After arriving in British Columbia
- Apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Check that you have iMED health insurance for your first three months in BC (or longer if you are not a degree-seeking student)
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Add your immigration document expiry dates into the UBC reminder system
- Sign up to receive the International Community Update newsletter
- Learn how your enrolment impacts immigration, including part-time studies and taking time away from studies
- Get a BCID card to avoid carrying your passport for identification.
- Learn how to get vaccinated or register your COVID-19 vaccine if you’ve been vaccinated outside of BC.
If you get COVID-19 symptoms, check the BC Centre for Disease Control website for guidance.
If you need a temporary mailing address
If you don’t have a mailing address, you can rent a Post Office Box from Canada Post or use the mailing address of your friend or relative who is in Canada. You should not use the address of a friend who lives in UBC residence since they only accept mail for current residents.
You can use International Student Advising as your temporary mailing address when you first arrive in Canada.
International Student Advising
UBC Life Building
1200 – 6138 Student Union Blvd.
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
International Student Advising is not responsible for your mail. Mail will be publicly accessible in the office, so there is no way to ensure that your mail will be secure. International Student Advising does not accept packages on behalf of students as there is no secure storage space.
After you’ve moved into your place of residence, remember to change all of your mailing addresses.
Learning about life in Canada
- iPREP immigration and health insurance courses:
- New to UBC guide for first years
- Interactive checklist for graduate students
- Health insurance for international students
- Working in Canada
- Guide to banking in Canada
- Getting to know Canada
- Welcome to Canada: publications for newcomers (IRCC)
- EduCanada’s pre-departure guide
- BC’s Newcomers’ Guides (available in 13 languages)
- Driving in BC
- Resources for if you have children
- Scams and fraud
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Health and immigration updates and FAQs
Get the latest updates on immigration and health insurance for international students in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The information on this page may change
The immigration information on this page has been reviewed and endorsed by Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) or Regulated International Student Immigration Advisors (RISIAs) in compliance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations. However, this is not a legal document and information may change without notice. Always refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the most up-to-date information.