New student checklist

Concordia will use email to contact you. Please make sure that your emaill settings are not sending our emails to your junk or spam folder!

Remember that many emails you receive from the university are important and time-sensitive.

Hosted by an ISO advisor, we’ll go over the application process for your immigration and travel documents: your CAQ, study permit, and eTA/TRV.

Apply for your immigration documents as soon as you receive your Offer of Admission (even if your Offer is conditional).

Each international student is assigned their very own ISO advisor. Your ISO advisor will assist you with all ISO-related matters from getting settled to understanding your health insurance plan to applying for or renewing your study-related immigration documents.

Who's your advisor? If your Concordia University student ID#:

• ends with 0 or 1, your advisor is Anna Nigoghosian
• ends with 2 or 3, your advisor is Brenda Brisson
• ends with 4 or 5, your advisor is Daniel Giglio
• ends with 6 or 7, your advisor is Farooq Shaikh
• ends with 8 or 9, your advisor is Tatiana Gomez

For example, if your Concordia student ID# is 87654321, then your advisor is Anna; if your Concordia ID# is 12345678, your advisor is Tatiana Gomez; and so on.

You can meet with your ISO advisor either by in-person drop-ins (GM 330) or virtual drop-in sessions (Zoom).

Refer to your Offer of Admission for registration instructions.

Need more help with your course registration? Take a look at the:

• Welcome guide for new Concordians for undergraduate students
• Welcome guide for new graduate students

If you haven't sorted out your housing yet, take a look at renting in Montreal.

Students from certain countries may be able to opt out of the mandatory health insurance plan. Find out if you qualify and what documents to get from your home country.

Visit the Concordia University’s Orientation page. You'll find webinars all summer long that offer information on things to do as a new student, resources and services available to students, and much more!

If you are eligible for a health insurance exemption:

1. Get your documents ready and register with the RAMQ: https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/citizens/health-insurance/register.
2. Submit your RAMQ card or letter of eligibility to the ISO by the end of your first month of studies so that we can process your exemption!

If you are not eligible for a health insurance exemption:

Get familiar with your Blue Cross plan for international students:

1. Register with Blue Cross
2. Print your Blue Cross card

Call to register with your country’s consular representative in Canada. See a list of embassies and consulates in Canada:

• Select a country (your country of citizenship)  
• Select a city: Ottawa

Your permanent code (code permanent) is like a student number used by the Government of Quebec. All Concordia students need one, and you will pay a penalty if you don’t have one.

• Go to your Student Hub, find and select Code Permanent Data Form (towards the bottom-right of the page).
• Check if the information on the form is correct and click Save.
• Questions about your permanent code should be directed to code.permanent@concordia.ca

Once the Permanent Code is issued, you will be able to view it by clicking on the Code Permanent Data Form button.

To open a bank account, go to the “New Accounts” department at a bank. A bank employee will explain the different types of accounts and the costs and services associated with each type of account.

It is a good idea to check with several banks to determine which bank offers the best account for your needs. When you open an account, the banks will likely ask to see any or all your documents, including your:

• Passport
• Concordia Letter of Admission or I.D. card
• Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
• Study permit
• Proof of residency in Montreal (show a copy of your apartment lease)

You must have a social insurance number (SIN) if you wish to work in Canada.

You can apply for it online, in-person or by mail.

There are several telephone companies that provide good mobile phone plans. Explore your options and choose whichever suits your needs best. Here are some providers:

• Bell: bell.ca
• Fido: fido.ca
• Koodo: koodomobile.com
• Primus: primus.ca
• Rogers: rogers.com
• Telus: telus.com
• Sprint: sprint.com
• Virgin: virginmobile.ca

You can use PlanHub to compare phone plans.

There are a number of competing internet providers, such as:

• Altima: https://www.altimatel.com/
• Bell: bell.ca
• Distributel: distributel.ca
• Electronicbox: electronicbox.net
• Fizz: https://fizz.ca/en
• Primus: primus.ca
• TekSavvy: teksavvy.com
• Videotron: videotron.com
• VirginPlus: https://www.virginplus.ca/en/home/index.html

Use PlanHub to compare internet plans.

Depending on your country of origin, you may be able to use your current driver’s license in Quebec. For more information, please contact the SAAQ (Société de l’Assurance Automobile du Québec):

Place Dupuis, 850 De Maisonneuve Blvd East, M-­03
Call: 5­14 525-7332

saaq.gouv.qc.ca

Include your new address, telephone number, email address (if applicable).

Get your student ID card in-person or order it online!

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) uses your student ID card photo to create your transit pass, the OPUS card.

You may submit an OPUS card request 24 hours after the university issues your student ID.

All new students are required to complete the mandatory IT TAKES ALL OF US Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention Training within the first 6 weeks of their first term at Concordia University. 

All new graduate students are required to complete the Academic Success and Integrity Module (ASIM) training during their first term at Concordia University.

Check with your department to see if there is any other training that must be completed as a new student.

You must upload your documents to your Student Centre by the first day of classes, otherwise you risk being de-registered as a Concordia student. 

If you have been admitted to a program (certificate, diploma, Bachelor's, Master's or PhD) or are an exchange student who will study at Concordia University for 2 terms, you must upload a CAQ and a study permit.

If you are an exchange student who will be studying at Concordia University for 1 term only, you must upload the biographical page of your valid passport.

Here are the instructions to upload your immigration document(s):

• Upload documents in your Student Centre (You can also find this link in your Student Hub)
• Select the type of document you would like to upload then attach your file from the drop-down menu. Repeat this step until you have uploaded all of your travel documents. Once done, click Submit.
• Do not upload all your documents as one PDF file
• See what these documents look like

For students starting in Winter 2026, the first day of classes is Monday, January 12, 2026.

Tuition fee payment deadlines:

• Summer tuition and fees are due by May 31
• Fall tuition and fees are due by September 30
• Winter tuition and fees are due by February 15

Consult your Student Hub to:

• Learn how much is due
• Manage tuition and fee payments
• How to pay tuition online

There are many accepted methods to pay your tuition and fees; online banking is the easiest way.

If you are in need of advice or assistance regarding tuition and tuition payment, contact students@concordia.ca.

If applicable, submit required document(s) to complete your admission condition(s).

Follow-up inquiries should be directed to your Admissions Officer. Their contact information is available in your Offer of Admission.

If you would like to set up a Concordia University email account, please visit IITS for instructions.

Contact IITS at help@concordia.ca if you need further assistance.

Log onto “ConcordiaUniversity” WIFI using your Concordia netname and password as the wi-fi username and password.

How to connect to Concordia's wireless network.