International Students

Apply for your Study Permit as early as possible. Every year we have students who don’t don’t get their visas in time and cannot attend the program. Please follow the steps below to begin your study permit application.

1. Review the International Student Guide to as your put together your study pemit application.

2. Reach out to our International Student Advisor if you require additional assistance. The RHL Graduate School has a dedicated Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant to help with details of your case and application. Please see his contact information below:

David Sage, Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant
Email: intlubc@students.ubc.ca

David works with the International Student Advising Team but is dedicated to helping RHL students so please reach out to him directly for the quickest response.You can set up a call with David after making initial contact through email. In your initial ask, please make sure to include: 

• Your student number in the subject line
• Your name
• Your citizenship(s)
• All permit and visa expiration dates (if applicable)
• Currently in Canada (YES or NO)
• If you request specific assistance, please provide detailed information including applicable documents, such as a rejection letter

3. Other notes about your application:

• Only apply once. If you have already applied manually, it is critical that you do not reapply online as this will only slow the process down
• The RHL Office does not have the expertise to advise on your study permit application. If you have questions, please follow the steps above to contact David at International Student Advising.
• 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 differ and it is only meant to give a general idea of how long a process takes.
• 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.

Before arrival, check your immigration documents to make sure that they are accurate and valid. Please note when they need to be renewed. More information on these topics can be found at:

• Study permits
• Canadian immigration regulations

International Student Guide

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

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
Simon K. Y. Lee Global Lounge and Resource Centre
UBC Tax Assistance Clinics for Students: Even if you have no income, you should still file your income tax and benefit return. Please review the information on the page for more details.

UBC requires that all international students have basic and extended health care for the duration of their studies. If your family members are with you in Canada, it is very important that they also have insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Canada.
The costs of hospital and doctor care in Canada are very high if you are not insured. Without insurance, you could pay thousands of dollars per day for a hospital stay or even be refused certain services.
There are two levels of insurance in Canada: basic and extended. Both types are required for UBC international students. Basic insurance plans cover costs such as doctor’s visits and some hospitalization. Extended health care usually covers a portion of dental, prescription drugs and vision care (such as eye exams), among other things. If you have questions before you arrive in Canada, contact our International Student Advisor at intlubc@students.ubc.ca.

Tips for applying for MSP:

• You must provide a copy of your Student Authorization when you apply for MSP. Coverage ends when your Student Authorization expires.
• All international students must apply for the BC MSP (Medical Services Plan) as soon as they arrive in Vancouver. There is a waiting period for 3 months for BC MSP to take effect.
• Until they are covered by MSP, they are automatically enrolled in UBC’s iMED plan.
• All students (both international and domestic) are automatically enrolled in the AMS/GSS extended medical plan.

For more information, contact the Medical Services Plan of BC.
International students should look at Healthcare Information for International Students.

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 are coming to UBC from another country, the link below will provide you with some resources to help you settle into your new life in Canada.

• Adjusting to life in Canada

Safety: Vancouver is a safe city. Violent crime is not common and unlikely to happen. 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.

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.