Montréal Newcomer Guide

Bienvenue! Welcome to Montréal!

Moving to a new city is exciting but can also be overwhelming. This Montreal newcomer guide is your central hub, providing a clear overview of essential information for settling into Montréal, Canada. It’s designed for all newcomers – permanent residents, refugees, international students, workers, and visitors.

Think of this page as your starting point. Below, you’ll find concise summaries of key topics like housing, healthcare, jobs, and more. For in-depth details, step-by-step guides, and more resources on each topic, follow the links provided in each section.

Montréal is a vibrant, bilingual (French and English) city waiting for you to explore. Let’s get you started!

(Note: Information accurate as of late 2024/early 2025. Always verify details like phone numbers and specific program rules via the official links.)

Your First Week Checklist

Prioritize these key actions when you arrive:

  • ✅ Secure Accommodation: Arrange temporary or long-term housing.
  • ✅ Get Your SIN: Apply for your Social Insurance Number if you plan to work (Service Canada).
  • ✅ Health Insurance:
    • Apply for your Québec Health Insurance Card (RAMQ) if eligible (RAMQ Website).
    • Crucially: Get temporary private health insurance to cover the potential 3-month RAMQ waiting period.
  • ✅ Open a Bank Account: Visit a local bank branch (RBC, BMO, TD, Scotiabank, Desjardins, National Bank, etc.). Bring ID (passport) and proof of status.
  • ✅ Get an OPUS Card: For using Montréal’s public transit (STM). Available at Metro stations.

Essential Phone Numbers

Keep these handy:

  • 🚨 Emergencies (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911
  • ❓ Health Advice (Non-Urgent Nurse): 811 (Option 1)
  • 💬 Social/Mental Health Support (Non-Urgent): 811 (Option 2)
  • ℹ️ Community & Social Services Info/Referral: 211
  • 🏙️ City of Montréal Info (Non-Emergency): 311
  • 🧠 Mental Health Crisis & Suicide Prevention: 988 (Call or Text 24/7)
  • 🏠 Domestic Violence Support (SOS): 1-800-363-9010 (24/7)
  • 🚓 Police Non-Emergency: 514-280-2222

Housing Overview

Finding a place to live (logement) is crucial. Most people rent apartments.

  • Finding Rentals: Popular sites include Kijiji, Centris, Facebook Marketplace, Kangalou, and walking around neighbourhoods looking for “À Louer” signs.
  • Key Tenant Right: In Québec, landlords cannot legally ask for security deposits or last month’s rent in advance. You typically only pay the first month’s rent upon signing the lease.
  • Leases: Use the official Québec Lease form. Leases are usually 12 months.
  • Need Help? Contact the Tribunal administratif du logement (TAL) at 514-873-2245 for rights info, or find a local Housing Committee (Comité Logement) via 211 for free tenant advice.

Healthcare Overview

Québec has a public healthcare system (RAMQ), but access takes time.

  • RAMQ Card: Apply for the Québec Health Insurance Card (carte soleil) via the RAMQ Website (1-800-561-9749) if eligible.
  • Waiting Period: Be aware of the potential 3-month waiting period for RAMQ coverage for most newcomers.
  • Private Insurance: Essential to cover healthcare costs during the waiting period or if ineligible for RAMQ. Search “newcomer insurance Canada”.
  • Finding Care: Use 811 for non-urgent advice. Find walk-in clinics via the Québec Health Services Directory. Go to hospital Emergency Rooms (ER / Urgence) only for serious emergencies (call 911 if life-threatening).
  • Language: Ask for interpretation services when accessing healthcare if needed; many services offer this.

Education & Language Overview

Montréal offers strong education options and prioritizes French language integration.

  • Children’s Schooling: Public school is free. Most newcomers attend French schools, which have excellent welcome classes (classes d’accueil) for language support. Access to English public schools is limited by eligibility rules. Contact your local School Board (Centre de services scolaire) to register.
  • Learning French: The Québec government offers free French courses (Francisation) for immigrants (16+). Sign up via Québec.ca – Learn French. Many community organizations also offer these classes.
  • Adult Education: Options exist for high school completion, vocational training (DEP), CEGEP (college), and university (McGill, Concordia, UdeM, UQAM, etc.).

Jobs & Work Overview

Finding employment is a key step in settling.

  • Get Your SIN: A Social Insurance Number is required to work. Apply online or at Service Canada (1-800-622-6232). It’s free.
  • Job Search: Use Québec emploi, Job Bank Canada, Indeed, LinkedIn. Connect with Newcomer Employment Services (PROMIS, CACI, YES Montreal, etc. – find via 211) for free help with resumes, interviews, and job searching.
  • Workers’ Rights: Know your basic rights regarding minimum wage, work hours, overtime, and safety, enforced by the CNESST (1-844-838-0808). Visit cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en.
  • Language: French is the official language of work. Bilingualism (French/English) is a major asset.

Transportation Overview

Getting around Montréal is easy with good public transit.

  • Public Transit (STM): Use the Metro (subway) and bus network. Get a rechargeable OPUS card at any Metro station and load fares (monthly pass recommended for regular use). Plan trips via the STM Website, Transit App, or Chrono App.
  • Driving: You can use a valid foreign license for up to 6 months after arrival if establishing residency. Afterwards, you MUST obtain a Québec license from the SAAQ (1-800-361-7620, saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en). Check rules for exchanges vs. testing. Winter tires are mandatory Dec 1 – Mar 15.
  • Cycling: Very popular April-October. Use bike paths and the BIXI public bike-share system (bixi.com/en).

Safety & Emergencies Overview

Montréal is generally safe, but know who to call.

  • Immediate Danger: Call 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies.
  • Non-Urgent Issues: Call 811 for health advice, 211 for social services, 311 for city info, 514-280-2222 for non-urgent police matters.
  • Crisis Support: Call or text 988 for mental health crisis/suicide prevention (24/7). Call 1-800-363-9010 for domestic violence support (SOS violence conjugale, 24/7).
  • Scam Awareness: Be wary of unsolicited calls/emails asking for money or personal info (especially claiming to be government/police). Authorities rarely demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers. Report scams.

Community & Support Overview

Connecting with people and services helps you feel at home.

  • Newcomer Organizations: Free help is available! Contact organizations like La Maisonnée, PROMIS, CACI, YMCA, or find local ones via 211. They offer settlement advice, language classes, job help, and social activities.
  • Libraries & Community Centres: Excellent resources! Get a free library card (Montreal Libraries) for books, internet, and programs. Visit your local community centre for activities.
  • Making Connections: Join language exchanges, volunteer (Volunteer Bureau – CABA), pursue hobbies (sports, arts), attend local events, connect with cultural or religious groups if desired.

Key Contacts & Links

Quick reference list:

Explore More (Next Steps)

This hub page gives you the foundation. Now, dive deeper into the topics most important to you right now by clicking the links within each section above.

Remember, settling in takes time. Be patient with yourself, use the available resources, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Welcome again to Montréal! We’re glad you’re here.

Bonne chance! (Good luck!)