Newcomers, Vancouver welcomes you!
- Lili
- Oct 4, 2017
- 3 min read
Moving to a different country is not easy, I know… I’m living in Vancouver for two years now and still trying to adapt. And if you’re an international student like me, you know what I’m talking about: homestay families, roommates, different languages, different cultures, people from everywhere, your teacher has a thick accent, "oh my God, will I ever be able to fit in?"
Don’t worry, you are. It takes time, though… And patience, lots of patience!
But first things first! You’ve just arrived, now what? Here are some things I believe are the first things you have to do in Vancouver to put your life in order.
SIN card
If you have a study permit or a work permit, you need to get a SIN (Social Insurance Number) card to be eligible to work. All you have to do is bring your passport and permits to a Service Canada Office and they will take care of everything. There’s no fee for this service.
Service Canada Sinclair Centre: 757 West Hastings, office 125, Downtown.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm
BCID
Instead of walking around with your passport all the time, it’s better to make a BCID as soon as possible. This is an official photo ID that you can use anywhere. Just go to any ICBC location with your passport, permits, address, and $35 for the fee. They accept cash, debit, and credit cards. The ID will be sent to your address in 2-4 weeks.
ICBC Downtown: 1055 West Georgia, Suite 221
Locate their nearest ICBC office here
Open a bank account
If you’re coming to study or to live here, try to open a bank account as soon as possible. The good news is almost every bank offers a free student checking account. Each bank offers different options and promotions so check out the links below so you can make an informed decision. You should also consider getting a credit card to start building your credit score in Canada.
BMO -
Make a library card
Ok, now you’re thinking, why would I want a library card? Well, if you’re a student, you have to do assignments and study for tests, right? And if you live in a homestay or with one or more roommates, sometimes you may not have the peace and quiet you need to do your things. That’s the moment when you go to the nearest VPL branch and enjoy the free Wi-Fi and all the silence you need. To make the card you only need a piece of ID, phone number, and address.
Find a VPL branch here
Healthcare
This is, probably, the most important one. When you came to Canada you bought travel insurance, right? Before your insurance expires, consider enrolling in the public health care. Some colleges and universities will do that for you, so get informed in your school. If they don’t, you can do it by yourself. There are several rules, though, so consider reading everything before applying.
BC government recommends newcomers apply for health care as soon as possible instead of waiting until the end of the travel insurance since it could take up to a month to be enrolled. Check the links below:
Check your Healthcare eligibility: If you have a study permit, you are eligible but when you apply, you have to have more than six months left in your permit.
Fee: At first, you will pay the maximum rate of $75 until you do your tax return because rates are linked to household income. Check the tables on the link above.
I hope this post was useful. And if you have doubts or suggestions, just a leave a comment below. :-)
Cheers!
Comments