Quebec’s immigration ministry has moved to extend the stay of international students whose Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) expired as of April 30, allowing them to apply to stay in the province until the end of 2020.
The move is aimed at those who had their courses interrupted by efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus in the French-speaking province.
Quebec foreign students can now apply to the federal government to have their study permit extended without requiring a new CAQ. This means they can continue as a temporary resident of Canada and complete their program once courses are allowed to resume.
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The measure, announce by the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), does not apply to those with a CAQ that expired before April 30, 2020.
No fee will be charged for the extension of an existing CAQ.
Those wishing to stay beyond December 31, 2020 to continue their studies will need to apply to MIFI for a new CAQ and to the federal government for a new study permit.
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Quebec Experience Program
MIFI says candidates who were planning to apply to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) will have enough time to submit their applications.
Foreign students need to have been awarded their qualification by a Quebec educational institution within the last three years from the date of their application to the PEQ.
Bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees are all accepted, as well as a college diploma for technical studies or a secondary level vocational diploma attesting to 1800 hours or more of consecutive study and leading to a trade.
MIFI reminded candidates they are eligible for a three-year Post Graduation Work Permit. “The duration of this permit gives them all the time they need to submit an application for permanent selection under the PEQ as graduates or even as temporary foreign workers,” MIFI states.
Study Permits
Finally, MIFI clarified that questions regarding study permits should be directed to the federal government.
