Prepare to travel
Once your immigration documents are approved, you'll need to prepare for your travel to Concordia University!
Plan to travel
When your study permit application is approved, you will receive your Letter of Introduction. Now you are ready to plan your trip to Montreal.
It’s ideal to arrive a few weeks before your classes begin – arriving later could limit your choice housing options!
- By August 15 if you are starting in the Fall term
- By late December, early January if you are starting in the Winter term
- By April 15 if you are starting in the Summer term
Temporary accommodations
Make a hotel reservation for your first few days in Montreal (unless you have long-term housing for your arrival). Don’t wait to find last-minute temporary accommodations upon your arrival. Make reservations before your departure.
Health insurance for travel to Canada
Your health insurance coverage starts on:
- September 1 for students beginning their studies in the Fall term
- January 1 for students beginning their studies in the Winter term
- May 1 for students beginning their studies in the Summer term
If you arrive before the start of term you will not yet be covered under your Blue Cross insurance for international students. We advise purchasing third-party medical insurance or an additional month of the Blue Cross plan offered by Concordia University about two weeks before you come to Canada.
What to bring with you
Keep important documents and money with you in a money/safety belt or in your carry-on luggage; don't put them in checked luggage. These documents include, but are not limited to:
- Your Offer of Admission (all pages and printed)
- Your CAQ approval letter (printed)
- Your proof of financial support (printed)
- Your Vaccine Records: it is important for every university student to have this vital information easily accessible. Don’t leave home without it!
- There is a $10,000.00 cash limit when travelling to Canada but we do not recommend travelling with that much money.
- If you do not feel comfortable travelling with cash, make sure that your credit/debit card will work in Canada to get you through your first few days while you set up your bank account.
Don’t over pack as you can buy most things in Montreal at reasonable prices, and fees for overweight luggage can be expensive! Consult your airline's luggage regulations.
You absolutely should pack the following:
- Appropriate seasonal clothing
- August or early September are generally warm; you will have lots of time to buy winter clothing.
- December, January and February are cold; you will need appropriate winter clothing.
- Adapter for North American electrical outlets (120 V, Type A and B)
Consider shipping your belongings
If you plan to ship your belongings to Montreal, compare the costs to what you would pay if you were to purchase new ones in Montreal. Do cost comparisons for various stores online. Make sure that you can obtain a reasonable delivery date for your shipment to arrive in Montreal.
What you can do before you leave home
- Before you leave home, review your vaccine history with your health care provider, and update any vaccines you’re missing. Vaccines can be costly, and student insurance plans do not offer the same coverage that employee or parents’ plans pay for. Get started now, as some vaccines require a series of shots and may take a few weeks or months to complete.
- Pack your Vaccine Records (or a clear copy or photo): It is important for every university student to have this vital information easily accessible. Don’t leave home without it!
Late arrival to Canada
If cannot arrive in Canada before the first day of classes, you must defer your start date.
Undergraduate students: Contact the admissions officer named in your Offer of Admission.
Graduate students: TBD
