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Resources and Information

List of resources for international students in Vancouver

Moving to a new city and country is an exciting adventure, but it can also come with many questions. To help you settle into life in Vancouver and Canada, we’ve created this comprehensive resource page. Here, you’ll find essential information on everything from banking, housing, and transportation to medical assistance, legal support, and working in Canada.

Whether you’re looking for tips on extending your visa, understanding taxes, or finding places of worship, this page is designed to make your transition as smooth as possible. You’ll also find helpful tools and contacts for navigating life as an international student. If you have further questions or need personalized support, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We’re here to help every step of the way!

  • BANKS

    Here’s a list of banks close to VGC

  • CLINICS, HOSPITALS & MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
    • If you need to visit a doctor or get a prescription, you can visit a walk-in clinic. You don’t need an appointment or a family doctor – just show up. Many of these walk-in clinics are open in the evening and on weekends. Click here to find a walk-in clinic near you.
    • If you purchased insurance with VGC, you can find a list of all partner clinics and hospitals in Vancouver on guard.me.
    • For emergencies, the closest hospital to VGC with an emergency room open 24/7 is: St. Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burard Street, tel. 604-682-2344
  • COUNSELING & MENTAL HEALTH

    If you would like to speak to someone, please consider the resources below:

  • HOUSING

    VGC offers accommodations via homestay and Student Residences. Should you prefer to rent your own room/apartment, you may find the following resources useful

    For students arranging their own accommodation or residing in student residences, we encourage you to review the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre of British Columbia. This resource provides important information on tenancy rights and tenant-landlord laws in the province, ensuring you are informed and prepared.

    Be cautious when searching for housing online, as rental scams are common in Canada. Always verify listings and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. For tips on how to protect yourself, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

  • LEGAL ADVICE

    AIf you need to speak to a lawyer or have legal questions, you can start with these:

  • PHARMACIES

    In Canada, you will find pharmacies generally at the back of stores like London Drugs, Shopper’s Drug Mart or Rexall.

    Pharmacies in B.C. do more than just fill prescriptions – they’re an integral part of your healthcare. Pharmacists can assess and treat minor ailments like allergies, pink eye, or UTIs, prescribe and provide free contraceptives, administer immunizations, and offer medication reviews. Many services are free for B.C. residents. Visit a pharmacy or book an appointment to learn more. Learn more about pharmacy services in B.C.

  • POST OFFICE

    Like pharmacies, you will often find post offices at the back of stores like London Drugs, Shopper’s Drug Mart or Rexall. Just look for the Canada Post logo.

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    You can also find the nearest post office at www.canadapost.ca

  • SOCIAL INSURANCCE NUMBER (SIN)

    A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is fundamental to working in Canada and accessing Government of Canada programs and services. If you plan to work in Canada, you will need to have a social insurance number (SIN). To apply for SIN, you will need to fill up an application form, and have your passport and study or work permit ready.

    Click here to apply for a SIN.

    To avoid waiting in line at a Service Canada Centre, you can apply for your SIN online. A completed online application with all the required documents will be processed within 5 business days. You will then be able to view your SIN in your My Service Canada Account.

    IMPORTANT: Your study permit for an ESL program DOES NOT allow you to work Canada

  • TAXES

    All prices are exclusive of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Provincial Sales Tax (PST). In British Columbia, the GST is 5% and the PST is 7%. So if you see a price, you will need to add both of these taxes to get the final amount.

  • TAX REFUND FOR VISITORS

    As a non-resident visitor to Canada, you can claim a refund for Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) you paid on eligible goods and short-term accommodations while visiting Canada. To qualify for a tax refund, you should meet the following conditions:

    • You are not a resident of Canada as the time you apply for a refund
    • You purchased eligible goods for personal use, stayed at eligible short-term accommodations, or both
    • You paid GST/PST on these purchases
    • You have original receipts (photocopies, debit or credit card slips are NOT accepted)
    • You have Proof of Export for the eligible goods you purchased in Canada
    • The total amount of your purchase must be at least $200 (before taxes); each receipt for eligible goods must be at least $50 (before taxes); the goods are removed from Canada within 60 days of the date of purchase

    You will need to have your receipts stamped by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) ebfore you check-in your luggage at the airport.

  • TAX FILING AND RETURNS

    If you’re working in Canada, such as with a working holiday visa or as part of your Co-Op program, it’s important to file your taxes every year. This includes submitting your T4 slip, which details your earnings. It’s highly recommended to file your taxes, as you may be eligible to receive a tax return, providing you with some extra money. While the return is substantial in your first year, it may be smaller in subsequent years, but it’s still a welcome bonus! You can learn more about taxes for international students in Canada on the Government of Canada website.

  • TIPS AND GRATUITIES

    When you eat at a restaurant, it is customary to tip 15-20% of the bill unless the service is really bad. You can either add the top on the credit card machine or when paying in cash, leave the tip on the bill tray on the table. When ordering at a bar or coffee shop, it is customary to tip around 10-15% of the drink ordered. Either put some money in the tip jar or say what the tip is.

  • TRANSLINK / PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

    There is a convenient and reliable public transportation system in Vancouver including:

    • Buses
    • SkyTrain (an elevated rapid transit train)
    • SeaBus (passenger-only ferry between Downtown Vancouver and the North Shore)
    • West Coast Express (commuter train between Downtown Vancouver and Mission, British Columbia)

    You will need a Compass Card or Compass Ticket to access all public transportation fare gates and buses. You can buy your Compass Card at any ticket machine or TransLink Offices. Getting a Compass Card lets you store value in the card, allows you to pay-as-you-go, and enjoy a discounted fare rate. You can learn more about the different zones and fares on the TransLink Website.

  • VISA EXTENSION TOOLS

    If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a student, you must complete the Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada Form and submit an application 30 days before your current permit expires.

    Click here to read more about extending your stay in Canada.

  • WORKING IN CANADA

    You will need a valid work permit in order to legally work in Canada. A visitor visa or study permit does not allow you to work. For more information about visa options, please visit www.cic.gc.ca

  • PLACES OF WORSHIP

    Below are the nearest places of worship to VGC:

    Find more places of worship in Vancouver by go to the Yellow Pages online directory.

  • OTHER RESOURCES

    To find out about the latest news, events and happenings in and around Vancouver, check out the following sites:News for British Columbia

    Events, Stories, Guides, Contests

    Weather

  • OTHER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
    • Biking
      If you will stay in Vancouver for a long time, purchasing a bike may be an option. Apart from stores selling brand new bikes, second-hand bikes are widely available on directories such as craigslist.ca

      You can also check out Mobi, a local bike sharing provider that lets you purchase daily, monthly or annual subscriptions for 30- or 60-minute rides in the downtown area
      Cycling tips
      • Always wear a helmet, it is the law; failing to do so may result to a ticket from the police
      • Traffic rules for bikes are the same as for cars; pay attention to signs and traffic signals
      • Use bike lanes; don’t ride on the sidewalk or on crosswalks
      • Have a light on your bike when riding at night
      • Always lock your bike

    • Taxi
      Here are the contact information of the main taxi companies operating in Vancouver:
      Taxis are part of the service industry so you may have to add a 15-20% tip on top of your total fare amount

    • Car Rentals
      Below is a list of the main car rental companies in Vancouver:Car rental tips
      • You will need a valid driver’s license and credit card in the same name
      • Most large car rental agencies require a minimum age of 25 years old; smaller rental agencies have a minimum age of 21
      • Most car rental agencies accept only major credit cards and DO NOT accept debit cards or cash
      • Don’t forget to fill up your car before you return it; you may have to pay more if you forget
      • Most car rental agencies will provide you with an extra key upon request
      • Use a navigation app such as Google Maps or Waze to plan your route; if you don’t have a mobile data subscription you can use a map or rent GPS equipment from the car rental agency

    Car Sharing
    If you need a car but don’t want the hassle of ownership since you are here for a limited time only, consider joining a car-sharing organization. Car-sharing allows you to rent a vehicle by the minute, hour, or day, saving you the costs of owning, insuring, and maintaining a car. With vehicles located throughout Vancouver, you can easily reserve one online or through a smartphone app.

    Two popular car-share operators in Vancouver are:

    • Evo – A one-way car-share service where you can start and end your trip at different locations.
    • Modo Co-operative – A two-way car-share service where trips must begin and end at the same location.

    Car-sharing provides flexibility and convenience without the long-term commitment!

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