Planning to come to Canada
Planning carefully before you leave will allow you to navigate the different immigration processes, anticipate major milestones, and reduce stress once you arrive.
We have gathered some invaluable information and tools to help you get ready to come to Canada and start your studies off on the right foot.
Preparing to come to Canada
It can take several months to get visas and permits, so we strongly recommend that you start the immigration process as soon as possible after you receive your offer of admission.
The Registrar’s Office (if you are enrolling in a regular program) or ULaval monde (if you are taking part in an exchange) will email you the offer of admission. Note that only the official offer of admission, and not the notice of admission, can be used for immigration.
To learn more about what you need to do, see the page that applies to you:
We recommend that you plan to arrive at least 1 to 2 weeks before classes start. This should give you enough time to complete the administrative procedures before your semester begins.
You must make sure you have health and hospitalization insurance coverage as soon as you arrive in Québec. The group health and hospitalization insurance plan for international students takes effect halfway through the month before classes start (August 15 for the fall semester, December 15 for the winter semester, and April 15 for the summer semester).
If your home government has signed a reciprocal social security agreement with the Régie d’assurance maladie du Québec, you will be covered as soon as you arrive in Québec, unless you arrive more than one month before the semester start date indicated on the proof of enrolment in monPortail.
Are you planning to come to Québec before your insurance plan takes effect?
You need to be insured from the moment you arrive in Québec, so you will need to purchase private insurance to cover you until the group health and hospitalization insurance for international students begins.
Important dates: Check the university calendar.
We recommend waiting until you have your immigration documents to buy your plane tickets.
Québec City Jean-Lesage International Airport (YQB) has direct routes to and from most major airline hubs: Paris, Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver, and New York. You will likely need to connect through one of those hubs to reach Québec City.
Price comparison tools
Before you book your flights, it is a good idea to compare prices, itineraries, and flight times on websites like:
You must pick up your official study permit when you arrive at the first Canadian airport you land at, even if it is only for a layover. After you land, show the customs officer the paper port of entry letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and any other documents you may need to receive your study permit.
If your first stop in Canada is somewhere other than your final destination, make sure your layover is long enough to allow you to pick up your study permit. Depending on the airport and the time of day, it may take a few (3–4) hours to go through customs and have your study permit printed.
More information is available on the Travelling to Canada and clearing Canadian customs page.
Getting to campus
Once you land, there are a number of ways you can reach campus from the Québec City and Montréal airports.
Mandatory pre-departure sessions
All international students who will be starting their studies at Université Laval will receive email invitations to 2 mandatory information sessions on preparing for arrival and budgeting for studies in Canada.
There are also optional information and Q&A sessions available, covering subjects like immigration, clearing Canadian customs, and settling in.
Housing and everyday life
Find useful information on housing, transportation, and other services to help you settle into life in Québec City.
Preparing for your first semester: Complete checklist
Download a checklist with everything you need to do to prepare to come to Québec, along with tips and tricks to settle in once you arrive.
Student Life Office (BVE)
Throughout your stay at Université Laval, the Bureau de la vie étudiante (BVE) is your point of reference to facilitate your arrival in Canada, your installation and your integration into the university community.
418 656-2765
information@bve.ulaval.ca