Renewing your Immigration Documents
Need more time to complete your studies?
Your CAQ and Study Permit are expiring soon and you haven’t completed your program?
Don't worry, simply apply for an extension before your documents expire!
Start the process of renewing your documents as soon as possible – we recommend 6 months before expiration. This will allow you the time needed to prepare, collect support documents, complete the appropriate applications and hopefully not stress too much.
These are general instructions to apply for the CAQ and Study Permit extensions, including what documents you need and how to obtain them. Please follow them as they apply to you.
Please read these instructions carefully and thoroughly.
Please note that it is important to obtain the supporting documents as instructed below.
Make sure to watch this video tutorial regarding the study permit extension as you must make sure that you apply using the correct portal.
Your responsabilities as an international student
- You are responsible for maintaining your immigration status and obeying immigration regulations during your stay in Canada.
- You must maintain full-time status throughout your studies:
- Always verify that your immigration documents (passport, CAQ, study permit, TRV or ETA) are accurate and still valid. NOTE: Your CAQ and study permit do NOT always have the same expiry date.
- Upload your immigration as soon as you get them or submit them in person at the ISO.
- Keep your contact information in your student service centre up to date as ISO may contact you with regards to your immigration documents.
Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)
In Quebec the CAQ acts as your PAL if it contains the following statement:
“Cette lettre d’attestation confirme que le demandeur dispose d’une place dans la part du Québec de la répartition des demandes de permis d’études ou en est exempté". In English "This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it”.
Most study permit applicants need to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or territorial attestation letter (TAL).
Unless you meet one of the exceptions, you must submit a PAL/TAL
- with your application, not after
- even if you’re applying for a prerequisite course or program, including language courses or programs
- for each study permit applicant, even if you’re applying as a family and submitting your applications together
When you renew your CAQ, you are effectively renewing your PAL.
If you require a PAL and your CAQ does not contain the above statement, please complete the MIFI’s webform to request that your CAQ be updated.
Renew your CAQ
Please note that these are general instructions and you should follow them as they apply to you.
Apply online for the CAQ renewal by creating or accessing your account. The CAQ application is submitted online in 3 separate steps:
- the first step is to create the online application ,
- the second step is to pay the processing fee on the ARRIMA Portal within one hour of creating the application,
- submit all the supporting documents online via the ARRIMA Portal after 48 hours, as per the checklist generated by your online application.
Unless you complete all of these steps, your application has not been successfully submitted.
Create the online application by answering the electronic questionnaire in the CAQ portal and by paying the $132CAD processing fee within on hour in the ARRIMA Portal.
Once you have completed Step 1, you will then be able to download the Personal Checklist generated within your online account (usually within 24-48 hours of submitting your application).
A colour scan of your passport (the page with the biographic information and your signature). If your passport is not signed, sign it!
To prove financial capacity you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds for the sum (do the math!) of 1 year tuition + living expenses for 1 year ($15 508$) + travel to your country + health insurance if you are asking to extend your CAQ for a year or more. - https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/study-quebec/required-conditions/costs-studies
The minimum amount to be shown must cover the sum of tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and travel for one year. You must demonstrate that your liquid assets outweigh your expenses. Sufficiency of funds can be proved by any/all of the following:
1. Letter of confirmation of student loan, or/and
2. Letter from your bank showing your name and how much money you have in your bank account or if you receive funds on a regular basis provide bank statements for the last three month
3. Letter from your sponsor* showing willingness and ability to provide financial support*
- Declaration of financial support signed by hand by your sponsor
- Sponsor’s bank letter or bank statements
*If the financial documents are from your parents, you can email them the declaration form, which they must sign by hand. Please note that the Declaration of Financial Support Form must be signed by hand or it will be rejected. They can then email it back to you with their bank statements or bank letter. If the funds are in a foreign currency, you should include a bank letter stating what the equivalent amount is in Canadian dollars.
Unofficial transcripts:
Unofficial transcript issued by the Birks Student Center. Note that while the government checklist calls for an official transcript, you can submit an unofficial one as long as it is issued by the Birks Student Center with the university stamp on it and you include the accompanying letter confirming that is a valid certified document.
For the transcript please follow the instructions listed here: Unofficial transcript request form*
- Please allow up to 3 business days for delivery of your transcript.
- A $5.75 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.
*Note that printing your Student Record from your MyConcordia portal does not count as an unofficial transcript. It must be issued by the Birks Student Center with the university stamp and the accompanying letter confirming that it is a valid certified document.
*Note that your transcript must show future enrollments for all the terms for which enrollment has opened
*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.
*You do not need the official transcript, you can submit the unofficial one if you follow our instructions above.
Letter of attestation showing your status as a full-time student for all terms:
All Terms Attestation Letter confirming your full-time status for all past, present, and future terms for which you can be enrolled and your number of credits completed to date.
This can be obtained online from your Student Center
- You select ‘instantaneous letter’. You must add each term manually. Note that the attestation letter must list all your past, present, and future terms for which enrollment has opened and indicate your full or part-time status in each term. Also include ‘remaining credits to complete’. The letter must also state your total number of credits to date.
- A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.
- If you require an Attestation Letter containing additional information, you request a conventional letter. It will be issued in 5-10 business days.
- Both requests can be done through the Student Center, but if you have issues with the request you can email the Birks Students Center at students@concordia.ca. Note that the letters are not issued by the ISO.
Curriculum evaluation:
Curriculum Evaluation if you are in your last year only and you are a course-based student. If you are not entering your last year or you are a thesis-based student, this does not apply to you.
This request has to be done online*
Please allow up to 10 business days for delivery of your letter.
- A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account for any letter request.
*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.
*This document is only issued when a student is in their final year or final term. The reason this would be included is if a student is part-time in their final term as it acts as a supporting document or if a student is exceeding their number of credits then it can be helpful to justify the CAQ extension.
Detailed account summary:
Detailed Account Summary, which you print from your Student Center. Go to Finances and then click on Account Inquiry. This document demonstrates the cost of your tuition/school fees/continuation fees.
Letter from supervisor (for Masters student in a thesis based program and for PhD students only):
Letter from Supervisor indicating your probable thesis defense date, if you are a thesis-based student. If you are not a thesis-based student, this does not apply to you.
The letter should confirm that you have been actively working on your thesis and confirm your expected thesis defense date. If the supervisor is not available, then your department GPD can write the letter on their behalf.
Please keep copies (or scan) of all the documents that you submit as you will also need them for the Study permit application.
One single explanation letter with clear subject lines, headings, and supporting documents that corroborate your explanations for any or all of the following, if they apply to you:
- Your likely end date and why you need an extension. Note that your transcript must include complete future enrollment for the terms for which you can enroll in at the time of application;
- Why you took a leave of absence or studied part-time;
- Any F grades or abandoned courses during any terms;
Note that your letter of explanation must be dated and signed by hand. The signature must match the one in your passport.
Your explanation letter must be signed by hand (blue ink recommended) and dated.
Submit everything electronically via ARRIMA and keep a copy of your complete application, including the documents you submitted.
When the CAQ is approved you will receive an online approval letter and you can use this document to apply for your study permit renewal.
Please make copies (or scan) of all the documents that you submit as you will also need them for the Study Permit application.
Remember: there is no such thing as Maintained Status for a CAQ. This means that you need to have a new CAQ by the time your previous one expires.
Renew your study permit
When the CAQ is approved you will receive an online approval letter, which you will use to apply for the Study permit.
If, and only if, the timeline to apply for your study permit before it expires is too short and you have not yet received your new CAQ letter, you can apply for the study permit with proof that the CAQ is pending and a letter (written by yourself) requesting that a decision not be issued until you are able to provide your CAQ. You can watch this video tutorial here. Once you receive your CAQ, you will submit it to IRCC via the online webform.
Make sure to watch this video tutorial regarding the study permit extension as you must make sure that you apply using the correct portal.
You will be asked for Concordia university's DLI number (Designated Learning Institution). It is O19359011007 (the first character is the letter O, not a zero).
Access your existing IRCC account or create one and log-in. If you do not remember your IRCC credentials, you can create a new account. If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada, please use the GCKey Account, do not use the new IRCC portal, which is meant only for first time applicants from outside of Canada.
Once you are logged, select “Apply to come to Canada”. A new page will open and you should choose “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” to determine your eligibility to apply online.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO EXTEND YOUR STUDY PERMIT
There are currently two IRCC portals that can be used to apply for a study permit. However, only one of the portals is the correct portal if you are applying to extend your study permit from inside of Canada. Please ensure that when applying to extend your study permit from inside of Canada you are applying through the correct portal. If you apply through the incorrect portal, you will not benefit from maintained status and you may be de-registered from your courses.
Please watch this video tutorial that explains how to correctly apply to extend your study permit from inside Canada.
This image below also shows you how to proceed, once you have logged into your GCKey account, to ensure that you apply through the correct portal. If you are applying to extend your study permit from inside of Canada, click on “Apply to come to Canada”. Do not click on “applying using the IRCC Portal”, which leads you to a different portal that is meant exclusively for first-time study permit applicants from outside of Canada.
Complete the electronic questionnaire and this will generate your personal checklist and forms for the application you are submitting. You should see the following:
- IMM5709 Form: Complete the form, validate it and save it locally onto your computer. Upload the form onto your IRCC account. If you are having trouble with the form, watch this video tutorial.
- CAQ: Upload your CAQ (or proof that it is pending if you have not yet received it and a letter asking that they not issue a decision until you are able to submit your CAQ. Watch this video tutorial if you do not yet have your CAQ)
- Combine the following documents into one single pdf:
-Unofficial Transcript (1)
-Letter of Attestation (2)
-Curriculum Evaluation: if you are in your last year (3)
-Letter from Supervisor: if you are a thesis-based student (4)
-all the pages of your Letter of Admission
- Provincial Attestation Letter -PAL (5): Your CAQ acts as your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) if it contains the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.” The CAQ and PAL are one and the same if, and only if, the statement above appears on the CAQ. If your CAQ does not have this statement, you might be PAL exempt. To find out if you are PAL exempt please check here under ‘Who doesn’t need a PAL’. To learn more about the PAL watch this video.
- Passport (Scan and upload your passport, make sure you include the main page with all your information, the page with your signature, and any other pages that have entry/exit stamps)
- Proof of means of financial support. Note that you must show you meet the financial requirements outlined by the Quebec government.
- Photo (Scan and upload a recent photograph 35mm x 45mm)
(1): For the transcript please follow the instructions listed here: Unofficial transcript request form*
- Please allow up to 3 business days for delivery of your transcript.
- A $5.65 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.
Note that printing your Student Record from your MyConcordia portal does not count as an unofficial transcript. It must be issued by the Birks Student Center with the university stamp and the accompanying letter confirming that it is a valid certified copy.
Note that your transcript must show future enrollments for all the terms for which enrollment has opened
Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.
(2): Letter of attestation (i.e. letter from the Registrar’s Office) - this can be obtained online from your Student Center
- You select ‘instantaneous letter’. You must add each term manually. Note that the attestation letter must list all your past, present, and future terms for which enrollment has opened and indicate your full or part-time status in each term. Also include ‘remaining credits to complete’. The letter must also state your total number of credits to date.
- A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account.
- If you require an Attestation Letter containing additional information, you request a conventional letter. It will be issued in 5-10 business days.
- Both requests can be done through the Student Center, but if you have issues with the request you can email the Birks Students Center at students@concordia.ca. Note that the letters are not issued by the ISO.
(3): Curriculum evaluation (required for students entering their final year) – this request has to be done online*
- Please allow up to 10 business days for delivery of your letter.
- A $20 (CAD) fee will be charged to your account for any letter request.
*Please note that you must login to Concordia Office 365 to submit your request. Instructions can be found on Office 365 Education - students.
This document is only issued when a student is in their final year or final term. The reason this would be included is if a student is part-time in their final term as it acts as a supporting document or if a student is exceeding their number of credits then it can be helpful to justify the CAQ extension.
(4): Letter from supervisor – (for thesis-based programs only) –The letter should confirm that you have been actively working on your thesis and confirm your expected thesis defense date. If the supervisor is not available, then your department GPD can write the letter on their behalf.
(5) Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) – Your CAQ acts is your PAL if, and only if, it contains the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.” If you have a PAL, please state in your study permit application that you have a PAL at the corresponding question in the IRCC portal and upload your CAQ as your PAL. Recall that your CAQ is your PAL only if it contains the statement above. To learn more about the PAL watch this video .
If your CAQ does not contain this statement, it does not act as your PAL, but you might be PAL exempt if you are applying to extend your study permit. To find out if you are PAL exempt please check here under ‘Who doesn’t need a PAL’. If you are PAL exempt, please state in your study permit application that you are PAL exempt at the corresponding question in the IRCC portal and upload proof that you are PAL exempt. For students who are inside of Canada, have started their studies and are applying to extend their study permits at the same DLI for the same level of studies, you provide your study permit, your all-terms attestation letter, and your admission letter as proof of exemption. You submit them as a single pdf in this order even if some of these documents are required elsewhere in the application. To learn more about the PAL watch this video
If you do not have a PAL and you are not exempt, please speak to your ISO Advisor.
If you have previously done biometrics for a Canadian Visa application in the last 10 years then you do not need to do this; if not then you will pay 85$ and will receive instructions to do the biometrics.
Biometrics may not be required depending on the state of the pandemic. However, if you are asked to pay for the biometrics, you should pay. If you are exempted from the biometrics, the funds will be refunded back to you.
Once the documents* have been uploaded you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically and submit the application with a payment of 150$.
The important thing to keep in mind is to apply for the Study permit before it expires so that you benefit from maintained status and then upload the submission confirmation of the study permit along and the CAQ to your student center.
You must have a valid CAQ and a valid study permit uploaded to your MyConcordia account at all times. If your CAQ and study permit have not been uploaded by the DNE deadline, you may be de-registered without further notice. It is a student’s responsibility to track the expiration date of their immigration documents and apply to extend them in a timely fashion. It is also a student’s responsibility to upload their immigration documents to their student portal. Notifications may not be sent by the ISO. Watch this video tutorial on maintained status.
Renewing your TRV as a student
You can stay in Canada with a valid CAQ and study permit but if you plan on leaving Canada during your studies, you will need a valid Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to come back to Canada.
Most TRVs are either a single use TRV, meanign that you used yours when you first came to Canada at the start of your studies, or will expire at the same time as your study permit.
Here's how to renew your TRV while you are a student.
Access your existing IRCC account or create one and log-in. If you do not remember your IRCC credentials, you can create a new account. If you are extending your study permit from inside of Canada, please use the GCKey Account, do not use the new IRCC portal, which is meant only for first time applicants from outside of Canada.
Once you are logged, select Apply to come to Canada. A new page will open and you should choose “Visitor visa, study and/or work permit” to determine your eligibility to apply online.
Complete the electronic questionnaire and this will generate your personal checklist and forms for the application you are submitting. You should see the following:
- IMM5709 Form: Complete the form, validate it and save it locally onto your computer. Upload the form onto your IRCC account. If you are having trouble with the form, watch this video tutorial.
- CAQ: Upload your CAQ (or proof that it is pending if you have not yet received it and a letter asking that they not issue a decision until you are able to submit your CAQ. Watch this video tutorial if you do not yet have your CAQ)
- Combine the following documents into one single pdf:
- Unofficial Transcript
- Letter of Attestation,
- Curriculum Evaluation (if you are in your last year)
- Letter from Supervisor (if you are a thesis-based student)
- All the pages of your Letter of Admission
- Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)5: Your CAQ acts as your Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) if it contains the following statement: “This attestation letter confirms that the applicant has a place in Quebec’s share of the distribution of study permit applications or is exempt from it.” The CAQ and PAL are one and the same if, and only if, the statement above appears on the CAQ. If your CAQ does not have this statement, you might be PAL exempt. To find out if you are PAL exempt please check here under ‘Who doesn’t need a PAL’. To learn more about the PAL watch this video.
- Passport (Scan and upload your passport, make sure you include the main page with all your information, the page with your signature, and any other pages that have entry/exit stamps)
- Proof of means of financial support. Note that you must show you meet the financial requirements outlined by the Quebec government.
- Photo (scan and upload a recent photograph 35mm x 45mm)
Once the documents have been uploaded you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically and submit the application with a payment of 150$.
Once the documents have been uploaded you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically and submit the application with a payment of 150$.
Once your application is approved you will receive instructions on how and where to mail your passport in order for your new TRV to be added to your passport.
Renew your TRV as a worker (PGWP)
If you are now in Canada on a post-graduation wokr permit (PGWP) and need to renew your Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), here's how to do it.
Go to https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account.html.
Once you are logged into your IRCC account, select Apply to come to Canada; a new page will open and you should choose the option “I do not have a Personal Reference Code” choose Visitor visa, study and/or work permit to determine your eligibility and apply online.
You will need to start as if you are applying for a work permit and as you proceed to answer the questions you will eventually get the option that says you are eligible to apply for the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) and then you continue with the rest of the questionnaire.
Complete the questionnaire and this will create your personal checklist for the application you are submitting and you should see the following:
- IMM5257 (TRV) Complete the form, validate and save it locally onto your computer. Upload the form onto your IRCC secure account.
- Photo (scan & upload a recent photograph 35mm x 45mm)
- Passport (scan & upload your passport, make sure you include the main page with all your information and any other pages that have entry/exit stamps)
- Post-graduation work permit: scan & upload the hard copy of your PGWP
Once the documents have been uploaded you will be asked to review the application, sign it electronically and submit the application with a payment of 100$.
Once your application is approved you will receive instructions on how and where to mail your passport in order for your new TRV to be added to your passport.