Frequently-Asked Questions

For legal and tuition status changes to take effect for the current term, all proofs of citizenship, requests for Quebec residency, and immigration status changes must be received by the end of the last day of classes for that current term. Claims completed after that date will only serve to update your status and lower your fees for the following term.

Newly-admitted students: ID cards will not normally be issued without your immigration documents having been received (ie. proof of Canadian citizenship, or international status such as your CAQ or Study Permit). Your ID card is essential to use many services on campus, and to sit for your final exams.

If your permanent code has not been issued by October 15 (fall term) or February 15 (winter term) we will put a hold on your record, which will prevent you from registering or dropping any courses, and which will prevent you from obtaining your official transcript, until your record has been put in order. For students in short programs, this action may be taken earlier in the term.

The Student Accounts Office wants you to be aware that if your submission to update your legal and tuition fee status will not be completed before their fee payment deadline, you should request a fee deferral in order to avoid any interest or late payment charges. More detailed information on this on the Student Accounts website.

Unfortunately, you are not eligible until you officially receive the Canadian citizenship certificate. Until that time, you will be assessed international tuition. You are also required to apply for a CAQ and study permit during this time as the approval process can take up to a year. Any legal status change will only be effective in the present term of registration. No retro-active changes will be made, as per the Quebec Ministry of Education's regulations.

Please refer to the International Student Services website.

Due to the regulations governing the creation of your Quebec Permanent Code (required for all enrolled students in the province of Quebec), McGill University cannot accept a copy of your Canadian passport in support of your Canadian tuition status, except in cases where you already have a valid Quebec Permanent Code.

Please refer to the main page and select "Other provinces and territories" in order to view which documents are acceptable to prove your Canadian tuition status.

Per the Quebec Ministry of Education's regulations, we cannot accept a baptismal certificate or a statement of birth registration in support of your Canadian tuition status. You must provide a copy of your birth certificate issued by the civil status office of your province of birth. Examples of acceptable Canadian birth certificates are available here.

In most cases, a student is not eligible. A student must become a permanent resident of Canada first before being able to prove Quebec residency. You will be assessed international tuition until your permanent residency of Canada is officially approved. The legal status change will only be made as of the present term of registration. No retro-active changes will be made. Note: there are some specific CSQs that are eligible for an international student fee exemption but they must have the appropriate category and processing center (see exemption page for all the requirements). If the CSQ does not have them, then you are not eligible for the exemption.

The answer is unfortunately, no. A legal status change will only be made once a student officially becomes a permanent resident of Canada and receives the IMM 1000/5292/5688 document with a confirmation of landing date.

Yes, you must apply for the renewed documents before they expire. As the PR approval process by the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) can take up to 2 years, a student cannot study at McGill during this time without valid study documentation, as per the Quebec Ministry of Education's regulations.

Provide Service Point with a copy of your completed IMM document or a copy of your Permanent Resident card (both sides).

McGill can change your legal status while you are awaiting your PR card by mail. We require the completed IMM 1000/5292/5688 document.

The Québec Ministry of Education requires Quebec Universities to collect an additional tuition premium per credit from Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who do not qualify as Quebec residents under Ministry definitions.

Please note that McGill University follows the Quebec Residency directives established by the Ministry. As per these guidelines, you must provide complete documentation proving you are a Quebec resident. Failure to do so will result in your not being considered as a Quebec resident, resulting in your being billed the additional (out-of-province) fees.

Once you provide the required information to prove that you are eligible to be considered a Quebec Resident, your tuition status will be updated accordingly.

Full details and descriptions of the supporting documents you need to provide to McGill in support of your claim of Quebec residency are included on this site. Please consult the Quebec section for instructions on how to determine which documents are required of you.

No. To claim Quebec Residency, you must be a proven Canadian citizen or permanent resident. For a list of international tuition exemptions, please refer to the main legal documents page and select "American and International Students".

A Quebec Permanent Code is a unique identifying code assigned by the Quebec Ministry of Education to all students who attend an educational institution in Quebec regardless of where they come from and regardless of their residency status. There is no specific connection between a Permanent Code and Quebec residency. Even if you have a Permanent Code you will still have to prove that you are eligible for Quebec resident status.