Maple News reports that international students planning to study in Quebec must now obtain a provincial attestation letter in addition to a Certificat d’Acceptation du Québec (CAQ) before applying for a Canadian study permit.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this new requirement is part of a larger initiative introduced on January 22, 2024, which includes a national cap on study permit approvals. This measure is designed to better manage growth in Canada’s international student population and ease pressure on housing, healthcare, and other public services.
The CAQ remains a mandatory document for international students who wish to enroll at a Designated Learning Institution in Quebec. It confirms that the individual meets Quebec’s standards for foreign students. However, the addition of an attestation letter from the province will now serve as a second layer of approval aligned with the federal cap system.
Each province and territory, including Quebec, is responsible for distributing study permit allocations proportionally based on population. They are also tasked with developing systems to issue attestation letters, and must have these processes in place by March 31, 2024. As of January 22nd, any new study permit applications must include the attestation letter to be considered by IRCC.
Quebec remains one of the top education destinations in Canada, hosting the country’s third-largest international student population after Ontario and British Columbia. Cities like Montreal are especially attractive, offering a high concentration of international students, lower tuition fees, and a relatively low cost of living compared to other provinces.
International graduates from Quebec enjoy access to several immigration pathways, such as the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and the Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which are designed to support transition from temporary to permanent residence. Students may also be eligible for federal programs, including Express Entry, once they gain qualifying Canadian work experience.
These changes reflect Canada’s heightened efforts to ensure integrity in the international student system, prioritizing quality education while maintaining sustainable growth in the country’s temporary and permanent resident populations.