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Immigration: Official Documents and Steps to be taken

Have you decided to come study in Montreal? Will your engineering studies at ÉTS soon be completed and you want to stay permanently in Québec? In both cases, you will have to comply with immigration regulations. Here are some tips to help you avoid lots of hassles.

Please note that this page only presents a summary of the immigration procedures, laws and regulations that are currently in effect in Québec and Canada, which are subject to change at any time without notice. The websites of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) take precedence over this site, and you are responsible for validating all information at the source.

Before your studies

To study in Québec for more than six months, any person who is neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident of Canada must receive authorization from the Québec Government (provincial) and the Government of Canada (federal) by obtaining a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ – Québec Acceptance Certificate) and a study permit, along with a visa or Electronic Travel Authorisation. 

You will find the procedures for obtaining immigration documents in the following section. It may take several months to complete these procedures, and you should begin as soon as your letter of acceptance (also called letter of admission) from ÉTS is issued. The letter of acceptance is the only document that will be issued by ÉTS, and it contains all of the information required to submit your applications for immigration documents. Having a conditional letter of acceptance should not prevent you from initiating your procedures, and will not affect the approval of your immigration documents. 

NOTICE

To find the exact start and end dates for your study program, consult the Academic Calendar. Please note that there are three regular semesters per year:

  • Fall (September-December)
  • Winter (January-April) and
  • Summer (May-August).

If the calendar is not yet available for your last semester, you can indicate the last day of the month as the end date of your program. For instance:

  • Fall: December 31st
  • Winter: April 30th 
  • Summer: August 31st 

With regards to tuition, you can refer immigration officials as well as yourself to the estimated annual Cost of Studies.

Obtaining the official documents required to study in Québec 

The validity of your study permit will not exceed the expiry date of your passport. If your passport will expire within the next year, verify whether you can renew it before applying for your immigration documents. Otherwise, you will have to renew all of the documents during the course of your studies, which will entail paying all of the fees again.

You must have a valid passport when applying for a CAQ, but you can begin the application process even if you must renew your passport. You might save some time by beginning both procedures at the same time. However, you must wait until you receive your new passport before applying for a study permit. 

All international students (with the exception of those in programs that last less than 6 months and certain other specific cases) must obtain a CAQ from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation de l’Intégration (MIFI) in order to study in Québec. You should begin this procedure as soon as you receive your letter of acceptance. 

Since February 13th, 2024, the MIFI has been issuing an attestation of issuance of your CAQ for studies, which acts as a provincial attestation letter (PAL). This letter allows applicants to submit their study permit application according to the government instructions announced on January 22nd, 2024.

The CAQ is issued based on the normal length of your study program for a single level of study. The level of study is clearly indicated in your letter of acceptance:

  • Bachelor = 1st level (undergraduate)
  • Master and Specialized Graduate Studies (DESS) = 2nd level (graduate)
  • Doctorate = 3rd level (post-graduate). 

You may be able to obtain immigration documents valid for an additional 90 days at the end of your study program in order to ease the transition at the end of your studies. Although an explanatory letter is not required with the CAQ application, you could include such a letter to clarify the end date of your program:

  • End of your program during the fall semester: the CAQ should expire on the following March 31st
  • End of your program during the winter semester: the CAQ should expire on July 31st
  • End of your program during the summer semester: the CAQ should expire on November 30th

Make sure you read and understand the conditions associated with the CAQ, notably, your studies being your main activity (studying full-time) and maintaining health and hospitalization insurance for the duration of your stay for yourself and any person who accompanies you.

Procedure

  1. Submit your application using the CAQ application form. 
  2. Pay the processing fees ($128 in 2024) via the Arrima platform.
  3. Follow the checklist and gather the required documents.
  4. Sign, date and digitize the forms. Warning! You must print the Declaration, undertakings and authorizations form, and sign it by hand! 
  5. Approximately 48 hours after submitting your application, you will be able to link your application in your Arrima account to submit all of the requested supporting documents. You will not be able to modify the documents after they have been submitted. Make sure to keep a digital copy of your file.

Required documents

You should submit the following documents, as well as any other document indicated in the checklist, which will be generated from your online file:

  • Declaration, undertakings and authorizations form with the same signature as your passport
  • Passport
  • Letter of acceptance issued in your Omnivox portal
  • Proof of financial capacity, if you currently reside in Austria, Canada, United States, France (including Réunion Island), Greenland, Hong Kong, Mexico, Monaco or Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Please visit the MIFI website to learn more about Costs of studies and living as well as Proof of financial capacity.

Although a letter of explanation is not mandatory, it is recommended to mention the following elements, which are not included in your letter of acceptance:

  • Exact start and end dates of your program: refer to the Academic Calendar. If the calendar is not yet available for your last semester, you can indicate the last day of the month as the end date of your program. For instance:
    • Fall: December 31st
    • Winter: April 30th
    • Summer: August 31st
  • Tuition fees: refer to the Cost of Studies page. You may also include screenshots from the Tuition calculator (only available in French).
  • CAQ validity: request an additional 90 days at the end of your study program in order to ease the transition after your studies. 

Processing times

The processing of your request begins once the documents are submitted via Arrima. If your file is complete, the processing times will be approximately 25 business days. If your file is incomplete, you will first receive a notice of intention to refuse, and you will have an opportunity to submit new supporting documents via Arrima. This will result in longer processing times. 

Approval

If your CAQ is approved, you will receive an attestation of issuance of your CAQ in your online file. You can then use this attestation to apply for your study permit. Since March 15th, 2023, the MIFI no longer issues an original paper version of the CAQ. Carefully read this letter, and if you find any mistakes, contact the MIFI directly.

All international students (with the exception of those in programs that last less than 6 months) must obtain a study permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in order to study in Canada. You should begin this procedure as soon as you receive the attestation of issuance of your CAQ. 

Since January 22nd, 2024, most study permit applicants must provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL). In Quebec, CAQs issued as of February 13th, 2024 act as a PAL. Students admitted in masters or doctoral degree programs are exempt from the PAL, but not from the CAQ. If you were issued a CAQ by the MIFI prior to February 13th, 2024 and you require an updated attestation of issuance of your CAQ to submit your study permit application to the federal government, please complete this form.

Required documents

You should submit the following documents, as well as any other document requested by the visa office which will process your application according to your country of residence. Consult the application package for the visa office instructions according to your country of residence.

  • Passport
  • Attestation of issuance of your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), which also acts as a provincial attestation letter (PAL)
  • Letter of acceptance issued in your Omnivox portal
  • Proof of financial capacity. Please visit the MIFI website to learn more regarding Costs of studies and living as well as the IRCC website for Proof of financial support.

Although an explanation letter is not mandatory, it is recommended to mention the following elements, which are not included in your letter of acceptance:

  • Exact start and end dates of your program: refer to the Academic Calendar. If the calendar is not yet available for your last semester, you can indicate the last day of the month as the end date of your program. For instance:
    • Fall: December 31st
    • Winter: April 30th
    • Summer: August 31st
  • Tuition fees: refer to the Cost of Studies page. You may also include screenshots from the Tuition calculator.
  • Study plan/application summary: explain your study project, the opportunities in your country of origin, your career goals, your travel history, your ties in and outside of your home country, your financial capacity, etc.

Procedure

  1. Submit your application online using the IRCC portal.*
  2. Pay the processing fees ($150) as well as the biometrics fees ($85).
  3. Gather the required documents and keep a digital copy of your file.

*The online application is mandatory, with exceptions. You can only apply on paper if you have a disability that prevents you from applying online or if you hold an identity document or travel document issued to non-national residents, refugees or stateless persons.

Pay attention to your answers to the questions asked in the IRCC portal, as these answers will determine the documents you must provide with your application.

Paying tuition fees before arriving | Student Direct Stream (SDS) program 

If you are a resident of Antigua and Barbuda, Brasil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, or Vietnam, you may be able to obtain a study permit in 20 calendar days through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program. You must meet certain requirements, including having paid your tuition fees for your first year of study. You will find the procedure for international transfers on our frequently asked questions page for paying tuition fees. 

Processing times 

Check processing times online (processing times vary widely from country to country). If the indicated processing times are exceeded, you can submit a request using the IRCC Webform. If you still do not receive a response, you can contact IRCC from outside of Canada by calling 613-944-4000. You will first have to select your preferred language, and then select the Immigration, citizenship and visas for Canada option. Please note that this is not a toll-free number, and patience will be required. 

Approval 

If your study permit application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction from your embassy. Keep this document safe and present it to the Border Services Officer when you arrive in Canada. Unless your passport expires earlier, your study permit will be issued for the same duration as your CAQ and ideally, for 90 days after the end of your program. 

If your application is refused, you must start over the application process, with additional supporting documents. Read our section 9. What to do if your application is refused for more information in this matter.

As co-op work permits are only applicable to programs offered exclusively in French, this section is only available in French.

Would you like to proceed in French?

Yes, I would like to proceed in French

The vast majority of international students (aside from those coming from the United States and certain other exceptions) must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) in order to obtain a study permit and visa. Verify whether you must provide your biometrics. No study permit application will be approved until IRCC receives your biometrics. 

Biometrics are valid for a period of 10 years. Therefore, if you have already provided them in connection with a previous application submitted to IRCC, you do not need to provide them again. After you submit your study permit application, you will receive a biometric instruction letter via your IRCC portal that will explain how and where to make an appointment. You must then travel to the nearest visa application center (VAC). You must also pay a fee of $85 (CAD) if you have not already paid it in your study permit application. 

Determine whether you must undergo a medical exam, depending on the countries in which you have resided within the previous year.

If you are required to, you will receive instructions from IRCC, and you will have 30 days to undergo the medical exam. The results will be sent directly to IRCC by the panel physician, and they remain valid for a period of 12 months.

Determine whether you must obtain a temporary resident visa (TRV) in order to enter Canada, depending on your country of citizenship. The TRV will be issued with your study permit, at no extra cost, and will be valid for the same period. It is recommended that you send your passport to the Canadian visa office for your country of residence, where the visa will be affixed. 

If you come from a country that requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), you will automatically receive it with your letter of introduction confirming the study permit approval, at no extra cost. The eTA is valid for a period of 5 years or until the expiry date of your passport, whichever occurs first.

You should plan to arrive at least 5 days before the start of the semester in order to facilitate your installation in Montréal, attend orientation activities and finalize your registration by presenting your immigration documents to the Registrar’s Office. If you prefer to arrive earlier, there is no official immigration deadline. However, if you decide to arrive several months before the official start of your semester, a Border Services Officer may question your intentions and refuse to your entry into Canada. Additionally, you must obtain private health and hospitalization insurance coverage for this period. If your study permit authorizes you to work during your studies, please note that you are not authorized to work before the start of your program.

Consult the page Prepare for Your Arrival in Canada to learn more about the documents to have on hand upon arrival in Canada, as well as to finalize your registration at ÉTS.

NOTICE

You must wait until you have received all of your immigration documents before boarding a flight to Canada. Otherwise, you may be subject to an immediate removal order! In light of this, it is strongly recommended that you do not arrive in Canada before obtaining your letter of introduction for the study permit, regardless of your nationality.

If your application for a study permit is refused, ÉTS cannot intervene with IRCC. In such a case, you are responsible for deciding whether to cancel, postpone or pursue your studies at ÉTS. To help you decide, please take note of the following considerations and procedures involved in the case of a refusal.

IRCC procedure 

Before applying for a new study permit, it is crucial to understand the reasons for the initial refusal and to assess whether you have the arguments and additional documents required to obtain a favourable response.

  1. Consult the information related to the application package to review the visa office instructions for your country of residence.
  2. See our recommendations with regards to an explanation letter to include in your application in the 3. Applying for a study permit – Required documents section. Draft a detailed letter of explanation (maximum of two pages) with well-defined sections and clearly listed information. Adequately address the reasons for refusal that were indicated.
  3. If you have a contact person in Canada, they could make an Access to Information request on your behalf. In certain cases, you could have access to the processing officer's notes with regards to your file, which could therefore allow you to better understand the grounds invoked in your refusal letter."      

ÉTS procedure 

If you plan to submit a new study permit application, verify the processing times first. If the delays exceed the beginning date for the semester when you are supposed to begin, request a deferral of admission to a later semester via the Omnivox portal before proceeding. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a new letter of acceptance that you can use for your new study permit application. Please consult our section on deferral of admission and the impact on immigration documents. 

If you choose to abandon your studies at ÉTS, you can do so via the Omnivox portal.

During your studies

You must maintain a valid legal status throughout the duration of your studies at ÉTS and your stay in Canada. You must provide ÉTS with valid immigration documents. Although for the Registrar's Office, the Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and the study permit must be valid at least until the last exam, the official submission of your project report or the final submission of your thesis (after defense and minor corrections) depending on your situation, we recommend that their validity cover the last semester of your program plus a period of 90 days after the expected end of studies. If, for any reason, your current CAQ or study permit do not cover the entire duration of your program, you must renew them. 

Before the expiry date of your documents, you must provide the Registrar’s Office with a scan of your new CAQ and your study permit. If you have not yet obtained your study permit, you must send them the CAQ as well as proof that you submitted your study permit renewal application before it expired. This is the IMM5739 letter that is generated when you submit your application in the IRCC portal.

It is important to begin these procedures approximately 6 months before the expiration of your documents. Failure to renew your study permit before it expires will result in the automatic cancellation of your enrolment at ÉTS, and you will have to apply to restore your status. 

In addition, the MIFI should have issued you a CAQ valid for three months after the expected end of your study program:  

  • End of your program during the fall semester: the CAQ should expire on the following March 31 
  • End of your program during the winter semester: the CAQ should expire on July 31 
  • End of your program during the summer semester: the CAQ should expire on November 30  

If this additional three-month period has not been granted, we strongly suggest that you request it by renewing the CAQ and study permit 6 to 8 months in advance, in order to receive your new study permit before your current one expires. This additional validity period aims to facilitate the transition after your studies. Under certain conditions, having a valid study permit at the time of submitting the post-graduate work permit application could allow you to start working while awaiting the decision. Information on the post-graduate work permit can be found in the Working after completing your studies section.  

Resources and procedures

This information is intended for international students admitted to ÉTS on the basis of English to a master's program with thesis or a PhD.

1. Passport

The validity of the study permit will not exceed the expiry date of your passport. It may therefore be advisable to obtain a new one before submitting the study permit renewal application, if time permits. This is an individual process to be carried out at your embassy or consulate. The validity period of the passport has no impact on the validity period of the CAQ. It is therefore possible to apply for passport renewal and a CAQ at the same time, provided that you include a copy of a valid passport in the CAQ application.

2. Extension of the duration of studies for 2nd and 3rd cycle programs

If you plan to continue your studies beyond the prescribed duration of your study program, you must request an extension of studies for graduate and PhD programs.

3. Official documents from ÉTS

You must request your official ÉTS documents (A018 - Renewal of study permit and CAQ: transcript and certificate of school attendance – in French only).

4. CAQ Renewal application 

The CAQ is issued for a single level of studies, based on the normal duration of your program.

Processing times, fees and required documents

You will find all the information on fees, processing times and documents to provide on the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) website.

In particular, you will have to demonstrate that you have complied with the conditions of your CAQ and that you are able to support yourself and your dependent family members, if applicable. Please refer to the sections on this subject below.

We recommend attaching an explanation letter detailing your academic progress, how you have met the conditions of your CAQ and respectfully requesting that the CAQ be issued for 90 days after the expected duration of studies. You will need to explain and provide supporting documents for any special situation during the validity of your CAQ: change of designated learning institution, change of program, deferral of admission, change of level of studies, failures, etc. More specifically, if you deferred your admission after arriving in Canada, you will not have made your studies your main activity and you will need to provide the reasons, with supporting evidence. This, or any other failure to comply with the conditions of the CAQ, could hinder the renewal of your document. If you would like to obtain a template for the explanation letter, please contact us at international@etsmtl.ca.

Procedure

You will have to create an application in a first portal. For the question “specify to which Canadian government department you will submit your study permit application”, select “IRCC (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)”. A personalized list of documents to provide will then be generated. You will have to gather these documents and submit them in the Arrima portal.

Here are some tips to follow when preparing your CAQ application:

  • The spelling of your first and last name(s) must be identical to that on your passport
  • The distinction between your first and last name must be clear
  • For married people, the name at birth must be indicated
  • The first and last names must be indicated in exactly the same way in the application and when creating the Arrima account
  • The documents supporting your studies at ÉTS must be official documents obtained according to the instructions described above
  • The signatures on the forms must be handwritten and correspond to the signature on your passport

Decision

If documents are non-compliant or missing, you will receive a notice of intent to refuse to which you will have 60 days to respond. You can contact us at international@etsmtl.ca by attaching the notice of intent to refuse letter and indicating your permanent code so that we can help you better understand the reasons for the notice of intent to refuse, if necessary. There will be no 3rd chance, so you must make sure to respond correctly.

If the application is approved, you will receive the certificate of issuance of your CAQ in your online MIFI file. Check that the information on the document is correct. If it contains errors, contact the MIFI directly.

5. Study permit renewal application

The study permit renewal application must include the CAQ and be submitted before the current study permit expires.

Fees and processing times

Fees and processing times are listed on the IRCC website.

Procedure and required documents

You will need to log in or create an IRCC secure account. Once logged in, you will need to “Apply to come to Canada” and answer a series of questions. Even if there are less than 6 months left in your study program, you must select “Temporarily – more than 6 months” for the question How long do you plan to stay in Canada?

A personalized list of documents to provide will be generated. The required documents are essentially the same as for the CAQ renewal application, but pay close attention to the list. In particular, you must ensure that you provide:

  • the IMM5709 form
  • the official certificate of school attendance issued by ÉTS (and not the initial admission letter)
  • the transcript
  • the valid CAQ
  • all other requested documents.

Make sure to read the instructions carefully and review your answers to avoid errors. It is essential to indicate a complete address (including the apartment number) on the IMM5709 form since the study permit will be sent to this address.

Once all the documents have been uploaded, you can process the payment and submit the application. Within 24 hours, you will receive confirmation that your application has been received by IRCC (IMM5739) directly in the My Messages section of your IRCC secure account. If you have not provided your biometrics in the last 10 years, you will receive instructions to proceed with this step.

IMPORTANT – A valid CAQ is required to apply for a study permit renewal. If your study permit is about to expire and you have not yet received your new CAQ, contact us for advice at international@etsmtl.ca.

Decision

  • Approval

If your study permit renewal application is accepted, you will receive an approval letter in your online portal. If you need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, it will be renewed automatically. The study permit will be mailed to you within 6 weeks.

  • Refusal

If your application is refused, you will also receive a letter to this effect in your online portal. Failure to apply for a study permit renewal before it expires or receiving a negative response to your renewal application after your study permit expires means that you no longer have legal status in Canada. A person without status or in the process of restoring status cannot continue to study or work. It is your responsibility to inform the Registrar’s Office. You will then be unregistered from ÉTS until you submit new valid immigration documents. You will no longer have access to Desjardins insurance for international students. While waiting for your new study permit, it will then be your responsibility to take out private insurance to cover you in Canada in order to comply with the conditions of your CAQ. See the section Deferral, absence and expulsion for more details.

6. Temporary resident visa (TRV) renewal application, if applicable

A TRV is only used to enter Canada. It is not mandatory to renew your TRV if it expires. However, we recommend doing so to avoid last-minute procedures if you are forced to travel outside of Canada.

To apply for a new TRV, you must have obtained an extension of your study permit. Processing times and fees can be found on the IRCC website. 

The detailed procedure for applying for a TRV for students within Canada is available here.

REMINDER - You must provide proof of renewal of your documents to the Registrar’s Office before they expire (Attestation of issuance of your CAQ and study permit or confirmation of submission letter (IMM5739) as proof that you have maintained your status).

NOTICE

If your file remains incomplete after the expiration date of your current documents, you will be considered to be restoring your status, and your ÉTS file will be closed. All of your courses will be cancelled, with no possibility of registering again for the ongoing session, and you will lose access to all ÉTS resources (portal, e-mail, laboratories, etc.).

As specified on the IRCC website: If you submit an application for study permit renewal online from within Canada before the expiration of your study permit, you are considered to have a maintained status during the processing of the application. Therefore, you are authorized to remain in Canada and study while awaiting a decision. However, you will lose this status if you leave Canada before you receive your new permit. It is therefore not recommended to travel outside of Canada before receiving your new permit.

IMPORTANT: IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). In order to maintain your status, your application must be submitted before midnight UTC on the day your study permit expires. Otherwise, you will have lost your legal status as a student in Canada.

Applying for a CAQ renewal does not allow you to maintain your legal status in Canada. Please contact us if your study permit is expiring soon and you have not yet received your CAQ.

Financial capacity 

The government will confirm once again whether you have sufficient financial resources to continue your studies. Your financial capacity must cover your living expenses, your tuition fees and your insurance fees (as applicable). Consult the MIFI website for information concerning the types of documents and proof to be provided to demonstrate your financial capacity. 

It is important to present your situation clearly in your CAQ application. We suggest including a table that lists the funds available as well as the expected expenses by referring to the supporting documents. You must ensure that the funds available are greater than the anticipated expenses and provide the documents demonstrating this. The specific amount of tuition fees does not appear on the official documents that you will receive from ÉTS. To demonstrate the amount of tuition fees that you will have to pay for the next year or until the end of your studies, whichever comes first, we recommend that you include in your application screenshots of the ÉTS website as well as the tuition calculator (in French). Please note that the tuition fees indicated are for the current academic year and are adjusted in August each year. You can also include your previous invoices from ÉTS that demonstrate the fees paid. For doctoral students, it is relevant to attach your admission letter indicating that you pay the same fees as Quebec residents if you do not benefit from another scholarship. In all cases, if you benefit from an exemption from the increased fees, you must provide proof of this in your application.

Complying with the conditions of your CAQ and study permit 

During the renewal process, you must provide proof to the governments that you have complied with the conditions of your CAQ and study permit since they were issued, including: 

  • Maintain health insurance coverage in Québec, for yourself and your accompanying family members, if applicable. For this purpose, attach proof of RAMQ (card or admissibility letter) or Desjardins insurance coverage (ETS invoice).
  • Receiving the level of education that appears on your CAQ
  • Studies must be your main activity (successful completion of courses and registration as a full-time student). 

If you have not complied with these conditions for any reason, you must attach a dated and signed letter of explanation, and provide supporting documents (e.g.: doctor’s note, airline ticket, proof of change of program, etc.). 

In connection with the MIFI condition of maintaining full-time registration, we strongly advise against postponing your admission after your arrival in Quebec. If this was your case, you must justify this decision with supporting evidence.

Failure to renew your study permit before it expires or receiving a negative response to your request for renewal of your study permit after it has expired means that you no longer have valid legal status in Canada. Unlike an applicant who is recognized as having a maintained status, someone who is waiting for their status to be restored has lost their status, and cannot continue to work or study. In this situation, your ÉTS file would thus be closed. Consult the Deferral, absence and expulsion section for more information on the implications of a file closure.

Procedure 

There is no official processing time for restoring your status. If the restoration is granted, you will be sent a permit that indicates the conditions associated with the restoration of status. If it is refused, you must leave Canada within the indicated time period. 

Travelling during the restoration process 

  • Restoration of status cannot be granted at a port of entry (land border or airport), and therefore, it is strongly recommended that you do not leave and re-enter Canada while your restoration of status application is being processed.
  • If you leave Canada, you do not need to restore your status. If you submit your application for a study permit from outside of Canada, you will be considered to be requesting a new authorization to stay. If your application is approved, a new introduction letter and eTA or TRV will be issued.

Contact us so that we can help you evaluate your options. 

After your studies

Have you completed your studies? If you would like to remain in Canada, you must undertake new immigration procedures, in accordance with your objectives: becoming a permanent resident, becoming a worker, staying temporarily as a visitor or beginning a new study program. Evaluate your options as soon as possible, so that you will be ready when you have completed your studies. 

Please consult our presentation End of Studies and Immigration Status. 

Remember that you must maintain a valid legal status at all times. You study permit will become invalid under the following conditions: 

  • After the expiration date. 
  • 90 days after you have completed your studies. 
  • 90 days after you have abandoned your studies. 

As indicated on the IRCC website: You have completed your studies on the date your school first notifies you by completion letter, transcript, degree or diploma. 

More specifically, you will receive an e-mail from the Registrar’s Office with the subject line Programme terminé (Program completed). Once you have received the e-mail, you can submit a request for the official documents required for your application for a work permit, CSQ or other document. You will need your final transcript, the Attestation of Completion of Studies and the letter confirming fluency in French (as applicable).  

Attention

If you have a balance owing on your file, you must pay the outstanding amount before the Registrar’s Office will send you your official documents. ÉTS no longer offers payment arrangements.

In order to avoid placing yourself in a non-legal position, pay particular attention to the various options for transitioning from a study permit to a work permit before applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. 

Off-campus work and completion of a program of studies 

If you hold a study permit that authorizes you to work, and you have completed all of you academic activities (waiting for final results for your courses, projects, thesis or dissertation): 

  • You are permitted to continue to work 20 hours/week off campus and an unlimited number of hours on campus while waiting for confirmation of completion of your program (“Program completed” e‑mail); 
  • You must stop working under your study permit immediately once ÉTS confirms the completion of your program, namely upon reception of the “Program completed” e‑mail. 

Find all of the necessary information and the procedure for applying in the section entitled Working after completing your studies. 

Office of Student Life is not legally authorized to guide you through the procedure for immigrating to Canada on a permanent basis (CSQ, permanent residence). However, we organize a number of information sessions every year, in cooperation with Québec and Canadian immigration authorities. Check the Interface newsletter (in French) for information about attending one of these sessions. The presentations are available for consultation at any time: 

Procedure

Considering the various processing times, it may take up to 2 or 3 years to obtain permanent residence in Québec after you graduate. If your Post-Graduate Work Permit expires before then, you must obtain another type of work permit in the meantime. 

If you have completed your studies earlier than expected and your study permit is still valid, you can remain in Canada with your study permit for up to 90 days after completing your studies, or until it expires, whichever comes first. If you wish to extend your stay in Canada beyond these dates, you must change your status to that of a visitor. 

The following elements should be taken into consideration if you decide to undertake a new study program after having completed your current studies at ÉTS. Remember that you must maintain a valid legal status at all times.

Renewal of immigration documents

  • If you are changing your study level (e.g.: from Master to Doctorate), you must apply for a new CAQ immediately.
  • If you are not changing your study level, you must begin the process of renewing your CAQ at least 4 to 5 months before the expiration date of your current CAQ.
  • If your permit is still valid, you do not need to apply for a new one in order to begin another program.
  • If the expiration date of your permit is coming soon, you must renew it before the expiration date in order to maintain implied status. Refer to the procedure for the renewal of immigration documents in the section entitled During your studies, or follow the instructions given by your new educational institution, as applicable.

Working on a full-time basis between two study programs 

If your study permit is still valid, you have completed your study program and you will be beginning the new program within 150 days, you can work on a full-time basis during this period if you meet the various conditions described in the section entitled Off-campus work and completion of a program of studies. 

If the time between programs exceeds 150 days, you are permitted to work on a full-time basis for the first 150 days, but you must then submit a request to change your status (e.g.: to that of visitor) or leave Canada and return for the beginning of the new program. 

Official documents for your family members

Would you like to have your spouse and/or your children accompany you during your studies at ÉTS? There are a number of options to invite your family members, but it is important to understand that there is no guarantee that your immigration applications will be approved. In addition, ÉTS cannot accompany you throughout these procedures, but we have made available a summary of the procedures to be followed, along with links to the various applications and pertinent information.

In essence, there are three options available for your family members to accompany you during your stay in Canada:

  • Work: Apply for a work permit. 
  • Visit: Apply for a visitor visa (period of less than 6 months) or visitor record (for visa-exempt travellers). 
  • Study: Apply for a study permit (also requires a CAQ). 

You can submit these applications during your initial study permit application, or your spouse can submit them once your study permit has been approved. As is the case of your study permit application, unless you qualify for the exception allowing applications to be submitted in paper form, you must submit these applications online. Processing times vary by country, so consult the processing times according to your current country of residence.

NOTICE

In order to simplify the text, a "spouse" is here considered to be a person to whom you are married or with whom you have been living in a common-law relationship for at least 12 months. Please consult the IRCC glossary for the exact definitions of “spouse” and “common-law partner”, as well as the page concerning the list of documents accepted as proof of your common-law relationship.

If you are studying in an eligible program, your spouse can submit an open work permit application, which is not employer-specific and is exempt from the requirement to obtain a CAQ and a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The fee for an open work permit is $255, plus the biometrics fee of $85. For more detailed information, consult the page Help your spouse or common-law partner work in Canada from the IRCC website. 

You must fill out the various forms required, including the IMM1295 - Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada, provide proof of your relationship and your status as a student (study permit, confirmation of registration from ÉTS) and comply with the general requirements (biometrics, medical exam, etc.). If your application is approved, the work permit will be issued for the same duration as your study permit.

Your spouse or other family members can come and visit you in Canada for one or more periods of 6 months by applying for a temporary resident visa (TRV). The processing fee is $100, plus the biometric fee of $85. 

Instructions and requirements for applying for a TRV may differ from one Canadian Visa Office (CVO) to another and you should therefore consult the application package for the visa office instructions according to your country of residence. You must fill out the various forms required, including the IMM 5257 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa, provide proof of your relationship, etc. 

It is strongly recommended that you attach a letter of invitation, written by yourself, that contains the following information suggested by IRCC. Those who you are inviting should also attach a signed and dated letter of explanation indicating the following: the purpose and duration of the visit to Canada, ties to the country of origin, reasons for returning to the country after the visit, proof of employment in the country of origin, proof of financial capacity, etc.

If your spouse also wishes to study in Québec, they must obtain a letter of acceptance and a CAQ, and demonstrate adequate proof of financial support. In short, the procedure is almost identical to the procedure that you must follow. You can consult the procedures for obtaining immigration documents in the section Before your studies. 

If your children will accompany you and will also study in Québec, consult the information to apply for a study permit for a minor child.

As is the case with your legal status as a student, your family members must maintain a valid legal status throughout their stay in Canada. If you must renew your study permit, take advantage of the opportunity to renew your spouse or your children’s authorizations simultaneously. 

If you no longer meet the conditions of your study permit (e.g.: leave of absence in excess of 150 days), take the time to consult Section H. Spouses or common-law partners of full-time students (C42) and Section I. Children of a full-time student. 

If you intend to apply for a postgraduate work permit after your studies, your spouse may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, in compliance with the C41 exemption for spouses or common-law partners of skilled workers.

If you do not meet these criteria, take a look at the other types of work permits.

Deferral, absence and expulsion

Any situation that deviates from the norm, meaning to pursue full-time studies throughout all regular semesters covered by your study permit and CAQ, must eventually be justified to immigration authorities through supporting documents. Therefore, it is extremely important to make decisions that are in compliance with the applicable rules and laws, and to document your situation if it is atypical.

Legal status

According to IRCC instructions, for any interruption of studies, whether it is due to a deferred admission, a change of study program or institutions, a leave of absence or an expulsion from your program, you must begin or return to your studies within 150 days. Otherwise, you must do one of the following:

  • Change your status to that of visitor or worker (Read Section G of the IRCC website carefully for detailed information with regards to change of status)
  • Leave Canada

Work authorization

In all of these cases, you are not permitted to work on or off campus, as you are not considered to be a full-time student, and therefore do not meet the requirements of Section 186 f) or v). You can only return to work once you have begun or returned to your studies and meet all the requirements to work on or off campus.

Health insurance

According to the conditions of your CAQ, you must maintain health and hospitalization insurance throughout your stay. Therefore, if you are no longer covered by Desjardins health insurance offered by ÉTS, you must register for a private health insurance to respect the conditions of your stay.

Family members

If family members are accompanying you in Canada, read our page regarding official documents for your family members.

Impact for the postgraduate work permit

If you intend to apply for a postgraduate work permit, please note that an interruption in your studies can impact your admissibility for this application, as one of the conditions to obtain it states that you should be enrolled full-time for every semester, with only exceptions an authorized leave of absence and a part-time final semester.

If you must or wish to defer your admission, ÉTS allows you to do so twice, for a maximum of three sessions (one year). Deferral of your admission is not automatic. You are responsible for going to the Omnivox portal to request a deferral. You can also access your updated letter of acceptance through the Omnivox portal once your application has been processed. Due to the high volume of applications, it may take several weeks to process your application. If you encounter any problems, please fill out this form. 

Deadline

You must submit your request for a deferred admission before the deadline: 

  • Winter semester: January 15 
  • Summer semester: May 15 
  • Fall semester: September 15 

If you do not take any action before this date (deferral or registration), the Registrar’s Office will deem that you have abandoned your studies, and will close your file. You will no longer be able to submit deferral requests via the Omnivox portal.

Impact on immigration documents

  • CAQ: Please note that you do not need to apply for a new CAQ if you are deferring the start of your program of study to the next study semester on the school calendar, excluding the summer semester. However, in all other cases, you must apply for a new CAQ. 
  • Study permit: Whether your study permit is still in process or has already been approved, send your new letter of acceptance and your new CAQ (if applicable) using the IRCC Webform.
  • TRV or eTA: You do not need to apply for a new TRV or eTA, but it is important to verify the expiry dates.

NOTICE

It is strongly discouraged to defer your admission after having arrived in Canada. Among the CAQ conditions that must be respected, you must study full-time during all the regular semesters of your program and maintain health insurance for yourself and family members who accompany you. By not being registered, you risk having your CAQ renewal refused if you have not complied with these conditions. If you decide to defer your admission, it is your responsibility to get health and hospitalization insurance and to document your situation. In addition, you must ensure that you meet the study permit conditions in order to maintain your legal status. For instance:

  • Not working before the official beginning of your program
  • Obtaining a new letter of acceptance
  • Beginning your studies within 150 days of entering Canada. Otherwise, you must change your status or leave Canada.

If you have a valid study permit, you can change your study program or designated learning institution (DLI) without having to submit a new study permit application. However, you must inform IRCC immediately and change the number of your designated learning institution in your IRCC account.

Read Section C carefully for detailed information about how to change your institution or program. 

Please note that a CAQ remains valid even if you change DLI or study program for the same level of study only if you have already received your study permit.

If you are outside of Canada and your application is still being processed: You must obtain a new CAQ and inform IRCC by submitting your new letter of acceptance and your new CAQ using the IRCC Webform.

If you are outside of Canada and your application has already been approved: You must submit a new CAQ application, and then a new study permit application and pay the applicable fees.

Sometimes, a student must temporarily interrupt their studies for exceptional reasons (illness, pregnancy, family emergency, death, etc.), which should be documented with evidence. Please verify in advance whether you are required to request an authorized absence from ÉTS according to your program of study.

Read Section D of the IRCC website carefully for detailed information with regards to a leave of absence.

File at ÉTS

If you are expelled from your program, ÉTS will close your file and cancel your course registration, as well as your Desjardins health insurance. As you will no longer have access to your ÉTS emails, it is recommended to keep a back-up of all communications sent to you with regards to your expulsion to be able to document your situation in a future immigration application. If you have already paid your tuition fees, you can request a refund by filling out the Info-ÉTS form. You will receive a cheque by mail at the address indicated in your student file within 4 to 5 weeks.

Health insurance

As ÉTS will cancel your Desjardins coverage, it is essential that you take out a personal contract for health and hospitalization insurance from a Canadian insurer if you remain in Canada. You must do so for your own health and safety, but also to comply with immigration conditions associated with you CAQ.

Strategies

You must then assess the options available to you according to your situation. For instance, depending on the reason you were expelled, you may consider applying for a letter of acceptance in a different program within ÉTS or explore options at another DLI. You may also decide to leave Canada during this period, as you are not authorized to work until you resume your studies.

We offer a workshop on the legal implications and possible strategies for expelled international students. Consult the calendar to know the next workshop dates.

Help and stress management

Expulsion from your program may cause a great deal of stress. It is recommended to discuss this obstacle with your friends and family, and ask for help if you need it. The Office of Student Life (OSL) offers free and confidential individual counseling. Contact them and view the workshop « De la perte à la reconstruction : l’expérience du deuil lié à l’exclusion d’un programme d’études» (only available in French).

Should you need to extend your immigration documents during your stay, it is your responsibility to provide your renewed documents to the Registrar’s Office within the prescribed deadline, which will be precised in automatic reminders.

File at ÉTS

If you do not provide your immigration documents within the timeframe, ÉTS will close your file and cancel your course registration, as well as your Desjardins health insurance. If you have already paid your tuition fees, they will be refunded as a credit to your account. If you prefer a refund, you can fill out the Info-ÉTS form. You will receive a cheque by mail at the address indicated in your student file within 4 to 5 weeks.

Health insurance

As ÉTS will cancel your Desjardins coverage, it is essential that you take out a personal contract for health and hospitalization insurance from a Canadian insurer if you remain in Canada. You must do so for your own health and safety, but also to comply with immigration conditions associated with you CAQ.