Step 9. Arrival in Montréal
1. Retrieving my study permit at a Canadian border post
Once you arrive in Montréal, after passing passport control, head straight to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada office so that an immigration officer can issue your study permit.
You must have with you:
- Your passport
- Your CAQ
- Your study permit retrieval letter
- Your HEC Montréal admission letter
- All other documents required for a study permit application (proof of financial means, return airline ticket, diplomas, etc.)
2. Accueil Plus Service at the airport (fall only)
 | The Accueil Plus service will help you during your arrival in August. The reception staff will be waiting for you at the airport to provide essential information and guide you. |
We encourage you to go to one of the welcoming booths located in the International arrival terminal and in the Domestic arrival terminal (near the automatic baggage conveyor).
The Accueil Plus Service facilitates the process with customs and immigration services and shortens the waiting time at the border for international students with a study permit at their arrival at the Montréal-Trudeau Airport, when this is their Port of Entry into Canada. Register online with the Accueil Plus Service in order to forward your travel information and allow the Canadian Border Services Agency to accelerate the issuance of your study permit.
Accueil Plus will provide information on:
- HEC Montréal as well as the first steps you need to take when arriving on campus;
- the transportation services available to access the downtown area or other cities in the province of Québec;
- temporary lodging available in Montréal for your first few nights in the city;
- life in Québec.
- use a telephone to call home and confirm your safe arrival;
- access the Internet.
3. Going to my temporary housing
You have 2 options:
- Take a cab (about 30-40$)
- Take the bus 747 for 8$. There are 9 bus stops between Montréal-Trudeau Airport and the Gare d'autocars de Montréal.
4. Reducing the effects of jet lag
The best way to adapt is to start living on Montréal time right away and to let your body use the daylight to adjust its own internal clock.
If arriving from the East (Europe, Africa), you will be battling sleep, because when it’s 6 p.m. in Montréal, it’s midnight in Paris. Drop off your luggage and stay active! Take a quick shower, grab some coffee and head out to explore the city for a few hours before the sun goes down. Try hard not to go to sleep too early: by staying up until at least 9:30 p.m., you'll be in much better shape the following night.
If arriving from the West (Asia, Pacific), you will have trouble getting to sleep, because when it’s midnight in Montréal, it’s 3 p.m. the next day in Sydney! Set an alarm clock to wake you up the next morning at a reasonable hour (no later than 9:30) so that you won’t be too jet-lagged.
5. I head to HEC Montréal to attend my compulsory orientation day
It is compulsory for all new international students to attend the orientation day. It will include a number of activities: a tour of the School, workshops on life in Montréal and on the way the School functions.
6. Searching for accommodation
Student will have to find housing on their own.
The International Student Affairs office offers workshops to help students.7. Registering at RAMQ (only for students benefiting from a bilateral social security agreement)
For more information, check the health insurance webpage.
8. Subscribing to a mobile phone service
For more information, check the telecommunication webpage.
9. Opening a bank account
For more information,check the money and finances webpage.
10. Getting my OPUS public transit card
For more information, check the transport webpage.
11. I registrer with my country's consulate
As soon as you arrive in Montréal, you must register with your country's consulate.
Many countries require by law that their expatriate citizens register their residential address at all times. This is an important step for your personal safety. In case of emergency, your country's authorities can help you. In addtition, you can take advantage of the opportunity to register for your consulate's electoral lists so that you can vote while in Montréal, assuming that your country allows absentee voting.
Consult the Foreign Affairs Canada Protocol Reference Site for the address and phone number of your country's consulate in Montréal.
