immigration

Clearing customs

When you arrive at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (or other air/land Canadian port of entry), a Canadian customs officer will verify your passport and your entry visa (if you need one), and your letter of acceptance, and will ask you a few questions about the purpose of your visit to Canada.

Please find below the International Health Insurance (IHI) Handbook:

• Health Insurance Claim Form - Extended Health Care Benefits
  To be used to claim reimbursement after having paid for eligible medical expense. Original receipts must accompany this form.

Health insurance

McGill's International Health Insurance plan is mandatory for all students, regardless of their country of origin or any other insurance policies they may hold. Learn more here.

If this is your first time applying for immigration documents to study in Canada, please consult the Immigration Information in our Pre-Departure Guide.

Once you arrive in Canada, keep copies of all important documents (e.g. Passport, Study Permit, CAQ, Health Insurance Card, etc.) in a safe place, and take note of your documents' expiry dates.

[ Resource("form_internation_buddy_report.inc"); ]

Hot summers, cold winters

Montreal's climate varies widely from season to season, and is warmest in July, with temperatures sometimes reaching 30°C (86°F) or so. January is the coldest month, and thermometers occasionally dip to -25°C (-13°F) or less. Because of strong winds, however, the weather can feel much colder than it is, and warm winter coats, hats, gloves and boots are essential.

Montreal features abundant precipitation, averaging more than two metres of snow each winter and 760 millimetres of rain throughout the year.

IHI Rates for the 2012-2013 academic year

• Single IHI plan: $813
• Dependent IHI plan: $2334
• Family IHI plan: $4437

Students who graduate and obtain an open 3-year postgraduate work permit are now eligible for Quebec Medicare. For more information, please contact the Quebec Medicare office:

Régie de l'assurance-maladie du Québec

425, boulevard De Maisonneuve Ouest
3e étage, bureau 300
Montréal (Québec) H3A 3G5

(514) 864-3411

Do I need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) card?

A SIN card is necessary to work in Canada. Employers must ask to see the SIN card of all new employees as soon as they are hired. You may apply for a SIN card before you start working or up to three days after your start date. A SIN number is also required for taxation purposes.