Maple News reports that Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) will resume processing Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) applications, following a temporary suspension that impacted thousands of international students.
Back on December 30, 2020, MIFI announced a pause on CAQ application processing for students attending 10 designated private learning institutions under investigation by Quebec’s Ministry of Higher Education. These schools, including Canada College, CDI College, and the Montréal campus of Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, were part of an audit regarding admission practices and student program integrity.
The CAQ is a mandatory document for international students pursuing studies longer than six months in Quebec. Without it, students are ineligible to apply for a Canadian study permit. The suspension caused significant uncertainty and disruption for students who had already been admitted and planned to begin classes in the winter semester.
Several affected schools took legal action, challenging the government’s decision in Quebec Superior Court. On January 11, 2021, the court acknowledged the government’s concerns but determined that the suspension imposed undue hardship on international students already committed to their academic plans in Quebec. The court ordered MIFI to lift the pause and resume both the processing and renewal of CAQ applications.
With the court ruling in effect, international students previously blocked by the suspension can now restart or continue their studies in Quebec. This decision benefits thousands who had already organized their education journey in Canada and were left in limbo over the status of their applications.
To study in Quebec, foreign applicants must first secure admission to a designated learning institution (DLI)—an institution approved by the Quebec government for international enrollment—before applying for their CAQ. Once approved, their final step is to obtain a federal study permit.
Though the government initially justified the suspension as a matter of public interest, the resumption of CAQ application processing brings relief to prospective students and educational institutions alike, supporting the broader goal of maintaining Quebec’s reputation as a welcoming destination for international education.
According to Maple News, this development underscores the importance of due process and student rights in Canada’s immigration and education systems.