Landing in Montréal: What to do first
After arriving at the airport
Proceed to collect your study permit
When you approach customs, make sure you have the following documents:
- Passport
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
- Letter of introduction for your study permit (sent to you from the government)
- HEC Montréal admission letter
Go to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office in the airport, to collect your study permit from an agent.
Visit the Accueil Plus counter
They will help you navigate your first few days in Montréal. You can also use their Internet.
If you have not already done so, sign up for Accueil Plus.
Getting to Montréal
The 747 bus is a very affordable way to travel to downtown Montréal.
A taxi is a safe and relatively affordable transportation option. A fixed rate of $40 will take you downtown.
Your first days in Montréal
Validating your admission
Get your admission to HEC Montréal validated by uploading your immigration papers to HEC en ligne.
Prepare for your first days – with some reading
The hec.ca site is full of information to help make those first days at HEC Montréal less overwhelming.
Visit the Students portal and click on the following pages:
Register for the Quebec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ) – for those who are eligible
This applies only to students who are citizens or residents of one of the signatory countries that have an agreement with Quebec.
You must register for the Quebec health insurance plan online. You will need, among other things, your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and your study permit and a full-time study attestation (available in HEC Online).
Send us your RAMQ confirmation
- You must upload to HEC en ligne the Official proof from the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). See an example (in French only).
- You must do it before the deadline for tuition fee payments.
Open a bank account
We strongly advise you to open a Canadian bank account for your financial transactions. Not only is it safe, it will also save money on bank fees.
- If you have an ATM card from a foreign bank, remember that your bank will charge you fees for each transaction.
- In order to manage all your initial purchases in Montréal, it would be advisable to carry some cash (CAD, USD, or Euros), travellers’ cheques or a credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
How to do it
Before selecting a financial institution, compare student rates. Two banks, in particular, offer attractive packages to HEC Montréal international students:
- National Bank
- Desjardins (1 877 875-1118)
Using an ATM from a bank other than yours can be costly. The School has National Bank and Desjardins bank machines.
To open an account, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Passport
- Study permit
- Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ)
- School admission letter
- Proof of address: lease, an invoice or attestation to prove that you are registered as a full-time student.
If you don’t yet have an address
You can make the School your temporary address: 3000 Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, H3T 2A7. Don't forget to change your address in HEC en ligne.
Things to know:
- You can make deposits at ATMs (cheques and cash).
- You can pay bills through online banking.
- Cheques are rarely used, except for paying rent.
- Receiving international wire transfers is subject to fees.
- Be aware that a deposited cheque can be held for between 5 and 30 days.
- Do not confuse a debit card with a credit card. A debit, or ATM card allows you to make deposits, withdrawals and purchases (through the Interac system). A Canadian Visa or MasterCard credit card lends you funds for purchases, often with very high interest rates.
Need advice on how to budget?
See the Sample budget page or contact a member of the Financial Aid office at sae.afe@hec.ca
Send funds to Canada
- You might want to send funds to Canada in order to cover some of the fees and other expenses you may need to pay during your stay in Montréal.
- Exchange rate fluctuations can negatively affect your monthly budget. To keep on top of the current rates, visit the Bank of Canada’s exchange rates and currency converter page.
Canada does not have exchange controls but be aware that such controls may exist in your country.
How to do it
Transferring funds
You can transfer funds into a Canadian bank account. You can also have money sent to a Canadian bank before you leave your country, to have it deposited in your Canadian account once it is opened.
Bank drafts (certified cheques)
You can use bank drafts in your name, which can be cashed at a Canadian bank. Some banks wait up to 30 working days before granting access to your funds.
International money order
Using this is strongly discouraged.
Live like a Montréaler!
- Our guide to enjoying winter: clothing, health and activities
- I choose Montréal – International student portal
- Je-parle-quebecois.com (In French only)
- MTL Blog and cult mtl – news, culture and events
Any questions? Contact Zone Info.