ISO Guide

I S O P r e - D e p a r t u r e G u id e
2 0 1 0 2 0 11
I n t e r n at io n a l S t u d e n t s O f f i c e S ta f f
The Staff of the International Students Office

(from left to right) Brenda Brisson, Nadeem Butt, Anna Nigoghosian, Kelly Col-
lins, Jenny Calder, Claire Beaudreault, Delfine Lambert, Benoit Fontaine, Raja
Bhattacharya.
Dear international student,
W ELC O M E T O T H E I S O
We are very happy to welcome you to Concordia University and to count you
amongst the nearly 4 400 international students already studying here. We
sincerely hope that you will enjoy your time with us and that you will appreciate
the student life on campus. You have chosen a university where students hold
a central place, and where services are geared to help you grow personally and
academically.
We have put together this information booklet to help you prepare for your
arrival in Canada and your arrival in Montreal. Read it carefully— you will
find the answers to many of your questions as well as useful information about
programmes and services offered by the International Students Office.
We look forward to meeting you, so come and visit us as soon as you arrive on
campus. An information package and friendly faces await you.
We wish you a nice trip to Canada and we will see you soon!
The Staff of the International Students Office
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE (ISO)

Concordia University
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West
Hall Building, 6th floor, Room 653
Montreal, Québec
Canada H3G 1M8
Telephone: 514-848-2424, ext. 3515
Fax: 514-848-3599
E-mail: iso@alcor.concordia.ca
ISO Web Page: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso
Concordia Web Page: www.concordia.ca
1
1 WELCOME TO THE ISO
TA B LE O F C O NTENT S
4 WELCOME TO CONCORDIA!
6 CAMPUS MAPS
8 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE
11 ISO IMMIGRATION INFORMATION SESSION (MANDATORY)
13 PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
13 IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES (IMPORTANT)

13 Studying Without a CAQ and a Study Permit
14 Studying With a CAQ and a Study Permit
15 Immigration Quebec (CAQ)
18 Canadian Immigration (Study Permit)
20 Copy of Your CAQ and Study Permit to Concordia
21 Temporary Resident Visa to Enter Canada
21 Visa to Enter United States
21 Visa to Enter Countries Other Than Canada
21 Late Arrival
22 Visiting and Exchange Students
22 Students Bringing Families
22 Working in Canada
23 Spouses/Partners
23 FINANCES
23 Transferring Funds to Canada
23 Transferring Funds to Cover Tuition Fees
24 Changing Funds to Canadian Currency
25 Scholarship Students
25 Financial Aid
26 Money for Travel
26 TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS

26 When to Arrive
27 Hotel Reservations in Montreal
27 What to Bring
28 Luggage
28 Air Cargo / Shipping
29 Temporary Mailing Address
29 ARRIVAL IN MONTREAL
29 Arrival By Air
29 Arrival Procedures
2
30 Getting to Montreal
TA B LE O F C O NTENT S
30 Arrival By Bus or Train
31 Telephones
31 Temporary Accommodation
31 REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF TUITION

31 Registration
32 Tuition
33 Exemptions From Differential Fees
35 Permanent Code
35 COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

35 Health Insurance Plan for International Students
36 Health Insurance Card / Information Sessions
37 Couple / Family Coverage
37 Exemptions From the Concordia Health Insurance Plan
39 Procedures for Opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan
40 Supplemental Dental Plan
40 Supplemental Health Plan for Students Who Have a Québec
Medicare Card
41 Travel Insurance
41 Health Services
42 HOUSING
42 ISO Housing Support Group
42 Temporary Accommodation
43 Map of Metro System
45 Apartments
47 University Residence
48 A FINAL WORD
48 REFERENCES
48 Calendar of Important Dates (web link)
49 Frequently Called Numbers
50 Useful Web Sites
51 Top Ten Tips
52 Appendix I: Sample Budget
3
W ELC O M E T O C O NC O R D I A
Concordia – A Brief Overview

Concordia is a large, urban university, in Montreal, Québec, Canada. The
university has two campuses, set approximately 7 km apart: Sir George Wil-
liams Campus is in the downtown core of Montreal, and Loyola Campus is in
the residential west-end of Montreal. They are connected by a free shuttle-bus
service for students, faculty and staff.
History
Although founded in 1974, the university traces its academic roots back to the
early 20th century, with the development of the Jesuit-run Loyola College and
the YMCA-based Sir George Williams University.
Accessibility
Concordia is proud of its tradition of accessibility and concern for the individu-
al. We value inter-disciplinary approaches to learning, and we are dedicated to
offering the best possible scholarship, research and training for the real world.
Programs
Concordia’s more than 180 undergraduate programs are divided into four
Faculties: Arts and Science, Engineering and Computer Science, Fine Arts, and
the John Molson School of Business. Students are enrolled in one of these Facul-
ties, but they may take courses from any of the others as part of their studies.
Many programs also offer a “co-operative” component, whereby students get
work experience while they study. In addition, the School of Graduate Studies
offers more than 70 programs leading to Master’s and doctoral degrees, as well
4
W ELC O M E T O C O NC O R D I A
as a variety of graduate diplomas and certificates for professionals seeking to
upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Students enter the university in September, or in some cases, in January or May.
An undergraduate degree normally takes three or four years to complete, a
Master’s takes from a year-and-a-half to three, and a PhD is at least three years
long. Certificates and diplomas usually take no longer than a year-and-a-half
to complete.
Montreal
Concordia considers the city of Montreal to be an invaluable asset to the
university experience. It has a population of three million, and is one of the
oldest cities in North America and one of the world’s largest French-speaking
cities. While French is the predominant language, there is also a large English-
speaking population. Many ethno-cultural communities also help maintain a
vibrant, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Festivals, concerts, films, plays, art shows
and athletic events are plentiful, and there is a 1 000-acre mountain in the heart
of the city, with parks, jogging and bike paths available.
You can also retreat to the nearby Laurentian Mountains or the Eastern Town-
ships. Once there, you can do everything from windsurfing to skiing (alpine, as
well as cross-country), or just explore the beautiful countryside. It’s all within
an hour or two of Montreal.
5
CA M P U S M A P S
Loyola Campus – (H4B 1R6)
AD 7141 Sherbrooke W. PG 7200 Sherbrooke W.

Administration Building Athletics Gym
BB 3505 Belmore Ave. PS 7141 Sherbrooke W.
BH 3500 Belmore Ave. Physical Services
(Belmore House) PT 7141 Sherbrooke W.
CC 7141 Sherbrooke W. Oscar Peterson Concert Hall
Central Building PY 7141 Sherbrooke W.
CJ (DS/DA) Comm. Studies & Psychology
Journalism Building RF 7141 Sherbrooke W.
FC 7141 Sherbrooke W. Refectory
Loyola Chapel / F.C. Smith SC 7141 Sherbrooke W.
Auditorium Campus Centre
HA 7141 Sherbrooke W. SH Solar House
Hingston Hall A SI 4455 West Broadway
HB 7141 Sherbrooke W. St. Ignatius
Hingston Hall B SP 7141 Sherbrooke W.
HC 7141 Sherbrooke W. Richard J. Renaud Science
Hingston Hall C Complex
JR Jesuit Residence TA 7079 Terrebonne
7141 Sherbrooke W. VE 7141 Sherbrooke W.
PA 7200 Sherbrooke W. Vanier Extension
Athletics Complex VL 7141 Sherbrooke W.
PB 7200 Sherbrooke W. Vanier Library
Athletics Boiler Room
PE 7200 Sherbrooke W.
6 Athletics Rink
CA M P U S M A P S
Sir George Williams Campus – (H3G 1M8)
B 2160 Bishop M 2135 Mackay

BC 1463 Bishop MB John Molson School of Business
Bishop Court 1450 Guy
CB 1425 Réné-Lévesque W. MI 2130 Bishop
CI 2149 Mackay MU 2170 Bishop
CL 1665 St.Catherine W. OS 1191 De La Montagne
D 2140 Bishop P 2020 Mackay
EN 2070 Mackay PR 2100 Mackay
ER 2155 Guy Q 2010 Mackay
EV 1515 St. Catherine W. R 2050 Mackay
FA 2060 Mackay RR 2040 Mackay
FB 1250 Guy S 2145 Mackay
Faubourg Tower SB 1590 Docteur Penfield
FB 1600 St.Catherine T 2030 Mackay
(Continuing Education)
TD 1410 Guy
FG 1616 St.Catherine
V 2110 Mackay
GM 1550 De Maisonneuve W.
VA 1395 Réné-Lévesques W.
GN 1185 St. Mathieu Visual Arts Building
H 1455 de Maisonneuve W. X 2080 Mackay
Henry F. Hall Building
Hall Building Z 2090 Mackay
K 2150 Bishop
LB J.W. McConnell Building
Library Building
7
WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE (ISO)
I n t e r n at io n a l S t u d e n t s O f f i c e
We really look forward to meeting you! So make the International Students

Office your “first stop” on campus and plan to attend an ISO Immigration
Information Session. This session has been prepared exclusively for interna-
tional students who are new to Concordia and to Montreal. Come pick up your
Information Package and Sign-up to the ISO Information Bulletin - it’s free!
What Do We Do for International Students?

The International Students Office is your main resource centre on campus.
Many international students call the ISO their “home away from home.” Hope-
fully, with time, you will become familiar with our office and our staff, and will
also feel like calling it “home.” It is very important that you connect with us
as soon as you arrive on campus. This is the only way that you will familiar-
ize yourself with the various services and activities we offer to international
students. Our mandate is to facilitate your adaptation at Concordia University,
and our ultimate goal is to make sure that you have a successful academic and
personal experience with us. Come and meet our friendly staff.
Phone
Kelly Collins Coordinator 514-848-2424, ext.3514
Benoit Fontaine Administrative Assistant 514-848-2424, ext.5193
Delfine Lambert Secretary/Receptionist 514-848-2424, ext.3515
Claire Beaudreault Liaison Officer 514-848-2424, ext.3945
Brenda Brisson International Student Advisor 514-848-2424, ext.3995
Jenny Calder International Student Advisor 514-848-2424, ext.3943
Anna Nigoghosian International Student Advisor 514-848-2424, ext.5872
Nadeem Butt International Student Advisor 514-848-2424, ext.3993
Raja Bhattacharya International Student Advisor 514-848-2424, ext.3516
The International Students Office is a member of Advocacy and Support Services.
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone Number: 514-848-2424 ext. 3515
Fax Number: 514-848-3599
E-mail: iso@alcor.concordia.ca
Internet: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso
Sign-up to the ISO Information Bulletin … absolutely essential for you!

The ISO will send you important information on a regular basis on the follow-
ing topics:
• important deadlines • new regulations
• immigration reminders • health insurance information
• job opportunities • special activities
...and much more! This is our way of keeping in touch with all international students.
8
It is very easy to sign-up:
• send an email message to: majordomo@concordia.ca
• your message should read: subscribe iso your email address
• on a separate line write: end
Your email will be sent to a listserve software which only understands certain
commands, such as: subscribe, end; do not write anything else in your email
or it will be returned to you. The command ‘end’ is needed to stop ‘majordomo’
(software) from processing your signature as bad commands.
ISO PUBLICATIONS ONLINE

If you have access to the internet and would like to read more on:
• Getting Settled in Montreal
• Getting Settled at Concordia University
• Academic Survival
• Services for International Students
• Student Clubs / Associations
• Immigration Regulations and Procedures
• Spouses, Children and Families
• Living in Montreal
Visit the ISO Publications section of our website and get a head start!
Go to: supportservices.concordia.ca/isopublications
Pertinent information regarding living in Montreal and services available at
Concordia are reviewed and discussed.
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Every year, the ISO selects a number of Concordia students who are willing to
help new international students when they first arrive. They are expected
to provide you with information and guidance on practical matters such as
finding your way around Montreal, registering for courses or renting an apart-
ment. Most of them are international students who have already experienced
what you will be going through and are, therefore, extremely understanding
and helpful.
9
CONCORDIA INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (CISA)

The Concordia International Students Association (CISA) is run by interna-
tional students for international students. As well as students with a strong
interest in cultural diversity. Everyone is welcome! Our goal is to help interna-
tional students adjust to life in Montreal, Canada and at Concordia. We want to
help international students meet new friends and make the most of their time
in Montreal by providing a safe and fun social setting. We are also happy to
answer any questions students may have about life in Montreal, or any other
questions at all!
CISA’s membership is amongst the most unique at Concordia. We have students
from every corner of the globe joining us on trips and events. We value the rela-
tionships our members build with each other because we understand how dif-
ficult it can be being far from home, and not being able to visit family often. We
hope to build a family-like feeling for students so that they always feel welcome
and always feel they have someone to lean on when they need.
CISA has built a strong reputation within the university because of all the great
trips and events we provide for students. We provide an orientation in the be-
ginning of the fall and winter semesters to introduce students to the university,
the city, and to each other. In the fall we have events such as a trip to the moun-
tains, a Thanksgiving dinner, a Halloween celebration, a Boston trip, a Cultural
Fair, a New York trip and lots of other events. In the winter we have events such
as a Ski trip, a Tubing trip, a day-trip to Quebec City, and much much more!
We hope to help make Concordia, Montreal and Canada feel like home for you!
Come see us at our office at 2150 Bishop, room K-204. You can also email us at
cisapresidents@yahoo.ca, or call us at 514-848-7474 ext. 7833. If you would like
more information about our trips, feel free to visit our website at
www.cisaconcordia.com.
We hope to see you around!
The CISA Team

10
ISO IMMIGRATION INFORMATION SESSION – MANDATORY
I M P O RTANT
You will most likely receive more than one invitation to an Orientation Program
at Concordia. If time permits, try to attend as many as possible. You can never
have too much information when you are a newcomer! An Orientation Session,
however, that you MUST ATTEND is the one organized by the International
Students Office. The ISO Immigration Information Session has been especial-
ly designed for international students who are new to Concordia and Montreal.
ISO
Our program will focus on issues specific to your settling in Montreal (finding
an apartment, opening a bank account, etc.), your adjustment to Concordia
(registration, student ID card, computer account, etc.) and will, of course,
discuss cultural adaptation, an important key to your success as a student.
We have also prepared a comprehensive “Information Package” which will be
distributed at the ISO Immigration Information Session.
Don’t forget to bring your CAQ (1 copy) and Study Permit (1 copy) or your
passport (for students studying for 6 months or less) when you attend the
ISO Immigration Information Session. The University has an obligation to
have, in each international student’s file, a copy of their immigration docu-
ments. This is a regulation of the Québec Ministry of Education, Leisure and
Sports. Failure to comply to this regulation could result in the cancellation
of the student’s registration.
Immigration Information sessions and information on health insurance

sessions will be held as follows:
Health Insurance Information Sessions

Please refer to section 9.1 for dates and times.
11
ISO Immigration Information Sessions - MANDATORY
I M P O RTANT
For Students Starting Their Academic Program in September 2010 – Fall Term
Choose one session only
No need to sign up - just show up 5-10 minutes before the start of the session.
Sessions are for all regular, exchange and visiting students
2 hour sessions held on days highlighted in gray. Room locations and times vary
therefore we encourage you to pick up a flyer from the ISO. You may also call at
ISO
514-848-2424 ext. 3515 or visit our website at

http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/immigration.
A u g u s t 2 0 10 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 10
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30
For Students Starting Their Academic Program in January 2011 – Winter Term
Sessions are for all regular, exchange and visiting students
2 hour sessions held on days highlighted in gray. Room locations and times vary
therefore we encourage you to pick up a flyer from the ISO. You may also call at
514-848-2424 ext. 3515 or visit our website at
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/immigration.
D e c e m b e r 2 0 10 J a n u a r y 2 0 11
1 2 3 4 1
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
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1.0 IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
I M P O RTANT
Congratulations on your admission to Concordia University! This is an impor-
tant first step towards your goal of studying in Canada. The second important
step is to determine whether you need to apply for immigration documents and
if so, which ones.
As a general rule, all persons, other than Canadian Citizens and Permanent
Residents, who wish to pursue their studies in the province of Québec, must
I M M I G RAT I O N
obtain a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the “Ministère de
l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles” (MICC) (commonly called Im-
migration Quebec) and a Study Permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration
Canada. However, if your course or program of study is six months or less in
duration, you are permitted to study in the province of Québec and in Canada
without having to apply for a CAQ or Study Permit provided you complete such
studies within the authorized period of your stay in Canada (see section 1.1).
People who have Canadian Diplomatic Status are also exempt from getting a
CAQ and Study Permit as long as their Canadian Diplomatic Visa is valid.
1.1 Studying without a CAQ and a Study Permit in a program of

study of six months or less:
Regulation 188(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations reads
as follows:
A foreign national may study in Canada without a study permit:
c) if the duration of their course or program of studies is six months or less
and will be completed within the period for their stay authorized upon entry
into Canada.
This regulation may be of particular interest to foreign nationals who are com-
ing to Canada for a short period of time, such as exchange and visiting students
(with an offer of admission for one term only). It is understood however that
this regulation only applies to a course or a program of study of a duration that
will not exceed a six-month period.
Despite regulation 188(1), foreign nationals may still apply for a CAQ and a
Study Permit if they wish to get these documents. There are certain advantages
in having a CAQ and a Study Permit for studying in Canada. Some of these
reasons are:
Working on campus: Only students holding a Study Permit are authorized to
work on the campus of the institution where they are registered as
full-time students.
Intent to pursue another program: If you are considering pursuing another
course or program of study after your six month period (for example, language
school then continue to a degree seeking program or exchange student for the
Fall term who would like to continue to the Winter term), you should think
about applying for both a CAQ and Study Permit. Once you have a Study Permit,
it is easy to renew it and the renewal process is done inside Canada. Other-
wise, you will have to apply for your Study Permit at a Canadian Consulate or
Embassy outside Canada.
13
Important notes:
I M P O RTANT
• Verify with the Canadian immigration authorities in your country if you

need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV or Entry Visa) to enter Canada.
Citizens of a number of countries must have a visa to enter Canada. See
section 1.6 Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada.
• Be sure to travel with the letter of admission from Concordia. Upon arrival in
Canada, a Canada Customs officer may ask that you present this letter as a
I M M I G RAT I O N
proof that you will be enrolled in a program of study of 6 months or less.
1.2 Studying with a CAQ and a Study Permit:

The majority of international students coming to study at Concordia will be
doing so on a long term basis and will therefore need to apply for both a CAQ,
a Study Permit, and, if applicable, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV or Entry
Visa). Follow the instructions listed in sections 1.3 and 1.4 for complete step-by-
step process on how to obtain your immigration documents.
As it may take several months to obtain these documents, the application
process should be started immediately upon receipt of your official letter of
admission from Concordia University.
• You will have to apply for and obtain your CAQ before Citizenship and
Immigration Canada can issue your Study Permit.
• We recommend, however, that you start both applications simultaneously in
order to save time and ensure that you get your immigration documents
before your departure.
Contact the nearest Canadian Embassy and make arrangements for your Study
Permit. You must arrive in Canada with your CAQ and Study Permit. If you
do not succeed in obtaining your immigration documents before the begin-
ning of your studies, you may have to defer your admission to
another semester.
1.2.1 Renewal of the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):

This section is of particular importance to students who have had a CAQ in the
past which has since expired or to those students who have a CAQ, but
have been admitted to a different level of study, for example, from language
school to university, from a Bachelor to Master degree, or from a Master to
Doctoral degree.
If your CAQ has expired or you have a CAQ but the level of studies has changed,
as mentioned previously, then you must obtain a new Québec Acceptance
Certificate. Send your completed application, accompanied by all required
documents to the Immigration Quebec Office in Montreal. If your application
is complete, a CAQ will be mailed to your home address. Contact the ISO and
speak to an international student advisor who will go over what documents
need to be included to renew your CAQ.
14
1.3 IMMIGRATION QUEBEC — FIRST STEP
I M P O RTANT
1.3.1 General Information
Anyone undertaking a course or program of study of more than six months
in the province of Québec must be authorized to do so by Immigration
Quebec. This authorization is given in the form of a Québec Acceptance
Certificate (CAQ) which is issued for the level of study and duration of time,
I M M I G RAT I O N
e.g. three years for a Bachelor or Ph.D. program, two years for a
Master’s program.
You can download the application form or apply online from the following Im-
migration Quebec website:
www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/index.html
Students who require more time to complete their studies while they are in
Canada, must apply for an extension before their CAQ expires. However, you
must be attending school and continue to meet the conditions of Immigration
Quebec. Visit the International Students Office for further information.
Exceptions: Commonwealth fellows and students who have Diplomatic status
or international officials living in Québec are not required to obtain a CAQ.
Further information is available at the Immigration Quebec website
previously mentioned.
While applying for your CAQ, we strongly recommend that you begin the
procedures for obtaining your Study Permit at the visa office of a Canadian
embassy or consulate nearest you. Your application for a Study Permit,
however, will be considered only after the visa office receives confirmation
of your CAQ.
If you already have a CAQ, please make sure that it is valid for the level of
studies you are admitted to. You must apply for a new CAQ each time you
are admitted to a different level of study, for example, when you transfer
from language school to university, from a Bachelor to Master degree, or
from a Master to Doctoral degree. Visit the International Students Office
for further information.
1.3.2 Online Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)

for Studies – Recommended for New Students.
Newly admitted students are recommended to apply online for their CAQ on
the Immigration Quebec website at:
www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/electronic-services/caq-electronic/index.html
Please read the following sections online prior to filling in a new application:
• What is the online application option?
• What is the online consultation of your file?
• What do you need to apply online?
• What are the steps to follow?
• What should you have on hand to complete your application?
Once you have read and understood the process of an online CAQ application,
15
proceed to filling in a new application (Steps 1 through 10) and pay the fees related
I M P O RTANT
to your application (Step 11). At this point you must download and print the forms
to be completed, signed and sent (Step 12). One of these downloaded forms is a
personalized checklist (to print) which will indicate the list of documents you
must send to Immigration Quebec to complete your application for a CAQ.
NOTE: Students who plan to apply online for their CAQ can skip section
1.3.3 as they will download a PERSONALIZED CHECKLIST of which docu-
I M M I G RAT I O N
ments are required to be sent to complete the online application.
1.3.3 Paper Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)

for Studies – Not Recommended.
Should you insist on sending a paper based CAQ application form, please
download it from
www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/forms/search-title/dca-studies.html.
The following documents MUST be sent, regardless of which option on the CAQ
application form applies to you:
1) Duly completed, signed and dated CAQ application form.
2) A RECENT original passport photo.
3) Payment of the processing fee. The required fee to process your file is $100
in Canadian funds. Payment can be made by certified cheque, bank draft or
by money order payable to the “Ministre des Finances du Québec.” In order to
avoid payment difficulties, please note that your bank draft must be purchased
at a bank that deals with a correspondent bank in Canada and that it is
cashable at no charge by the Immigration Quebec Office. Do not send a
personal cheque or it will be returned to you. You can also use the “Payment
by Credit Card” form should you want to pay by Visa or MasterCard
(recommended to avoid problems). You can download the form from the
Immigration Quebec website at:
www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/forms/search-title/credit-card.html
4) A legible photocopy of your passport, showing your name, photograph,
passport expiry date and SIGNATURE.
5) The ORIGINAL of the letter of admission (please send letter issued for
Immigration Quebec).
6) Immigration Quebec does not require proof of health insurance since they
know that university students receive mandatory health insurance
coverage; it is therefore not necessary to show proof; however, Immigration
Quebec requires that all international students studying in the province of
Québec and their accompanying family members have adequate health
insurance. You will be automatically enrolled in the Concordia Health
Insurance Plan for International Students when you register for courses.
If you require family coverage, please mention this when you come to the
International Students Office. For more information, refer to section 9.0.
7) For additional documents please refer to the appropriate options as indicated
on the CAQ application form which can be downloaded at the following address:
16 www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/forms/search-title/dca-studies.html
Carefully read the instructions on the CAQ application form and choose
I M P O RTANT
between OPTIONS 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
NOTE: If you are applying for a CAQ under OPTION 2, you are ONLY re-
quired to submit the documents mentioned above. You do not need to send
proof of financial capacity despite the fact that questions 19-21 on the CAQ
application form ask for it. Proof of sufficient funds will have to be presented
to Canadian Authorities with your application for a Study Permit.
I M M I G RAT I O N
OPTION 1: (Proof of funds mandatory)
If you (the future student) currently live in Austria, Canada, the United States,
France (including Réunion), Greenland, Hong Kong, Monaco, Mexico, or
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, please refer to OPTION 1, on the enclosed CAQ
application form.
OPTION 2: (No Proof of funds required)

If you do not live in one of the countries mentioned in OPTION 1, please refer
to OPTION 2, on the CAQ application form.
OPTION 3 or OPTION 4: Students Under 18 Years of Age:

All students under the age of 18 should refer to OPTION 3 or OPTION 4 on the
CAQ application form, and follow the directions as they apply to them.
1.3.4 Where to Submit Your Documents and/or Application for the

Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):
The address of the Immigration Quebec Office in Montreal is:
Immigration Quebec
Foreign Students Service
285 Notre Dame West, Suite G-15
Montreal, Québec H2Y 1T8
Canada
Telephone: 514-864–9191 (calls within Canada)
514-864-9231 (calls outside Canada)
Web site: www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca
For a safe and timely delivery of your documents, we strongly suggest that you
send your complete application package by a courier/express mail service.
CAUTION: Do not give a Montreal address if you are not currently residing in
Montreal. Some students use their friend’s or relative’s address in Montreal as-
suming that it will speed up the process. It does not; it actually complicates the
procedure. Immigration Quebec authorities in Montreal will assume that you
reside in Montreal. So to avoid complications, make sure that you indicate your
current address.
17
1.3.5 Receiving Your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):
I M P O RTANT
For students applying for a CAQ under OPTION 1 on the CAQ form, a CAQ will
be sent by mail to the mailing address you provided in question 8 of the CAQ
application form.
For students applying for a CAQ under OPTION 2 confirmation of your CAQ
will be sent by fax to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate where you have ap-
plied for your Study Permit (Please indicate where you will apply for your Study
I M M I G RAT I O N
Permit in Question 12 of your CAQ application). The original CAQ indicating

the period of validity will be mailed to you. It is not necessary to have your
original CAQ before you leave for Canada, as long as you have the letter of
introduction from the Canadian Visa Office. Once you are in Montreal, you can
ask for a copy of your CAQ from Immigration Quebec.
Citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States, Greenland, Bermuda
or Saint-Pierre et Miquelon:
Keep your CAQ in a safe place; you will need to present it at a Canadian border
crossing or airport when you enter Canada and apply for your Study Permit.
Note: You cannot obtain a Study Permit at the Canadian border if you do not
have a CAQ.
People Living Temporarily in the United States, Greenland, Bermuda or
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon:
Your CAQ will be returned to you by mail. You will then be ready to apply for
your Study Permit. Unlike citizens or permanent residents of the United States,
you cannot apply for your Study Permit at a Canadian port of entry. You will be
required to apply for your Study Permit at a Canadian Embassy/Consulate in
the United States.
1.4 CANADIAN IMMIGRATION — SECOND STEP

Under Canadian immigration law, all persons, other than Canadian citizens
and permanent residents, who wish to pursue University studies in Canada,
MUST obtain a Study Permit. Only people with a valid Canadian Diplomatic
Visa and students who are in a program of study of six months or less are
exempted from getting a Study Permit.
As we mentioned in section 1.3.1, you should start the procedures for obtaining
your Study Permit as soon as you receive the official letter of admission from
Concordia University. Please note, however, that you will have met the condi-
tions for a Study Permit only after the Canadian Embassy/Consulate receives
confirmation of your CAQ.
If your application is approved you will receive a letter of introduction confirm-
ing the approval of your Study Permit. Keep this letter and all other supporting
documents on your person when travelling. At the port of entry you must show
this letter to a Canadian Immigration officer who will issue a Study Permit.
Citizens and Permanent Residents of the United States, Saint-Pierre et
Miquelon, and Greenland
If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, Saint-Pierre et
Miquelon or Greenland, you may apply for your Study Permit at the nearest
18
Canadian embassy or consulate which offers Immigration Services (list avail-
I M P O RTANT
able at: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/missions.asp) or directly at a
Canadian port of entry. Wherever you apply, you must meet the same require-
ments and present the same documents (see section 1.4.1 below), together with
your Québec Acceptance Certificate, in order to obtain your Study Permit.
People Living Temporarily in the United States
Unlike citizens or permanent residents of the United States, you cannot apply
I M M I G RAT I O N
for your Study Permit at a Canadian port of entry. You will be required to apply
for your Study Permit at a Canadian embassy/consulate which offers Immigra-
tion Services in the United States.
People Living in Canada
If you currently study or live in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for your
Study Permit in Canada (by mail), or you may have to apply for it through a
Canadian consulate or embassy outside of Canada. Contact the International
Students Office and we will tell you what steps you must take.
1.4.1 Documents Required for the Canadian Study Permit

In applying for a Study Permit, you will be required to submit the following
documents.
1. A Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
2. A valid passport
3. An original letter of admission* from Concordia University.
4. Evidence of sufficient funds for your tuition and living expenses, and for
living expenses of your dependents if they accompany you. In addition to
tuition fees, the Canadian Embassy requires proof that you have, a minimum
of $12 020 Canadian per year for your living expenses.
Evidence of financial support may be:
• your updated bank book with proof that it belongs to you, and, if
necessary, documents attesting to your other sources of income;
• a bank statement for the past four months;
• sworn declaration of financial support from your parents or from your
sponsor, accompanied by proof of sufficient funds, if applicable;
• authorization to transfer funds from the organization which controls
currency in your country, if applicable;
• a bursary attestation or confirmation of a financial award, specifying the
monthly or annual amount, if applicable.
*NOTE: Letter of admision = proof of acceptance
5. Payment of Processing Fee. The required fee to process your file is $125 in
Canadian dollars. Verify the methods of payment and currencies accepted by
the Visa office responsible for your area.
6. A medical certificate: If you have lived for six consecutive months in a
designated country, you will be required to undergo an immigration medical
examination. The Canadian embassy will provide a medical form along with
a list of designated medical practitioners. Be certain to have the medical
examination as soon as possible; the results often take a long time and can
delay your departure for Canada. 19
You can check the list of designated countries on the Citizenship and
I M P O RTANT
Immigration Canada website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/dcl.asp

7. Police Certificate: You may be requested to obtain a police certificate to
prove that you are a responsible person and that you do not have a
criminal record.
Please note that the requirements for obtaining a Study Permit may vary
from country to country. Contact the Canadian embassy in your country to
I M M I G RAT I O N
verify the requirements applicable to you.

Once you have satisfied all the requirements, a letter of introduction will be
issued from the Canadian visa office. This letter is not a Study Permit. The
original letter of admission from Concordia should be returned to you. Remem-
ber that you will have to show these documents again with proof of financial
support at the Canadian port of entry (read carefully section 4.1).
Most Canadian embassies/consulates are linked by computer to Canadian ports
of entry. Your letter of introduction attests that your Study Permit has been
approved. In this case, your Study Permit will be issued by the Canadian im-
migration authorities at the port of entry when you arrive.
Do not leave for Canada until you have received your letter of admission
from Concordia and have obtained your letter of approval from the Cana-
dian Visa Office.
ARRIVING IN CANADA
Please do not forget to present the letter of introduction to the customs officer at
the port of entry where your Study Permit (IMM1442) will be issued.
1.5 COPY OF YOUR CAQ AND STUDY PERMIT TO CONCORDIA

International students are required to provide a copy of their CAQ and their
Study Permit to the ISO (International Students Office) before the DNE deadline
of their first term at Concordia and thereafter, EVERY TIME they renew their
immigration documents. This directive is in accordance with the funding regu-
lations of the Ministry of Education of Quebec which requires that all inter-
national students registered at a university in Québec have in their permanent
file a copy of their CAQ and their Study Permit. Failure to comply with this
regulation could result in the CANCELLATION of your course registration.
The office responsible for the collection of CAQs and Study Permits at Con-
cordia is the International Students Office, Hall Building, Room 653. Please
present your documents to an ISO advisor before the DNE deadline of your
first term at Concordia. They will scan a copy to your file.
Registration & DNE Deadlines

Fall 2010 Term Winter 2011 Term
DNE Deadline: Sept 20, 2010 DNE Deadline: Jan 16, 2011
Registration Deadline: Sept 20, 2010 Registration Deadline: Jan 16, 2011
20
• Registration = Add/Drop courses.
I M P O RTANT
This is the deadline to register or make section changes for courses in the
current term.
• DNE = Did Not Enter
This is the deadline for withdrawal from courses with a full tuition refund;
if you DNE, you will have to request that health insurance fees be removed by
contacting the International Students Office.
I M M I G RAT I O N
1.6 TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA TO ENTER CANADA
In addition to the Study Permit, citizens of a number of countries must have
a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada. If you do require a Temporary
Resident Visa, the visa officer will issue it at the same time as you apply for your
Study Permit.
If you will be studying for a period of six months or less and have opted not to
apply for a Study Permit, you should verify whether you require a Temporary
Resident Visa at a Canadian embassy/consulate closest to you.
For the list of countries whose citizens require a visa to enter Canada, please
refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada website:
www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp.
Consider applying for a multiple-entry Visa. This will allow you to leave Canada
and re-enter as many times as you want within the validity period of your Visa.
There is a fee of $150 (CDN dollars) for a multiple-entry Visa or $75 (CDN dol-
lars) for a single-entry Visa.
1.7 VISA TO ENTER UNITED STATES

You may wish to apply for a Visa to enter the United States while you are still in
your home country. Because of the proximity of the United States to Canada,
many students are interested in visiting this country during school breaks. It is
therefore highly recommended to apply for an entry visa to the U.S. from your
country of origin, it may be easier than dealing with U.S. immigration authori-
ties in Montreal.
1.8 VISA TO ENTER COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CANADA

If you expect to be in transit through another country on your way to Canada
such as England or the United States, verify whether a visa is required to enter
the country.
1.9 LATE ARRIVAL

If you arrive after the beginning of classes, we recommend that you take the
following steps.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: You must make sure that you arrive before
the registration deadline unless you are already registered for courses. Septem-
ber 20, 2010 is the registration deadline for the Fall Term, and January 16, 2011
for the Winter Term. Note that classes begin on September 7, 2010 for the Fall 21
term and January 3, 2011 for the Winter term. If you need assistance, please
I M P O RTANT
contact the officer who signed your letter of admission.

GRADUATE STUDENTS: We recommend that you contact your graduate de-
partment or your supervisor and inform them of your late arrival. Verify with
them the latest deadline for registration.
DEFERRAL OF ADMISSION: If you are unable to start your studies for the
term stated on your admission letter, you will have to defer your admission and
I M M I G RAT I O N
request, in writing, a new letter of admission from Concordia University (unless

your letter of admission specifies that your admission is valid for a subsequent
term). If your CAQ has already been authorized by Immigration Quebec, note
that you will not have to reapply for it.
1.10 VISITING AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS

International visiting and exchange students are students taking degrees in
their own country who come to study at Concordia University for one or two
terms. Visiting students must apply for a Québec Certificate of Acceptance and
a Study Permit before they can start their studies at Concordia. However, if you
intend to study for less than six months (i.e. one semester only) it is not neces-
sary to apply for a CAQ or Study Permit. Review the beginning of this chapter
for further details.
1.11 STUDENTS BRINGING FAMILIES

If your spouse/partner plans to accompany you, they must apply for a Tempo-
rary Resident Visa within the visitor class at a Canadian embassy or consulate.
They may also be required to have a medical examination to enter Canada.
Children studying in the province of Québec: Children who will be attending
primary or secondary level education are required to apply for a CAQ and
Study Permit.
1.12 WORKING IN CANADA

Immigration regulations allow full-time international students on a Study
Permit to work on the campus of the educational institution where they are
registered. No Work Permit is needed to work on campus.
International students studying for six months or less and who do not have a
Study Permit, are not permitted to work on campus.
Please note that temporary employment is not considered as a source of funding
by Immigration, except for graduate students who receive offers of employment
as research or teaching assistants.
Working Off Campus
International students who meet eligibility requirements and obtain an Off-
Campus Work Permit are allowed to find employment off campus. Eligible
students can work on a part-time basis (20 hours per week) during the
regular semester (i.e. fall and winter terms) and on a full-time basis during
scheduled breaks.
22
To meet the eligibility requirements, students must have completed six months
F I NANCE S
of full-time studies and be in good academic standing. All students wishing to
apply for an Off-Campus Work Permit must attend a mandatory information
session offered by the ISO. Please check our website for the schedule.
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/workingincanada/offcampus
1.13 Spouses/Partners
Spouses/partners of international students are allowed to work, both on or off
campus, providing they can prove that their partner has a valid Study Permit.
However, if the spouse/partner of an international student is also a full-time
student, they must abide by the rules which govern International Students.
Spouses/partners are required to apply for a Work Permit from Citizenship and
Immigration Canada before they begin working and this application is done by
mail in Canada. Contact the International Students Office for further details.
2.0 FINANCES
2.1 TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO CANADA

The most efficient and rapid way to transfer funds is by a direct transaction
between a bank in your home country and a bank in Montreal. This transaction
is called a “wire transfer.” To arrange for a wire transfer, you will need to open a
bank account upon your arrival in Montreal at a bank that has a connection to
your bank in your home country. Before you leave for Canada, ask your bank to
tell you which are their “correspondent banks” in Canada. There are branches of
all major Canadian banks in downtown Montreal.
You will also have to verify if your country imposes any restrictions on transfers
of currencies. If your government requires proof of registration at Concordia
University and proof of cost-of-living expenses in order to release funds to you,
consult the International Students Office for assistance as soon as you arrive.
It would be wise to bring enough cash in the form of travellers cheques in
American or Canadian dollars to cover your expenses for the first two months.
Please note that arrival expenses include the payment of your tuition fees for
the semester in which you are enrolled.
2.2 TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO COVER TUITION FEES

If you wish to transfer funds to cover tuition fees before leaving your country,
you may choose one of the following two options. The Bank to Bank (Wire)
Transfer is the preferred method of transferring funds.
IMPORTANT: Such transactions can take up to four weeks or more.
A) Bank to Bank Transfer
Money cannot be transferred directly from your bank to your Concordia stu-
dent account. When making the transfer, your full name, address and student
I.D. number must be printed clearly on all bank transfer documentation.
23
Bank of Montreal
F I NANCE S
1205 Ste. Catherine St. West

Montreal, Quebec H3B 1K7
Canada
Tel.: 514-877-6850
Canadian Funds:
Swift Number
BOFMCAM2
Transit Number
21181-001-1110-585
U.S. Funds:
Swift Number
PNBPUS3NNYC
Transit Number
21181-001-4606-964
Upon request and upon receipt of the monies, the Student Accounts Office can
forward a receipt to your attention.
B) Bank Draft to Concordia University
If you make a payment using a bank draft, make sure that the draft is in Cana-
dian or U.S. funds and that it is drawn from a Canadian bank with a Canadian
address (for Can. $) U.S. bank with a U.S. address (for U.S. $). Please be sure to
include your full name, address and student I.D. number on all bank docu-
ments. Upon receipt by Concordia University, the money will be credited to
your Concordia student account. The bank draft should be made payable to
Concordia University and mailed to the following name and address:
Student Accounts Office, Concordia University
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, S-H-541
Montreal, Québec
Canada H3G 1M8
Tel.: 514-848-2424, ext.4900
Fax: 514-848-2818
E-mail: studacc@alcor.concordia.ca
2.2.1 Refund Policy

If, for some reason, you are unable to attend school and are not registered,
you may request a refund of the monies on deposit in your Concordia student
account. You can do so by writing to the Concordia Student Accounts Office.
Your request should specify to whom the money should be refunded as well as a
refund mailing address.
2.3 CHANGING FUNDS TO CANADIAN CURRENCY

If you transfer funds to a Canadian bank, your money can be sent in Canadian
dollars, or in your own country’s currency (provided there are no restrictions
on the transfer of your currency). The change to Canadian dollars can be made
in your home country or in Canada. If possible, you might consider looking into
24
exchange rates: Are Canadian dollars cheaper to buy in your home country?
F I NANCE S
What are the exchange rates and charges?
In Canada, exchange rates are virtually the same for all banks, but the charges
for changing money vary from one bank to another. Note that some currencies
may not be accepted for exchange. Any currency not quoted on the interna-
tional exchange market will not be bought by Canadian banks.
2.4 SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS

Before leaving for Canada, students who receive scholarships from their govern-
ment or from an organization should verify the dates and details of scheduled
payments. Verify which fees are covered by your scholarship and whether funds
will arrive in time to cover your initial expenses. Certain governments and
agencies do not cover all fees related to your studies, for example: thesis fees,
health insurance, books and supplies, rental of a computer, and transportation.
You should ask for a written statement of the items covered.
If your scholarship is insufficient for your tuition and living expenses in Can-
ada, you will have to provide Immigration Quebec and Immigration Canada
with evidence of other reliable financial resources.
2.5 FINANCIAL AID

There is limited financial assistance available for international students at
Concordia University, via the International Student Tuition Bursary (for
undergraduate students) and the Concordia University Partial Graduate Tuition
Scholarship for International Students (for graduate students).
Students are advised to ensure that they will have sufficient funding to complete
their degrees. Concordia University cannot assume financial responsibility for
students who do not have adequate funds.
Applying for U.S. loans at Concordia
American students studying at Concordia may apply for government funding
through the US Department of Education. Government loans are available for
students and parents.
Contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office for further details:
http://faao.concordia.ca/main/aidprograms/intstudent.shtml
Telephone: 514-848-2424 ext. 3507
The John Molson School of Business — Pierre Sevigny Scholarship

The John Molson School of Business awards entrance scholarships to a number
of International applicants on the basis of academic achievement. The scholar-
ship is equal to $150 per credit taken during the student’s first academic year
of studies at the John Molson School of Business, ending in the Winter term.
This scholarship is renewable for the following academic year provided the
student maintains a grade point average of 3.75 for a minimum of 12 Concordia
University credits per term. For more information, call: 514-848-2424, ext.4118
or email: intlcomm@jmsb.concordia.ca.
25
Graduate Level
TRA V EL ARRAN G E M ENT S
Graduate students should contact their own departments to verify the possibil-
ity of obtaining a teaching or research assistantship. Students may apply for
the Partial tuition Scholarship for International Students, the deadline date for
application is September 30th for the year in course. The application will be on
the School of Graduate Studies website in August:
graduatestudies.concordia.ca/.
Students may also apply for Concordia Graduate Fellowships and/or Interna-
tional Tuition Fee Remission Awards (exemption from differential tuition fees).
The deadline date for application is December 15th for awards to take effect the
following academic year. The application can be found at:
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/currentstudents/funding/fellowshipawardsapplications.
The Graduate Awards Office also maintains a database of awards which can be
accessed at graduatestudies.concordia.ca/awards.
For further information please visit our website at
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca or email us at awardsgs@alcor.concordia.ca
2.6 MONEY FOR TRAVEL

The Airport has facilities for changing foreign currency, but if you arrive late
in the day at a Canadian port of entry, you may find that the exchange office
is closed, leaving you with no Canadian money for onward travel. To avoid
this problem, it is wise to have money in traveller’s cheques in Canadian or
American dollars.
It is also wise when travelling to carry small denominations of Canadian
or American dollars in cash, but not to carry large sums of money in cash.
American money is the only foreign currency accepted in most Canadian
stores. However, we strongly recommend that you change your American dol-
lars to Canadian dollars at a bank. Hotels and shops tend to give a lower rate of
exchange (sometimes 10%–15% less than the bank).
You are advised to carry all cash, traveller’s cheques and valuable papers
(passport, CAQ, Study Permit or Immigration Canada’s letter of confirma-
tion, letter of admission, etc.) on your person and not in hand luggage, or
worse yet, in checked baggage. If possible, use a money belt or other means
to conceal these papers under your clothing. Each year, a few students have the
misfortune of losing their luggage and their valuable papers.
3.0 TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS
3.1 WHEN TO ARRIVE

We recommend that you arrive at least two to four weeks before classes begin.
There are many things you need to do before school starts and they are time-
consuming. Remember that you must register for courses, find a place to live,
buy furniture and other things for your apartment, open a bank account, and
so on. Arriving at the last minute will cause additional stress which you don’t
26 need. Moreover, you may find that the choice of courses is limited if you arrive
too late. Nevertheless, if, for one reason or another, you arrive late, contact your

department or the International Students Office for advice.
If you are accepted for the Fall Session, we strongly recommend that you
arrive early to mid-August. If you are admitted for the Winter Term, you
should plan to arrive early to mid-December. Please note that the University
and the International Students Office will be closed for the Holidays from
December 23, 2010 – January 2, 2011 (inclusively).
ACADEMIC YEAR
The academic year is divided into three sessions: Fall, Winter and Summer.
FALL TERM September 7 – December 6, 2010
Exam period: December 8 – December 22, 2010
Holiday period: December 23, 2010 – January 2, 2011
WINTER TERM January 3 – April 9, 2011
Mid-term break: February 21 – February 27, 2011
Exam period: April 11 – April 30, 2011
Since these dates are subject to change, up to date information is available at

http://registrar.concordia.ca/webguide/termdates.html.
SUMMER TERM
Summer courses are held in two seperate terms between May and August. The 2011 Summer term
dates have not yet been determined, please visit the following web site at a later date:
http://registrar.concordia.ca/webguide/termdates.html
3.2 HOTEL RESERVATIONS IN MONTREAL

It is absolutely crucial that you make a hotel reservation for your first few days
BEFORE you arrive in Montreal. Don’t forget that you are arriving in peak tour-
ist season and it will be VERY DIFFICULT, if not impossible, to find last-minute
accommodation. Please refer to section 10.0 – Housing, for more information.
3.3 WHAT TO BRING

A wide variety of basic and luxury items are available in Canada, including a
good number of ingredients for international cuisine. The only special items
that you need to bring are those which serve your personal needs.
3.3.1 Clothing
Montreal has a climate which requires winter clothing for several months of the
year. Students coming from tropical and semi-tropical climates should expect
to buy winter clothes here. The weather will still be warm when you arrive in
August or early September, giving you plenty of time to shop for winter cloth-
ing. You should expect to buy a winter coat, a warm hat, a scarf, a pair of lined
gloves, and a pair of snowboots or overboots.
If you are a student coming for the Winter Term, you will have to be dressed for
cold weather when you arrive in Montreal. The weather at this time of the year is
below 0 degrees Celsius and you have to be dressed warmly and wear good boots
27
in order to face winter temperatures. Should you need to shop for winter clothing,
the best time will be after New Year when stores offer sales on winter clothes.
3.3.2 Electric Appliances

Electricity in Canada is 110 volts, 60 cycle alternating current. If you come from
an area with different voltages, do not bring electrical appliances since you
will not be able to buy transformers that would convert different voltages to
110 volts.
3.4 LUGGAGE
If you travel by air, verify what the airline regulations are concerning the fol-
lowing points.
• the number of suitcases authorized as registered luggage
• the allowable dimensions of each suitcase
• the number of kilos permitted per suitcase
• the cost per kilo for luggage exceeding the authorized weight
If you have to transfer to another airline, verify also their regulations
concerning luggage.
3.5 AIR CARGO/SHIPPING

If you plan to bring many personal items to Canada, it may be advantageous to
ship them or to send them by air cargo to Canada. If you do not have a forward-
ing address in Montreal, we suggest you address your items to the International
Students Office. Verify the transportation, insurance costs, and the delivery
date in Montreal.
Your parcels or trunks should have your name and student ID number, with the
following address and telephone number printed clearly on it:
YOUR NAME (first name followed by family name) STUDENT ID NUMBER
Care of: International Students Office
1455, de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, H–653
Montreal, Québec Canada, H3G 1M8
Telephone: 514-848-2424, ext.3515
For customs purposes, we suggest you include a description of contents and the
purpose of the shipment, for example:
DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS: personal belongings
PURPOSE: Student studying at Concordia University
Once your parcels have arrived, the cargo company will notify the International
Students Office. Because we will not have an address or a telephone number
where we can contact you in Montreal, it will be your responsibility to get in
touch with us. Usually after two days of storage, the company starts to charge
additional fees for storing your parcel; it is therefore important to pick it up as
soon as it has arrived.
28 If you mail any parcel(s) to our Office, custom fees might be charged based on
the Canadian value of the goods. The International Students Office will pay the
I M P O RTANT
fees and release the goods to you, however you will be responsible to pay for any
expenses incurred as a result of your shipment.
3.6 TEMPORARY MAILING ADDRESS

The International Students Office will be pleased to hold your mail until you
have a permanent place to live in Montreal. Your mail can be forwarded to the
ARR I V I N G B Y A I R
address mentioned in section 3.5. Your name should be clearly indicated. In
Canada, the first name comes first and the family name follows. Mail will be
placed in the student mailbox slot located in the International Students Office
under the first letter of your family name.
You should discontinue use of this service as soon as you have a permanent
address in Montreal.
4.0 ARRIVAL BY AIR

Montreal is served by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, com-
monly known as the Montreal-Trudeau Airport. It is located in Dorval which is
25 kilometres from downtown Montreal. Domestic flights from within Canada,
flights from the United States and overseas flights arrive at the Trudeau Airport.
4.1 ARRIVAL PROCEDURES (important)

FIRST PROCEDURE: CANADIAN CUSTOMS
The first procedure upon arrival will be to go through Canadian Customs where
a customs officer will verify your passport, your Visa to enter Canada (if you
needed one), and will ask you a few questions about the purpose of your visit
to Canada.
It is important for students who are not required to get a CAQ and a Study
Permit to travel with the letter of admission from their institution. The
customs officer may ask that you present this letter before stamping
your passport.
SECOND PROCEDURE: CANADIAN IMMIGRATION OFFICE
The next procedure and the most important will be to present yourself at the
Canadian Immigration Office located near the Customs area. An immigration
officer will request to see your passport, your Study Permit or letter of introduc-
tion issued from the Canadian Visa Office, the original letter of admission from
Concordia University, your CAQ and evidence of sufficient funds for your stud-
ies in Canada. It is important to carry these documents with you at all times
(and not in your registered luggage).
After verification of these documents, the immigration officer will complete
your Study Permit (IMM 1442), or will issue you one if you arrived with a letter
of introduction.
29
G ETT I N G T O M O NTREAL
I M P O R TA N T
DO NOT LEAVE the airport or the Canadian border without having
your documents processed. If you forget to do so, you will have to go
to a Canadian border to have your Study Permit issued and signed.
4.2 AIRPORT WELCOME BOOTH

Upon your arrival at Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (Dorval),
be sure to drop by the Welcome New International Student Booth, hosted by
Montreal universities and staffed by students. You will receive a free guide to
accommodations and a map of the city. Attendants at the Welcome Booth can
help you with small emergencies and questions you may have upon your arrival
at the airport.
You can find the booth in the international arrivals section. This service is
only available prior the fall term, usually the last two weeks in August. Come
say ‘Hello’ to a fellow student, and get a warm welcome to Montreal!
4.3 SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TO DOWNTOWN MONTREAL

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
is served by a bus service to downtown Montreal.
L’AérobusTM, operated by Groupe La Québécoise,
provides an efficient connection by motor bus between
Montreal–Trudeau airport and downtown Montreal.
This is the best and most economical way to reach Montreal.
The shuttle bus service will bring you to the Montreal Central Bus Station,
located at 505 De Maisonneuve Blvd. E.
Tickets are on sale at the at Montreal–Trudeau airport on the arrivals level, the
fare is $16.00. Departures are 24 hours a day, every hour and every 30 minutes
during peak hours (9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.). This service is available Monday
through Sunday. Estimated travel time is 45 minutes. For more information,
call 514-842-2281.
Inquire about the free minibus service available from the Central Bus Station
to major downtown hotels. For reservations and more information, please call
514-631-1856.
A taxi ride from the airport to downtown Montreal is around $35.00.
Note: Prices are subject to change.
To obtain more information, please visit the following website:
www.admtl.com/passager/acces_et_stationnement/_aerobus.aspx
5.0 ARRIVAL BY BUS OR TRAIN

If you travel to Montreal by bus you will arrive at Montreal’s Central Bus Sta-
30 tion, the Voyageur Bus Terminus, located in downtown Montreal. If you travel
by train, the station in downtown Montreal is called “Gare Centrale.” Both
I M P O RTANT
stations are a short distance from Concordia University’s Sir George Williams
campus and from temporary accommodations listed in this Guide (section
10.2). With all your luggage, we suggest that you take a taxi to your hotel rather
than a city bus.
If you arrive at the Central Bus Station you can inquire about the free minibus
service that will bring you to major downtown hotels. For more information
TU I T I O N
please call 514-631-1856.
6.0 TELEPHONES
Local calls made from public telephones cost 50 cents. You can speak for as long
as you like at no extra charge in the local area. 514 and 438 are the area codes
for the Island of Montreal.
If you wish to make a long distance call using a public telephone, you must put
in 50 cents and dial 0 to reach the operator. You can then ask the operator to re-
verse the charges to the person you are calling or you can ask for a long distance
connection and the operator will ask you to put in enough money (in 5, 10, 25
cent or $1.00 coins) for the cost of the call.
7.0 TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION (see section 10.0 – Housing)

It is absolutely crucial that you reserve a room before arriving in Montreal.
During the months of August and early September, there are numerous
events going on in Montreal (e.g. Montreal International Film Festival) and
it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to find last minute accomodations.
8.0 REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF TUITION
8.1 REGISTRATION
8.1.1 Undergraduate Registration

Most newly admitted students are required to have academic advising before
registering for courses. For students who do not require academic advising,
registration of courses is done by using the Web Registration System. Students
should first select courses for the Fall and Winter terms prior to the start of
classes. Students register through the Web by visiting the “My Concordia Por-
tal” directly at www.myconcordia.ca; and following the step-by-step instruc-
tions. If you have difficulties, you can send an e-mail to: webreg@concordia.ca.
Complete information regarding registration is sent with your offer of admission.
8.1.2 Graduate Registration

Graduate students should report to their departments where they will be
registered by program assistant. The telephone number and address of your
department is listed on your offer of admission.
31
8.2 TUITION
I M P O RTANT
8.2.1 Undergraduate Students

For complete information on tuition and all other fees, please consult the Tu-
ition & Fees and Financial Regulations available on the Tuition & Fees website
at http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca.
TU I T I O N
8.2.2 Graduate Students

Master’s and Ph.D. program students pay tuition and other fees based on the to-
tal number of academic credits in their program. The fees are charged in equal
instalments over a certain number of Tuition Billing Cycle terms irrespective
of course registration or academic notation, e.g. Continuation in Program (CIP).
Students who complete their Master’s or Ph.D. program degree requirements
before all tuition for their program of study has been billed will be charged the
balance of their program’s tuition & other fees once they apply for graduation.
Tuition fees for Graduate Diploma, Certificate, Independent and Visiting/
Exchange students are charged on the basis of the number of academic credits
registered. Fees may vary slightly from one program to another.
For complete and current information on tuition and all other fees, please
consult the Tuition & Fees and Financial Regulations available on the Tuition &
Fees website at http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca.
Graduate students who receive salaries as teaching or research assistants
are paid bimonthly or monthly. Teaching and research assistantships do not
include a tuition waiver; students must pay tuition. Teaching and research as-
sistants may have a portion of their salary transferred bi-weekly to their student
accounts to pay tuition. Students should contact the Payroll Office at 514-848-
2424, ext.4920 for more information about Payroll Deductions.
8.2.3 Fee Payment Deadlines

Payment of tuition and other fees must be made as indicated in the “Financial
Obligations, Fee Payment Deadlines” section on the Tuition & Fees and Finan-
cial Regulations available on the Tuition & Fees website at
http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca.
IMPORTANT: Students are required to make payment when fees become
due. No printed invoices or statements of account are issued by the Univer-
sity. Student account balances are available on the student portal at
www.myconcordia.ca (Financial). Payment dates and methods of payment
information are available on the Tuition & Fees and Financial Regulations
available on the Tuition & Fees website at http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca.
8.2.4 Withdrawals and Refunds

Term dates and deadlines (DNE and DISC) vary slightly from year to year.
Since the dates are subject to change during an academic year it is important to
know where to look for the current Term Dates and Deadlines.
32
From the university main page (www.concordia.ca), under the “Current Stu-
TU I T I O N
dents” side tab, click on “Class Schedules” followed by the “Term Dates & Dead-
lines (Standard and Non-Standard)” link. This will direct you to the following
http://registrar.concordia.ca/webguide/termdates.html.
These dates and deadlines are also available in the MyConcordia portal menu
under Registration > Registration Guide.
Students are held financially responsible for 100% of the fees generated by
a registration if they do not withdraw from a course(s) or program by the
DNE deadline. Tuition and all other fees charged for previous academic
terms are NON-REFUNDABLE
IMPORTANT: The Concordia Health Insurance fees for international
students must be cancelled directly with the International Students Office
prior to the deadlines indicated in section 9.4.
Note: Graduate students who have not officially withdrawn from their pro-
gram of study will continue to be billed tuition and other fees each term.
8.3 EXEMPTIONS FROM Differential FEES FOR INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS
The Ministère de l’Education, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) has determined the
following categories of exemption from international differential tuition fees. The
deadline for requesting an exemption and submitting all supporting documents
is the last day of classes in each term. Based on MELS directives, requests that are
incomplete at the end of the term or are submitted after the term may not be pro-
cessed for that term. There is no retroactivity. If you wish to consult the Ministry
of Education regulations, you will find them at the following web link:
http://www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/ens-sup/ens-univ/Politique_etudiant_etranger-2008.pdf
• Diplomats, consular personnel, accredited representatives or civil servants of
a foreign country, the United Nations or one of its organizations, an intergov-
ernmental organization to which Canada belongs, and any member of the staff
of the above-listed persons, who are working in Canada in an official capacity
and who have obtained an attestation issued by “Le Protocole”, (Gouverne-
ment du Québec), 525 René-Lévesque East, Québec City, 418-649-2346.
This attestation is valid for one academic year and must be renewed each
year the student attends university
• The spouse and unmarried children of the above-listed persons.
• International students whose spouse or parents hold certain categories of
work permits valid for working in Québec. For further details and verifica-
tion, please contact the Office of the Registrar, Room, LB 700,
514-848-2424, ext.5951.
• Students who are registered at a university and who have come to Québec as
an exchange student, or as a student participating in a program of coopera-
tion agreed to by the Government of Québec and which exempts the partici-
pants from paying differential fees;
• Students who are French citizens (accord France-Québec) provided that the
last place of residence has not been in another province in Canada. 33
• Students admitted to a Québec university and whose country has a fee remis-
TU I T I O N
sion agreement with the Québec Government. Please consult the following
Ministry web site:
www.meq.gouv.qc.ca/ens-sup/ens-univ/droits_scolarite-A_pays-organisations.pdf
for a list of eligible countries and international organizations. Inquiries and
application for an exemption should be made directly to the student’s own
Ministry of Education prior to leaving their home country. In some cases,
when the person is in Canada, it may be possible to apply for an exemption at
his or her Embassy or Consulate in Canada or the United States.
• A student who is registered at a university and whose status as a permanent
resident has been officially recognized by Canadian Immigration. Should a
student receive Permanent Resident status during the academic year, he or
she should immediately present the official document to both the Interna-
tional Students Office, Room H 653, and the Office of the Registrar, Room LB
700, to have his or her status changed and to inquire about possible refunds.
For more information on refund policies and deadlines for submission of
documents, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
• Students who work for, or who are dependants of individuals employed by
one of the international non-governmental organizations outlined in Annexe
III of the Politique relative aux droits de scolarité des étudiantes et étudiants
étrangers par les universités du Québec available at
www.mels.gouv.qc.ca/ens-sup/ens-univ/Politique_etudiant_etranger-2008.pdf
• Under certain conditions, students who have obtained Convention Refugee
status may be eligible for an exemption from differential fees for interna-
tional students. Depending on the documentation submitted, students may
be eligible to pay either the Québec tuition rate or the Canadian non-Québec
rate. For information on deadlines for submission of documentation and on
the specific documents required, please contact the Office of the Registrar. To
pay the Quebec tuition rate, students must submit a CSQ and a document de-
livered by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or Citizenship and
Immigration Canada formally recognizing their status of refugee, “protected
person” or “person to be protected”.
• Newly admitted International Students who register in a Bachelors, Masters
or PhD program will be exempted from the differential fees for approved
courses in French Language, Literature and Québec Studies only. They are
required to pay the differential fees for all other courses in their program.
International students who register for French courses as part of a certificate,
independent, visiting, qualifying, or diploma program will be required to pay
the differential fee for these French courses, regardless of when the student
first registered at Concordia.
Further information is available at: http://frenchprogramexemption.concordia.ca
• A Master or Doctoral student who has been granted a fee remission from
Concordia University (Section 2.5). Information and applications are avail-
able at the Graduate Awards Office, Tel.: 514-848–2424, ext.3801.
34
8.4 PERMANENT CODE
I M P O RTANT
The Québec Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports requires all Québec
universities to have a permanent code for each registered student for whom the
University receives funding. Students who have never studied in Québec do
not have a permanent code and must therefore apply for one. Please visit your
Portal at www.myconcordia.ca and fill in the Permanent Code Data form under
the heading ‘Student Services’. Upon arrival on campus, you will be required to
H EALT H I N S URANCE
submit your supporting documents to the International Students Office.
Please note that a surcharge of $319 per credit (amount subject to change)
will be billed to all students at the time of registration. This surcharge will be
removed provided that the required documents are received before the follow-
ing deadlines:
FALL ADMISSION WINTER ADMISSSION SUMMER ADMISSION
December 15 April 15 August 15
Please note that the deadlines indicated are subject to change depending on
directives of the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports.
For further information consult the following website at:
http://permanentcode.concordia.ca
9.0 COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Immigration Quebec regulations require that all international students be cov-
ered by a health insurance plan that meets government standards, while living in
Québec. In keeping with government directives, Concordia University has adopt-
ed a compulsory health insurance plan that all Concordia international students
must have. Consequently, personal health insurance plans are not accepted. The
Concordia Health Insurance Plan for international students is a comprehensive
health and accident insurance plan at a competitive cost, specifically designed
for international students which meets Québec government standards. Only such
students who fall within the exemption categories listed under 9.3 are eligible to
opt-out of the Health Insurance Plan for International Students.
The insurance plan for international students covers amongst others, the fol-
lowing expenses:
• hospital;
• medical charges and consultations by doctors and specialists;
• pregnancy (only if pregnancy commences after the start date of the health
insurance plan);
• eye examination;
• psychiatric services;
• prescription drugs and medicines.
Detailed information on the extent of coverage is available on the International
Students Office’s website and will be given to the student at the time the insur-
ance card is issued: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/healthinsurance
Health insurance fees for international students are charged automatically
when students register for courses or when a graduate registration (CIP) is 35
processed. The insurance period for international students is from August 15 to
I M P O RTANT
August 14 of the following year. The annual fee is negotiated on a yearly basis
and thus is unavailable at this time. Please contact the International Students
Office for further information. The insurance company is Sun Life. Students
who arrive in January will pay a pro-rated premium for the 8-month period
ending August 14. Student insurance commences on the 15th of August or
on the date the student arrives in Canada, whichever is later.
Withdrawal from Courses - DNE

Please note that if you cancel all your courses after August 15 (for students
beginning in the Fall Term), or December 15 (for students beginning in the
Winter Term), the health insurance fees for international students will not be
cancelled automatically and will remain on your student account. You will be
responsible for canceling these fees before prescribed deadlines listed in section
9.4. Send an e-mail to the International Students Office requesting that the
health insurance fees be cancelled: iso@alcor.concordia.ca.
If you plan to arrive before August 15 (for students beginning their program
in the Fall Term); December 15 (for students beginning in the Winter Term;
or April 15 (for students beginning in the Summer Term); we recommend
that you buy a temporary health insurance plan in your home country which
will cover you in Canada until Concordia’s insurance plan takes effect.
9.1 HEALTH INSURANCE CARD

Only the International Students Office, located in the Hall Building, room 653,
distributes insurance cards for international students. You must first be regis-
tered for courses or CIP (Continuing In Program registration) before you can
pick up your insurance card. You must attend a mandatory health insurance
information session during which you will familiarize yourself with your insur-
ance benefits as well as procedures for insurance claim reimbursements.
ISO Health Insurance Information Sessions (mandatory)
For Students Starting Their Academic Program in September 2010 – Fall Term
30-minute sessions held at 3 p.m. on days highlighted in gray. Room locations
vary therefore we encourage you to pick up a flyer from the ISO. You may also
call at 514-848-2424 ext. 3515 or visit our web site at
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/healthinsurance.
A u g u s t 2 0 10 S e p t e m b e r 2 0 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30
36
For Students Starting Their Academic Program in January 2011 – Winter Term
I M P O RTANT
30-minute sessions held at 3 p.m. on days highlighted in gray. Room locations
vary therefore we encourage you to pick up a flyer from the ISO. You may also
call at 514-848-2424 ext. 3515 or visit our web site at
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/healthinsurance.
D e c e m b e r 2 0 10 J a n u a r y 2 0 10
1 2 3 4 1
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
9.2 COUPLE/FAMILY COVERAGE

Since medical and hospital costs are extremely high, health insurance coverage
is mandatory for spouses and children who are accompanying an international
student in Montreal. Couple or family coverage is available with the Concor-
dia Health Insurance Plan for International Students, but must be purchased
WITHIN 31 DAYS of the arrival of the spouse and/or children in Montreal.
There is no obligation for your dependents to be covered by the Concordia
Health Insurance Plan. For information on insurers who provide “Visitor’s
Insurance” on an individual basis, please see page 2 of the following handout
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/pdf/HealthIncrease.pdf prepared by Vigilis.
Should you select the Concordia Health Insurance plan for your spouse and/or
children, it is important that you mention their arrival to the staff of the ISO so
that an insurance card can be issued for them. A couple or family coverage will
be charged to your student account. Children born in Canada whose parents are
not Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are considered Canadian citizens
from the time their birth is registered with the proper authorities. These chil-
dren, however, do not qualify under the Quebec Health Insurance coverage
(Quebec Medicare) and will still need to have private insurance coverage.
9.3 EXEMPTIONS FROM THE CONCORDIA HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Only certain students who fall within the categories listed below are permitted
to opt-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students.
The opting-out procedures and deadlines are described in section 9.4.
37
A. Students Who Have a Valid Québec Medicare Card (Carte d’Assurance–
I M P O RTANT
Maladie du Québec)
Students who possess a valid Québec Medicare Card are permitted to opt-out of
the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students.
B. Students from Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Portu-
gal, and Sweden
As a result of intergovernmental agreements, full-time students who are citi-
zens of the above-named countries who were covered under their government’s
medical system before their arrival in Québec, will be eligible for the Québec
medical benefits (called Québec Medicare Card or Carte d’Assurance-Maladie
du Québec) at no cost.
Information about how to apply for the Québec Medicare Card will be avail-
able at the International Students Office. To obtain a Québec Medicare Card,
students must present proof of registration in their government’s medical
system* and will have to show proof of full-time status at Concordia University.
Full-time status is defined as 12 credits or more per term for undergraduate
students.
*Exemptions For Students from:
Denmark: Sygesikringsbevis
Finland: Form SF-Q4, Suomen Ja Québecin Valinen
Sosiaaliturvasopimusjarjestely
France: Formulaire SE-401-Q-102: “Attestation d’appartenance au régime
français préalablement au départ pour le Québec”, ou formulaire
SE-401-Q-106: “Attestation d’affiliation au régime de sécurité sociale du pays
d’origine – échanges universitaires” (qui couvre l’année scolaire du 1er septem-
bre au 15 mai), seulement pour les personnes de nationalité française.
Luxembourg: Form Lux-Que4
Norway: Certificate issued by Den Norske Folketrygden
Portugal: Certificado de Direitos (Por/Que 4)
Sweden: Certificate of Sickness Ins urance, the Intyg om
sjukforsakrinstillhorighet I Sverige
C. Scholarship Students
Scholarships from a number of sponsoring organizations (e.g. CIDA, ICCS,
CBIE, WUSC, etc.) include health insurance coverage. To opt-out of the Concor-
dia Health Insurance Plan for International Students, students must ensure that
their scholarship letter clearly mentions the health insurance coverage as well
as the duration of the policy. Students will also be required to submit a
Health Insurance Waiver form to be completed by both the student and the
sponsoring organization.
D. Refugee Claimants and Convention Refugees
Refugee Claimants and Convention Refugees are eligible to opt-out of the Con-
cordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students if they can show proof
of medical coverage by the Canadian or Québec Government.
38
9.4 Procedures for Opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance
I M P O RTANT
Plan for International Students
If you are a student who falls within the exemption categories previously men-
tioned in section 9.3, you may opt-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for
International Students and be eligible for a refund/credit. To qualify for such a re-
fund/credit, your health insurance coverage must be valid while you are a student
at Concordia. Should it expire during the academic year, you will be responsible
for extending your health insurance coverage and providing proof of it to the
International Students Office; otherwise, you will be automatically registered in
the Health Insurance Plan for International Students and charged insurance fees.
To opt-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International Students,
you must present proof of your health insurance coverage to the International
Students Office, Hall Building, Room 653, before the prescribed deadlines that
follow. Applications submitted after the deadlines and approved by ISO will be
charged an administrative fee. Since health insurance fees for international
students are charged on a yearly basis, when you register for courses or CIP
(Continuing in Program), you will have to repeat the process each year if
you want to opt out of the health insurance plan.
Please note that students who have submitted a claim to the insurance com-
pany can NOT be considered for an exemption/cancellation/adjustment.
DEADLINES FOR OPTING OUT OF THE CONCORDIA HEALTH

INSURANCE PLAN:
*You must opt-out in person by the deadlines mentioned below even if the
deadline falls outside of office hours (i.e. weekends, holidays, university clo-
sures, etc.)
FOR ALL STUDENTS BEGINNING THEIR INSURANCE COVERAGE IN
THE FALL TERM (August/September):
First deadline October 31 Full Refund
Second deadline December 21 Refund of health insurance

charge minus $100 adminis-
tration fee.
Final deadline May 1 Refund of health insurance

tration fee.
NO REFUND WILL BE APPROVED AFTER THIS FINAL DEADLINE.

THE WINTER TERM (January):
First deadline February 28 Full Refund
Final deadline May 1 Refund of health insurance
tration fee.
NO REFUND WILL BE APPROVED AFTER THIS FINAL DEADLINE. 39

I M P O RTANT
THE SUMMER TERM (May):

Final deadline June 15 Full Refund
NO REFUND WILL BE APPROVED AFTER THIS FINAL DEADLINE.
9.5 SUPPLEMENTAL DENTAL PLAN

Please note that the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for international students
and the Québec Medicare card do not include a dental plan. Additional health
and dental coverage for international students over and above the compulsory
Sun Life plan is also available through the CSU (Concordia Student Union), and
the GSA (Graduate Students Association). However, graduate students enrolled
in specialized programs as well as all Exchange students are not eligible to
enroll in this Dental Plan since these students are not paying CSU/GSA associa-
tion fees.
If you are interested in having this additional health and dental insurance you
must self-enrol at the start of your academic programme before the following
deadlines:
Opt-in period for students who start their academic programme in the Fall:
Between the first day of Fall courses to the Fall DNE Deadline.
(approx. 2 weeks)
Opt-in period for students who start their academic programme in the Winter:
Between the first day of Winter courses to the Winter DNE Deadline.
(approx. 2 weeks)
If you forget to opt-in before the deadlines indicated above you will have to wait
until the next academic year begins, i.e. Fall term. Eligibility and details about
specific coverage with these plans is available from the Quebec Student Health
Alliance at:
Internet: www.ihaveaplan.ca
Telephone: 514-789-8790
Toll free: 1-866-795-4437
Please note that this optional plan is negotiated on an annual basis, and there-
fore may not be available. For more information please contact your respective
student union or association.
9.6 SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH PLAN FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE A

QUÉBEC MEDICARE CARD
The Québec Medicare Card covers services that are medically required and
performed by a general practitioner, a specialist in a health-care facility, such as
a hospital, a doctor’s office or a patient’s home. Insured services include but are
not limited to the following: visits and examinations; consultations; psychiatric
treatment; diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; surgery; anesthesia; radiol-
ogy and laboratory services.
For more information on the Québec Health Insurance Plan (medicare) refer to
the following website: www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca
40
Please note, however, that the following services are not covered: dental care,
I M P O RTANT
eye examination and lenses, vaccinations, drugs and medicines. ( N.B. Les
médicaments sont gratuits pour les étudiants de la France.)
Students who have a Québec Medicare Card should consider enrolling into
the ASEQ Health Insurance Plan to supplement the Québec Medicare Card
coverage, thereby filling the gaps left by the provincial health plan. Students
may enroll in the ASEQ Health Plan within seven days of receiving the Québec
Medicare Card. Further information is available at the following website:
www.ihaveaplan.ca. Telephone: 514-789-8790 or 1-866-795-4437 (USA and
Canada only).
Please note: Graduate students enrolled in specialized programs as well as
Exchange Students and all other students who are not paying student associa-
tion (CSU/GSA) fees cannot enroll in the ASEQ Health Plan.
9.7 TRAVEL INSURANCE

When travelling outside Canada, we strongly recommend that you purchase
supplemental travel insurance. Both the Concordia Health Insurance Plan
and the Québec Medicare Card limits your coverage up to the amounts re-
imbursed by the Régie de l’assurance-maladie du Québec (Québec Medicare
Card). Since medical expenses could be higher in another country, it is wise
to buy extra health insurance. It is not costly and it will usually cover the ad-
ditional medical costs should you have an accident or become ill.
9.8 HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services is an on-campus clinic and health promotion centre. The staff,
which includes nurses, general practitioners, consulting psychiatrists, psycho-
therapists, support staff, and health educators work collaboratively to provide
students with high-quality, personalized health care and health education.
All services are strictly confidential. Information can only be released with
the student’s written authorization. This policy applies regardless of whether
the information is requested by family members, community physicians, thera-
pists or University officials.
Health Services offers a wide variety of services including clinical services,
mental health, health promotion and wellness.
Be sure to bring your health insurance card with you; see section 9.1, for more
information on how to obtain a Health Insurance Card.
For those services that are not offered, such as dental care and eye care, Health
Services can provide you with the names of resources that are located in the
vicinity. Students may call ahead to make an appointment for predictable issues
or concerns, such as a physical examination, prescription renewal or health
education. For more urgent health care needs, students may come into one of
the walk-in clinics where patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
41
Health Services Locations and Hours of Operation
HOUSING
Sir George Williams Campus Loyola Campus

1550 De Maisonneuve blvd. W. 7141 Sherbrooke Street W.
Room GM 200 Room AD 103.10
Tel: 514-848-2424 ext. 3565 Tel: 514-848-2424 ext. 3575
Fax: 514-848-2834 Fax: 514-848-2834
Monday through Friday Monday to Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed for lunch between
11:30 a.m. –1:00 p.m.
Health Services Web Site: http://www-health.concordia.ca
healthy@alcor.concordia.ca
10.0 HOUSING
Finding a place to live is a source of great anxiety for new international stu-
dents, yet, within five to seven days, most students are successful in finding, not
only an apartment, but a roommate as well. So rest assured that you will be able
to find something to suit your taste and your budget. You may not be able to
find an apartment in downtown Montreal because the vacancy rate is less than
1%, but you will surely find an apartment along a metro/subway line or bus line.
Montreal has a reliable and efficient transportation system.
Plan to arrive at least two weeks before classes begin in order to give yourself
time to look around, choose a suitable place, buy furniture and get settled. Ar-
riving a few weeks early can make all the difference between feeling in control
or being in a state of panic. Information about apartment-hunting will be pro-
vided during the ISO Immigration Orientation, and you will have a chance at
the end of the sessions to meet other students who are also looking for housing
or roommates. Drop-in to the ISO Housing Support Group for more
hands-on information.
10.1 ISO HOUSING SUPPORT GROUP

This vital service will be available on a daily basis starting in mid-August for
students arriving for the Fall term, and January for students coming for the
Winter term. Staffed by international student volunteers, the group will offer
practical tips on housing, access to classified ads, newspapers, and maps – plus
a little human contact and the benefit of their own personal experience. Loca-
tion and schedule will be available when you come to the ISO Immigration
Orientation, in our office or on our web site at
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/housingsupportgroup.
10.2 TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION

We strongly recommend that before your departure, you make a hotel reserva-
tion for at least one week; this should give you enough time to look around for
roommates and an apartment. The last two weeks in August and the beginning
of September fall right in a busy tourist period in Montreal, and even more so
42
because of the Montreal International Film Festival. If you don’t book a room in
HOUSING
advance, you will have great difficulty finding a place to stay.
The vacancy rate in Montreal has been steadily dropping, and apartment hunt-
ing has become more difficult, so arrive early and give yourself enough time for
a sensible search.
The CSU Off-Campus Housing and Job Bank offers a list of cheap hostels, some
of which are specially priced for Concordia students.To obtain this list and
further information please download the pdf file from their website:
hojo.csu.qc.ca. Then click on the “Resources” link in the Hojo Menu (on the left).
You will then see a link for Temporary Accomodation. Hostels are an inexpen-
sive way to find temporary accommodations.
Map of Montréal Metro system
© STM stm.info
43
Following is a list of reasonably priced temporary accommodations
HOUSING
located close to Concordia.

Hotel, Hostels, Residences Days Hotel & Conference Center of
Montreal
and Rooms
1005 Guy street, Montréal Québec, H3H 2K4
YWCA (Women) Tel: (514) 938-4611
1355 René-Lévesque West Fax:(514)938-8718
Tel: 514-866-9941 Web site:
Fax: 514-866-4866 www.daysinn.qc.ca/montreal_downtown_hotel.htm
E-mail:info@ydesfemmesmtl.org Metro: Lucien-l’Allier or Guy-Concordia
Web site: www.ydesfemmesmtl.org
Residence Maria-Goretti (Women 18 –
Metro: Lucien-l’Allier or Guy-Concordia
40 years old only)
La Tour Belvédère 3333 chemin Côte Ste-Catherine
2175 de Maisonnneuve West Tel: 514-731-1161
Tel: 514-935-9052 / 1-888-922-9052 Fax: 514-342-8337
Fax: 514-935-9532 Web site: www.promis.qc.ca/PagesAng/
Web site : www.tourbelvedere.com residence.html
Metro: Atwater Email: info@mariagoretti.org
Hotel Travelodge Metro: Côte-des-Neiges
(accessible to disabled) Montreal Youth Hostel/Auberge de
50 René-Lévesque West Jeunesse de Montreal
Tel: 514-874-9090 / 1-800-363-6535 1030 Mackay
Fax: 514-874-0907 Tel: 514-843-3317 or 1-866-843-3317 (toll free
E-mail: reserve@travelodgemontreal.ca within North America)
Web site: www.travelodgemontreal.ca Fax: 514-934-3251
Metro: Saint-Laurent or Place-des-Arts E-mail: info@hostellingmontreal.com
Manoir Ambrose (non-smokers only) Web site: www.hostellingmontreal.com
3422 Stanley (10 min. walk from Concordia) Metro: Lucien-l’Allier
Tel: 514-288-6922 Gîte du Parc Lafontaine
Fax: 514-288-5757 1250 Sherbrooke East
E-mail: info@manoirambrose.com Tel: 514-522-3910
Web site: www.manoirambrose.com Fax: 514-844-7356
Metro: Peel E-mail: info@hostelmontreal.com
Residence Inn by Marriott Web site: www.hostelmontreal.com
2170 Lincoln (10 min.walk from Concordia) Metro: Sherbrooke
Tel: 514-935-9224 / 1-800-678-6323 Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal
Fax: 514-935-5049 185 Sherbrooke East
E-mail: info@residencemontreal.com Tel: 514-284-1276
Web site: www.residencemontreal.com Fax: 514-844-7356
Metro: Atwater E-mail: info@hostelmontreal.com
Hôtel Casa Bella Web site: www.hostelmontreal.com
264 Sherbrooke West Metro: Sherbrooke or Place-des-Arts
Tel: 514-849-2777
Fax: 514-849-3650
E-mail: info@hotelcasabella.com
Web site: www.hotelcasabella.com
Metro: Place-des-Arts
Hotel St-Denis
1254 St-Denis
Tel: 514-849-4526 / 1-800-291-5927
Fax: 514-849-4529
E-mail: stay@hotel-st-denis.com
Web site: www.hotel-st-denis.com
Metro: Berri-UQAM
44
BED AND BREAKFAST NETWORK B & B Centre-Ville-Downtown Network
HOUSING
3977 Laval Avenue
Accommodation in private homes Tel: 514-287-9635 or 1-800-363-9635
in various areas of Montreal. (Ask if Fax: 514-287-1007
there is a student discount, especially E-mail: b_b@martha-pearson.com
Web site: http://martha-pearson.com
if you stay longer than one night.) Metro: Sherbrooke
Downtown Bed & Breakfast
Montreal Oasis in Downtown
3458 Avenue Laval
3000 Breslay Road
Tel: 514-289-9749 / 1-800-267-5180
Tel: 514-935-2312
Fax: 514-287-7386
Fax: 514-935-3154
E-mail: infobb@bbmontreal.ca
Web site: www.bedandbreakfast.com/
Web site: www.bbmontreal.ca
quebec-montreal-a-montreal-oasis.html
Metro: Sherbrooke
Metro: Atwater
Welcome/Bienvenue Bed & Breakfast
3950 Avenue Laval
Tel: 514-844-5897 / 1-800-227-5897 OTHER SOURCES:
Fax: 514-844-5894
Tourisme Montreal
E-mail: info@bienvenuebb.com
Web site: www.tourisme-montreal.org
Web site: www.bienvenuebb.com
Tel: 514-873-2015
Metro: Sherbrooke
Tourisme Québec
Web site : www.bonjourquebec.com
Tel: 514-873-2015
10.3 APARTMENTS
The majority of our international students live in apartments. Some prefer
to stay alone while others choose to share their apartment with a roommate.
Rental costs in Montreal tend to be slightly more affordable compared to other
major cities in Canada. It will take a few days before you find an apartment that
you like, but you will surely find one. Our best advice is to take your time and
visit a number of places before making a decision and signing a lease. You
want to make sure that the apartment you choose will meet your needs and suit
your budget.
How to Find an Apartment

Pick up a copy of our Housing Information Sheet for advice and tips on housing.
Attend the ISO Housing Support Group, (see section 10.1).
Visit the CSU Off-Campus Housing Office and Job Bank, which offers a
comprehensive website with affordable, student-priced apartments and rooms.
They also have a chart on their website which indicates the cheapest areas to live
in, and a description of neighbourhoods , and resources like inspection sheets,
moving checklists and more (hojo.csu.qc.ca). They also provide legal informa-
tion (not advice), support and workshops in how to deal with housing problems
for free. Contact them with the information below.
If you have been recently accepted to Concordia, and wish to have full access to
their website, forward a copy of your letter of acceptance via email, indicating
you would like to be registered for their site, or visit them in person.
45
CSU Off-Campus Housing & Job Bank (HOJO)
HOUSING
Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fri 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., suite H-260
Montreal, (QC) H3G 1M8
Tel.: 514-848-7474 ext. 7935
Fax: 514-848-7419
Email: hojo@csu.qc.ca
Website: http://hojo.csu.qc.ca
Apartments for rent are advertised in the classified section of Montreal’s daily
newspapers such as La Presse (French) and The Gazette (English). Wednesdays
and Saturdays are the best days for housing advertisements. You may access The
Gazette on-line at: www.canada.com.
Drop by the HOJO to do your search. They get the newspaper classifieds each
day, as well as a phone and free internet.
Apartments for rent are much more expensive downtown compared to other
areas in Montreal. Moreover, the vacancy rate is less than 1%, so there are few
apartments available downtown. If you are looking for affordable housing and
a more quiet neighbourhood, sectors outside the downtown area will best meet
your needs.
Equip yourself with a good map of Montreal and go for it!
Looking for Roommates?

If you are looking for a roommate and want to meet other international stu-
dents, come to the ISO Housing Support Group where you will surely meet
other students who, like you, will also be looking to share an apartment. Hope-
fully, some of you will be able to go apartment hunting together, or possibly end
up as roommates.
Sharing an apartment with someone is one way of easing the financial burden
and can mean a bigger apartment with smaller costs. Roommates can also be
companions and a source of support that can turn an apartment into a home.
To ensure smooth relations, it is essential to determine the compatibility of
your lifestyles before moving in with someone you don’t know. There are many
Roommate Questionnaires that can be downloaded from the internet; these
can serve as a good starting point in terms of questions to ask a potential
roommate. Visit http://hojo.csu.qc.ca to see videos about roommate conflict,
dowload roommate accounting software and drop in to get their roommate
checklist for free.
Signing the Lease

We recommend that you visit a few apartments before you make your choice.
Don’t jump on the first place you see—make sure that the apartment you choose
will best meet your needs and your budget. Moreover, as the tenant, you will be
asked to sign a lease which is a legal binding contract between the landlord and
you. Once the lease is signed, it is very difficult to cancel it , but you may have
other options like subletting or transferring if you need to leave early.
46
Apartments in Montreal are typically described as 2 1/2, 3 1/2, etc. A 2 1/2
HOUSING
apartment usually consists of 2 rooms—1 bedroom and 1 living room which
includes a kitchenette. The half room is usually the bathroom.
Rental Costs (in Canadian Dollars):

Rents vary from building to building depending on age, condition and location.
In general, apartments are not furnished, but many are equipped with a
refrigerator and stove. If electricity and heat are not included in the rent, you
will have to pay for these utilities. Typical monthly rents (not including heat and
electricity) are:
1 1/2 $700/mth
2 1/2 $700/mth
3 1/2 $900/mth
4 1/2 $1200/mth
5 1/2 $1400/mth
But we recommend you check the rental averages chart on hojo.csu.qc.ca to see
the average rental amounts per size of apartment per area.
A Few Housing Tips

1. Ask lots of questions! For example:
• Is heating and hot water included in the rent?
• Are there laundry facilities in the building?
• Is the apartment close to a bus stop or a metro station?
• Does the rent include appliances?
2. Check appliances (refrigerator and stove) to make sure they are in working
order before you sign the lease. Also check the taps for water pressure and hot
water availability.
3. You may have to give a deposit for the first month’s rent when you sign
the lease, but get an explicit receipt upon paying!
N.B.: When the landlord/agent asks for identification, show them your offer of
admission from Concordia University, your Study Permit and your passport,
but they should not copy this information down.
Landlords are not allowed to ask for your credit card number, bank account
number, social insurance number, health insurance number nor your passport
number. If they do , get a copy of the application and visit the HOJO for legal
information.
10.4 UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE

Concordia University has three co-ed residences available for first year full-time
undergraduate students. Hingston Hall and the Jesuit Residences are located on
the Loyola Campus (west-end) and house 183 full-time undergraduate students.
The Grey Nuns Residence is located on the Sir George Williams Campus (down-
town) and houses 241 full-time undergraduate students. Residence Life staff is
dedicated to easing students’ transition into university life and to help students
47
who are away from home for the first time. Educational and social program-
HOUSING
ming is offered throughout the school year and commence during Orientation.
Events planned each year include coffee houses, city tours and outings, as well
as special holiday socials. The staff at the Hingston Hall Residence, Jesuit Resi-
dence and Grey Nuns Residence strives to create an environment that is both
academically and socially enriching.
Information and the application for on-campus housing can be found at
http://residence.concordia.ca. Students need to note that applying for residence
is a separate application from the University. Applications for residence open in
the month of March for Fall entry.
11.0 A FINAL WORD…

We sincerely hope that this guide will help you to prepare for your arrival in
Canada and for your arrival on campus. If there is some area that has been
overlooked, please let us know. We will be happy to incorporate your sugges-
tions into next year’s Guide.
Have a good and safe trip! See you at the International Students Office.
The staff of the International Students Office
CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES

Please visit the following website for the current and updated Academic
Calendar. www.concordia.ca/newsandevents/events/ac_search.php
48
FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS
FRE Q UENTLY CALLE D NU M B ER S

Enrolment Services (Admissions) 514–848–2424, ext.2668
Bookstore (SGW) 514-848-2424, ext. 3615
Graduate Awards Office 514-848–2424, ext. 3801
Health Services 514-848–2424, ext. 3565
International Students Office 514-848–2424, ext. 3515
Information Services 514-848-2424, ext. 3838
CSU Off-Campus Housing and Job Bank 514-848-7474, ext. 7935
Residence Life 514-848–2424, ext. 4776
School of Graduate Studies 514-848–2424, ext. 3800
Security Desk (SGW) 514-848–2424, ext. 3717
Student Accounts Office 514-848–2424, ext. 4900
Immigration
Immigration Canada, Montréal Telecentre 1-888-242-2100
Immigration Québec 514-864-9191 (inside Canada)

514-864-9231 (outside Canada)
Transportation
Diamond Taxi 514-273-6331
Montréal Bus Schedules (dial Autobus) 514-288-6287
Montréal Transit Information 514-786-4636
Montréal Bus Central Station (dial STM-info) 514-842-2281
Montréal Train Station (Via Rail) 514-989-2626
Airport Shuttle Bus 514-631-1856
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport 514-394-7377 or

1-800-465-1213
Telecommunication
Operator: 0
Directory Assistance: 411
Emergencies
(Fire, Police, Ambulance) 911
49
CONCORDIA LINKS EXTERNAL LINKS
U S EFUL W E B S I TE S
Concordia University Canadian Bureau for International

www.concordia.ca Education (CBIE)
International Students Office www.cbie.ca
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso Citizenship and Immigration
New Student Programme Canada
http://newstudent.concordia.ca www.cic.gc.ca
Admissions Department of Foreign Affairs and

www.concordia.ca/info/futurestudents/ International Trade
applying www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
Birks Student Service Centre Montréal International

(Office of the Registrar) www.montrealinternational.com
http://registrar.concordia.ca/SSC Montréal Tourism
School of Graduate Studies www.tourisme-montreal.org
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca Montéal – Trudeau Airport
Student Accounts www.admtl.com
http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca TOEFL
Concordia International Students www.toefl.org
Association (CISA) Immigration Quebec
www.cisaconcordia.com www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca
Language Institute (Continuing Québec Ministry of Education,
Education) Leisure and Sport
http://sarno.concordia.ca/conted www.mels.gouv.qc.ca
Off-Campus Housing Québec Rental Board
http://hojo.csu.qc.ca www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca
Concordia Residence Régie de l’assurance maladie
http://3residence.concordia.ca www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca
50
Top Ten Tips
T O P TEN T I P S
1. Familiarize yourself as much as you can with Canada, Québec, Montréal,
and Concordia; most of you will be living here for several months to several
years during the course of your studies. A host of information is available
about Canada on the Web, including the Government of Canada’s main site
www.gc.ca; Québec at www.bonjourquebec.com; Montréal at
www.tourisme-montreal.org; Concordia University at www.concordia.ca.
2. Plan to arrive in Canada at least two to four weeks before classes begin.
The extra time will enable you to find accommodations, pick-up your health
insurance card at the International Students Office (you must be registered),
open a bank account, and get used to a place you will call home for a while.
3. Before you leave for Canada, it is absolutely crucial that you make the neces-
sary reservations at a hotel, bed and breakfast, youth hostel or other venue
where you can be accommodated. Refer to the Housing section for a list of
temporary accommodations.
4. It is wise to have small denominations of Canadian (or American)
dollars in cash. You should consider buying traveller’s cheques for larger
sums of money.
5. Keep your cash, traveller’s cheques, immigration and travel documents,
and letter of admission, on your person. You will need to have access to
them when you arrive at the Canada port of entry. Remember you will need
to pay $125 processing fee to obtain your Study Permit.
6. Make a photocopy of your passport identification page. This will facilitate
replacement if your passport is lost or stolen.
7. Don’t leave luggage and other personal belongings unattended in
public areas.
8. Upon arrival, notify by phone or register in person with your country’s
consular representative in Canada. A list of embassies and consulates can
be found at: www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/protocol/menu-en.asp
9. Attend a ISO Immigration Information Session, refer to the Orientation
section for a list of dates and times. Attend as many Orientations as possible
such as: Discover Concordia; CSU Orientation, GSA Orientation, Faculty
Orientation, Department of Study Orientation.
10.Sign-up for the ISO INFORMATION BULLETIN. It’s Free!
Sign-up at http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/isopublications/isobulletin/
Website for International Students

This referral site, designed especially for foreign students who have chosen
Montréal, will serve as a gateway to indispensable resources and information
promoting your integration.
www.btmm.qc.ca/internationalstudents
51
NOTE: Personal and living expenses listed are estimates and subject to personal needs.
A P P EN D I X 1 S A M P LE B U D G ET
The figures are in Canadian funds and are estimates for 12 months
ARRIVAL EXPENSES
Arrival expenses $750
(transportation, temporary accommodations, restaurants)
Installation expenses $700
(equipment for apartment, telephone installation, etc.)
Winter Clothing $700
(boots, coat, gloves, scarves, sweaters, etc.)
PER MONTH:
LIVING EXPENSES
Off-Campus Room and Food $1 002
Transportation $82.50
Telephone $50
Miscellaneous $162
(leisure items, toiletries, etc.)
PER YEAR EXPENSES:

SCHOOL FEES AND HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance (Single) T.B.D.
Books and supplies (30 credits) $1 710 – 2 240
Tuition fees will vary for undergraduate and graduate international students
and will be charged according to the number of credits per year. Refer to section
8.2 for more information about tuition fees.
52
Published by the International Students Office
1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd.West
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 1M8
Telephone: 514-848-2424, ext.3515
Fax: 514-848-3599
Email: iso@alcor.concordia.ca
Website: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso
January 2010
53
The International Students Office is a member of
Advocacy and Support Services of Enrolment and Student Services.
Published by the International Students Office

1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West
Montreal, Quebec
H3G 1M8
Telephone: 514-848-2424, ext.3515

Fax: 514-848-3599
iso@alcor.concordia.ca
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso
January 2010
w w w.concordia .c a

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I S O P r e - D e p a r t u r e G u id e

The Staff of the International Students Office

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE (ISO)

11 ISO IMMIGRATION INFORMATION SESSION (MANDATORY)

13 IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES (IMPORTANT)

26 TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS

31 REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF TUITION

35 COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

Concordia – A Brief Overview

Loyola Campus – (H4B 1R6)

AD 7141 Sherbrooke W. PG 7200 Sherbrooke W.

B 2160 Bishop M 2135 Mackay

We really look forward to meeting you! So make the International Students

What Do We Do for International Students?

The International Students Office is a member of Advocacy and Support Services.

Sign-up to the ISO Information Bulletin … absolutely essential for you!

ISO PUBLICATIONS ONLINE

CONCORDIA INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (CISA)

The CISA Team

Immigration Information sessions and information on health insurance

Health Insurance Information Sessions

514-848-2424 ext. 3515 or visit our website at

1.1 Studying without a CAQ and a Study Permit in a program of

• Verify with the Canadian immigration authorities in your country if you

proof that you will be enrolled in a program of study of 6 months or less.

1.2 Studying with a CAQ and a Study Permit:

1.2.1 Renewal of the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):

1.3.2 Online Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)

ments are required to be sent to complete the online application.

1.3.3 Paper Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)

OPTION 2: (No Proof of funds required)

OPTION 3 or OPTION 4: Students Under 18 Years of Age:

1.3.4 Where to Submit Your Documents and/or Application for the

Permit in Question 12 of your CAQ application). The original CAQ indicating

1.4 CANADIAN IMMIGRATION — SECOND STEP

1.4.1 Documents Required for the Canadian Study Permit

Immigration Canada website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/dcl.asp

verify the requirements applicable to you.

1.5 COPY OF YOUR CAQ AND STUDY PERMIT TO CONCORDIA

Registration & DNE Deadlines

1.7 VISA TO ENTER UNITED STATES

1.8 VISA TO ENTER COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CANADA

1.9 LATE ARRIVAL

contact the officer who signed your letter of admission.

request, in writing, a new letter of admission from Concordia University (unless

1.10 VISITING AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS

1.11 STUDENTS BRINGING FAMILIES

1.12 WORKING IN CANADA

2.1 TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO CANADA

2.2 TRANSFERRING FUNDS TO COVER TUITION FEES

1205 Ste. Catherine St. West

2.2.1 Refund Policy

2.3 CHANGING FUNDS TO CANADIAN CURRENCY

2.4 SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS

2.5 FINANCIAL AID

The John Molson School of Business — Pierre Sevigny Scholarship

2.6 MONEY FOR TRAVEL

3.0 TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS

3.1 WHEN TO ARRIVE

TRA V EL ARRAN G E M ENT S

Since these dates are subject to change, up to date information is available at

3.2 HOTEL RESERVATIONS IN MONTREAL