International Students

9. Welcome to Montreal

Last update: April 8, 2026

 

Considerations for an arrival in the Summer 2026 term
Immigration documents required to enter Canada

To enter Canada, make sure to have:

-A valid Offer of Admission at Polytechnique Montréal for Summer 2026.  You should either be already enrolled in that term or intend to enroll
-A passport;
-A Letter attesting to the issuance of the CAQ for studies for the appropriate level of studies at Polytechnique Montréal;
-Study permit approval: your application must have been processed and approved based on your offer of admission to Polytechnique Montréal.  
-Temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

If you do not have all the necessary documents, we strongly advise against coming to Canada, as you may be refused entry.  In addition, please note that Polytechnique will not be able to maintain your registration for the Summer term if you are unable to provide valid immigration documents by the course selection change deadline of May 22, 2026.

To know more on the immigration process

Start of the term and deadline to arrive in Canada
  • ​​​​Courses start on May 7. We recommend that you arrive between two and four weeks before classes start, to give yourself time to get settled in Montreal. This will enable you to start your program in the best possible conditions.
  • You must have submitted your study plan and registered your courses in your student file before the deadline.
  • You must arrive in Canada no later than May 22, without exception, in order to maintain your registration for the summer term. If you are unable to arrive by this date, you will have to defer your admission to the following term. Students whose offer of admission is no longer valid must submit a new application before the deadline

Important! If you have to postpone the start of your program or reapply for admission, you should also postpone your arrival in Canada.   Immigration regulations require that international students begin full-time studies as soon as they arrive.   Failure to do so may result in:

  • Refusal of entry upon arrival in Canada
  • Refusal of a future application to extend your stay. 

Please also note that it is strictly forbidden to work in Canada before the start of your program. 

Special features of summer term courses 

Summer courses are offered in intensive mode, over a period of about two months, or in regular mode, over the normal term length of about 4 months. Arriving after the start of classes can have a very negative impact on your success, especially if you have chosen one or more courses offered in intensive mode.

If you have been accepted for a DESS or professional master's degree, we encourage you to check the course offerings in your program, as they are usually very limited in the summer. In the absence of sufficient course offerings, you should defer your admission and postpone your arrival in Canada.

Considerations for an arrival in the Fall 2026 term
Immigration documents required to enter Canada

​​​​​​Here is what you need:

  • Students in a degree-granting program (Bachelor's, DESS, Master's, PhD) and two-terms exchanges:
    -Passport;
    -Letter attesting to the issuance of the CAQ for studies for the appropriate level at Polytechnique Montréal;
    -Study permit approval: your application must have been processed and approved based on your offer of admission to Polytechnique Montréal;
    -Temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
      
  • Students on exchange for one term:
    -Passport, TRV or eTA
    OR
    -Passport,  letter attesting to the issuance of the CAQ for studies for the appropriate level at Polytechnique Montréal, study permit processed and approved based on your offer of admission to Polytechnique Montréal , TRV or eTA
  • Everyone: You have to hold a valid Offer of Admission for Fall 2026 and either be registered to that term or intend to register.

If you do not have all the necessary documents, we strongly advise against coming to Canada, as you may be refused entry.  In addition, please note that Polytechnique will not be able to maintain your registration for the current term if you are unable to provide valid immigration documents by the course selection change deadline (date to come).

To know more on the immigration process

Start of the term and deadline to arrive in Canada
  • ​​​​Courses start on August 24. We recommend that you arrive between two and four weeks before classes start, to give yourself time to get settled in Montreal. This will enable you to start your program in the best possible conditions.
  • You must have submitted your study plan and registered your courses in your student file before the deadline.
  • You must arrive in Canada : information to come . 
PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATIONS AND ENTRY TO CANADA

The final decision on whether or not you will be admitted to Canada as a student rests with the border services officer you will meet, even if your application has previously been approved by a visa office.  The officer must understand that you are a bona fide student.  You can demonstrate this by presenting the following documents:

We recommend that you have the printed version of your documents on hand to facilitate the processing of your application. 

Also have an electronic tool (phone, laptop) in working order.  When you arrive, connect to the airport's free wireless network, as the border services officer may ask you to access your Polytechnique online student file or any other relevant account (i.e. IRCC secure account, MIFI online account).  Make sure you have your access codes for these accounts at hand. 

Documents to be provided to the Registrar's Office upon arrival

Do not forget to send a copy of your immigration documents to the Registrar's Office upon your arrival in Canada.  Consult the New Student Journey according to your program for more information.

Students who are eligible to an exemption from the mandatory insurances for international students (AMHPEI) must also send proof of their exemption to the Registrar's Office.