What is the difference between a dossier and a guide?

A dossier is a broad theme of life in Quebec (e.g. Procedures, Work). Each dossier groups several guides. A guide covers a single procedure or topic in full, step by step.

Where should I start when I first arrive in Quebec?

Start with the "First Steps" dossier: it covers the urgent procedures to complete as soon as you arrive — the RAMQ health-insurance card, the Social Insurance Number (SIN), the SAAQ driver's licence and opening a bank account. These four steps unlock access to most other services.

Yes, all VIEAUQC guides are free and accessible without registration. Creating an account only lets you save your favourite guides and track your progress on checklists.

Are the guides available in English?

Yes. Every guide exists in a French version (main site) and an English version accessible under /en. On a guide page, the "Side by side" reading mode displays both languages at once — useful for studying French.

Is the information up to date?

Every guide displays its last update date. We update guides as soon as an official procedure changes. If you spot outdated information, use the "Report" button at the bottom of any guide to let us know.

How do I find guides for my city?

Use the "By city & region" page accessible from the navigation menu. There you will find guides grouped by city (Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, etc.) and by administrative region.

Can I print or save a guide as a PDF?

Yes. At the bottom of each guide, the "PDF" button opens the browser print dialog (File → Save as PDF). The content is print-optimised: navigation, audio buttons and secondary sections are hidden.

Topics

Browse by topic

Major thematic dossiers for settling in Quebec: first steps, procedures, work, daily life and local resources. Pick a theme to see all the guides it covers.

Full catalogue Browse by city & region

First Steps in Quebec

Arriving in Quebec means a chain of tasks where order matters: the Social Insurance Number (SIN) unlocks work and a bank account, the bank account lets you sign a lease, and a permanent address opens access to the RAMQ health card. This section gathers the guides for a newcomer's first weeks — getting the SIN, opening a bank account, finding housing, choosing a phone plan and getting oriented in your new city. Each guide is bilingual and walks through the process step by step, with the documents to prepare and the common pitfalls to avoid. If you've just arrived or are preparing your move, start here: it's the foundation every other step rests on.

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Paperwork Simplified

Administrative tasks in Quebec span three levels of government: municipal for local services, provincial for healthcare and driver's licensing, federal for immigration, passports and citizenship. No one will spontaneously tell you which level handles which need. This section gathers the formalities most newcomers face: getting the RAMQ health-insurance card, exchanging a driver's license at the SAAQ, renewing the permanent resident card, applying for Canadian citizenship or a passport, filing taxes and receiving the Family Allowance. Each guide spells out eligibility conditions, the documents required, fees and timelines — in French and English, step by step.

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Work & Career

Finding a job in Quebec goes beyond translating a résumé. Labour-market culture, foreign-credential recognition, interview codes and paystub vocabulary often differ from what you know. A degree earned abroad frequently needs evaluation by a recognized body before an employer understands it, and the Quebec résumé is short and factual — no photo, no date of birth. This section covers the full chain: getting credentials recognized, writing a Quebec-style résumé, succeeding in the job interview, decoding your first paystub and knowing the safety nets such as Employment Insurance. It serves both those fluent in French and those looking for a first bilingual job.

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Daily Life

Beyond the mandatory paperwork, living in Quebec means adapting to a thousand daily details. Public transit has its fare types and zones, seeing a doctor without a family doctor follows a specific path, grocery stores don't carry the same brands as elsewhere, and winter demands particular gear and a change of pace. This section gathers the guides of everyday life: getting around by bus and metro, finding healthcare, building Canadian credit, setting up home internet and TV, and getting through your first Quebec winter. Each guide is bilingual and practical — built to save you the time normally lost to trial and error.

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Local Resources

No one settles in successfully alone. Quebec has a dense network of organizations that support newcomers — often free of charge, and in several languages. This section maps the resources to turn to: neighbourhood community organizations, immigrant welcome services, free legal aid for housing, work or immigration questions, and the official government sites where current information lives. Knowing a resource exists — and which one matches your need — is often the difference between a stuck process and a solved one. Each guide is bilingual and says where to go, who to contact and exactly what the service covers.

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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about our guides and dossiers.

What is the difference between a dossier and a guide?: A dossier is a broad theme of life in Quebec (e.g. Procedures, Work). Each dossier groups several guides. A guide covers a single procedure or topic in full, step by step.
Where should I start when I first arrive in Quebec?: Start with the "First Steps" dossier: it covers the urgent procedures to complete as soon as you arrive — the RAMQ health-insurance card, the Social Insurance Number (SIN), the SAAQ driver's licence and opening a bank account. These four steps unlock access to most other services.
Are the guides free?: Yes, all VIEAUQC guides are free and accessible without registration. Creating an account only lets you save your favourite guides and track your progress on checklists.
Are the guides available in English?: Yes. Every guide exists in a French version (main site) and an English version accessible under /en. On a guide page, the "Side by side" reading mode displays both languages at once — useful for studying French.
Is the information up to date?: Every guide displays its last update date. We update guides as soon as an official procedure changes. If you spot outdated information, use the "Report" button at the bottom of any guide to let us know.
How do I find guides for my city?: Use the "By city & region" page accessible from the navigation menu. There you will find guides grouped by city (Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, etc.) and by administrative region.
Can I print or save a guide as a PDF?: Yes. At the bottom of each guide, the "PDF" button opens the browser print dialog (File → Save as PDF). The content is print-optimised: navigation, audio buttons and secondary sections are hidden.