If you are moving to Quebec as a temporary foreign worker with a school-age child, the child may need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate for studies (CAQ) as well as a federal study permit. When the child applies, Quebec’s immigration ministry (MIFI) wants a document showing how long the parent will stay in Quebec. In practice that means an issued work permit, a port-of-entry letter of introduction, or one of a short list of equivalents. Quebec practitioners report that an employment contract or an employer’s offer in the IRCC portal is no longer enough. Get the parent’s permit or letter first, then file the child’s CAQ.
Key Takeaways
- A child already in Quebec who must attend primary or secondary school does not need a CAQ if a parent is staying in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker. Preschool never needs one.
- A child arriving from abroad with a worker parent generally does need a CAQ, applied for before arrival.
- For a child 16 or under, MIFI asks for a document showing the parent’s length of stay, which also sets the CAQ’s validity period.
- The accepted documents are listed below. A job offer, employment contract or explanatory letter is not on that list.
- If only one parent comes, add a consent declaration signed by the other parent.
When a child does not need a CAQ
Quebec’s rules say an accompanying minor child does not need a CAQ for studies if:
- the child attends preschool;
- the child is already in Quebec, is required to attend primary or secondary school, and the parent is staying in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker, as an international student, or to receive medical treatment;
- the parent is an asylum claimant or a recognized refugee or protected person.
Quebec also exempts minors already in Canada who are studying at the primary or secondary level. That exemption does not help children whose parents are visitors without authorization to work or study.
The words “already in Quebec” matter. A family that lands together, with the parent holding a new work permit, is not “already in Quebec” when the child’s study plans are made. In most cases, a family arriving from abroad should expect the child to need a CAQ.
What MIFI asks for when a child applies
For every child 16 or under, the temporary selection application for studies must include:
- a copy of the child’s birth certificate showing both parents’ names;
- a copy of an identity document for each parent, showing name and signature.
Unless the child is going to a general primary or secondary school, MIFI also needs the school’s admission letter.
If the child is accompanied by a parent who is a temporary foreign worker or international student, MIFI also asks for a document showing the parent’s length of stay in Quebec. Quebec explains that this document lets it match the CAQ’s validity date to the parent’s stay. It can be one of:
- the work permit of either parent;
- the letter of introduction for the work permit issued by a Canadian visa office abroad;
- the admission letter of either parent as a full-time student at a Quebec institution;
- the study permit of either parent;
- a letter supporting an early entry request, with proof that a work permit application was submitted to the federal government.
Why a job offer or contract is not enough
At the CBA Immigration Law Conference in May 2026, a panel of Quebec practitioners described a 2026 refusal. MIFI refused a CAQ for studies for a minor child because the parent had not yet received a work permit or a letter of introduction. The file included proof that the employer had submitted the offer of employment in the IRCC Employer Portal, the employment contract, and explanatory letters. According to the panel, MIFI’s current approach is that these documents no longer establish the duration of the parent’s status. The panel said this was confirmed to apply to LMIA-exempt work permits, including permits under international agreements, and to LMIA-based work permits.
This fits the official list above. Every accepted document for a worker parent is issued by government, or, for the early entry letter, is backed by proof of a federal work permit application. An employer’s paperwork, however complete, is not.
Getting the order right
The practical lesson is sequencing:
- Parent first. Complete the parent’s work permit application and get the permit or the port-of-entry letter of introduction.
- Then the child’s CAQ. File the child’s temporary selection application for studies with that document attached.
- Then the child’s study permit. Quebec says to apply for the federal study permit once you receive the letter confirming the CAQ has been issued. Check IRCC’s current guidance on whether your child needs a study permit and when to apply. The federal rules for minors are in our guide to study permits for minor children.
If the school year is close, this sequence can be tight. Families moving through employer transfers should build the child’s timeline into the relocation plan at the start, not after the parent’s permit arrives. Employers hiring in Quebec also face their own new conditions, such as the OQLF francization proof for Quebec LMIAs, which can delay the parent’s permit and push back everything else.
When only one parent comes
If a child 16 or under is accompanied by only one parent, MIFI also requires a Declaration of Consent (Déclaration de consentement) signed by the parent who is not coming. A divorce judgment granting the other parent visiting rights does not remove this requirement, even if the visiting rights are limited.
If the consent cannot be obtained, Quebec accepts official proof that the accompanying parent has sole custody. Examples include a death certificate, a court judgment granting sole custody with no visiting rights, a judgment removing parental authority, proof from a competent authority that the other parent cannot sign, or a certificate of disappearance.
Older teenagers
A child who is 17 when applying, or who is 16 but will turn 17 at least one month before the program starts, files with the documents for an adult student, not the child list.
Renewals
The child’s CAQ is aligned to the parent’s stay. When the parent extends a work permit, plan to renew the child’s CAQ and study permit as well. Workers in Quebec’s permanent selection queue whose permits are expiring should also read about the federal public policy for PSTQ applicants.
Frequently asked questions
My child is already in a Montreal school and I hold a work permit. Do we need a CAQ?
Generally not. Quebec exempts a child who is already in Quebec, must attend primary or secondary school, and has a parent staying in Quebec as a temporary foreign worker. Keep proof of the parent’s permit on file.
My employer has submitted my job offer in the IRCC portal. Can we file my child’s CAQ now?
You can file, but the refusal risk is real. The panel reported a refusal on exactly these facts. Quebec’s list of accepted parent documents does not include an offer or a contract. Wait for the work permit or the letter of introduction, or use the early entry letter with proof of your permit application if that applies.
Does my child need a CAQ for kindergarten?
No. Quebec states that a CAQ for studies is not required for preschool.
My spouse is staying behind. What extra document do we need?
A Declaration of Consent signed by your spouse, the parent who is not accompanying the child. If that is impossible, provide official proof of sole custody from Quebec’s list.
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Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration law and IRCC/ESDC policy change frequently, and every case turns on its own facts. Reading this article does not create a lawyer–client relationship. Obtain advice tailored to your situation before you act.
Talk to a Canadian immigration lawyer. BridgePoint Law advises individuals and businesses across Canada — and on Canada–US–China cross-border matters — on Quebec study and work permits for families. Book a consultation with our team in Toronto and Kingston. We work in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.