You may need a Visa to enter Canada depending on your country of citizenship. Click here for more information to view Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Study Less than Six Months: If you are planning to study in Canada for less than six months, you may enter the country as a visitor but it is recommended that you obtain a study permit as a precaution. Visitors from some countries will need a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada.

Study More than Six Months: If you are not sure but you think you may want to extend your studies to more than six months after you arrive in Canada, it is a good idea to apply for a study permit anyway. You cannot change your status from visitor (Temporary Resident) to student from within Canada. Please consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site for more information about Canadian visa requirements.

Study With Internship: If you are participating in a program that includes an internship component, you are REQUIRED to obtain a study and work permit from the Canadian Embassy in your home country. For additional information, click here.

No. UBC Continuing Studies programs are non-credit and international students are not eligible to work.

After your application form, non-refundable application fee and program deposit have been processed, you will be notified of your acceptance into the program by email or post.  As part of your study or work permit application, you will require a Letter of Acceptance to take to your nearest Canadian Embassy office. In some countries, a medical examination is also required.  For more specific details on how to receive a Letter of Acceptance, contact the applicable program office.

For open registration courses and programs, UBC Continuing Studies does not issue a Letter of Acceptance.

Although processing times can vary from country to country, you should allow at least three months to obtain your study or work permit.

If you do not receive your permit in time for the program for which you have applied, please visit the applicable program details or contact the program coordinator for options that may be available to you.

If you are denied a permit, it may not be possible to study in Canada. Please notify the program coordinator as soon as possible to see what options may be available to you.

If you wish to visit the United States while you are staying in Canada, you must obtain a US visitor's visa from your nearest US embassy or consulate before leaving your home country.

Yes, if you are refused a study permit, you are eligible for a refund of most of your fees. You will need to inform the program coordinator immediately and provide supporting documentation when requesting a refund.  Please view your program website for instructions and conditions.

Yes, medical insurance is required during your time in Canada from an approved insurance provider (Global Campus Health Insurance or the provincial government, MSP). The cost (approximately $2-3 per day) for this insurance is not included in your program fees. It is your responsibility to ensure you have medical insurance coverage from the time of your arrival in Canada up until that day. Contact your program coordinator for more information.

Personal expenses such as clothing, household goods, personal toiletries and supplies, recreation and entertainment, etc. are approximately $600 per month. If you do not live in a Homestay situation, food costs approximately $300 per month. These are only estimates and your personal experience may vary.

Most class materials and textbooks are included with your course or program fee and will be indicated in the course or program details.  If you are not sure, contact the program coordinator for more specific information.

Yes, most courses and programs will require you to have access to your own computer.  Check with your program coordinator for other possible options. High speed wireless internet access is available throughout the UBC Point Grey campus and UBC Robson Square.  For other locations, view here.

Yes, for international students registered in a program with the English Language Institute, arrangements can be made to meet you at the airport if you provide your flight number and arrival time. This service costs $150. Alternatively, you may hire a taxi, take a bus, or ask if your agent can arrange a pickup for you. The distance between the airport and the central business district of Vancouver is about 20 km and a taxi ride will be approximately $32 with a tip for service. For more information, click here.

Please do not arrive in Vancouver with large amounts of cash, or carry large amounts of cash around with you once you are here! Currency exchange services are available at the Vancouver Airport and at any of the major banks or credit union banks in the city. Travellers cheques or credit cards are a safer way to pay for your purchases because they can usually be replaced if they get lost or stolen. Many banks are open on Saturdays and most stores accept direct debit using bank cards. ATM bank machines are widely available throughout Vancouver.

If you need assistance opening a Canadian bank account when you arrive, please contact your program coordinator. The following banks are located on or near campus:

• Bank of Montreal
• CIBC
• HSBC
• Royal Bank
• Scotiabank
• TD Canada Trust
• Vancity

If you want to arrange to transfer funds before you arrive in Canada, there are several ways to do this:

• Obtain a bank draft for the amount you wish to transfer and bring it with you to Canada. It can take anywhere from 10-20 days for a bank draft to be processed.
• Wire funds from your local bank to a Canadian bank. This method ensures that your money is available immediately once transferred to Canada.
• Use an electronic bank card from your home bank to withdraw money at ATMs (bank machines) in Canada. You may have to pay service charges for using a bank card outside your country and exchange rates change daily, so check with your bank before choosing this option.

If you are staying in homestay, you may pay your homestay fees to your family with traveller's cheques. Please ask the English Language Institute homestay staff or your homestay family about the best ways to pay your housing fees to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.