CAQ Application Management Rules

What are the Application Management Rules?

1. The Government of Quebec has set a cap on the amount of CAQ applications that can be received each year for each designated learning institution (DLI), including McGill.
2. The application management rules determine if you are exempt from the CAQ application cap or not.
3. In the CAQ application form you will be asked: Are you eligible for an exemption set out in the application management rules indicated in the Table of exemptions from management of requests ?

Are you exempt?

1. If you are extending your CAQ for the same program, same level of studies and same institution (McGill), you are exempt from the application management rules. Most students renewing their CAQ are in this situation – e.g., you need an extra semester or more to complete your program.
2. If you are extending your CAQ for a different level of studies (e.g. you are going from Bachelor’s to Master’s, Master’s to PhD, etc.) or to attend a different institution in Quebec, you are not exempt from the application management rules.
3. For a complete list of exemptions, see the Immigration Quebec webpage.

How should you answer the CAQ application management exemption question?

In the CAQ application, you will be asked:

For a complete list of exemptions, see the Immigration Quebec webpage.

IMPORTANT:

• If you incorrectly answer the application management rules question, your CAQ application will be cancelled. You will receive a letter of “Inadmissibility of your application for temporary selection of studies” and your application fee will be refunded. You must then re-apply for your CAQ and correctly answer the exemption question.
• Even if you are exempt from the application management rules, you are still required to obtain a CAQ. An exemption from the CAQ application cap does not mean you are exempt from obtaining a valid CAQ. *NOTE: Exceptionally, students in very specific situations do not need a CAQ.

Proof of Exemption

You must upload a letter of explanation explaining how you meet an exemption from the application management rules and refer to supporting documents.

Sample Letter:

To whom it may concern,

I meet the following exemption from the application management rules:

I am applying to extend my CAQ in order to continue my current program of study (PROGRAM NAME) at the same educational institution (McGill) at the same level of study (LEVEL OF STUDY – e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD). Please see my official e-transcript and current and former Proof of Enrolment letters as proof.

[If you have a supporting letter from your department you can refer to it as well]

Supporting Documents:

• Official e-transcript
• Proof of Enrolment letter for current term
• Proof of Enrolment letters for all terms during validity period of current CAQ
• Grad students: Support letter from your department
• (Optional) Undergrad students: Support letter from your academic advisor

You can upload the cover letter in the designated section on Arrima.

What to do if your CAQ application is cancelled?

• If you mistakenly answer NO to the exemption from the application management rules question, you will receive a letter of “Inadmissibility of your application for temporary selection of studies” confirming that your CAQ application has been cancelled by Immigration Quebec for the following reason:

  Contrary to the information provided in your application for temporary selection for studies, the documents you have submitted show that you are covered by an exemption under the application management rules:
  You are applying to continue your current program of studies at the same educational institution and at the same level of study.

• You will be refunded and will have to reapply for the CAQ. Make sure to correctly answer the exemption question in the CAQ application that asks, “Are you eligible for an exemption set out in the application management rules indicated in the Table of exemptions from management of requests?”
• If you are extending your CAQ for the same program, same level of studies and same institution (McGill), you will need to answer YES – you are exempt from the application management rules.
• See the Proof of Exemption section above for information on what to submit as proof.

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