A cosmopolitan city with a vibrant cultural scene, Montreal is the best student city in North America. It’s easy to see why, with its energetic festivals, relatively low cost of living and diverse population. You’ve made the right choice to study in Canada – but you may be wondering how to move to Montreal as an international student.
Every year, Concordia welcomes thousands of international students through its doors. Our International Students Office is here to ensure you have a smooth transition to Montreal. You’re going through some exciting changes, and we’re here to help you with the big move.
Before your departure
Make sure you have all your required immigration documents, along with your valid passport. It is your responsibility to make sure you have all the legal documents needed to study in Quebec.
You’ll want to consult the ISO’s pre-departure checklist to confirm that you’ve completed all the necessary steps before boarding the plane. This includes booking temporary accommodation for when you land in Montreal, if you will be looking for an apartment to rent.
Arriving at the airport in Montreal
You’ll want to arrive in Montreal at least two weeks before classes begin, so you’ll have time to get settled. When you arrive, have the address of your accommodation on hand. A taxi from the airport to downtown is about $41, but Uber may have different prices. Bus 747 is $10 and will take you downtown to Berri-UQAM metro station.
Set up your Canadian accounts
The advantage of arriving early is that you’ll have time to get yourself sorted—not to mention recovering from jetlag! Getting a Canadian SIM card, opening a bank account, finding a place to live and getting your WiFi set up will take time, but don’t stress! We have a few tips for settling in, which you’ll want to look over after arriving.
If you’re fresh out of high school, check if you qualify for Concordia’s on-campus housing.
Get ready for school
Getting your student ID, registering for classes, sorting out health insurance and paying tuition should all be completed before the term begins. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your pre-term tasks, check out the new student checklist to keep track of what you need to do at the start of your first term.
Connect with Concordia’s international community
With thousands of international students on campus from over 150 countries, you’ll meet many students who are going through a similar experience. The ISO holds events and workshops for newly arrived international students, so you’ll have many opportunities to meet new friends in your new home.
Try new things
Montreal was voted the safest city in the world for travelers in 2022. There’s plenty of exciting experiences that await, including trying new foods like poutine, or maybe experiencing your first snowfall. Don’t forget to snap some photos for your friends and family back home—they’ll want to see your new life!
Questions
If at any time you’re feeling confused about applying to Concordia and moving to Montreal, reach out! Our Office of Student Recruitment can answer your questions about admissions, and the International Students Office can answer your questions about the immigration process.
