Applying for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)

�Step 1: Start your application online

Applying for temporary selection for studies

Check out our application guide

Some key points

• Specify your level of study as noted in your admission letter.
• Program start and end dates (including the addition of 3 months to complete the post-graduation work permit process) – Winter 2025:
  
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
  • Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.): January 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
  • Master’s (16 months): January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2027
  • Master’s (24 months): January 1, 2025 – August 31, 2027
  • Certificate: January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Program start and end dates (including the addition of 3 months to complete the post-graduation work permit process) – Fall 2024:
  
  • Preparatory year: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2028
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2027
  • Specialized Graduate Diploma (D.E.S.S.): August 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026
  • Master’s (16 months): August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2026
  • Master’s (24 months): August 1, 2024 – November 30, 2026
  • MBA: August 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025
  • Certificate: August 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025
  • EMBA: August 1, 2024 – December 31, 2025
• Program start and end dates (including the addition of 3 months to complete the post-graduation work permit process) – Summer 2024:
  
  • MBA+: July 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026
• You will find a breakdown of tuition fees on the back of your admission letter.

You will receive a personalized checklist once you have paid the processing fees.

Step 2: Proceed with your application

After you have completed your application, you must pay the fee and submit the supporting documents.

Note that an incomplete application (missing documents, no handwritten signature when requested, or insufficient financial evidence) may result in a notice of intent to refuse your application, as well as additional delays.

• The Arrima platform allows you to pay your fee and submit supporting documents online.
• To find out the amount of all the costs you will need to be able to cover for you first year of study, visit the Gouvernement du Québec website. You will need to provide proof of your financial ability to pay this amount.

Need help with this step? Watch the videos (in French only)

Please do not contact HEC Montréal or the Ministry

• to find out if your documents have been received
• to request preferential treatment for your file.

Step 3: After completing your application

Notice of intent to refuse

If your file is incomplete or additional information is required, you may receive a notice of intent to refuse your application for a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). It is essential to respond to this notice as promptly as possible. Please be aware that up to 25 business days may be added to the processing time of the application. Feel free to contact us if you have any uncertainties about the requirements.

Confirmation that your document is issued

You will receive confirmation that your Attestation of issuance of Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) - Québec Acceptance Certificate is issued through your online account approximately 25 working days after the Ministry receives the documents. Consult your file.

• This electronic document acts as a provincial attestation letter (PAL).
• You must use this electronic document to apply for a study permit.
• Upload it in HEC en ligne.

Make sure that all the information on your CAQ is correct (first name, last name, date of birth, program dates, etc.).

Your Prerequisites

Agree to comply with all the conditions for issuing your Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) for studies, including:

• Making your studies your principal activity, that is to study full-time at all the semesters, except in the last term of your program or during the summer term.