Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration and Francization (MIFI) has rolled out a bold new plan, capping study permit applications for international students at the province’s postsecondary institutions.
Effective from February 26, 2025, to February 26, 2026, these restrictions will reshape how universities welcome global talent.
Curious about the details?
Here’s everything you need to know about the allocations, exemptions, and the step-by-step process to study in Quebec.
Table of Contents
Why Quebec Is Capping International Students
Quebec is introducing strict limits on new international student admissions to manage growth and resources effectively.
Starting late February 2025, universities and colleges will face a fixed ceiling on study permit applications.
Once an institution hits its cap, no further international students can be admitted—unless they qualify for specific exemptions.
This policy aims to balance educational opportunities with provincial capacity, ensuring sustainable development.
The total allocation across all Quebec universities?
A hefty 63,299 study permit applications.
But not every school gets an equal slice of the pie—allocations vary widely based on size, demand, and institutional focus.
Who’s Exempt from These Caps?
Not every international student will feel the squeeze.
The following groups are unaffected by the new limits:
Pre-February 2025 Applicants: Submitted your study permit application before February 26, 2025? You’re in the clear.
Permit Extensions: Continuing your current vocational program in Quebec? You can extend your study permit without worry.
Dependent Children: Kids of temporary foreign workers or international students in Quebec dodge the cap.
Primary/Secondary Students: Applying for K-12 education? This rule doesn’t apply.
Refugee Claimants: Seeking protection under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act? You’re exempt.
Health Sector Trainees: Enrolled in supplementary training by a professional health authority? No limits here.
Excellence Scholarship Winners: Selected for Quebec’s prestigious scholarship program? You’re good to go.
Government Protocol Certificate Holders: Special certificate from Quebec’s government? You bypass the cap.
For everyone else, the clock is ticking. Let’s break down the university-specific allocations.
Quebec University Allocations: The Full Breakdown
Here’s how many international students each Quebec university can welcome:
University of Montreal leads with 8,709 slots, reflecting its status as a global academic powerhouse.
Laval University follows closely with 8,276, a hotspot for research and innovation.
Smaller institutions like Bishop’s University (356) and Tele-university (30) get modest shares.
Some schools, like the Montreal Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, score a big fat zero, meaning no new international students for them.
These numbers signal a seismic shift.
Universities with higher caps, like Montreal and Laval, will remain magnets for international talent, while smaller or niche schools may see their global reach shrink.
How to Study in Quebec: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Dreaming of studying in Quebec?
You’ll need two key documents: a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from MIFI and a Canadian study permit from the federal government.
Here’s how to navigate the process like a pro.
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before you start, make sure you have:
A valid passport.
An admission letter from a Quebec institution (detailing your program and fees).
A credit card for payment.
Optional but sometimes required:
Contact info for your financial sponsor.
Details of your authorized representative.
Step 2: Set Up Your Arrima Account
Head to the Arrima platform, Quebec’s online immigration hub.
Create an account using your full legal name—exactly as it appears on your application.
This is where you’ll submit docs and pay fees.
Step 3: Fill Out the CAQ Application
Log into Arrima and complete the online form in one go—no saving progress mid-way.
Want updates on your application?
Set up a consultation profile while you’re at it.
Step 4: Pay the Fee
You’ve got one hour after submitting to pay the $132 CAQ fee via Arrima.
Miss the window, and your application stalls.
Fees are non-refundable, so double-check everything first.
Step 5: Upload Your Documents
Within 48 hours of payment, you’ll get a file number.
Use it to upload:
Passport identity page photocopy.
Admission letter from your school.
Proof of financial capacity (e.g., bank statements).
Pro tip: Scan multi-page docs into a single PDF for smooth submission.
Step 6: Submit and Wait
Log back into Arrima, upload your files, and hit submit.
Processing takes about 25 working days.
If you’re from Austria, Canada, the US, France, Greenland, Hong Kong, Reunion Island, Monaco, Mexico, or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, send proof of funds directly to MIFI.
Everyone else? The feds will handle it.
Step 7: Apply for Your Study Permit
Got your CAQ? Congrats!
Now apply to the Canadian government for your study permit.
This final step greenlights your journey to Quebec.
Why This Matters Now
Quebec’s new caps aren’t just numbers—they’re a game-changer for international education.
With 63,299 slots spread unevenly across universities, competition will heat up fast.
Big players like McGill (5,131) and Concordia (5,233) will stay in the spotlight, but smaller schools could struggle to attract global talent.
For students, timing is everything.
Apply before February 26, 2025, to sidestep the limits—or target an exempt category.
For universities, it’s adapt or lose out.
Institutions with zero allocations, like the Montreal Conservatory, might need to rethink their strategies entirely.
What’s Next for International Students in Quebec?
This policy runs until February 26, 2026, but its ripple effects could last longer.
Will Quebec tweak the caps?
Expand exemptions?
Only time will tell.
For now, aspiring students should act fast, plan smart, and lean on the Arrima process to secure their spot.
Ready to study in Canada’s French-speaking heartland?
Your journey starts here—don’t let the caps catch you off guard.
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