ISO Guide

International Students Office Staff
The Staff of the International Students Office (from left to right)
Raja Bhattacharya, Benoit Fontaine, Delfine Lambert, Claire Beaudreault,Anna

Nigoghosian, Nadeem Butt, Brenda Brisson, Kelly Collins, Jenny Calder.
ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

Welcome to the ISO
Dear international student,
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 cam-
pus. You have chosen a university where students hold a central place, and where serv-
ices 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 Montréal. Read it carefully— you will find the answers
to many of your questions as well as useful information about programmes and serv-
ices 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
Montréal, 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: http://www.concordia.ca
ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 1

Table of Contents Welcome to the ISO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Welcome to Concordia! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Campus Maps and Location Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
International Students Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
ISO Immigration Information Session (Mandatory) . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

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

When to Arrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Hotel Reservations in Montréal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
What to Bring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Luggage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Air Cargo / Shipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Temporary Mailing Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
ARRIVAL IN MONTREAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Arrival By Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Arrival Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
How to Get to Montréal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Arrival By Bus or Train . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Telephones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Temporary Accommodation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
2 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

Table of Contents
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT OF TUITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Exemptions From Differential Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Code Permanent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Health Insurance Plan for International Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Health Insurance Card / Information Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Couple / Family Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Exemptions From the Concordia Health Insurance Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Procedures for Opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan . . . . .38
Supplemental Dental Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Supplemental Health Plan for Students
Who Have a Québec Medicare Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Travel Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Health Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
HOUSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
ISO Housing Support Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Temporary Accommodation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Map of Metro System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
University Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
A FINAL WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Calendar of Important Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Frequently Called Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Useful Web Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Top Ten Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Appendix I: Sample Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Welcome to Concordia
Concordia – A Brief Overview

Concordia is a large, urban university, in Montréal, Québec, Canada. The university
has two campuses, set approximately 7 km apart: Sir George Williams Campus is in
the downtown core of Montréal, and Loyola Campus is in the residential west-end
of Montréal. 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 individual.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 Faculties, but they may take
courses from any of the others as part of their studies. Many programs also offer a

Welcome to Concordia
“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 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.
Montréal
Concordia considers the city of Montréal 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
1000-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 Townships.
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 Montréal.

Campus Maps and Location Guide
Loyola Campus - (H4B 1R6)

AD 7141 Sherbrooke W. PG 7200 Sherbrooke W. / Athletics Gym
Administration Building PS 7141 Sherbrooke W.
BB 3505 Belmore Ave. Physical Services
BH 3500 Belmore Ave. PT 7141 Sherbrooke W.
(Belmore House) Oscar Peterson Concert Hall
CC 7141 Sherbrooke W. PY 7141 Sherbrooke W.
Central Building Psychology
CJ (DS/DA) Comm. Studies & RF 7141 Sherbrooke W.
Journalism Building Refectory
FC 7141 Sherbrooke W. SC 7141 Sherbrooke W.
Loyola Chapel / F.C. Smith 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 Complex
Hingston Hall C TA 7079 Terrebonne
JR Jesuit Residence / TJ 7315 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. / Athletics Rink

Campus Maps and Location Guide
Sir George Williams Campus - (H3G 1M8)
B 2160 Bishop LB J.W. McConnell Building
BC 1463 Bishop Library Building
Bishop Court LS 2015 Drummond
BE 1257 Guy M 2135 Mackay
1400 de Maisonneuve W. MI 2130 Bishop
CB 1425 Réné-Lévesque W. MU 2170 Bishop
CI 2149 Mackay OS 1191 De La Montagne
CL 1665 St.Catherine W. P 2020 Mackay
D 2140 Bishop PR 2100 Mackay
DC 2305 St. Marc (Daycare) Q 2010 Mackay
EN 2070 Mackay R 2050 Mackay
ER 2155 Guy RR 2040 Mackay
EV 1515 St. Catherine W. S 2145 Mackay
FA 2060 Mackay SB 1590 Docteur Penfield
FB 1250 Guy T 2030 Mackay
Faubourg Tower TD 1410 Guy
FB 1600 St.Catherine V 2110 Mackay
(Continuing Education) VA 1395 Réné-Lévesques W.
FG 1608 St.Catherine Visual Arts Building
FS 1438 Overdale X 2080 Mackay
GM 1550 de Maisonneuve W. Z 2090 Mackay
GN 1185 St. Mathieu
H 1455 de Maisonneuve W.
Henry F. Hall Building / Hall Building
K 2150 Bishop

ISO WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE (ISO)
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 international students who are new to
Concordia and to Montréal. 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 interna-
tional students call the ISO their “home away from home.” Hopefully, 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 familiarize 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 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 following 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.

ISO
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 com-
mands, 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.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK

If you have access to the internet and would like to read more on:
• Getting Settled in Montréal
• Getting Settled at Concordia University
• Academic Survival
• Services for International Students
• Student Clubs / Associations
• Immigration Regulations and Procedures
• Spouses, Children and Families
• Living in Montréal
Download the International Student Handbook and get a head start!
Go to: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/
Pertinent information regarding living in Montréal 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 Montréal, registering for courses or renting an apartment. Most of them are
international students who have already experienced what you will be going
through and are, therefore, extremely understanding and helpful.

ISO CONCORDIA INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION (CISA)
The Concordia International Students Association (CISA) is run by and for interna-
tional students as well as students with a strong interest in cultural diversity. Our
goal is to help international students adjust to life in Montréal, Canada and at
Concordia. We spend a lot of time helping students with the logistics of setting up a
new home but we are also there to provide a safe and fun social setting for students
coming to us from abroad.
CISA’s membership is unique as it is made of students from every corner of the
globe. We embrace linguistic and cultural diversity and enjoy watching relationships
build across cultural lines. Having fellow international students to lean on is
extremely important since many international students are not able to travel home
as often as they would like.
CISA activities include a tour of Montréal in September, trips to different parts of
Canada and the United States, unique winter activities such as ice fishing and, most
of all, dinners and parties. We also give students the opportunity to represent their
culture through various cultural and athletic events throughout the year.
Cross cultural learning goes two ways which is why CISA puts a special focus on
teaching Canadian culture to students who come from abroad. Although there may
be no place like home, we at CISA do our best to make Canada a new and happy
home for Concordia’s international students.
If you would like to get in touch with us, or have questions, you can e-mail us:
cisa@cisamontreal.com , or visit our web site and register as a CISA member at:
http://www.cisamontreal.com
Hope to see you soon!
The CISA Team

ISO
ISO IMMIGRATION INFORMATION SESSION - MANDATORY
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!
“absolutely crucial” An Orientation Session, however, that you DO NOT
WANT TO MISS is the one organized by the
International Students Office. The ISO Immigration Information Session has
I M P O RTA N T
been especially designed for international students who are new to Concordia and
Montréal. Our program will focus on issues specific to your settling in Montréal
(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 pre-
pared 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
“MANDATORY” an obligation to have, in each international student’s file,
a copy of their immigration documents. This is a regula-
tion 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.
w w w. c o n c o r d i a . c a

ISO ISO Immigration Information Sessions - MANDATORY
For Students Starting Their Academic Program in
September 2009 – 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 514-848-2424 ext. 3515 or
visit our web site at http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/immigration.
August 2009 September 2009

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30 31

January 2010 – 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 web site at http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/infosessions/immigration.
December 2009 January 2010

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Immigration
1.0 IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
Congratulations on your admission to Concordia University! This is an important
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 obtain a
Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the “Ministère de l'Immigration et
des Communautés Culturelles” (MICC) (commonly called Immigration 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
I M P O RTA N T
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 coming
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 regu-
lation 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. Otherwise, you will have to apply for your
Study Permit at a Canadian Consulate or Embassy outside Canada.

Immigration Important notes:
• 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 num-
ber 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 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 list-
I M P O RTA N T
ed 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 “start both applications
before Citizenship and Immigration Canada
can issue your Study Permit. at the same time”
• We recommend, however, that you start both
applications simultaneously in order to save time and ensure that you get your immi-
gration 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 suc-
ceed in obtaining your immigration documents before the beginning 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 Montréal. 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.

Immigration
1.3 IMMIGRATION QUEBEC — FIRST STEP
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, e.g. three years for a Bachelor
or Ph.D. program, two years for a Master’s program. You will find an application form
for your CAQ enclosed in this Guide.
You can also download the application form or apply online from the following Immigration
Quebec website: www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca
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
I M P O RTA N T
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 rec-
“strongly recommended” ommend 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
“useful to note” 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: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/electronic-
services/caq-electronic/index.htm
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, proceed to fill-
ing in a new application (Steps 1 through 10) and pay the fees related 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.

Immigration 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 documents are
required to be sent to complete the application. Section 1.3.3 is intended for
students who plan on applying for their CAQ with the enclosed paper application.
1.3.3 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 (enclosed in the Guide).
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 dif-
ficulties, please note that your bank draft must be purchased at a bank that deals with a
I M P O RTA N T
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 enclosed “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/publicati
ons/en/form/paiement-carte-vienne-en.pdf
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 included in this booklet. The application form can also be
downloaded at the following address:
http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/forms/search-title/dca-studies.html
Carefully read the instructions on the CAQ application form and choose
between OPTIONS 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.
NOTE: If you are applying for a CAQ under OPTION 2, you are ONLY
required 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 appli-
cation form ask for it. Proof of sufficient funds will have to be presented to Canadian
Authorities with your application for a Study Permit.
OPTION 1: (Proof of funds mandatory)
If you (the future student) currently live inAustria,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.

Immigration
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
enclosed CAQ application form, and follow the directions as they apply to them.
1.3.4 Where to Submit Your Application for the Québec Acceptance

Certificate (CAQ):
The address of the Immigration Quebec Office in Montréal is:
Immigration Quebec
Foreign Students Service
I M P O RTA N T
285 Notre Dame West, Suite G-15
Montréal, Québec
H2Y 1T8
Canada
Telephone: 514-864–9191 (calls within Canada)
514-864-9231 (calls outside Canada)
Web site: http://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 Montréal address if you are not currently residing in Montréal.
Some students use their friend’s or relative’s address in Montréal assuming that it will
speed up the process. It does not; it actually complicates the procedure. Immigration
Quebec authorities in Montréal will assume that you reside in Montréal. So to avoid com-
plications, make sure that you indicate your current address.
1.3.5 Receiving Your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):

For students applying for a CAQ under OPTION 1 on the CAQ form, a CAQ
“important” 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 applied for your Study
Permit (Please indicate where you will apply for your Study 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 Montréal,
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.

Immigration 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
I M P O RTA N T
Permit as soon as you receive the official letter of admis-

“useful to note” sion from Concordia University. Please note, however, that
you will have met the conditions 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 confirming 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 Canadian embassy or
consulate which offers Immigration Services (list available at:
http://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 requirements 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 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 Immigration 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.

Immigration
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, or will have, for a period of 1
2 months, a minimum of $9,600 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;
I M P O RTA N T
• 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.
You can check the list of designated countries on the Citizenship and 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
“useful to note” country to verify the requirements applicable to you.
Once you have satisfied all the requirements, a letter of introduc-
tion 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. Remember that you will have to show these documents again with proof of finan-
cial 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 immigration authori-
ties at the port of entry when you arrive.

Immigration DO NOT LEAVE FOR CANADA UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED
YOUR LETTER OF ADMISSION FROM CONCORDIA AND
HAVE OBTAINED YOUR LETTER OF APPROVAL FROM THE
CANADIAN 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
I M P O RTA N T
first term at Concordia and thereafter, EVERY TIME they

renew their immigration documents. This directive is in “absolutely crucial”
accordance with the funding regulations of the Ministry
of Education of Quebec which requires that all international 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 CAN-
CELLATION of your course registration.
The office responsible for the collection of CAQs and Study Permits at Concordia
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 2009 Term Winter 2010 Term
DNE Deadline: Sept 20, 2009 DNE Deadline: Jan 16, 2010
Registration Deadline: Sept 21, 2009 Registration Deadline: Jan 17, 2010
• Registration = Add/Drop courses.

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.
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:
http://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 dollars) for a single-entry Visa.

Immigration
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 stu-
dents 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 ori-
gin, it may be easier than dealing with U.S. immigration authorities in Montréal.
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.
I M P O RTA N T
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: You must make sure that you arrive before the regis-
tration deadline unless you are already registered for courses. September 22, 2009 is the
registration deadline for the Fall Term, and January 18, 2010 for the Winter Term. Note
that classes begin on September 8, 2009 for the Fall term and January 4, 2010 for the
Winter term. If you need assistance, please contact the officer who signed your letter
of admission.
GRADUATE STUDENTS: We recommend that you contact your graduate
department or your supervisor and inform
“do not forget this step” 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 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 stu-
dents 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 necessary 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 Temporary
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.

Immigration 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.
To meet the eligibility requirements, students must have completed six months 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 Montréal. 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 Montréal 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 Montréal.
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 “strongly advised”
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 Transfer is the pre-
ferred method of transferring funds.
IMPORTANT: Such transactions can take up to four weeks or more.

Finances
A) Bank to Bank Transfer
Money cannot be transferred directly from your bank to your Concordia student account.
When making the transfer, your full name, address and student I.D. number must be
printed clearly on all bank transfer documentation.
Bank of Montreal
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 for-
ward 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 Canadian or U.S.
funds and that it is drawn from a Canadian or U.S. bank with a Canadian or U.S. address.
Please be sure to include your full name, address and student I.D. number on all bank
documents. 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
Montréal, 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 cur-
rency). The change to Canadian dollars can be made in your home country or in Canada. If
possible, you might consider looking into exchange rates: Are Canadian dollars cheaper to
buy in your home country? 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 international exchange market will not be
bought by Canadian banks.

Finances 2.4 SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS
Before leaving for Canada, students who receive scholarships from their government 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 Canada, 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, particularly at the undergraduate level. Students are advised to ensure that
they will have sufficient funding to complete their degrees. Concordia University can-
not 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 a Higher Education Loan Plan
(Stafford Loan, SLS, Plus) through their hometown bank.
Contact the Financial Aid and Awards Office for further details:
http://web2.concordia.ca/financialaid/loans/international.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 scholarship 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.
Graduate Level
Graduate students should contact their own departments to verify the possibility of
obtaining a teaching or research assistantship. Student 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 web-
site in August: http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/.
Students may also apply for Concordia Graduate Fellowships and/or International 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
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/awards/.
For further information please visit our website at http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/ or
email us at awardsgs@alcor.concordia.ca

Travel Arrangements
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
“strongly advised” 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 recom-
mend that you change your American dollars 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
“strongly advised” and valuable papers (passport, CAQ, Study Permit or
Immigration Canada’s letter of confirmation, letter of
admission, and so on) 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,
“strongly advised” 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 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 24, 2009 - January 3, 2010 (inclusively).
ACADEMIC YEAR
The academic year is divided into three sessions: Fall, Winter and Summer.
FALL TERM September 8 – December 7, 2009
Exam period: December 9 – December 23, 2009
Holiday period: December 24, 2009 – January 3, 2010
WINTER TERM January 4 – April 12, 2010
Mid-term break: February 22 – February 28, 2010
Exam period: April 15 – May 1, 2010

Travel Arrangements SUMMER TERM
Summer courses are held in two seperate terms between May and August. The 2010
Summer term dates have not yet been determined, please visit the following web
site at a later date: http://www.concordia.ca/newsandevents/events/ac_search.php
3.2 HOTEL RESERVATIONS IN MONTRÉAL

It is absolutely crucial that you make a hotel reservation for your first few days
BEFORE you arrive in Montréal. Don’t forget that you
are arriving in peak tourist season and it will be VERY “absolutely crucial”
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 “useful to note”
serve your personal needs.
3.3.1 Clothing
Montréal 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 clothing.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 Montréal. The weather at this time of the year is below 0
degrees Celsius and you have to be dressed warmly and wear good boots 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 following 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.

Travel Arrangements
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 forwarding address
in Montréal, we suggest you address your items to the International Students Office.
Verify the transportation, insurance costs, and the delivery date in Montréal.
Your parcels or trunks should have your name with the following address and tele-
phone number printed clearly on it:
YOUR NAME (first name followed by family name)
Care of: International Students Office
1455, de Maisonneuve Blvd. West, H–653
Montréal, 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 Montréal, 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.
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 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 per-
manent place to live in Montréal.Your mail can be forwarded to the 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 Montréal.
supportservices.
concordia.ca/iso/
Arrival by Air 4.0 ARRIVAL BY AIR
Montréal is served by the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, common-
ly known as the Montréal-Trudeau Airport. It is located in Dorval which is 25 kilo-
metres from downtown Montréal. 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 cus-
toms 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.
“absolutely crucial”
I M P O RTA N T
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 offi-
cer will request to see your passport, your Study Permit or letter of introduction
issued from the Canadian Visa Office, the original letter of admission from
Concordia University, your CAQ and evidence of sufficient funds for your studies 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.
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.

Getting to Montréal
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 Montréal 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 ques-
tions 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 stu-
dent, and get a warm welcome to Montréal!
4.3 SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE TO DOWNTOWN MONTREAL

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is served by a bus service to
downtown Montréal. L’AérobusTM, operated by
Groupe La Québécoise, provides an efficient
connection by motor bus between
Montréal–Trudeau airport and downtown
Montréal. This is the best and most economi-
cal way to reach Montréal.
The shuttle bus service will bring you to the photo:www.admtl.com
Montréal Central Bus Station, located at 505 De Maisonneuve Blvd. E.
Tickets are on sale at the at Montréal–Trudeau airport on the arrivals level, the fare is
$15.00. 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 Montréal is around $35.00.
Note: Prices are subject to change.

To obtain more information, please visit the following website:
http://www.admtl.com/passager/acces_et_stationnement/_aerobus.aspx

Getting to Montréal 5.0 ARRIVAL BY BUS OR TRAIN
If you travel to Montréal by bus you will arrive at Montréal’s Central Bus Station, the
Voyageur Bus Terminus, located in downtown Montréal. If you travel by train, the station in
downtown Montréal is called “Gare Centrale.” Both 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 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 Montréal.
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 reverse 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.
When making local calls you will have to dial a 10-digit telephone number
(area code + telephone number).Visit www.dial10.ca, for further information.
7.0 TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION (see section 10.0 – Housing)
It is absolutely crucial that you reserve a room before arriving in Montréal. During the
months of August and early September, there are numerous events going on in
Montréal (e.g. Montréal International Film Festival)
and it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to find “absolutely crucial”
last minute accomodations.
supportservices.
concordia.ca/iso/

Tuition
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 regis-
tering 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 Portal” directly at
I M P O RTA N T
www.myconcordia.ca; and following the step-by-step instructions. If you have diffi-
culties, 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.
8.2 TUITION
8.2.1 Undergraduate Students
For complete 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.
8.2.2 Graduate Students

Master's and Ph.D. program students pay tuition and other fees based on the total
number of academic credits in their program. The fees are charged in equal instal-
ments 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 assistants may have a por-
tion 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 infor-
mation about Payroll Deductions.

Tuition 8.2.3 Fee Payment Deadlines 2009/2010
Payment of tuition and other fees must be made as indicated in the “Financial
Obligations, Fee Payment Deadlines” section on the Tuition & Fees and Financial
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 University. Student
account balances are available on the student portal at www.MyConcordia.ca
(Financial). Payment dates and methods of
“know your
I M P O RTA N T
payment information are available on the

Tuition & Fees and Financial Regulations
available on the Tuition & Fees website at financial obligations”
http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca/.
8.2.4 Withdrawals and Refunds

Fall 2009 - Winter 2010
TERM TERM DATES DNE DEADLINE DISC DEADLINE *
(course fees Undergraduates Only
ARE cancelled) (course fees NOT cancelled)
Fall/2 September 8 – December 7 September 20 November 2
Fall/Winter/3 September 8 – April 12 September 20 March 15
Winter/4 January 4 – April 12 January 16 March 15
* Graduate students please refer to Graduate Calendar for DISC Deadline dates.
Students are held financially responsible for 100% of the fees generated by a registra-
tion 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 dead-
lines indicated in section 9.4.
Note: Graduate students who have not officially withdrawn from their program of
study will continue to be billed tuition and other fees each term.

Tuition
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 processed for that term. There is
no retroactivity. These fee exemptions do not apply to Privatized Programs (AMBA,
EMBA or IMBA, for example) and do not apply to students registered at a Quebec
University who study abroad. If you wish to consult the Ministry of Education regula-
tions, 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 intergovernmental
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”, (Gouvernement 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 per-
mits valid for working in Québec. For further details and verification, please contact the
Office of the Registrar, Room, LB 700, 514-848-2424, ext.2624.
• 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 cooperation agreed to by the
Government of Québec and which exempts the participants 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.
• Students admitted to a Québec university and whose country has a fee remission agree-
ment with the Québec Government. Please consult the following Ministry web site:
http://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 the 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 International 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 inter-
national 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 http://www.meq.gouv.qc.ca/ens-sup/ens-univ/Politique_etud_etr.pdf

Tuition • Under certain conditions, students who have obtained Convention Refugee status may be
eligible for an exemption from differential fees for international 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 documenta-
tion and on the specific documents required, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
• 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 available at the Graduate
Awards Office, Tel.: 514-848–2424, ext.3801.
8.4 PERMANENT CODE

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 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 provid-
ed that the required documents are received before the following deadlines:
FALL ADMISSION WINTER ADMISSION 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/

Health Insurance
9.0 COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Immigration Quebec regulations require that all international students be covered by
a health insurance plan that meets government standards, while living in Québec. In
keeping with government directives, Concordia University has adopted 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
following expenses:
• hospital;
• medical charges and consultations by doctors and specialists;
• pregnancy (only if pregnancy commences after the start date of the health
insurance plan);
I M P O RTA N T
• 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 insurance
card is issued: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/healthinsurance
Health insurance fees for international students are charged automatically when stu-
dents register for courses or when a graduate registration (CIP) is processed. The
insurance period for international students is from August 15 to August 14 of the fol-
lowing year. The annual fee for a single student is $635*. 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.
*FEES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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.

Health Insurance 9.1 HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
Only the International Students Office, located in the Hall Building, room 653, distrib-
utes insurance cards for international students.You must first be registered for cours-
es 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 insurance benefits as well as procedures
for insurance claim reimbursements.
ISO Health Insurance Information Sessions (mandatory)

September 2009 – 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.
August 2009 September 2009
1 1 2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30
30 31

January 2010 – Winter 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.
December 2009 January 2010
1 2 3 4 5 1 2
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

Health Insurance
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 Concordia Health Insurance Plan for International
Students, but must be purchased WITHIN 31 DAYS of the arrival of the spouse and/or chil-
dren 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 authori-
ties. These children, however, do not qualify under the Quebec Health Insurance
coverage (Quebec Medicare) and will still need to have private insurance coverage.
The annual fee for couples and families under the Concordia Health Insurance Plan are
as follows:
Couple: $3895*
Family: $5960*
*FEES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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 proce-
dures and deadlines are described in section 9.4.
A. Students Who Have a Valid Québec Medicare Card
(Carte d’Assurance–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, Portugal,
and Sweden
As a result of intergovernmental agreements, full-time students who are citizens 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 available 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

Health Insurance 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 septembre 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 Insurance, 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 Concordia Health Insurance Plan
for International Students, students must ensure that their scholarship letter clearly men-
tions 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 stu-
dent and the sponsoring organization.
D. Refugee Claimants and Convention Refugees
Refugee Claimants and Convention Refugees are eligible to opt-out of the Concordia
Health Insurance Plan for International Students if they can show proof of medical cov-
erage by the Canadian or Québec Government.
9.4 PROCEDURES FOR OPTING-OUT OF THE CONCORDIA

HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN FOR INTERNATIONAL
STUDENTS
If you are a student who falls within the exemption categories previously mentioned 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 refund/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 insur-
ance 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 company
can NOT be considered for an exemption/cancellation/adjustment.

Health Insurance
Exemption Deadlines for Opting Out if Beginning the 2009–2010
Academic Year in SEPTEMBER 2009
First deadline: Oct. 31, 2009 Full refund
Second deadline: December 21, 2009 Refund of health insurance charge
minus $100 administration fee.
Final deadline: May 1, 2010 Refund of health insurance charge

NO REFUND WILL BE APPROVED AFTER THIS FINAL DEADLINE.
Exemption Deadlines for Opting Out if Beginning the 2009–2010

Academic Year in JANUARY 2010
First deadline: February 28, 2010 Full refund
Final deadline: May 1, 2010 Refund of health insurance charge
Exemption Deadline for Opting Out if Beginning in SUMMER 2010
I M P O RTA N T
Final deadline: June 15, 2010 Full refund
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 the EMBA, AMBA, GAMBA, IMMBA, MIM and DIM
programs as well as all Exchange students are not eligible to enroll in this Dental Plan since
these students are not paying CSU/GSA association 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:
September 8 - September 22, 2009
Opt-in period for students who start their academic programme in the Winter:
January 4 - January 18, 2010
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 therefore
may not be available. For more information please contact your respective student union
or association.

Health Insurance 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; radiology and laboratory services.
For more information on the Québec Health Insurance Plan (medicare) refer to the
following website: www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca
Please note, however, that the following services are not covered: dental care, eye examina-
tion 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.aseq.com. Telephone:
514-789-8790 or 1-866-795-4437 (USA and Canada only).
Please note: Graduate students enrolled in the EMBA,AMBA, GAMBA, IMMBA, MIM,
and DIM programs as well as Exchange Students and all other students who are not pay-
ing student service fees cannot enroll in the ASEQ Health Plan.
9.7 TRAVEL INSURANCE

When travelling outside Canada, we strongly recommend that you purchase sup-
plemental travel insurance. Both the Concordia Health Insurance Plan and the
Québec Medicare Card limits your coverage up to the amounts reimbursed by
the Régie de l’assurance-maladie du Québec (Québec Medicare Card). Since med-
ical 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 additional medical costs should you have an acci-
dent 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, psychotherapists, support
staff, and health educators work collaboratively to provide students with high-quality, per-
sonalized health care and health education.
All services are strictly confidential. Information can only be released with the stu-
dent’s written authorization. This policy applies regardless of whether the information is
requested by family members, community physicians, therapists 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 informa-
tion 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.

Health Insurance
Health Services Locations and Hours of Operation
Sir George Williams Campus Loyola Campus
2155 Guy Street (Annex ER), Room 407 7141 Sherbrooke Street W., 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 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed for lunch between 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Health Services Web Site: http://health.concordia.ca
Healthy@alcor.concordia.ca
10.0 HOUSING
Finding a place to live is a source of great anxiety for new international students, yet, with-
in 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
“absolutely crucial” may not be able to find an apartment in downtown
Montréal because the vacancy rate is less than 1%, but you
will surely find an apartment along a metro/subway line or bus line. Montréal 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. Arriving 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 provided during the ISO Immigration
Orientation, and you will have a chance at the end of the sessions to meet other students
who are looking for housing or roommates. Drop-in 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. Location and schedule will be available when you come to the
ISO Immigration Orientation 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 reservation 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
“absolutely crucial” beginning of September fall right in a busy tourist
period in Montréal, and even more so because of the
Montréal International Film Festival. If you don’t book a room in advance, you will have
great difficulty finding a place to stay.
The vacancy rate in Montréal has been steadily dropping, and apartment hunting has
become more difficult, so arrive early and give yourself enough time for a
sensible search.

Housing 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: http://hojo.csu.qc.ca. Then click on the
"Resources" link in the Hojo Menu.You will then see a link for Cheap Hostels.
Hostels are an inexpensive way to find temporary accommodations.
© STM
Map of Montréal Metro system

www.stm.info

Housing
Following is a list of reasonably priced temporary accommodations located
close to Concordia.
Hotel, Hostels, Residences and Rooms Hotel St-Denis

YWCA (Women) 1254 St-Denis
1355 René-Lévesque West Tel: 514-849-4526 / 1-800-291-5927
Tel: 514-866-9941 Fax: 514-849-4529
Fax: 514-866-4866 E-mail: stay@hotel-st-denis.com
E-mail:info@ydesfemmesmtl.org Web site: www.hotel-st-denis.com
Web site: www.ydesfemmesmtl.org Metro: Berri-UQAM
Metro: Lucien-l’Allier or Guy-Concordia Maison mère des soeurs Grises
La Tour Belvédère (Grey Nuns Residence)
2175 de Maisonnneuve West 1185 St. Mathieu
Tel: 514-935-9052 / 1-888-922-9052 Tel: 514-937-9501 ext. 344
Fax: 514-935-9532 Fax: 514-937-0503
Web site : www.tourbelvedere.com E-mail: d.raymond@mmsgm.qc.ca
Metro: Atwater Metro: Guy-Concordia
Hotel Travelodge (accessible to disabled) Residence Maria-Goretti (Women 18 - 40

50 René-Lévesque West years old only)
Tel: 514-874-9090 / 1-800-363-6535 3333 chemin Côte Ste-Catherine
Fax: 514-874-0907 Tel: 514-731-1161
E-mail: reserve@travelodgemontreal.ca Fax: 514-342-8337
Web site: www.travelodgemontreal.ca Email: info@mariagoretti.org
Metro: Saint-Laurent or Place-des-Arts Metro: Côte-des-Neiges
Manoir Ambrose (non-smokers only) Montréal Youth Hostel/Auberge de

3422 Stanley (10 min. walk from Concordia) Jeunesse de Montréal
Tel: 514-288-6922 1030 Mackay
Fax: 514-288-5757 Tel: 514-843-3317 or
E-mail: info@manoirambrose.com 1-866-843-3317
Web site: www.manoirambrose.com (toll free within North America)
Metro: Peel Fax: 514-934-3251
E-mail: info@hostellingmontreal.com
Residence Inn by Marriott Web site: www.hostellingmontreal.com
2170 Lincoln (10 min.walk from Concordia) Metro: Lucien-l’Allier
Tel: 514-935-9224 / 1-800-678-6323
Fax: 514-935-5049 Gîte du Parc Lafontaine
E-mail: info@residencemontreal.com 1250 Sherbrooke East
Web site: www.residencemontreal.com Tel: 514-522-3910
Metro: Guy-Concordia Fax: 514-844-7356
E-mail: info@hostelmontreal.com
Hôtel Casa Bella Web site: www.hostelmontreal.com
264 Sherbrooke West Metro: Sherbrooke
Tel: 514-849-2777
Fax: 514-849-3650 Gîte du Plateau Mont-Royal
E-mail: info@hotelcasabella.com 185 Sherbrooke East
Web site: www.hotelcasabella.com Tel: 514-284-1276
Metro: Place-des-Arts Fax: 514-844-7356
E-mail: info@hostelmontreal.com
Web site: www.hostelmontreal.com
Metro: Sherbrooke or Place-des-Arts

Housing BED AND BREAKFAST NETWORK
Accommodation in private homes in various areas of Montréal. (Ask if there is a student
discount, especially if you stay longer than one night.)
Downtown Bed & Breakfast

3458 Avenue Laval
Tel: 514-289-9749 / 1-800-267-5180
Fax: 514-287-7386
E-mail: infobb@bbmontreal.ca
Web site: www.bbmontreal.ca
Metro: Sherbrooke
Welcome/Bienvenue Bed & Breakfast
3950 Avenue Laval
Tel: 514-844-5897 / 1-800-227-5897
Fax: 514-844-5894
E-mail: info@bienvenuebb.com
Web site: www.bienvenuebb.com
Metro: Sherbrooke
B & B Centre-Ville-Downtown Network
3977 Laval Avenue
Tel: 514-287-9635 or 1-800-363-9635
Fax: 514-287-1007
E-mail: b_b@martha-pearson.com
Web site: http://martha-pearson.com
Metro: Sherbrooke
Montréal Oasis in Downtown
3000 Breslay Road
Tel: 514-935-2312
Fax: 514-935-3154
E-mail: bb@aei.ca
Web site: www.bedandbreakfast.com/quebec-montreal-a-montreal-oasis.html
Metro: Atwater
OTHER SOURCES:
Tourisme Montréal
Web site: www.tourisme-montreal.org
Tel: 514-873-2015
Tourisme Québec
Web site : www.bonjourquebec.com
Tel: 514-873-2015

Housing
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 Montréal 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 neighbour-
hoods (hojo.csu.qc.ca). They also provide information, 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 regis-
tered for their site, or visit them in person.
CSU Off-Campus Housing & Job Bank
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 Montréal’s daily newspa-
pers 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.
Apartments for rent are much more expensive downtown compared to other areas in
Montréal. 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, sec-
tors outside the downtown area will best meet your needs.
Equip yourself with a good map of Montréal and go for it!
Looking for Roommates?

If you are looking for a roommate and want to meet other international students, 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. Hopefully, 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

Housing 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.
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,
“useful to note”
it is almost impossible to cancel it unless you assign
your lease to someone else.
Apartments in Montréal are typically described as 2 1/2, 3 1/2, etc. A 2 1/2 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
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.
N.B.: When the landlord/agent asks for identification, show them your offer of admission from
Concordia University, your Study Permit and your passport. Never give out your credit card, or
bank account numbers.

Housing
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 184 full-time undergraduate students. The
Grey Nuns Residence is located on the Sir George Williams Campus (downtown)
and houses 241 full-time undergraduate students. Residence Life staff is dedicated
to easing students’ transition into university life and to help students who are away
from home for the first time. Educational and social programming 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 Residence 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 suggestions 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

Important Dates CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES
2009
Sept. 7 Labour Day – University closed.
Sept. 8 Classes begin – Fall Session.
Sept. 20 DNE Deadline – Deadline for withdrawal with tuition refund from
two-term and fall-term courses.
Sept. 21 Last day to add two-term and Fall-term courses
Sept. 30 Fee payment deadline for Fall-term.
Oct. 12 Thanksgiving Day – University closed.
Oct. 31 First deadline for opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan
for eligible students who began their academic year in September 2009
(Full refund). See Section 9.4.
Nov. 2 DISC Deadline – Last day for academic withdrawal from Fall-term courses.
(Undergraduate students only).
Dec. 2 Last day of classes – Fall-term.
Dec. 9 Examinations begin.
Dec. 21 Second deadline for opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan
for eligible students who began their academic year in September 2009
(Refund minus Administrative Fee $100). See Section 9.4.
Dec. 23 Examinations end.
Dec. 24 Beginning of Holiday Break
2010
Jan. 4 End of Holiday Break
Jan. 4 Classes begin – Winter Session
Jan. 16 DNE Deadline – Deadline for withdrawal with tuition refund from
Winter-term courses.
Jan. 17 Last day to add Winter-term courses
Jan. 31 Fee payment deadline for Winter term
Feb. 22 Mid-term break begins.
Feb. 26 President’s Holiday – University closed.
Feb. 28 First deadline for opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for
students beginning the academic year in January 2010 (Full refund). See Section 9.4.
Feb. 28 Mid-term break ends.
Mar. 15 DISC Deadline - Last day for academic withdrawal from two-term and
Winter-term courses (Undergraduate students only).
Apr. 2-5 (incl.) University closed (Easter Holidays).
Apr. 12 Classes end – Winter-term
Apr. 15 Examinations begin.
May 1 Final deadline for opting-out of the Concordia Health Insurance Plan for
eligible students who began their academic year in September 2009
(Refund minus Administrative Fee $200); for students beginning the
academic year in January 2010 (Refund minus Administrative Fee $100).
See Section 9.4.
May 1 Examinations end.

Frequently Called Numbers
FREQUENTLY CALLED NUMBERS
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
Enrolment Services 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. 8541
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
TRANSPORTATION
Diamond Taxi 514-273-6331
Montréal Bus Schedules 514-288-6287 (dial Autobus)
Montréal Transit Information 514-786-4636 (dial STM-info)
Montréal Bus Central Station 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
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Operator: 0
Directory Assistance: 411
EMERGENCIES
(Fire, Police, Ambulance): 911

Useful Websites CONCORDIA LINKS EXTERNAL LINKS
Canadian Bureau for International
www.concordia.ca Education (CBIE)
www.cbie.ca
International Students Office
http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
New Student Programme
http://newstudent.concordia.ca Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade
Admissions www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca
www.concordia.ca/info/futurestudents/
applying Montréal International
www.montrealinternational.com
Birks Student Service Centre
(Office of the Registrar) Montréal Tourism
http://registrar.concordia.ca/SSC www.tourisme-montreal.org
School of Graduate Studies Montéal - Trudeau Airport

http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/ www.admtl.com
Student Accounts TOEFL

http://tuitionandfees.concordia.ca www.toefl.org
Concordia International Students Immigration Quebec

Association (CISA) www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca
http://www.cisamontreal.com
Québec Ministry of Education,
Language Institute (Continuing Leisure and Sport
Education) www.mels.gouv.qc.ca
http://sarno.concordia.ca/conted/
Québec Rental Board
Off-Campus Housing www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca
http://hojo.csu.qc.ca/
Régie de l’assurance maladie
Concordia Residence www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca
http://residence.concordia.ca/

Top Ten Tips
Top Ten Tips
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 http://www.gc.ca; Québec at
www.bonjourquebec.com; Montréal at www.tourisme-montreal.org; Concordia
University at http://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 necessary reser-
vations 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
acceptance, 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 replace-
ment 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:
http://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

Appendix 1: Sample Budget 2008-2009 NOTE: Personal and living expenses listed are estimates and subject to personal
needs. The figures are in Canadian funds and are estimates for 12 months
ARRIVAL EXPENSES
Arrival expenses $500
(transportation, temporary accommodations, restaurants)
Installation expenses $600
(equipment for apartment, telephone installation, etc.)
Winter Clothing $600
(boots, coat, gloves, scarves, sweaters, etc.)
PER MONTH:
LIVING EXPENSES
Off-Campus Room and Food $973
Transportation $ 81
Telephone $ 45
Miscellaneous $154
(leisure items, toiletries, etc.)
PER YEAR EXPENSES:

SCHOOL FEES AND HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance (Single)* $635
Books and supplies (30 credits) $1,680 – 2,195
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.
* See family & couples rates in section 9.2 on page 37

International Students Office Location
Published by the International Students Office
1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West
Montréal (Québec)
H3G 1M8
Telephone: (514) 848-2424, ext.3515
Fax: (514) 848-3599
Email: iso@alcor.concordia.ca
Website: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso
January 2009
ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

Advocacy and
Support Services
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
Montréal (Québec)
H3G 1M8
Telephone: (514) 848-2424, ext.3515
Fax: (514) 848-3599
Email: iso@alcor.concordia.ca
Website: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso
January 2009
Design | Concordia Marketing Communications P90642

ISO Guide

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International Students Office Staff

The Staff of the International Students Office (from left to right)

Raja Bhattacharya, Benoit Fontaine, Delfine Lambert, Claire Beaudreault,Anna

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

The Staff of the International Students Office

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE (ISO)

Telephone: 514-848-2424, ext.3515

ISO Web Page: http://supportservices.concordia.ca/iso/

Concordia Web Page: http://www.concordia.ca

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 1

ISO Immigration Information Session (Mandatory) . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS . . . . . . . . . .25

ARRIVAL IN MONTREAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

2 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

COMPULSORY HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

A FINAL WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 3

Concordia – A Brief Overview

4 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 5

Loyola Campus - (H4B 1R6)

6 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 7

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

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

8 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT HANDBOOK

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 9

10 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

Health Insurance Information Sessions

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 11

August 2009 September 2009

For Students Starting Their Academic Program in

December 2009 January 2010

12 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

1.1 STUDYING WITHOUT A CAQ AND A STUDY PERMIT

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 13

1.2 STUDYING WITH A CAQ AND A STUDY PERMIT:

1.2.1 Renewal of the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):

14 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

1.3.1 General Information

1.3.2 Online Application for a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 15

1.3.3 The Following Documents Must Be Sent, Regardless of Which

correspondent bank in Canada and that it is cashable at no charge by the Immigration

16 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

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

1.3.4 Where to Submit Your Application for the Québec Acceptance

1.3.5 Receiving Your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ):

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 17

1.4 CANADIAN IMMIGRATION — SECOND STEP

Permit as soon as you receive the official letter of admis-

18 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010 19

1.5 COPY OF YOUR CAQ AND STUDY PERMIT TO CONCORDIA

first term at Concordia and thereafter, EVERY TIME they

REGISTRATION & DNE DEADLINES

• Registration = Add/Drop courses.

20 ISO Pre-Departure Guide 2009-2010

1.8 VISA TO ENTER COUNTRIES OTHER THAN CANADA

1.10 VISITING AND EXCHANGE STUDENTS