Every back‑to‑school season brings many international students landing in Montreal. Québec has immigration, health‑care, transit and rental rules different from other Canadian provinces, and many new arrivals easily run into pitfalls. This complete landing handbook covers immigration compliance, health insurance, the student OPUS transit card, housing, banking‑SIN, winter preparation, anti‑fraud tips plus a 72‑hour landing checklist to help international students start their Québec studies smoothly.
Immigration and study compliance: don’t touch the red lines
Québec is a two‑step file: CAQ first, then the federal study permit. If you are applying in 2026, budget roughly CAD $24,617/year for one person for Québec financial capacity, and note the federal outside‑Québec proof‑of‑funds line rose to CAD $23,448 as of September 1, 2026; tuition and travel are separate. Officers care about whether the money is genuinely available and well explained, not just the balance.
Don’t transfer schools or switch levels casually. If your permit names a specific DLI, you generally need a new permit before changing schools. Even within the same institution, moving between program levels can require a new study permit. After mid‑2026, IRCC has signalled stricter scrutiny of unauthorized transfers and repeated program changes.
Respect the work cap. Keep the 24‑hour‑per‑week off‑campus limit during academic sessions; only genuine scheduled breaks normally allow full‑time work. Eligible co‑op/internship terms generally no longer need a separate work permit from April 1, 2026, but exceptions still exist.
Don’t drop to part‑time or take an unauthorized leave. That can kill your work eligibility and hurt PGWP eligibility. For PGWP timing, use the school’s formal completion notice/transcript date and don’t miss the 180‑day window.
Health insurance: assume your school plan is mandatory
Most international students are not automatically covered by RAMQ and must pay the school’s mandatory international student health plan. Some universities are explicit: having private insurance does not automatically waive the school plan; exemptions usually have to be requested during a short window and renewed annually.
Exceptions may exist for citizens of bilateral‑agreement countries such as France, Belgium, or Denmark, but you typically need proof of home coverage and must act fast on the school’s opt‑out deadline.
Once landed: save your insurance card and policy wording; call 911 for emergencies, 811 for non‑urgent health guidance, and use CLSC services. Buy separate travel insurance for trips outside Québec—your school plan may not cover everything.
Transit: get the student OPUS before optimizing fares
You need full‑time status, a participating school, and a Québec mailing address for a student photo OPUS. In 2026, the photo OPUS card fee is $15, with adult monthly fares around $103 and reduced student fares around $62 for Zone A—worth doing properly.
New students often wait until their ID photo is uploaded or the card is confirmed before applying. Renewal windows can run August 1 to October 31; miss the window and you may lose student status for a month while reapplying.
The 747 airport bus is about $11 and generally covered by a valid weekly/monthly pass. Don’t assume STM rules equal EXO commuter rail rules.
Housing: Montreal’s biggest trap
No viewing, no money transfer. Listings that demand Interac e‑transfer/wire upfront, offer only video tours, or say “I’m abroad” are classic scams. Use school housing resources and Facebook groups, but verify with a video call plus in‑person or trusted‑friend viewing.
Check the lease for: heat/hot water/electricity included or not, move‑in date, whether it starts July 1, deposits and damage deposit, whether subletting is allowed, and any bed bug history. Keep a move‑in condition report with photos.
Close the proof‑of‑address loop early: lease → bank/school/government address → RAMQ/insurance/OPUS/phone. Many people get stuck in “no address, no card; no card, no address.”
Banking, phone, SIN
Bring: passport, study permit, CAQ/letter of admission, school enrolment letter, and Québec proof of address. Open a no‑monthly‑fee student account first; be careful with premium credit cards. If “CRA,” “your bank,” or “immigration” calls, hang up and call the official number back.
Get a SIN if you plan to work legally. Never share your SIN, banking passwords, or verification codes with an employer or “agent.” Prefer payroll jobs over casual cash work.
Winter and rhythm
After October, prepare for winter: windproof waterproof parka, base layers, insulated boots, gloves/toque, lip balm and moisturizer, power bank. Don’t wait for Black Friday; cold snaps don’t wait.
Short daylight can affect mood. Keep a routine, use the library/gym, and know school counselling services. French is not decorative: everyday French helps with jobs, healthcare, landlords, and government offices.
Quick scam check & first‑72‑hours checklist
IRCC/CRA/banks/embassies will not ask for gift cards, Bitcoin, or “security deposits” to a private account. For currency exchange, tuition payment, cheap flights, or sublets, use traceable payments only. “Guaranteed transfers,” “guaranteed admission,” or “fast PGWP/PR” are usually traps. Clean compliance beats clever hacks.
First‑72‑hours checklist: confirm permit conditions and DLI → get connectivity/temporary transit → apply for student OPUS → review lease and photograph everything → open a bank account → activate/waive school insurance → attend international student orientation → save 911/811, school emergency contacts, and your international student advisor’s email.