec?

Do I need CAQ to go to school in Quebec?

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Do I need CAQ to go to school in Quebec?: Quebec Immigration is different because it is the only state that can choose who comes to live there through economic immigration programs. Quebec study permits are no different, and the process for getting into the state to study is unique to Quebec. One of the biggest changes is that you need a CAQ, or a “Quebec Acceptance Certificate.” Read on to find out how to study in Quebec with the CAQ. 

What are CAQs?

Many foreign students choose to study in Quebec. Every year, more than 90,000 foreign students come to the province. This is about 12% of all the foreign students who come to Canada, which is a big number.

A CAQ, which stands for “certificat d’acceptation du Québec,” is a piece of paper that lets you stay in Quebec. This certificate is needed for a number of programs for temporary residents in Quebec, such as studying there.

International students who want to study in the French-speaking area must have this document. It is a document of acceptance from Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Settlement, and Integration (MIFI), and most students who want to live in Quebec need it.

The CAQ’s job is to choose people from other countries who want to study and work in Quebec. Then, it gives them permission to live in the province. The goal of the process is to look over their records to make sure the school is a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and to show that the student has enough money to pay for their studies and living costs for the length of their studies.

All foreign students who want to study in Quebec for more than 6 months must fill out an online CAQ application. This needs to be done before filing for a study permit from the Federal Government of Canada. To get a student visa, you need both of these things.

Do all Quebec students need to get a CAQ?

Study classes that last less than six months don’t have to fill out a CAQ. This includes language classes that last less than six months.

Students who want to join a school that lasts longer than 6 months will need to fill out an application for a CAQ first. This includes classes like Bachelor’s degrees, graduate diplomas, Master’s degrees, etc. This is an extra step compared to other Canadian areas that don’t have this rule. Foreigners won’t be able to apply for a study pass until they have received a CAQ.

Can I work in Quebec as an international student if I have a CAQ?

As a student from outside Canada who has a study pass, your main focus will be on your classes. But if you’re a full-time student in a school that lasts longer than 6 months, you can also choose to work up to 40 hours per week.

Part-time students might also be able to work while they are in school. You have to do everything that a full-time student has to do. Also, you are only studying part-time because you are in the last semester of your program and don’t need to take a full course load to finish. You were a full-time student until your last semester in your Canadian program.

But you can only work 40 hours per week until October 2022, when the IRCC makes a brief change. This will end on December 31, 2023, unless a new law is made to keep it going. Then, people will be able to work no more than 20 hours a week, which was the old cap.

Depending on the type of permit they have, international students who want to work in Canada can either work on campus or off school. You can find a job at your school, like in the library, restaurant, etc., if you work on campus.

The second choice is to work away from school. If you meet all the rules set by the Canadian government, you would be able to work off campus. This gives you more choices about where you want to work. It can also be good for students because it gives them more parts to choose from. This will give them work experience that could help them in their jobs after they graduate.

If you aren’t sure if you can work off-campus or if you have any other work limits, you should check your study permit. In addition to the information on the website of the Canadian government, an immigration lawyer can also help you understand your permit and its limitations.

Is a CAQ different from a Study Permit?

People often mix up a study pass and a CAQ, but they are two different things. Before you can apply for your study pass, you have to first get a CAQ. In Quebec, you have to study both of these papers, and each one has its own rules and steps.

A CAQ is given by MIFI – Québec Ministère d’Immigration, de Francisation et d’intégration. MIFI is a part of the government that is run by the province. A study pass, on the other hand, comes straight from the Canadian government.

What makes a CAQ different from a CSQ?

In the Study Pathway to Quebec, there are some common mistakes that people make when they ask for information or talk about the documents they need for the different steps of the migration process. People often get the CAQ and the CSQ (Certificat de sélection du Québec) mixed up.

As we’ve already said, the CAQ is a certificate from the government of Quebec that lets foreigners study and work briefly in that province. People who want to study at a designated learning centre in Quebec need to have it. It is important to remember that this paper does not give permanent residency on its own.

On the other hand, a CSQ is a license that the government of Quebec gives to people who have been chosen to live there permanently. In other words, it means that the person applying meets the requirements set by the state to live there permanently. After getting a CSQ, people can apply to the Canadian federal government through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.

The main difference between a CAQ and a CSQ is that a CAQ is for short stays in Quebec for work or school, while a CSQ is for people who want to live there permanently.

Since the fall of 2018, the new Quebec government uses the terms “Certificat de sélection permanente” for the CSQ and “Certificat de sélection temporaire” for the CAQ. This can help newbies avoid getting confused.

Summary on school in Quebec:

  1. CAQ is a Certificate for studying in Quebec.
  2. For <6 months, No CAQ needed.
  3. 40hr work/week.
  4. CSQ For  Permanent Residency, 
  5. CAQ For Temporary Study/Work.

You may also get complete information about What is the requirement for Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration?

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