Requirements

What type of Visa will I need ?
All visa regulations are decided by immigration Canada. If you would like more information please check out their website.
You will be able to confirm what the Visa regulations are for your country of origin. You may also want to contact the nearst Canadian Embassy or Canadian Consulate.

Here is an up to date list of the countries whose citizens need a Visa to visit Canada:
»http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas_e.html

Note about trips to the USA
If you are planning to travel to Seattle, Washington. Which is only 3 hours drive away from Vancouver, you should obtain information regarding the USA Visa requirements in advance. Please visit the USA American Embassy or American Consulate in your country of origin.

What happens if I get sick?
Medical Insurance
You must have comprehensive health and accident insurance during your stay in British Columbia. You must show proof of insurance coverage before starting classes. The BC Medical Services Plan is available to students who have been in Canada for at least 3 months. The current rate is $60 per month. Consequently, you must buy private medical insurance for the first three months of your visit. It is best to buy insurance before you leave home. If you prefer, VAS will arrange medical insurance for you. The cost is CAN$70 per month.

To have your medical insurance arranged by VAS, you must pay for it when applying for admission. Insurance fees are not refundable.

May I open a Banking Account?
Students who carry cash sometimes lose it. You can avoid this problem by keeping your money in a bank account. You can then use cheques for most purchases, including payment of your school fees.

You can easily open an account at the Royal Bank as soon as you arrive. You can obtain an application form once you are in Vancouver. You should complete the application form and take it to the Royal Bank at VAS office.

You can save time by faxing the form before you go. Someone at VAS can help you do this.

You must be living in a Homestay, apartment, or house. The bank does not accept hotel, motel, or hostel addresses.

If you do not have a student visa, you should have a letter from the school, confirming enrollment. You can get this letter from VAS.

The bank will open a signature account for you and issue a client card and a temporary supply of cheques. Students have the option of a saving account.

How is the Public Transportation System in Vancouver?
Public transportation in Vancouver is generally comfortable and reliable. A network of buses, trains, skytrain, and seabus ( ferries) link all parts of the city. The Vancouver Regional Transit System (Translink) is divided into three fare zones. Ticket costs increase as zone boundaries are crossed. The greater the distance you are traveling, the more zones you will cross. Fares are reduced after 6:30pm on weekdays and all weekend long. A monthly "Fare Card" (bus pass) costs $63, $87, or $120, depending on how many zones it includes. Your Homestay family will probably be in the same zone as the school. Upon arrival, you will receive information about schedules, routes and fares.

To enjoy simple, trouble-free public transportation, take the following precautions:

1. Try to make arrangements to go with other students from the same neighborhood. Groups have more fun and do not often become lost.

2. If it is convenient, ask someone from your host family to escort you to the bus stop on the first day. Some hosts ride the bus to show their student where to get off.

3. Make sure you have a bus pass, or the correct change, before getting on the bus.

4. If necessary, ask your hosts to make a brief note explaining your destination.