Find everything you need to know about your journey as an international student at UBC.
Start here
Read the UBC International Student Guide, the Travel to Canada Guide, and any Relevant Tutorials and bookmark the content below, these are your main resources:
Watch this introduction video to help you find your way through the main resources
Tips!
- Apply for your Study Permit as early as possible, and as soon as you receive and accept your admission offer. Every year we encounter students who are facing unnecessary complications on their immigration applications and cannot begin their program as a result. To better avoid these situations, preparation and timing are key.
- Apply online: this will be much faster and more efficient. Ensure your application is as complete as possible.
- Check in with us in advance if you are planning to come with your family or partner, so we can guide you in any additional processes.
- Plan to arrive by August 1st latest if government regulations allow so you have plenty of time to organize your living arrangements prior to the program start (housing, phone, banking etc).
- Let us know (askmm@sauder.ubc.ca) if you were denied a study permit or if you anticipate delays outside of your control.
Additional support
If you have questions about life as an international student, International Student Advising is here to help. International Student Advisors are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) who can support you in your experience as a UBC international student.
Top reasons to connect:
- Get help with your visa, study permit, and work permit application
- Ask about part-time or full-time work requirements
- Learn about your health insurance coverage
- Talk to someone about transitioning to life in Canada
Ways to contact them:
Online form: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0J8VRJgJQkuO2b4
Phone: 604 822 5021
Their office is located at Room 1200, UBC Life Building
Before arrival in Vancouver
Besides your Study Permit, pay specific attention to the following time-sensitive tasks before you move to Vancouver:
- Prepare your travel
Make sure you have all documents needed to enter the country
- On campus housing
If you want to live on campus, you need to apply as soon as you have been admitted.
After arrival in Vancouver
Upon arrival, pay specific attention to the following time sensitive tasks:
- Health insurance
Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in CanadaPlease particularly note:- You must apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as you arrive in Vancouver as there is a 3 month waiting period for BC MSP to take effect. The MSP premiums are not included in your tuition and fees.
- Until you are covered by MSP, you 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)
- All students (both international and domestic) are also automatically enrolled in and pay for the AMS/GSS extended medical plan through their student fees.
- iMED information will be communicated by DCIC at the end of July.
- Phone plan
Get organized on communication in Vancouver - Working and banking in Canada
Request a SIN number and open a Canadian bank account - Off-campus housing
Housing in Vancouver is very competitive– if you want to live off-campus, it can be difficult to arrange this unless you’re here in person, and stressful to do once the program has started – so plan to arrive early.