New Concordia students
Applying for immigration documents from outside Canada
What documents will I need?
1. Offer of Admission
You must have an official Offer of Admission from Concordia University before applying for immigration documents. The Offer of Admission is sent by email (PDF format). You will also be able to access your Offer of Admission though your student portal. This is your official Offer of Admission (even if it is a Conditional Offer). You will not receive a hard copy by mail. You may print copies for your files and you can also use printed copies for your application CAQ and Study Permit applications.
Note: Always keep your Offer of Admission in a safe place. You must travel with this document to Canada. When you arrive in Canada, a customs officer may ask to see it as proof that you will be studying at Concordia - include all pages of your Offer of Admission when applying.
2. Valid Passport
All students need a valid passport. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months or more. Always keep a copy of your passport identification page and any other important documents to facilitate replacement if they are lost or stolen.
3. Proof of Financial Capacity
You must demonstrate your ability to support yourself, and if applicable, your accompanying dependents. You must show the financial capacity to cover tuition feesand living expenses for at least one year.
Click here for more information.
If a you need to find out how much your studies will cost, please visit our Estimation Letters page. Once your payment has been received into your Concordia University student account, please contact iso@concordia.ca to request your receipt of payment.
4. CAQ (Electronic Version)
To study in Quebec for more than six months, you must obtain a CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) from Quebec's Ministry of Immigration. Do not wait for the CAQ to be sent to you, use the CAQ Approval Letter from your Immigration Quebec portal page to apply for a Study Permit. CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate).
5. Study Permit (letter of introduction)
To study in Canada for more than six months you need to apply for a Study Permit. You will need a Letter of Introduction from IRCC (Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada) entitling you to a Study Permit upon entry to Canada. The Letter of Introduction is not your study permit. Keep this letter and other support documents. You will need to show this letter to officials at the port of entry when you arrive in Canada then a Study Permit will be issued. Study Permit.
Note: If you are a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you can usually apply for your study permit at a Canadian Port of Entry, consequently, a Letter of Introduction is not required. Since you are applying for a Study Permit upon entry, bring all support documents with you and be prepared to pay a processing fee.
IMPORTANT: During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the border agent has the final say on the issuance of your study permit (they can either approve or refuse it). It may be safer to apply for your study permit online.
6. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
Citizens of certain countries require a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV or Entry Visa) to enter Canada. Check with the Canadian authorities in your country to find out the requirements. Visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for more details.
7. Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include United States citizens and foreign nationals with a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
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Apply for CAQ, Study Permit TRV or ETA
Apply for your documents as soon as you receive the PDF Offer of Admission sent to you via email. It can take months to obtain immigration documents; therefore beginning the application process as soon as possible is very important.
How to apply for a CAQ
The CAQ is degree-level specific:
- Université 1er cycle refers to undergraduate level
- Université 2ième cycle refers to graduate level (Masters, Grad Diploma, Certificate)
- Université 3ième cycle refers to graduate level (PhD)
Once you have received your PDF Offer of Admission, follow these steps and apply online:
- Go to www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/electronic-services/caq-electronic/index.html
- Complete the online CAQ application
- Print:
- declaration and commitment form (must be signed) and
- the personalized checklist
- declaration and commitment form (must be signed) and
- Review and ensure you have the appropriate support documents – remember to include ALL pages of your Offer of Admission.
- Upload your documents via the Arrima portal.
Do not give a Montreal address if you are still living abroad. You may think giving a friend or relative’s local address will speed up the process, but it does not. Immigration authorities will assume you already reside in Montreal. Avoid complications by indicating your address in the country where you currently reside.
How to apply for a Study Permit
Once you have received the electronic version of your CAQ, immediately apply for your Study Permit. Apply through a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or online at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/guide-5269-applying-study-permit-outside-canada.html#5269E3
Different countries ask for different Study Permit application documents. To find out which documents are required for your country, please visit https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/student.asp#wb-auto-1
If a you need to find out how much your studies will cost, please visit our Estimation Letters page. Once your payment has been received into your Concordia University student account, please contact iso@concordia.ca to request your receipt of payment.
We recommend, when aplicable, including a study plan along with your study permit application. Find out How to Write a Study Plan.
NOTE: If you are a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, a resident of Greenland or St. Pierre and Miquelon, you can apply for your study permit at a Canadian Port of Entry, consequently, a Letter of Introduction is not required. Since you are applying for a Study Permit upon entry, bring all support documents with you:
- CAQ
- Offer of Admission
- Valid Passport
- Proof of Financial capacity (more information available here).
- Processing fee
**DO NOT APPLY FOR YOUR STUDY PERMIT UNTIL YOU RECEIVE YOUR C.A.Q.**
If you reside in the United States but are not an American citizen you must apply for your Study Permit at a Canadian visa office or a Visa Application Centre (VAC) that offers immigration services in the United States.
Concordia’ Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number
As a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), Concordia is issued the DLI number (it starts with the letter "O" and not zero) O19359011007. You may be asked by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to provide Concordia’s DLI number when you apply for a permit or a visa.
Applying for a study permit at the border
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States, as well as residents of Greenland and St. Pierre and Miquelon, can apply for a study permit directly at an international airport in Canada or at most major US/Canada border crossings. (As per IRPR regulation R214)