Visa Options for Foreign Students in Quebec

There are many advantages of studying in Quebec:

• Quebec welcomes international students at different levels of education: primary education, secondary education, tertiary education, and postgraduate education;
• There are more than 700 prestigious universities located in Quebec that specialize in artificial intelligence, aerospace, biotechnology, quantum computing, visual arts, etc;
• In total, Quebec learning institutions offer more than 3,000 university programs, half of which are at the master’s and doctoral levels;
• Tuition fees for foreign students and the cost of living in Quebec are among the lowest in Canada;
• Quebec diplomas are recognized internationally;
• There are many vocational training centres equipped with cutting-edge technology that offer various programs that focus on hands-on opportunities to learn a trade directly relevant to the job market.

Persons who want to study in Quebec, in addition to a Canadian Study Permit, must also apply for temporary selection for studies in Quebec directly to the Quebec government.

To apply, an applicant must:

• Meet the general requirements for a Canadian Study Permit;
• Have a Letter of Admission from a designated educational institution in Quebec;
• Demonstrate the financial capacity to assume the costs of living and studying in Quebec;
• Have health and hospital insurance for the duration of the study;
• Complete the temporary selection application form; and
• Submit the required documents applicable for the country or the territory in which the applicant is currently residing or staying.

The table below shows the minimum funds required by immigration authorities to support you as a student in Quebec (and family members who may come with you).

In Quebec
Persons coming to Canada	Amount of funds required per year (without tuition fee)	Amount of funds required per month (without tuition fee)
Student	CAN $ 11,000	CAN $ 917
First family member who is 18 years or older (if applicable)	CAN $ 5,100	CAN $ 425
First family member who is under 18 years (if applicable)	CAN $ 3,800	CAN $317
Every additional accompanying family member who is 18 years or older (if applicable)	CAN $ 5,125	CAN $ 427
Every additional accompanying family member who under 18 years (if applicable)	CAN $ 1,903	CAN $159

Please note that you must provide proof that you can afford the above costs.

International students are allowed to work during their studies. However, they can work only under certain conditions that are specified in the federal legislation. This area of regulation is beyond the scope of Quebec authorities. Thus, it is regulated similarly by the federal immigration authority - the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In our article, you can find out more about the working opportunities while studying in Canada.

In Québec, immigration is the jurisdiction of both the government of Québec and the government of Canada. The former is responsible for selecting individuals wishing to immigrate to the province, while the latter is in charge of admitting newcomers. Selection is guided by Québec’s own criteria. That is why this province has a two-stage application process for permanent residence.

The Quebec Experience Program (QEP) is an immigration program developed for recent Quebec graduates who wish to work in Quebec and settle there permanently. There is a special Quebec graduate stream. After completing studies, students must initially apply for this stream and obtain a Québec selection certificate. This certificate opens the possibility of applying for permanent residence to the IRCC.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE ON HOW TO OBTAIN A PR IN QUEBEC AFTER GRADUATION:

1. Graduate from a Quebec learning institution: Only Quebec graduates are allowed to apply under this stream.
2. Apply for a Quebec selection certificate under the Quebec graduate stream: You can apply for this certificate if you:
   • Have graduated from a Quebec learning institution;
   • Intend to settle in Quebec to hold a job;
   • Are in Quebec at the time of application;
   • Are proficient in oral French;
   • Have enough money to support yourself.
3. Apply to IRCC for a permanent residence: After receiving your Québec selection certificate, you must submit an application for permanent residence to the federal government and pay respective fees (at least CAN $550).
4. Wait for approval: The average processing time is 118 days. However, it depends on the particular situation and can be longer.

To ensure the best chances of getting approval for your Study Permit application, contact our team. We can help you to choose the best learning institutions for studying in Quebec based on your personal situation and merits.

The importance of providing clear, complete, and accurate information throughout the process cannot be overstated. It is usually a good idea to seek the assistance of a professional who is an expert in the process so that you avoid making mistakes or providing incorrect information at any step of the process.

If you are unsure about your likelihood of successfully obtaining a Study Permit or a PR, contact us for a free evaluation. If you have any other questions that are not addressed in this article, please contact us and we will be happy to help.