Temporary Stay in Québec

Children who qualify for a temporary authorization to receive instruction in English in Québec generally fall into the following categories:

  • A child who is a foreign national that holds a valid CAQ from Immigration Québec or a valid Work/Study Permit from Immigration Canada;
  • A child who is a foreign national whose parents hold a valid CAQ from Immigration Québec or a valid Work/Study Permit from Immigration Canada;
  • A child who is a foreign national whose parent is not a Canadian citizen and has been posted in Québec temporarily as a representative or an Officer of another country or an International Organization;
  • A dependent child of a parent who is either a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident domiciled in a Canadian province or territory but have been assigned to Québec temporarily to work or study;
  • A dependent child of a parent or parent’s spouse/common-law partner who is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces posted in Québec temporarily (Regular class or Reservist Class “B or C”).

A temporary authorization to receive instruction in English given to a child is valid for period of validity of the immigration document issued to the child or parent. Eligibility is granted for a maximum of three (3) years at a time and expires on June 30 of the school year in which the parent or child’s temporary stay ends. It may be renewed provided that the applicant still meets the same criteria as their initial application.

IMPORTANT: Temporary certificates of eligibility granted based on a family’s Work/Study Permit cannot be renewed.

Temporary certificates of eligibility cannot be granted to children of foreign nationals claiming refugee status or for those choosing to settle in Québec on a permanent basis.

Please note: Once someone receives a CSQ (Certificat de Sélection du Québec), they lose their right to apply for a renewal under temporary status.

International Students

Children who come to Québec without their parents and who wish to register in a public English school still require a certificate of eligibility. They require a CAQ (Certificate of acceptance from Québec) from Immigration Québec or a study permit from Immigration Canada. International students that are not part of an exchange program must be charged tuition fees.  Please contact the Riverside School Board for more information or you can visit the following websites:

  • Québec (Immigration et Communautés culturelles Québec)
  • Canada (Government of Canada – Immigration and citizenship)
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