COVID-19 FAQ for prospective and newly admitted undergraduate students

We understand that schools across the globe are making many adjustments. We will assess your application with this in mind.

Requests for a deferral are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Students admitted to programs in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Communications, Communications and Cultural Studies Journalism, TESL and Early Childhood Education are not normally eligible for deferral – they will need to submit a new application for the term they wish to attend.

International students may be eligible for a deferral if they are unable to travel to Canada due to restrictions including not getting their study permit in time. Your deferral request must include proof that you have applied for both your CAQ and study permit. Deferral requests for your Fall 2021 admission will be considered from August 1 to September 1.

Deferrals are not available for students who do not require a study permit or who plan to take courses at another institution.

Our admissions staff are processing official documents received electronically or by mail.

Depending on your school’s curriculum, official documents are sent either by mail or electronically. When possible, electronic documents are preferred, but our admissions staff are processing documents received by mail. Review your options for submitting official documents.

Academic advisors are helping and support students remotely until it is safe for in-person meetings to resume. Read more about advising.

At this time, travelers do not require a vaccine to travel to Canada (see our travel and quarantine page for more information) however, travel and health regulations are continually being updated.

Ultimately, it is your decision. However, based on the lengthy delays in obtaining the vaccines in Canada, and the possibility of travel regulations changing in the future, some students are opting to be vaccinated at home where possible.

If you are unable to get a vaccine in your home country, or require a second vaccination after you arrive in Canada, you will be able to receive one once your age group becomes eligible in Quebec, based on Quebec’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Yes, your student health insurance would cover hospitalization for COVID-19.

According to the Canadian government, individuals with health conditions that put them at heightened risk will be given priority for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. For this reason, Concordia hopes to welcome everyone, including students considered high-risk, to campus in the fall term.

In-person classes will not have an online option. Based on our current expectations of government requirements, international students are expected to be in Quebec, even if courses are offered remotely.

All travelers entering Canada by land or air, must quarantine for 14 days.

Canada currently requires travelers arriving in Canada by air to quarantine in a hotel for 3 days upon arrival in Canada. Travelers are responsible for booking their quarantine hotel accommodations prior to arrival. The cost of hotel quarantine for three days can be as high as $2000.

Following the hotel quarantine, travelers must complete the rest of a mandatory two-week quarantine in a private residence or hotel of their choosing. The two-week quarantine requirement applies to everyone, regardless of citizenship, who enters the country by air or land. Read about the full quarantine requirements.

You should plan to arrive in Canada at least two weeks before your classes start, so that you can complete your quarantine before coming to campus. Do not visit campus if you are in quarantine or have COVID-19 symptoms.

Yes, those who have travelled together, may share accommodation. Room rate will include base room rate plus an additional fee for each additional person staying in the same room.

You must quarantine in a private residence or hotel room. Reduced hotel rates may be available through Hotel Management International, although Concordia cannot guarantee availability. Per health and safety protocols, Concordia residences will not be available for quarantine use.

Unfortunately, this is not something we are able to provide.

See the complete guide to planning your quarantine.

While we wait for confirmation from the Quebec government, we are encouraging students to plan to be in Quebec by the start of Fall 2021 term. It is possible, that failure to reside in Quebec, may have future negative impacts on immigration applications such as CAQ renewals or eligibility to the PEQ program.

Although we are still awaiting confirmation from the Quebec government, it is possible that failure to reside in Quebec may have future negative impacts on immigration applications such as CAQ renewals or eligibility to the PEQ program. For this reason, we are asking international students to plan to be in Montreal for the fall term.

Orientation for both new undergraduate and graduate students will take place in August, both virtually and, to a limited extent, in-person. Details will be made available online in May.

While we wait for confirmation from the Quebec government, we are encouraging students to plan to be in Quebec by the start of Fall 2021 term. It is possible, that failure to reside in Quebec, may have future negative impacts on immigration applications such as CAQ renewals or eligibility to the PEQ program.

Currently, masks are required in all indoor public spaces in Quebec, including classrooms. The university has also instituted occupancy and cleaning protocols to reduce the risk of viral spread from contact and aerosols.

The provincial government’s guidelines determine how Concordia manages in-person activities, with rules expected to evolve in accordance with the public health situation.

Recreation facilities, including Le Gym, are currently closed. When permitted to do so, Concordia will gradually reopen its recreation facilities, ensuring compliance with all applicable public health directives for the Montreal region and for higher education.

In the meantime, please visit concordia.ca/recreation for online fitness, home workouts, nutrition information, personal training and esports.

Details about housing eligibility will be announced on May 1, 2021.

Concordia’s plan for course delivery will be announced in May.

As the public health situation is expected to improve in the late summer and fall of 2021, we expect to be able to welcome more student life activities back to campus. Even if most (or all) of your courses are online for the fall term, you will be able to access libraries, certain common spaces and study areas, and attend certain events on campus, depending on health and safety measures. We would like all students to join us in taking part in this unprecedented reunion with our community, as we expect to gradually be able to gather together safely over the course of the fall.