Services and resources for VCC international students
We provide a variety of services to support international students’ study experiences at VCC, including:
- International advising: Get guidance on academic planning, policies, and life as an international student.
- Pre-arrival and new student orientation: Prepare for your studies and settle in with helpful information and orientation sessions.
- Medical insurance: Learn about different types of health insurance and what coverage you need while studying in Canada.
- International Peer Mentor Community (IPMC): Connect with experienced students for peer support, advice, and community building.
- Career guidance for international students: Explore guidance on career options, job search strategies, and work opportunities during and after your studies.
- Workshops and events: Join sessions that provide guidance on immigration and visa requirements.
- Resources and handouts: Access useful guides and materials to support your student experience.
- Exchange and mobility: Discover options to participate in international learning experiences.
Services and resources for all VCC students
VCC offers many services to help you be successful and enjoy your student life on campus, including:
- Bookstore: Check the VCC Bookstore to see what textbooks and supplies you need for your programs and courses.
- Counselling: Find out if you need counselling, and how VCC students can book the free counselling services.
- Financial Aid: Get details about scholarships, awards and bursaries.
- Important Dates: Check important dates, deadlines and upcoming college closures.
- Learning Centre (Tutoring): See how VCC students can get free academic and career support.
- Library: See what services you can get from the libraries on both campuses.
- myVCC: Browse your myVCC account to access your account details, such as schedules and payments.
- Student Records: Get information about how to check your grades, request or order transcripts, and more.
- Students’ Union: Find out different ways you can receive support from SUVCC (Students’ Union of VCC).
- Tax and SIN (Social Insurance Number): Get information about tax forms and the SIN requirement.
- U-Pass and Compass Card: Check how the Compass Card works, and how to activate and load your U-Pass.
- VCC Account and Password: See how you can access your VCC student account or reset your password.
- VCC Email: See how you can access your VCC email and start to get connected.
- VCC Student Photo ID Card: New international students can get their VCC Student ID cards (photo ID) during the IE welcome events or at the Registrar’s Office after classes begin.
- Wi-Fi: Need to connect to Wi-Fi on campus? See how you can get connected.
International student newsletters
Currently-enrolled international students receive a monthly newsletter that includes important updates, reminders and announcements. View the recent issues of the monthly newsletters from the links below, and refer to the website for the most updated information about student support, advising services and other important information.
- 2026: January and February, March, April, June, July, August, September
- 2025: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Email [email protected] with your suggestions on what to include in the newsletter.
Volunteer opportunities
We are looking for enthusiastic and outgoing international students in our career programs to help out at upcoming events. Please email [email protected] if you would like to volunteer. A few examples of volunteering opportunities include the New International Student Orientations and special on-campus events.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
If you have a specific question and cannot find the answer on the website, connect with the international advising team or email [email protected] with your student ID, name and program.
Welcome to VCC! Before your classes begin, make sure you:
- Apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Check your private health insurance (GuardMe)
- Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Get a BCID card to avoid carrying your passport as identification
- Open a bank account in Canada (CIBC, RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, etc.)
- Find a cellphone provider (Fido, Rogers, Bell, Telus, etc.)
Ready to start at VCC? Here is what you should do next.
- Update your contact information in your myVCC account.
- Upload your study permit to your myVCC account
- Attend a new international student orientation
- Get your VCC student ID card
- Link your U-Pass and Compass Card – Vancouver Community College
- Explore the campus: Downtown Campus Map and Broadway Campus Map
- Check your Class Schedules
- Stay connected through the VCC Student Newsletter
- Access Open Education Resources
For more information, check Pre-Arrival and Orientation.
Yes. Most international students who live in British Columbia for six months or longer are required to apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP).
MSP provides coverage for medically necessary services, such as visits to a doctor or hospital care. However, MSP does not cover all health-related expenses, such as prescription medications, dental care, or vision care.
Because MSP coverage does not begin immediately after arrival, VCC automatically enrolls eligible new international students in temporary private medical insurance for their first 90 days in Canada. This ensures you have health coverage while waiting for MSP coverage to begin.
In addition to MSP and temporary medical insurance, most eligible international students are automatically enrolled in the Students’ Union extended health and dental plan, which provides additional coverage for services not covered by MSP.
Learn more:
- Medical Insurance for VCC international students
- Government of B.C. Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- VCC Students’ Union Health & Dental Plan
The U-Pass BC program provides eligible students with affordable and convenient access to unlimited public transit across the Metro Vancouver region.
To use your U-Pass BC, you must purchase a Compass Card and link it to your U-Pass BC account. Visit the U-Pass BC website and follow the instructions to sign in, link your Compass Card, and activate your pass.
Learn more:
Continuing students who are eligible to continue their program will either be registered into classes by VCC or receive instructions to register themselves, depending on their program of study. Students with outstanding holds or who are not eligible to continue may need to resolve these issues before registration can be completed. Check Course Registration for more information.
After registration is complete, VCC’s Student Accounts Office will email you information about your tuition balance and payment deadline, and you can also view your class schedule in your myVCC account.
International students are responsible for maintaining full-time enrolment unless they qualify for an authorized exception. Learn more about VCC’s full-time enrolment requirements and Immigration Considerations for International Students.
It depends. Before registering for courses during a scheduled break, speak with your program department to ensure that additional course(s) will not affect your program progression, and discuss how course registration during scheduled breaks may impact your immigration status and study permit conditions with an International Student Immigration Advisor.
For more information, check Full-Time or Part-Time Course Load During a Regular Scheduled Break.
Dropping or withdrawing from a course may have academic, financial, and immigration consequences. Depending on your situation, it may affect:
- Your full-time enrolment status at VCC.
- Your eligibility to work in Canada.
- Your future Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.
- Your academic progression.
- Your eligibility for a tuition refund, depending on when you withdraw and your program’s refund policy.
Before dropping or withdrawing from a course, speak with your program department to understand the academic and financial implications. You should also consult an International Student Immigration Advisor to discuss how the change may affect your immigration status and future PGWP eligibility.
Learn more: Withdrawal and Refunds
Taking a leave from your studies may have academic and immigration implications. International students are expected to follow the study schedule outlined for their program at VCC. Changes such as taking an unauthorized leave, becoming a part-time student, creating an unscheduled gap in studies, or not following a scheduled break may affect your:
- Study permit conditions and validity.
- Eligibility to work on campus or off campus.
- Future Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.
In limited and extenuating circumstances, international students may request an official leave from studies if they have appropriate supporting documentation. Approval of a leave request is determined according to VCC policies and does not automatically guarantee that there will be no impact on your academic or immigration status. Before requesting a leave or making changes to your study schedule, consult an International Student Immigration Advisor to understand the potential academic and immigration consequences.
I’m going into year 2 of my program. When will I receive my schedule? How do I know how much my tuition is and what the payment deadline is?
You will receive your schedule approximately one month prior to you beginning Year 2, provided that you are in good academic standing and you have no holds on your account. The exact date you will be registered depends on when the schedule is available. After you have been registered, you will receive an email from the Student Accounts office with information about your tuition fees owing and payment deadlines. You can also view your schedule on your myVCC account.
If you have questions about your tuition and/or payment deadline, please contact the Student Accounts Office directly in person or by email at [email protected]
Many international students may be eligible or required to file an annual Canadian income tax return, depending on their individual circumstances.
Filing a tax return may allow you to claim eligible tax credits or receive government benefits.
Common tax documents you may need include:
- T2202 – Tuition and Education Credit Certificate: Issued by Vancouver Community College (VCC) and available through your myVCC account around late February. This form shows eligible tuition fees paid during the tax year.
- T4 – Statement of Remuneration Paid: Issued by your employer and shows employment income and deductions.
- Other tax slips: For example, bank interest statements or investment income slips, if applicable.
If you are required or choose to file a tax return, you should keep your tax documents for your records.
Learn more:
After you complete your program and all final grades have been submitted, VCC will conduct a graduation audit. Depending on your program, you may also need to apply to graduate.
The graduation audit can take up to six (6) weeks. Once your credential has been awarded, the International Education Office will email you the following documents, which are requied if you plan to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
For more information, check PGWP – VCC Documents, Graduation, and Application Timeline.
- VCC Program Completion Letter
- VCC Electronic Transcript (with confirmation of graduation)
Convocation ceremonies are usually held twice a year. Visit the VCC Convocation webpage for upcoming ceremony dates, eligibility requirements, and answers to frequently asked questions.
If you have additional questions, email [email protected].