You need to apply for a CAQ by completing an online form and by paying processing fees with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard or American Express; yours or a card belonging to someone you know). You must also have an email address, and have access to a computer with the following technical specifications. 

Once you have paid for your application and submitted your online form, you will need to send supporting documents for your application via the Arrima platform.  The MIFI provides instructions and online tutorials to assist students in navigating the system. It is essential that you send all documents required by MIFI in a single transmission. In the event that you are unable to do so, you must wait for MIFI to process your application and send you a letter of intention of refusal before you can send any missing documents.

Some forms require a signature.  Please note that only handwritten signatures (in pen) are accepted; documents with an electronic signature will result in a letter of intent to refuse.

For applications approved before March 15, 2023: You will receive a letter confirming the issuance of the CAQ for Studies, which you can use to submit your application for a study permit.  MIFI will then mail a physical copy of the CAQ for Studies to the address on file.  

For applications approved on or after March 15, 2023: You will receive a CAQ for Studies letter in your online file.  No more physical documents will be mailed to you.

You generally need to wait to receive your CAQ approval letter before applying for a Study Permit. However, some Canadian visa offices (CVO) allow future students to apply before receiving a response about their CAQ certificate. If you believe that you are running out of time to obtain all the necessary documents prior to the beginning of the term, find out if you can contact a Canadian visa office, as mentioned above. For more information, please refer to our page about Study Permits.  

Depending on your nationality, you may be asked to demonstrate proof of sufficient financial resources to pay for tuition fees, living expenses, and other expenses for your stay (and proof of financial resources for those accompanying you) when applying for the CAQ . For more information about the type of proof and minimal monetary amounts needed, see the MIFI website under Financial Capacity. Note you will also need to present proof of financial capacity when applying for a Study Permit.

Note that as of your first year, you are not required to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial capacity for the entire length of your studies. Instead, the MIFI will ask you to prove financial capacity for the first year. However, for CAQ issuance purposes, the agent who processes your application will need to be able to conclude that it is likely that funds will remain available for the duration of your studies. 

Your tuition fees are normally indicated on your letter of admission. If you are an exchange student, immigration authorities will understand that your tuition will be paid in your home country educational institution, thus, tuition fees won’t factor into the calculation of your financial capacity.

If you are a French national, a French-speaking Belgian national, or have obtained an International student exemption of differential fees, immigration will calculate your fees accordingly, upon presentation of your French or Belgian passport, confirmation of your exemption, or confirmation of scholarship.

Each individual that finances your studies and who present proofs of financial capacity on your behalf will need to fill out and sign a "Declaration of Financial Support." This form is automatically generated when you indicate in the online application that someone else will be supporting you financially during your stay in Québec. Only one person can fill out and sign the form, therefore other indiviaduals who support you will have to use separate forms. The form can be downloaded here, and you will need to add it to the documents to be uploaded on the Arrima platform.

If you are a graduate student whose supervisor is able to provide financial support, ensure the letter confirming the annual amount granted is included in your documents. You supervisor does not need to fill out a declaration of financial support.  

Note that bank letters and statements presented as proofs of financial capacity must come from personal accounts. Proofs from business accounts or land or property ownership documents are not accepted as financial proof for a CAQ. 

To find out more about possible financial assistance during your studies, consult our website.

The fee required to process your application is $124CND (Canadian dollars) as of January 1st 2023. You must pay this fee via credit card, whether Mastercard, Visa or American Express.  The card can be someone else's who is willing to pay for your application fees.  

Application processing time take a maximum of 20 working days when the application is complete (i.e. once the MIFI has received your online application AND your accompanying documentation uploaded on Arrima).  During the Spring peak season (April to June), processing times can sometimes be longer. 

1. A CAQ Certificate is issued according to the level (cycle) in which your are studying. Upon receiving your CAQ Certificate, verify that the cycle mentioned is correct, and that there are no other mistakes. The cycle indicated on the certificate must be that which is indicated in your letter of admission to Polytechnique. Should you find a mistake on your CAQ Certificate, please see: Immigration paper loss and/or errors.
2. Each time you change your level of study, you are required to apply for a new CAQ Certificate - including paying processing fees and providing all supporting documents. For example, if you change from a language school to university, from an undergraduate to a Master's program, or from a Master's to a PhD. For more information, consult the following page: Renewing your authorizations to study in Québec.
3. If you have already obtained your CAQ and you need to postpone your admission to Polytechnique Montréal by one term (e.g. from fall to winter or from winter to summer), you can continue to use the same CAQ.  If you postpone your studies by more than one term (e.g. from winter to the following fall), you will need to obtain a new CAQ. You will have to apply again, provide all the required documents and pay the processing fee again.
4. For students whose CAQ application is approved before March 15, 2023: If you have not received the original CAQ for Studies in the mail, you will still be able to leave for Canada once your immigration process is complete. As soon as you arrive in Montréal, you will need to contact the MIFI to request that a duplicate of your CAQ Certificate be sent to your residence. Polytechnique Montréal needs your CAQ Certificate in order to maintain your registration for the term.