Frequent questions

Answers to many common questions are presented below.

If you still need assistance, the UVic Exchange Program team is available to help by email at: goglobal@uvic.ca

As an exchange student, you will not be automatically charged the student bus pass fee. This means that you need to manually purchase the student bus pass.
To purchse the bus pass, you must opt in to the UVic U-Pass Package using either of the below methods:
- Online enrolment: Visit the U-Pass webpage and follow the instructions under “How to pay for your pass”.
- In-person enrolment: Visit the UVSS Info Booth in-person once you have arrived in Victoria to purchase the U-Pass and activate your ONECard.

Please note:

Whether you choose to enrol through the online or in-person method, you still need to visit the UVic campus in order to activate your U-Pass (via your ONECard) at one of the activation terminals in the Jamie Cassels Centre(formerly named the University Centre) or the SUB.

Yes, the Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) is a gym on the UVic campus. Information about membership options and rates can be found here.

Please note:

If you have already opted-in to the U-Pass Package, you will have already paid the required ‘Athletics and Recreation’ fee, and therefore will be eligible for the “Fees paid w/ tuition” membership options. If you have not yet (or do not plan to) opt-in to the U-Pass Package, then you will need to pay the “Fees not paid w/ tuition” membership fees.

Yes. You can get the specific academic supports/accommodations (e.g. separate test writing space, longer time to take tests etc.) that you have at your home university.
UVic’s Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) has many supports available to students, and can be utilized by exchange students. If you are comfortable doing so, please let the ICS Exchange Team know that you wish to register with CAL, and we will help connect you. If you instead wish to contact the CAL team directly, please see their registration instructions here.

Yes. All inbound exchange students are automatically enroled in the guard.me/uvic health insurance plan. For more details, please see our Health insurance webpage, or email icsinfo@uvic.ca for more information.

No. Unfortunately, on-campus housing at UVic is too limited to guarantee spaces to exchange students. However, we still encourage students to apply for on-campus housing.

Please note:

If you're a student with a disability or a chronic health condition, you may be eligible for priority consideration for on-campus housing. If you are comfortable doing so, please let the ICS Exchange Team know this once you have been admitted to UVic.

The International Centre for Students has a team of immigration experts (the International Student Advising team) that can advise you on your Canadian immigration documents. See here for all the ways you can connect with an International Student Adviser.

Please note:

Exchange students must be nominated to UVic before receiving support from the International Student Advising team.

There are two options if you do not get a space in UVic’s on-campus housing:
1. Apply for the UVic Homestay program, where you will live with a host family in Victoria.
2. Search for off-campus rentals. For the most up-to-date resources on off-campus rentals (not homestay housing), please visit our Housing and finance Specifically visit the “Where to look for long-term accommodation?” section for online resources to help in your search.

If you need support in your search for housing, please email icsinfo@uvic.ca to be connected with our Housing and Settlement Adviser.