On Jan. 1, the Quebec government changed the financial requirements for international students to be eligible to study in the province. Quebec now requires international students to show at least $24,617 CAD in available funds to qualify for a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) and study permit. This new requirement, which applies to individuals both over and under 18 years of age, is a significant increase from the previous $15,508 CAD requirement for adults and more than triple the $7,756 CAD requirement for those under 18.
The proof-of-funds requirement is intended to ensure students are able to cover living expenses incurred during their studies in Quebec, such as rent, food, and transportation. The funds do not need to be entirely held in the student’s bank account and may include parental support, scholarships, or loans. Nonetheless, the drastic increase could limit access to studying in the province for lower-income international applicants.
In an interview with The Tribune, international student Kai Bosniak, U3 Sciences, criticized the new requirements for reducing accessibility for otherwise qualified students to study in Quebec.
“It seems like a shocking and unreasonable amount [….] It would have been triple for me. I’m against it personally, because it would have very negatively affected me [….] I don’t think I had $24,000 [CAD] in the bank account anywhere” Bosniak said. “I think a lot of people who would be qualified and eager to learn would just be completely unable to enter the country or the province.”
McGill hosts thousands of international students each year, many of whom already face high housing and tuition costs when living in Montreal. As tuition fees for international students are already more than triple the cost for Canadian citizens, the increased proof-of-funds requirement adds another financial barrier for prospective students.
“I don’t think international students are prioritized at all. I feel like it is pretty explicit that they want to prioritize the Quebecois and other Canadians, but not [international students],” Bosniak added.
