International Students

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.

Study Permits

You must have a valid study permit in order to attend classes at UBC. It is not possible to attend classes on a visitor’s visa.

Apply for your Study Permit now! Every year we have students who don’t apply early enough, don’t get their visas in time, and aren't able to attend the program. Students must be in Vancouver to attend the program opening on August 26, 2019 or they will not be permitted to start the program.

Here are some tips regarding study permit processing:

  • Apply as early as possible and ensure that the application is as complete as possible. It is encouraged for you to apply early because of the long processing time in summer. Processing times can vary in different countries/regions.
  • Applying online will be much faster and more efficient.
  • If you have already applied manually, it is critical that you do not reapply online as this will only slow the process down.
  • If you have a conditional letter of acceptance to our program, you can use that letter to apply for a study permit. We understand some overseas visa offices require unconditional letter of acceptance (such as the visa office in India), however, Admission Offices at UBC do not issue unconditional letter until students meet the requirements. UBC has found that most students, especially graduate students, have obtained a study permit with a conditional letter.
  • The processing times only show the time it took to approve or refuse 80 percent of applications during some time in the past. Processing times in the future may be different. Processing times are given to reflect a general idea of how long a process takes.

More information on these topics can be found at:

Support:

International Student Development at UBC is your support team for any help or questions you might have regarding the processing of your study permit or instructions you have received from the Visa office. Please contact an International Student Advisor directly with your questions and copy askmm@sauder.ubc.ca so our office is also aware of any issues you are having.

Healthcare for International Students

  • All international students must apply for the BC Medical Systems Plan (MSP) as soon as they arrive in Vancouver as there is a 3 month waiting period for BC MSP to take effect. NOTE: The MSP premiums are not included in your tuition and fees.
  • Until they are covered by MSP, international students are automatically enrolled in UBC's iMED plan. iMED is a temporary basic health insurance plan required for new international students, and will provide you with health insurance coverage during the three month waiting period for BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP)

Resources

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE

Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC's Vancouver campus in the UBC International Student Guide

UBC INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

UBC International Student Development is located at the UBC Life Building and is where international students can go to receive advising.

International Student Advising

International Student Advisors are all Regulated Citizenship and Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) and can help with your questions about life as an international student.

They can provide comprehensive information and resources on all aspects of coming to study in Canada as well as employment, medical insurance and personal & cultural transitions. If you are not sure where to go to get answers to your questions, ISAs can act as a starting point and guide you to the proper resources or services.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES

While at UBC, there is English language support to help you with both spoken and written English. Even if you feel confident in your English skills, you may want to take advantage of the presentation coaching sessions or business writing textbooks that will support you in mastering your coursework.

OTHER RESOURCES

Adjusting to Life in Canada

Canada represents a mosaic of people linked to various social, ethnic, and linguistic groups from across the country and, increasingly, the world. Despite their differences, many people in Canada are united through some shared values and experiences. If you came to UBC from another country, the link below will provide you with some resources to help you settle into your new life in Canada.

Safety: Vancouver is a safe city. Violent crime is not common and very unlikely to happen to a resident or student. As in any other big city, however, thefts, pick-pocketing, and small crimes do happen. The Vancouver police department has a web site with tips on safely navigating your way around and avoiding scams.

Banking

Find out what you need to set up a bank account and how to go about transferring funds if you have come to UBC from another country.