Before You Leave
Welcome Program for International Students (Accueil Plus)
Many cégeps offer a dedicated airport welcome service for new international students. Check with your cégep’s international student contact for details.
You can also register for the Accueil Plus service—even if your cégep already provides a personalized welcome.
This service, designed specifically for international students, is free and offers many benefits.
To be eligible for the Accueil Plus program, you must land at Montréal-Trudeau Airport:
- Between early August and mid-September for the fall semester
- Between late December and mid-January for the winter semester
This must be your port of entry into Canada. You may register for Accueil Plus once you have:
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Received your Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) for studies
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Your Canadian study permit number
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Purchased your plane ticket
Visit Accueil Plus to learn more and to register.
It is highly recommended to register for Accueil Plus.
Residences and Housing
While studying in Québec, you can choose to live in a student residence or in private off-campus housing.
Living in a Student Residence
Most cégeps have a student residence reserved for full-time students.
Student residences typically offer:
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Furnished rooms, either single or double occupancy
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Furnished apartments
To prepare meals, some residences have shared kitchens, while others allow students to install a small fridge and microwave in their room. Meals are not included. Students living in residence may have access to additional services, sometimes at extra cost, such as: Cable TV and internet access in their room, or laundry room in the residence.
Since space is limited, you must submit a reservation request directly to your cégep as early as possible.
Living Off Campus
Cégeps can provide a list of private housing options (rooms and apartments) located near the school. However, you are responsible for making your own arrangements and reservations.
For more information about residence options at the cégep of your choice, visit the institution’s website via the cégep directory.
Checklist: Be Well Prepared
Coming to Québec for the next school semester? Review the following topics to make sure you're ready for this big adventure!
Mandatory Health Insurance
International students are required to have valid health insurance for the entire duration of their stay. You may need to obtain some documents in your home country before leaving. See our section on mandatory health insurance for more information.
Driver’s Licence
Under certain conditions, you may drive in Québec with the driver’s licence issued in your home country. It must be valid, and you must only drive vehicles in the category permitted by your licence.
If your licence is not in French or English, it is strongly recommended to obtain an international driver’s licence. Check the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) website for the steps to follow. IMPORTANT: You must complete these steps before arriving in Québec.
Québec’s Highway Safety Code may differ from the rules in your country. Be sure to review it before driving here.
Travel Day
We hope your arrival in Canada goes smoothly—but surprises can happen.
Prepare a list of emergency contacts and keep it in your carry-on baggage. Include the contact information for your cégep representative.
Bring detailed instructions for getting to your first accommodation, including the mode of transportation—especially if it's not provided by the cégep.
We also recommend carrying a small amount of Canadian cash to help you manage in case of unexpected situations.