Québec CAQ for Nepali Students 2027: Study Permit and Application Guide

The Gouvernement du Québec states that a foreign student coming for a program longer than six months generally needs a CAQ for studies issued by Québec and a study permit issued by Canada. Admission to a Québec designated learning institution comes first. After the admission letter, the student applies for temporary selection for studies.

If Québec accepts the application, the student receives a letter confirming issuance of the CAQ. Québec explains that this letter is used for the federal study-permit application, as the provincial attestation document, as proof to the institution and for services requiring a CAQ. Keep the downloadable letter and online-file messages.

Short courses and listed exceptions need careful reading. Québec notes that even a study stay shorter than six months may require a CAQ if it forms part of a program whose total duration exceeds six months. Do not split or describe a longer program as a short course to avoid authorisation.

For the period from December 17 2025 to December 16 2027, Québec established maximum numbers of temporary study selection applications for institutions, school service centres and school boards, divided into one-year periods. An admission offer should not be treated as proof that a CAQ application is outside those limits.

Use Québec’s official application tracking information and contact the institution for current intake status. Do not rely on a screenshot from an earlier intake or another campus. If the applicable maximum has been reached, understand the school’s deferral and refund options before paying additional amounts.

Some continuing students and other categories may be treated differently under the application management rules. Only claim an exclusion when the official criteria and the student’s evidence match. Keep the registrar letter where Québec requests proof of continuing in the same program institution and level.

Submit the online temporary selection application and pay the official fee through the recognised process. Follow the personalised document instructions and use accurate identity education and program information. Documents not in the required language may need compliant translation. Save every uploaded file and confirmation.

Financial capacity must be demonstrated under the current Québec rules as well as the broader study plan. Use official tuition, compulsory fees, living needs, transport and accompanying-family costs. Distinguish money already paid from money available and explain the source of funds with consistent bank and sponsor evidence.

Québec publishes service information and processing indicators, but these are not guarantees for an individual file. Apply early enough for requests, biometrics and the later federal application. Do not book non-refundable travel based only on a typical processing figure.

After receiving the CAQ issuance letter, follow the current IRCC study-permit checklist. Include the Québec evidence in the required field, the valid LOA, financial documents, passport, biometrics and medical evidence where applicable. Ensure the program name, dates and institution match across both applications.

The federal application still assesses whether the applicant meets Canadian study-permit requirements. A strong file connects the Québec program to the student’s Nepal academic and career history, explains funding truthfully and addresses previous refusals or travel history where relevant. Avoid generic copied study plans.

If the institution, level or program changes, check whether a new CAQ and a new or extended study permit are required. Do not assume that a Québec authorisation transfers automatically. Coordinate the school, Québec and IRCC processes before changing enrolment.

When a policy changes, compare the new instruction with the student’s application date, credential, institution, campus and personal status before deciding what applies. Do not silently replace an old document or reinterpret a rule from a headline. If the effect is uncertain, pause payment or submission and obtain clarification from the responsible authority or a properly authorised professional.

This evidence trail also improves counselling quality. The student and family can see which facts are confirmed, which are estimates and which remain conditional. MKS Education uses this approach to support transparent education planning while leaving admission and immigration decisions with the relevant institutions and Canadian authorities.