International Students

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:

• International Student Guide
• Travel to Canada Guide
• Tutorials

Watch this introduction video to help you find your way through the main resources

• 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. You can apply for your co-op work permit at the same you apply for your study permit.
• Apply online: this will be much faster and more efficient. Ensure your application is as complete as possible.

• If you are planning to come with your family or partner, please check in with RHL immigration consultant(contact information listed below) or UBC International Student Advising in advance so we can guide you in any additional processes.

• Plan to arrive early after check government regulations so you have plenty of time to organize your living arrangements prior to the program start (housing, phone, banking etc). You may be able to enter Canada at any time before your program starts if meet all entry requirements.There is no specific timeline that is mandated, but in our experience officers can ask a lot of questions if you will be arriving more than 6-8 weeks before the start of term, so you should be prepared to discuss your reasons with an officer upon arrival, and demonstrate that your travel is non-discretionary.

• Let us know (askmba@sauder.ubc.ca) if you were denied a study permit or if you anticipate delays outside of your control.

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

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

• Family support
  Apply for childcare and find support if you plan to move with family

• On campus housing
  If you want to live on campus, you need to apply as soon as you have been admitted.

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.