ACS - International Trade

In order to be admitted to the Attestation of College Studies (ACS) program in international trade, a candidate must hold a recognized High School Diploma (HSD) or have work experience and education deemed sufficient by the College. He or she must also meet one of the following conditions :

• have interrupted his or her studies for at least two consecutive terms or one school year  ; OR
• be covered by an agreement entered into by the College and an employer or by the College and a government program; OR
• have completed at least one year of post-secondary studies spread over one year or more.

It's essential to familiarize yourself with Quebec's immigration rules. Here are a few tips and all the necessary hyperlinks to help you navigate these processes smoothly, and without the help of an immigration consultant or lawyer!

Warning - Our website provides a simple overview of the procedures, laws and regulations in force in Quebec and Canada. These are subject to change without notice.

Obtain the Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ) from MIFI

The CAQ is a mandatory document to study in a program lasting more than 6 months in Quebec. It is issued for a single level of study (here 'études collégiales') and for the normal duration of your program, according to the dates indicated on your letter of admission.

• Complete the online application and pay the processing fee (120 CAD).
• Gather the required documents, sign, date and scan the forms.
• Submit your documents on the Arrima platform.
  

Processing time is approximately 1 month. Once approved, you'll receive confirmation through your online portal, which you can use to apply for your study permit.

Obtaining a study permit from IRCC

A study permit is a mandatory document for studying in Canada for more than 6 months. Processing times vary from one country to another, and from one time of year to another, but you should allow an average of 8 weeks.

• Open an account in the MyCIC portal, indicate that you wish to study in Canada for more than 6 months, indicate 'yes' to the question if work experience is an integral part of your program, and answer all other questions.
• Gather the required documents, write a letter detailing your study plans and motivations, fill out and sign all the forms, pay the processing fee ($150) and the biometrics fee ($85).
• Once you've submitted your application, you'll receive an instruction letter in your MyCIC portal within a few days to make an appointment at the nearest CRDV to complete the biometrics. Please complete this step as soon as possible, as processing of your study permit application will not be able to start before then! Biometric data is valid for 10 years
• Depending on your country of residence, a medical examination may be required (find out if you need a medical examination here). If so, you will receive an instruction letter in your MonCIC portal to provide you with the required information. You have a maximum of 30 days to complete this step. The results of the examination are valid for 1 year.
• Depending on your nationality, you may need a temporary resident visa to enter Canada. Note that this is automatically issued if your study permit is approved, and no additional steps or fees are required. However, please allow about 2 weeks for your passport to be sent and returned to the CVB for visa stamping.

What should I do if my application is refused or if the processing time has passed?

The only way to contact IRCC is through their online form, either to follow up on your application, to submit additional documents to your file, or to request a review of your refusal. In the event of a final refusal, there are few other options than to submit a new application with new information or documents, depending on the reasons for refusal.