Student Guide and Resources
NIC prepared extensive information to assist you navigate your academic life, prepare for living in Vancouver and have a better understanding of Canadian culture. Access these resources through the topics below:
Arriving in Vancouver
Preparation is 9/10 of a good time
Checklist before you arrive
- Accept your seat offering admission.
- If International, apply for your Study Permit.
- Plan your budget.
- Look for accommodation.
- Prepare necessary travel documents:
- Passport
- Letter of Acceptance
- Work Letter Agreement (if applicable)
- Temporary Resident Visa (if applicable)
- Proof of financial support
- Other valuable documents
- Notify us immediately of your study permit approval.
Document Checklist
For complete information, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explains what to expect when you arrive in Canada.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics/arrive-in-canada.html
Keep important documents with you or in your carry-on luggage. Do not place them in your checked luggage. You will need to show important documents to the border services officer when you arrive.
- Your passport.
- The Letter of Introduction provided to you by the visa office that approved your study permit.
- A copy of your Letter of Acceptance from New Image College
- A copy if your Work Letter Agreement from New Image College (if applicable)
- Proof of financial support (e.g.: bank draft, financial statements, letter of credit, or other proof)
- Any other valuable documents, or any current Covid required documents
Packing List
Here is a list of some important essentials to not forget when packing to Vancouver:
- Winter jacket
- Winter boots, gloves, and hat
- Rain boots
- Rain jacket Sweaters and other warm clothing
- Light jacket
- Towels
- Bed sheets and pillow covers.
- Backpack
- Camera/Cellphone/Tablet/Laptop
- Medicine and prescriptions
You can find more information here about what you can bring to Canada. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html
Luggage, Weather and Packing
Remember to check ahead with your airline
for baggage allowance and pack accordingly
to avoid overweight fees. You may wish to consider purchasing travel insurance to protect you from lost or stolen baggage, or unexpected trip cancellation due to severe weather or illness. Vancouver is famous for being wet yet mild
year-round. Vancouver temperatures ranges
from 27 degrees Celsius in summer and up
to about 7 degrees Celsius in winter. The climate is seldom unpleasant, even though Vancouver usually sees more than 150 days of rain each year. Winters are wet, but snow is rare, except on local ski hills. If you are from a country with a warmer climate, you may consider purchasing winter clothing when you arrive.
Electrical
Remember that Canadian voltage is 120 V, 60HZ. You may want o purchase adapters for electrical outlets.
Funds
You cannot enter Canada with more than $10,000 CAD in any form – cash, cheques, bank drafts, traveller’s cheques, you must declare it to the Border Services Officer upon arrival. Plan on bringing enough money to cover your first two month’s of expenses until you open a bank account in Canada.
Border
Whenever you arrive in Canada, you will be required to show the border service officer your approval letter or Letter of Introduction. You will also need to present all other relevant documents as described in the Document Checklist section.
Upon review of your documents, you will be issued your Study Permit and your Work Permit (if applicable). Make sure that your name, date of birth, country of citizenship, etc. are spelled correctly.
Ensure that one of the following statements is listed on your study permit before leaving the immigration area of the airport:
- May work 20 hrs off-campus or full-time during regular breaks if meeting criteria outlined in section 186(v) of IRPR
- May accept employment on or off campus
if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v)
or (w). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria.
One of these statements must be present on your study permit to apply for a Social Insurance Number, which is required to work in Canada.
If there is anything you don’t understand, make sure you ask the border services officer to explain it to you.
If your Study permit does not state that you “may work” or “may accept employment”, you can ask the border officer what the best procedure is to include this information in your Study permit.
In any case, you can always amend your study permit, if needed. To amend your document, you will need to complete a form called Request to Amend the Record of Landing, Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Valid Temporary Resident Documents [IMM 1436] and sign it by hand before mailing it. There does not cost you. The entire process and document checklist can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/request-amend-record-landing-confirmation-permanent-residence-valid-temporary-resident-documents.html
