Electronic Travel Authorization
Visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). You can easily apply online, the fee is only 7$ and you will receive a reply if your eTA was approved within minutes.

To find out if you are citizen of a visa- exempt country eligible for an eTA, please consult this list.
If you are a dual Canadian citizen used to travelling to or transiting through Canada by air with a non-Canadian passport, you are no longer able to do so. You will need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight.

U.S. citizens
U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA and visitor visa requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport to enter Canada.

Find out if you need a visa by responding to a few questions on this page.
We encourage participants from countries that require a visa to apply as early as possible. Visa processing times vary by country. Please consult this website for processing times. 
Official letters of invitation for visa applications are available to REGISTERED and PAID participants via the participant's dashboard at cm.epicoh2020.org.
U.S. citizens
U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA  and visitor visa requirement and must carry proper identification such as a valid U.S. passport to enter Canada.

For more information about the Montréal-Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport, we invite you to visit the website at www.admtl.com.

Public transport is a great way to see the city. Hop on the Metro and in just 10 minutes you’re at a museum, restaurant or in Old Montréal. Affordable and reliable, the Metro can be accessed via the city’s Underground Pedestrian Network: two of the four main lines connect downtown to major tourism sites as well as to numerous bus stops and train stations. Weekly passes are available. Metro operating hours are Monday to Friday and Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. The average wait time between trains is eight minutes, and three minutes during rush hour. The public bus 747 connects the airport, and downtown and the Metro system ($10CAN).

Taxi If you prefer getting around by taxi, it’s easy to flag one down on the street. You’ll also find them at one of the city’s many taxi stands or in front of most major hotels. A trip to the airport from downtown will cost you approximately $40CAN – not including tip. Some taxis will also transport bicycles.

BiXi rental bikes Renting a BiXi bike is another great and inexpensive alternative.

The Canadian dollar is the national currency. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and sometimes on Saturday morning. Automatic teller machines and exchange offices are readily available. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops accept major credit cards.

Cars can be rented in Montréal from local or international companies. All cars are left-hand drive.

Generally speaking, in August in Montreal, you should be able to count on typical late summer weather conditions. Daytime temperatures can be somewhat varied, but the average is about 21ºC (69ºF). Highs can reach 27ºC (81ºF) and lows 14ºC (57ºF). You may want to bring a light sweater as the convention centre is air-conditioned and can sometimes feel cold to those not used to air-conditioning.

Electrical outlets in Canada provide the same current as in the United States that is 110 volts (60 cycles). If you are traveling from Europe or elsewhere, you will need an adapter to use small appliances designed with a different standard (220/240 V).

Canadian hospitals and medical services are excellent. The vast majority of hospitals are publicly managed and rates are set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital but generally range from C$1,000 to C$2,000 a day. It is, therefore, important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home, since it is possible your regular health insurance does not include coverage outside your country of residence.

The Organizing Committee and/or Conference Secretariat shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered participants of the Conference. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.

Goods and services
Prices displayed are usually before tax.
A federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is charged on most goods and services in Canada. A Québec provincial tax (TVQ) of 9.975% is added to all goods and services purchased in the province of Québec.

Accommodations
There is a tax on the cost of each accommodation unit rented in an establishment located in the Montréal tourism region. The amount of the tax is 3.5% per night if visitors pay for the accommodation themselves.

Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday). They are usually closed on legal holidays but some establishments (supermarkets, SAQ outlets, etc.) may still be open. Bars and restaurants serve alcohol from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Some restaurants have a BYOW policy, which allows you to bring wine and beer of your choice. You can purchase alcohol at convenience stores (dépanneurs) and grocery stores between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., but for hard liquor and a greater selection of wine and beer, stop by one of the many Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) outlets. The legal drinking age in Québec is 18 years old. September 7 is Labor Day in Canada. Most establishments are closed.

Service is not included in restaurants and it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total. (A quick way to calculate the appropriate tip amount is to add the two taxes that appear at the bottom of your bill. It adds up to roughly 15%). If you are with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill. Just ask when you are not sure if the tip is included. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $1 per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated.