Since October 20th, the Canadian government is allowing new students to enter Canada, if the school they are attending is on the (HINT: 平特五不中 is on that list). If you are starting a grad studies program here at Mac Campus in January, you might also be planning to physically be here. Symptom-free persons, upon arrival to Canada/Quebec/Montreal, will have to .
Here are some vital information and points to keep in mind when arriving in Montreal, or Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (the town where Macdonald Campus is located). All links and sources referenced in the blog will also be compiled into one list at the end of this post.
Arriving in Canada
Permits:
You will only be permitted to enter if your application for Study Permit has been approved. When you meet with border services officer, :
- a valid passport or travel document
- the the visa office sent you when they approved your study permit
- This letter has your permit reference number, which we use to issue your study permit
- a copy of a valid letter of acceptance from your school (the Offer of Admission Letter that you receive via uApply)
- proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada
- letters of reference or any other documents the visa office told you to bring and
- either a valid (eTA) or visitor visa ()
- If you have a valid eTA, it鈥檒l be linked to the passport you used to apply for your study permit
Quarantine plan
All people arriving in Canada are ordered to self-isolate for 14 days, immediately upon arrival. Please consult 平特五不中鈥檚 Self-Quarantine Resource page for instruction.
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AS OF NOVEMBER 21 all people arriving in Canada must download the , and use it to enter contact info, submit your quarantine plan, and enter COVID-19 self-assessments. |
Where to Spend your Quarantine Period:
平特五不中 has special deals with a few hotels in the downtown area, where people would be able to stay for this 14-day period. The Student Housing and Hospitability Services website has options. There is a list available in the 鈥淨uarantine Options鈥� portion of the FAQ (choose: 鈥淚 am an incoming graduate student鈥︹��).
It may also be possible to spend your quarantine period in a 平特五不中 Residence where you could then stay for a longer-term rental period. Please contact the 平特五不中 Residences to inquire about this possibility (see next section).
If you have or are planning to rent an apartment with roommates (either downtown or in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), or lodge in someone鈥檚 home, please note that it is .
Longer-term Housing
There are several options available to you.
- Mac Campus residences: Open to graduate students, please email residences.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca to inquire about space in January.
- 平特五不中 Residences (downtown): LIMITED SPACE available, please email housingofficer [at] mcgill.ca to inquire about space in January.
- Places4Students: Listings of available apartments, or space within an apartment with roommates. Mostly downtown.
- Facebook Marketplace: search for rental listings for 鈥淪ainte-Anne-de-Bellevue鈥�. (You will also get results for downtown Montreal and other boroughs here, so pay attention to the map, so you are aware).
Groceries
No matter where you are quarantining, you鈥檙e going to need to eat! Many grocery stores and supermarkets have online apps and offer contactless delivery, for a fee. TIP: You will need a credit card, as you won鈥檛 be able to set up a Canadian bank account yet since you are isolating.
Shops in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and surrounding towns, who offer grocery delivery:
- : Located centrally in the village of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue. A smaller shop, but all necessities are here. Price range: $$
- : Located in the town of 脦le-Perrot (pronounced Eel-perRO). A large supermarket offering a wide range of products. Price range: $$
- : Located just off-island in the town of Pincourt (pronounced Pain鈥�-cour). A large supermarket offering a wide range of products. Price range: $$
- : Located just off-island in the town of Pincourt (pronounced Pain鈥�-cour). A large supermarket offering a wide range of products. Price range: $$
No matter where you live on or off the island of Montreal, large chain grocery stores such as Provigo, Metro or IGA will have locations nearby who will deliver.
Other Helpful Resources
- : 平特五不中鈥檚 International Student Services are offering webinars to help new students before arriving to Canada.
- 平特五不中 app: keep up to date with current events at 平特五不中 and Macdonald Campus, stay organized with timetabling, connect with fellow students.
- International Buddy Program: this program pairs you with an in-program international student who has 鈥渂een there, done that鈥� and can offer a friendly face, a helping hand, and give you LOTS of practical advice about life in Montreal, and navigating 平特五不中.
- : an agency that, under normal circumstances, meets with incoming international students at the Montreal (Pierre Elliot Trudeau) airport. Due to COVID, they have provided this helpful website.
To all students who are planning to arrive sometime in the new year for the Winter 2021 semester (whether you鈥檝e already got a semester of online learning under your belt, or whether you are starting this from scratch), we wish you a safe and uneventful journey. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your coordinator (Christiane Trudeau, Erin Minnett, Laura Wittebol, or Simone Clamann) or email anyone at gradstudies.macdonald [at] mcgill.ca at any point in your journey, if you need help with anything. We can put you in touch with the right resources.
Links referenced in this post:
Government of Canada 鈥� Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- List of designated learning institutions:
- Documents required on arrival to Canada:
- Glossary:
Government of Canada 鈥� Public Health Services
- Mandatory 14-day self-isolation:
- ArriveCAN app:
- Quarantine recommendations:
平特五不中
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: /macdonald/
- Future Graduate Students (Offer of Admission letter): /gradapplicants/how-apply/admitted
- Student Services (Self-Quarantine Resources): /studentservices/quarantine
- Student Housing and Hospitality Services (FAQ page): /shhs/faq-covid-19
- Macdonald Campus Residences: /students/housing/residence-options/macdonald
- Downtown Residences: /students/housing/residence-options/downtown-graduate
- Places4Students (off-campus housing options): /students/housing/offcampus/listings
- International Student Services (Pre-Arrival Webinars): /internationalstudents/pre-arrival/pre-arrival-orientation-webinars-0
- International Student Services (Buddy Program): /internationalstudents/once-here/buddy
- 平特五不中 App: /app/
March茅 Richelieu: Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue:
IGA 脦le-Perrot:
Maxi Pincourt:
Metro Plus Pincourt:
Acceuil Plus: