Student Life in Vancouver

Managing your finances is simple with these banks conveniently located near the VIC campus in Vancouver (BC): RBC Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, Scotiabank, CIBC, and BMO Bank of Montreal.

Learn how to open a student bank account in Canada:

Visit Scotiabank for International Students

Visit RCB Royal Bank for International Students

Visit TD Bank for International Students

Visit CIBC for International Students

Visit BMO for International Students

Healthcare is accessible and reliable across Canada.

• Walk-In Clinics (BC ): For non-urgent needs, visit a walk-in clinic without an appointment.
  Find a walk-in clinic near you.
• SSLC Insurance: For students with insurance through guard.me, access a list of partner clinics and hospitals:
  Guard.me Partner Clinics – Vancouver.

Get more information about Student Health Insurance with guard.me here. 

SSLC offers homestay accommodations and GEC student residence (Vancouver only).

If you’re looking for independent housing, here are some helpful resources:

• Craigslist
• Rentals.ca
• Apartment Love
• PadMapper
• Facebook Marketplace

Important:

• For BC, review the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre.

If you’re a student with children, finding reliable childcare is crucial. Both British Columbia and Ontario offer resources to help:

• BC: Search for Child Care
  Find licensed daycare, family childcare, and preschools near you. 

Start early, explore subsidies, and visit providers to ensure the best fit for your family.

As an international student in Canada, there may be times when you require legal advice or support. Whether you have questions about your rights, need help navigating local laws, or require legal representation, there are resources available in both British Columbia and Ontario to assist you.

British Columbia

• Legal Aid BC
  Legal Aid BC provides free or low-cost legal services to individuals who meet their eligibility criteria. Their services include legal advice, representation, and self-help resources on various topics such as housing disputes, immigration, and family law.
• Lawyer Referral Service
  This service, offered by the Canadian Bar Association of British Columbia, connects individuals with qualified lawyers who specialize in specific areas of law. For a minimal fee, you can consult a lawyer for up to 30 minutes to discuss your legal issue and determine next steps.

Pharmacies like London Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Rexall are readily available in BC.

• BC-Specific Services: Pharmacists can assess and treat minor ailments, prescribe medications, and administer immunizations. Many services are free for BC residents. Learn more.

Post offices are often found at the back of stores like London Drugs or Shoppers Drug Mart.

• Find a Canada Post location near you.

If you plan to work in Canada, you’ll need a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

• Apply online or in-person through Service Canada.

International students may need to file Canadian income taxes.

• Learn about taxes for students in Canada.
• Free tax clinics: Volunteer Income Tax Clinics.

Canada’s cities offer efficient and convenient public transit systems:

• Vancouver (BC):
  • TransLink (Vancouver): Buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express
    Learn more.
  • BC Transit (Victoria): Buses and ferries
    Learn more.