There is a lot to think about before your classes start, and the Robert H. Lee Graduate school is here to help get you ready! We recommend reviewing all of the items on the UBC pre-arrival checklist for international students. Please also check the Living in Vancouver section of this program site for information about the city as well as setting up medical coverage, housing, banking etc.
We strongly encourage all international students to arrive by August 1st, 2019 (four weeks before the start of Opening Week on August 26th, 2019), so that you will have enough time to get settled. Once the program begins you will be very busy with schoolwork and won’t have much time to spare to look for housing, arrange your banking, telephone etc.
We also recommend contacting a UBC International Student Advisor. They are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) / Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) who can help with ensuring that you have everything in order before you submit your application.
Study Permits and Work Permits
Questions?
UBC International Student Advising is your go-to resource for any help or questions you might have regarding the processing of your study or work permit applications and complying with instructions you have received from the Visa office. Their staff includes International Student Advisors who are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs).
Please contact an International Student Advisor directly with your questions at isa@students.ubc.ca and copy askmba@sauder.ubc.ca so our office is also aware of any issues you are having.
Information:
You must have a valid study permit in order to attend MBA classes at UBC. It is not possible to attend MBA classes on a visitor’s visa. Navigating another country’s immigration system can be challenging; it is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status and obey immigration regulations while studying in Canada. Check your immigration documents to make sure that they are accurate and valid, and note when they need to be renewed.
- Most international students must apply in advance for their study permit.
- Start here to review necessary information for your initial study permit application.
- Online handouts and tutorials: Check out handouts and tutorials for step-by-step instructions to manage your permits, visa and health insurance needs!
Citizens and permanent residents of the United States, as well as residents of Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon, can apply for a study permit directly at an international airport in Canada or at most major US/Canada border crossings. Please see "Important Considerations".
If you have spent six consecutive months or more in a "designated country" during the one year period immediately before the date you want to enter Canada, you must take an immigration medical examination in advance.
NOTE: Please check in advance if this service is still available at these crossings prior to arrival. We suggest you plan your trip so that you do not cross the border during the middle of the night as many border crossings have limited staffing during this time and you may face a longer wait.
Working in Canada
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required for international students and their spouses/partners in order to work in Canada. For more information , follow these links: SIN application, work permits, spousal work permits.
International students who have completed the full-time UBC MBA program are also eligible for the post-graduation work permit. The post-graduation work permit program may be issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years. You must apply within 90 days of receiving confirmation (transcript or letter) of completion of degree/program requirements. Click here for guidelines for eligibility.
Other International Student Resources
International Student Guide:
UBC's International Student Guide is your comprehensive guide to settling in to life at the university. From information about immigration, visas and necessary permits, to tips on finding a place to live, where to bank and how to get involved, the International Student Guide is filled with everything you need to know to be successful in all aspects of University life.
Dr. Simon K. Y. Lee Global Lounge and Resource Centre:
The Simon K. Y. Lee Global Lounge and Resource Centre at UBC serves as a home base for globally focused UBC student clubs and organizations, currently representing membership of more than 1000 students. If you are interested in making a difference in the world around you, the Global Lounge provides you with an opportunity to connect with other UBC students and get involved with the international issues that matter to you.
UBC Tax Assistance Clinics for Students:
The tax year in BC and Canada runs from January 1st to December 31st. Income tax returns need to be filed each year on or before April 30th. Even if you have no income, you should still file your income tax and benefit return. As a student, you might be eligible for deductions but you must file your return to get them. Please refer to the Filing Taxes in Canada UBC webpage and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) website for more information.