Frequently Asked Questions
In
this page, you will find many of the answers to your questions. If you still require further
information, feel free to consult the Montréal Number 1 Homestay
Webpage, or e-mail us with
your questions and comments.
How
do I register for Homestay? How do
I pay?
Simply
go to the Registration form, fill it out, and mail, fax, or email it with
payment to Montréal Number 1 Homestay.
For more information on which plans
best suit you, go here.
How
much does Homestay cost?
Prices
vary according to the plan you take, and how long you want to stay. This is clearly outlined in the Fees
Section of the Montréal Number 1 Homestay site.
What
if I don’t like my Homestay? Can I
change?
Montréal
Number 1 Homestay offers a very flexible cancellation policy. What is most important to us is that
each and every student is very comfortable in his or her Homestay. If there is a problem that we feel
cannot be corrected, we will gladly move you to another Homestay, providing that
one is available. You must remember
that your Personal
Counselor will be in contact with you all the time. He is there to make sure that you are at
your happiest! Check out our Cancellation
policy.
How
do I make up my mind between an apartment and Homestay?
This
decision is a simple one. The
differences between the two can be found here. Needless to say, it is an adjustment
when coming to study in Montréal.
It is always strongly recommended that you choose Homestay at least for
the first three months, and then you can look at apartments. Remember that apartments are very
expensive! They also DO NOT come
with Montréal Number 1 Homestay’s Counseling
and awesome Activity Programs!
Can
someone meet me at the Airport?
Absolutely! Montréal Number 1 Homestay strongly
recommends that you ask us for this service. It is only $75 from Airport Trudeau-Dorval. Our driver will meet you there. He will hold a Montréal Number 1
Homestay banner for you to see. He
will drive you directly to your Homestay.
If you want to know more
about this service, check it out here!
What
clothing should I bring with me to Montréal?
As
Montréal offers four distinctive seasons, there is much to prepare for before
arriving. Montréal Number 1
Homestay clearly outlines the seasonal
differences and what you have to bring in this section.
Where
do I open up a Bank Account?
Our
experience suggests that you set up an account with the Royal Bank downtown
located at 1140 Ste Catherine, corner of Stanley Street. Many students deal with the Royal Bank
because of their special services created for students. Check them out. You can also visit The Bank of Montréal,
TD Bank, CIBC, and Scotia Bank.
Visa,
Immigration, and Insurance
Do
I need a student authorization?
If
you are not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a dependant of
a diplomat accredited to Canada, you must obtain a student authorization in
order to study in Canada. You will also require a visitor visa in order
to enter Canada if you are traveling on a passport of a country whose citizens
require a visa.
How
do I apply?
In
order to make an application for a student authorization, you must present the
following:
What
if I intend to study in the Province of Québec?
To
attend an educational institution in Québec, you will require, in addition to
the above requirements, a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (Québec Certificate
of Acceptance, or CAQ) issued by the Ministère
des Relations avec les Citoyens et de l'Immigration du Québec.
Will
I need to attend an interview?
After
reviewing your application, a visa officer will notify you if a personal
interview is required.
What
are the basic requirements for a student authorization?
You will have to demonstrate that you have an adequate knowledge of English or French to undertake your studies in Canada. You must also satisfy the visa officer that you meet the requirements of the Canadian Immigration Act and Regulations, and that you will be in Canada for a temporary stay and return to your country. You must be in good health, have no record of criminal activity and not be a risk to the security of Canada.
Will
I need a medical examination?
Residents
of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay who intend to stay in Canada for more than
six months are required to undergo a medical examination before receiving their
visa. To avoid delays in the processing of your Student Authorization, you may
request the instructions to complete your medical examination even before
presenting your formal application.
Can
my spouse and dependent children accompany me to Canada?
Yes.
They may either accompany you to Canada or they may join you at a later date.
Your spouse and children must meet all the requirements for visitors to Canada.
They may be required to provide evidence that they are law abiding and have no
criminal record. They may also be required to have a medical examination, and to
obtain a visitor visa. You will be required to provide a marriage certificate
and birth certificates for any accompanying dependants. If they wish to follow
you to Canada at a later date, they must make a separate application for
admission.
Do
I need medical insurance?
Medical
insurance
is always a concern as well.
Foreign students are not eligible to be covered by the Provincially run
medical insurance system. Before leaving for Canada, therefore, you must take
out medical insurance to cover yourself adequately during your stay in
Canada. Doctor's care and hospital
fees, whether they arise from illness or from an accident, can be very
expensive. Once you are in Canada, it is your responsibility to maintain a valid
medical insurance policy. Blue-Cross medical
insurance can be acquired through most University Departments in
Montréal. Single and family
coverage is available. This coverage includes the time between sessions. Medical insurance must be confirmed with
your application with most universities.
What
should I do when I arrive in Canada?
You
should have the following items available to present to a Canadian immigration
officer at the port of entry: your valid passport; your student authorization;
your original letter of acceptance to the school; and documents showing that you
have sufficient funds to pay for your stay in Canada. If friends or a
representative is not meeting you at the airport from your school, do not be
afraid to ask for help from the immigration officer, who will direct you
further.
Can I work in Canada?
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-opps.html
Can
I renew my student authorization while in Canada? How do I renew my
visa?
If
you wish to remain in Canada beyond the expiry date of your student
authorization, you must obtain an extension from the Canada Immigration Center
located at 1010 Ste-Antoine Street (corner of Peel Street) 1-month prior to that
date. Simply call 514-496-1010 for
more information, or ask Montréal Number 1 Homestay for the necessary
information kit. You’ll need to
fill out the Student Authorization Form, have a letter of proof that you are
studying in Montréal, include a 125$ money order, and mail it to the Alberta
office. It is that simple!
If
anything about your studies, funding or documentation changes, you must inform
the nearest Canada Immigration Center immediately.
Can
I spend my holidays outside Canada?
If
you study for a long period of time in Canada, you may wish to spend your
holidays at home or elsewhere outside Canada. The question will then arise: do I
need a visitor visa to return to Canada? The answer depends on whether you
possess a travel document from a country whose citizens
require a visitor visa to enter Canada. If you go home for holidays and your
Canadian visa has expired but not your student authorization, you should get in
touch with the Canadian Embassy as soon as possible to apply for a new visitor visa. You may
be required to present a letter from your school confirming that you will
continue your studies on your return to Canada before a new visa is issued.
What
about clearing Canadian Customs?
When
you enter Canada as a student, you may bring with you or have shipped personal
or household effects appropriate to your stay. You are not required to pay duty
on them, but you should prepare in advance a duplicate list of all goods showing
brands, models and serial numbers where applicable. This will expedite Customs
procedures. As long as your courses continue, you need not take all your effects
with you if you return home for a vacation. If you wish to visit your home or
travel elsewhere outside Canada, you are governed by the same Customs
regulations that govern Canadians. Should you have any specific Customs problems
or queries during your stay in Canada, call the nearest office of Customs and
Excise. Please note that certain items, such as plants, meat and other animal
products, pistols, revolvers, and automatic weapons are either prohibited or
require special permission before they may be brought into Canada.
Each
adult visitor may import, duty free, a maximum of 40 ounces (1.1 liters) of
liquor, or 24 12-oz cans of beer or ale into Canada as personal luggage. Up to
50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and 400 grams of tobacco and 400 tobacco sticks may
be allowed entry duty free.
Is
Montréal a safe city?
The
crime rate has dropped considerably on the MUC territory over the past 10 years.
For a second consecutive year, crime was down by 5 % compared with 1997 and by
28,6 % compared to 1991. Montréal
enjoys one of the lowest crime rates in the world for metropolitan cities. These facts making Montréal a very safe
and enjoyable city for the thousands of students that studies here!
Isn’t
Montréal a French City?
When
you arrive to Montréal, you will probably begin noticing the many languages that
are spoken. The most common
languages heard in Montréal are English and French. For that reason, Montréal is the perfect
place to trialingualize you! Why
not learn both languages? Click here
to read a couple of words and phrases to start you off. Montréal Number 1 Homestay strongly
recommends that you purchase a travel phrase book and dictionary, the better
ones (in our opinion being those of Berlitz.)
Is
Montréal far from New York, Québec City, Niagara Falls, Toronto and Ottawa?
One
of the greatest attributes about Montréal is that it is close to
everything! Whether you want to
fly, drive, bus, or train, you can visit some of the other very exciting cities
in Canada and the United States.
This chart will give you an idea of how many hours by what method:
Car
Bus
Train Plane
New
York City
6.5
8
no
1.5
Quebec
City
3
4
no
no
Niagara
Falls
8
10
no
no
Toronto
6
6
5
1.5
Ottawa
3
3
2
no
Isn't
it cold in Canada?
In
the winter, it is… The beautiful
quality about Montréal is that it has four very distinct seasons, with very
variable weather. Summer can reach
hot temperatures of 35C, while winter can drop to a cold –20C! But no matter what time of year it is,
Montréal is always booming with great things to do, to see, and to
experience. Want to know more about
our 4 seasons? Check out the
“What to Bring” section.
WANT TO STUDY ENGLISH or FRENCH IN MONTREAL? CONTACT US FOR ADVICE!
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Montréal Number 1 Homestay
1242 Mackay Street
Suite
200
Montréal,
Québec
Canada
H3G 2H4
Tel: 514-932-9027 Fax: 514-932-9060
Email: info@montrealnumber1homestay.com
www.montrealnumber1homestay.com