Arriving and Settling
Immigration and Customs
Ensure that you have appropriate visas for all countries that you may travel through on your way to Canada.
These documents should be easily accessible to you in your carryon baggage or on your person.
If you change planes in Canada prior to arriving in Vancouver, please ensure that you leave at least three hours between connecting flights to pass through the immigration process. At your first point of entry into Canada, you must have your passport, visa, and letter of acceptance from JIBC ready. Be sure to request a multiple entry study permit to cover your two years of study in Canada.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has some very good information about how to protect yourself from immigration scams and other fraudulent activities.
Welcome to Canada & BC Newcomers’ Guide
It can be challenging to know where to begin when settling into a new country and city.
The Welcome to Canada – What You Should Know (https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/ircc/migration/ircc/english/pdf/pub/welcome.pdf) is a publication from Citizenship & Immigration Canada that, although designed for recent immigrants, give anyone new to Canada useful information to better understand their new ‘home’.
The B.C. Newcomers’ Guide (https://www.welcomebc.ca/Start-Your-Life-in-B-C/Newcomers-Guides) is a tremendous resource with information to help you with transportation, health care, banking information, and more.
Areas of New Westminster
The City of New Westminster is made up of many communities or areas. To learn more about the area check out the City of New Westminster’s website with maps & tools for getting around as well as new ways to discover all it has to offer.
Banking
As it is unsafe to carry large amounts of cash, it is advisable to open an account at a financial institution as soon as you arrive. Some helpful banking tips:
Types of accounts
You can choose between chequing and savings accounts. Each type of account has its own uses and restrictions. Find out which account type best suits your needs.
Student accounts
Many banks offer special ‘student accounts’ with features only available to students. Be sure to ask about their student options, including what charges and rates will be on any account that you open. Shop around for the bank that will work best for you.
Information normally required to open a bank account include:
- 18 years of age
- Government issued photo ID (Driver’s License or Passport)
- Proof of Address (Phone bill, Driver’s License).
- Student Visa information.
- Acceptance Letter from JIBC to show proof of being a student.
Questions to ask the bank
- Do you have a student account?
- Is there a fee associated to maintain an account?
- Is there a minimum balance required?
- Is there a limit to the number of transactions?
- Are there fees for withdrawing cash?
- How much can I withdraw at any given time from the branch and from the ATM?
Safety Deposit Boxes
Safety deposit boxes are available at most banks for storing small valuable or important documents like your passport. There is an annual fee for this service.
Housing
There are many accommodation options for students in Metro Vancouver (e.g. homestay, furnished and unfurnished rentals in houses, basement suites, condos, and apartments).
Some popular resources for finding housing include:
- Liane’s Vancouver Homestay (http://www.lvhomestay.com/)
- Search4StudentHousing.com (https://www.search4studenthousing.com/)
- Rentals in New Westminster (https://apartmentlove.com/british-columbia/new-westminster/)
- Airbnb in New Westminster (https://www.airbnb.ca/s/New-Westminster–Canada/all?s_tag=FeP7uk2d)
- Craigslist listings in Vancouver (https://vancouver.craigslist.org/search/hhh)
Tips to Avoid Housing Scams
Things to watch for/signs of a scam:
- If the price seems “too good to be true”, it probably is.
- Never wire money to a prospective landlord.
- Never pay a deposit or accept any housing before you have viewed it.
Also, for safety reasons and for a ‘second opinion’ take a friend or family member with you to view any prospective housing.
Rental Laws
If you decide to rent, be sure to learn about some of the BC laws that apply to tenants (person who rents) and landlords (person or company that manages or owns the building).
The Residency Tenancy Office is a government agency that provides information and resources.
As well, the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) offers information in many languages.
Housing Options for International Students
Since JIBC does not provide on-campus housing facilities, all students arriving from outside of the Metro Vancouver region will need to find a place to live. We are pleased to provide some suggestions to help locate a comfortable accommodation that best meets your needs.
Short-term options
If you are unsure of your options or are wanting to take your time finding the perfect place to live, here are a few short term options while you look for permanent accommodation:
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- Air-BNB: https://www.airbnb.ca/new-westminster-canada/stays
- Inn at the Quay: https://www.innatwestminsterquay.com/
- Executive Hotel & Resort (Coquitlam): https://www.executivehotels.net/coquitlam-hotel/
Homestay
Many international students choose to live in a homestay environment for their first few months of living in Canada. The homestay organization will source accommodation based on your interests and individual requirements. The homestay families are carefully screened and selected to ensure the best possible experience.
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- Liane’s Vancouver Homestay: http://www.lvhomestay.com/
- Canada Homestay Network: http://canadahomestaynetwork.ca/rru
- First Choice International: https://myfci.ca/
Shared Accommodations
Are you interested in living with someone else, or would you prefer to live alone? Living with a roommate, or renting a room within a family home, saves money plus it could make the cultural transition easier.
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- Global Education City: https://gecliving.com/
- Off-Campus Housing 101: https://och101.com/
- Search for Student Housing: https://www.search4studenthousing.com/
Longer-Term Rentals
There are many different types of living arrangements available, including studios, one or two-bedroom apartments, basement suites, a single room in a house, shared houses, etc. These are a few local webpages available that you can source to find accommodations:
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- Apartment Love: https://apartmentlove.com/
- Rentseeker.ca: https://www.rentseeker.ca/rentals/apartments/british-columbia/vancouver
- Gottarent.com: https://www.gottarent.com/greater-vancouver-region-bc-rentals/
- Facebook Marketplace: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/
- liv.rent: https://liv.rent/
- Kijiji.ca: https://www.kijiji.ca/
NOTE: These sites/groups are provided as a resource courtesy to students. JIBC does not endorse these sites or their listing and does not take responsibility for off-campus rental accommodations.
Considerations
Be sure to take into account important details when deciding on the location of your lodging, such as travel time to school, proximity to shopping, public transit and other amenities, and the dates that you expect to move in and move out.
Know your rights
Be cautious when searching and remember to view the inside of a property before you sign a lease or pay any money. There are several other rights and responsibilities that you have as a tenant (renter). To learn more about these, the following resources will provide you with more information on renting in Canada.
- Canada Mortgage & Housing Rental Guide: https://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/rental-housing
- Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre: https://tenants.bc.ca/
- Residential Tenancy Office: http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/
Costs
Rents vary greatly depending on apartment location, age and condition. For example, it is generally more expensive to rent in a condominium building than an apartment building, and locations close to Vancouver city are typically more expensive than elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. Keep in mind, these are only general guidelines for cost.
| Housing Type | Rental Average |
| Shared with roommates | $850 |
| Bachelor/studio | $1,100 |
| One-bedroom | $1,400 |
| Two-bedroom | $1,800 |
Additional costs might include:
- Utilities (e.g., heat, water, electricity)
- Internet, Cable TV
- Security deposit (one-time cost)
- Pet deposit (one-time cost)
- Apartment furnishings
- Laundry, parking, food and entertainment
- Tenant insurance
- Transit pass or Vehicle transportation, such as parking, car insurance and gas
Safety
It is important to be aware of the types of crime to be aware of and obtain knowledge to assist in keeping safe. Vancouver Police Department has provided the following webpage with tips and helpful information on how students can stay safe while studying in Canada.
https://vancouver.ca/police/crime-prevention/for-individuals/student-safety.html#OnStreet
Community Based Workshops for International Students
The BC Settlement & Integration Services (BCSIS) offers fee immigration and employment related workshops, one-on-one appointments, and special events for international students.
For inquiries and registration:
Tel: 604.408.7274 ext 2048
Email: bcsis@success.bc.ca
To learn about upcoming events: https://www.successbcsis.com
Activity & Community Resources
It is important to find a balance between studying and having some fun. Metro Vancouver offers a variety of sport, entertainment, and cultural activities. Below are some useful websites that are updated regularly and offer inexpensive activity ideas.
- The City of New Westminster has three community centres that offer a variety of classes, activities, and events. Check the Active Living Guide for schedules and locations.
- The Georgia Strait is a free weekly entertainment newspaper and updated website about all of the events and activities in Metro Vancouver. There are a variety of restaurant coupons and contests as well.
- Tourism Vancouver lists major festivals and events under the ‘Events’ tab.
- To explore BC’s nature, you do not need a car. Brian Grover’s Car-Free Outdoor Guide to exploring Southwestern BC will show you how and provide some great tips.
Identification & Student Discounts
A BCID is an official photo identification that you can use as ID for many situations including: getting a library card, going to a nightclub, etc. There are no fees to get a BCID.
It is always a good idea to ask if you are eligible for student discounts with your JIBC student ID. Listed below are some additional programs to consider registering for as a student.
All full-time JIBC international students are entitled to receive an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The ISIC allows for travel, accommodation, and entertainment discounts both locally and around the world. ISIC is the only internationally recognized form of student identification.
Student Price Card (SPC) allows students to save on fashion, dining, and lifestyle purchase. Learn how to purchase, where to use, and what discounts the card allows at the SPC website www.spccard.ca. You can also download the SPC App from the iTunes Store.
Public Transportation – Translink
Vancouver’s regional public transit agency, TransLink, provides extensive transportation services in Metro Vancouver, including Bus (road passage), SeaBus (passenger ferry), SkyTrain (automated rapid transit system), and West Coast Express (commuter rail) services. Detailed information regarding schedules, maps, and fares can be found here: http://www.translink.ca/
Getting around the Vancouver area is easy with our efficient public transportation system.
Since most international students will not have access to a personal mode of transportation (such as a car), it is comforting to know that there are reliable transit systems at your fingertips.
Compass Card
Compass is the reloadable fare card that works everywhere on transit in Metro Vancouver. It’s convenient, easy to use, and secure. Simply load Stored Value or a pass onto your card and tap your way across the system.
Where to load: Load your Compass Card online at compasscard.ca, at a Compass Vending Machine or by phone at 604.398.2042.
Customer Service & Information
T: 604.953.3333
5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday to Friday
6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday/Sunday
Airport Transportation
If you plan to land at the Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, you have the option of taking a taxi, using a ride-share service or using TransLink public transportation to get to your next destination in the Metro Vancouver area. Rates vary, depending on your destination and your mode of transportation. If you will be living in the city of New Westminster it is recommended that you take a taxi or use a ride-share service from the airport to your new home.
Be sure to have available an easily-accessible copy of the street address and city name that shows where you are headed to next.
Estimated costs of travelling from the Vancouver International Airport to New Westminster:
| Transportation | Approx Travel time | Cost |
| Taxi | 30 minutes | $60 – $75 |
| Ride-Share (Uber or Lyft) | 40 minutes | $30 – $40 |
| Transit (Train & Bus) | 1.50 hours | $4.25 (+$5* Canada Line YVR AddFare) |
| * $5 Canada Line YVR AddFare applies single-use fares purchased at the YVR-Airport. |
Dress for the Weather
Metro Vancouver has four seasons: Winter (December-March), Spring (April-June), Summer (July-August), and Fall (September-November). Metro Vancouver is also known for its mild climate and rainy weather. Unlike many areas of Canada, Metro Vancouver gets very little snow. During the Fall and Winter, you will need warm and rainproof clothing. Dressing in layers is always a good idea.