Universite de Montreal

Visiting your child at Universite de Montreal means flying into Montreal (YUL); the campus has its own metro station, reached via the 747 bus and metro. Plan the Canada visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from YUL to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a Canada visitor visa (a Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) - they are not eligible for the eTA that visa-exempt travellers use. It is filed online through the IRCC Secure Account (form IMM 5257), with biometrics required. Most TRVs are issued as multiple-entry visas valid up to 10 years (or until the passport expires), each visit up to 6 months.

• Processing only starts AFTER biometrics are given - add 1-2 weeks and book the biometrics appointment early.
• *Official IRCC times are dynamic; third-party trackers often cite 6-10 weeks, so apply at least 3 months ahead - Fall admits should submit by mid-May.
• A complete, well-documented file (strong home ties, travel history, clear funds and purpose) is the single best way to avoid delays and refusals.
• Super Visa (5-year stays) is only for parents of Canadian citizens or PRs - students are neither, so the standard visitor visa is the route for now.

Just admitted to UdeM? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Montreal (YUL) early for the best August/September fares.
• 747 bus from YUL to downtown, then metro to the Universite-de-Montreal station.
• UdeM teaches mainly in French - confirm your program's language of instruction.
• Carry your study permit letter, proof of funds and acceptance letter in your cabin bag.

Montreal is the most affordable of Canada's big student cities - about CAD 1,200-1,800 a month all-in sharing and cooking, thanks to a long history of rent control. The STM metro and bus network with a reduced-fare OPUS card for students makes it very walkable and transit-friendly; some French helps day to day, though McGill and Concordia operate in English.

Monthly cost of living in Montreal (a student estimate)

That's roughly C$14,000-22,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Montreal has Canada's most affordable big-city rents; students share apartments in the Plateau, Cote-des-Neiges and near campus.

• Students get a reduced-fare STM OPUS card for the metro and buses.
• Most leases in Quebec run July 1 (moving day) - plan around it.
• Some French is useful day-to-day, but McGill and Concordia teach in English.

Working part-time

On a study permit you can work off-campus up to 24 hours/week during academic terms (a permanent limit as of 2025) and full-time during scheduled breaks if you are full-time before and after. On-campus work has no set hourly cap. After graduating from an eligible program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) - master's graduates can qualify for up to three years. Stay within the work limit: over-working can cost your status and PGWP eligibility.

Safety & student support

Montreal and its McGill, Concordia and UdeM areas are generally safe by Canadian standards; use normal awareness at night.

• McGill, Concordia and UdeM runs campus safety services (walk-home programs, alerts) - save the campus safety number.
• The campus and main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• Montreal is among the safer big cities in North America; normal awareness at night is enough.

Indian community & food

Montreal's South Asian community centres on Parc-Extension and Cote-des-Neiges, with established desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Marche Victoria (6324 Victoria Ave, in the Plamondon/Cote-des-Neiges area) - one of Montreal's oldest Indian grocers.
• Supermarche Punjabi and Punjab Foods for a wide South Asian range.
• Marche Lavaniya and the grocers around Parc-Extension for everyday staples.

Student community

• McGill and Concordia have active Indian and South Asian student associations running Diwali and Holi.
• Montreal has Hindu temples and gurdwaras and a lively desi cultural calendar.

• Plenty of Indian restaurants around Parc-Extension and the downtown campuses.

Cost & living figures for Montreal last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.