Getting started

We recommend that you plan to arrive in Victoria 2-4 weeks before the start of term so you have time to complete self-isolation (if required), settle in, find a place to stay, recover from travelling, and participate in orientation events designed to help you transition to UVic.

If family members will accompany you to Canada, you may need to allow more time for settling in. The Family Centre at UVic is an inclusive family resource centre located in the Student Family Housing complex supporting a diverse student family community living both on and off campus.

The University of Victoria (UVic) is located in Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria is situated on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. There is no fixed connection (bridge or roadway) connecting Vancouver Island to mainland BC. 

Travelling to Canada by air

The closest international airport to Victoria is the Victoria International Airport (YYJ). 

While COVID-19 travel restrictions and exemptions continue to be in effect, all air travellers must follow instructions on the Government of Canada’s COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders website to plan your arrival to Canada.  

For the latest information about the COVID-19 mandatory quarantine or isolation, refer to the Travelling to Canada and self-isolation section of the ICS website and the Government of Canada’s website.

Transportation from Victoria International Airport

Visit the Victoria International Airport website for a list of transportation options for when you arrive.

You can also visit the Directions to UVic website for information on how to reach UVic from the airport.

Travelling to Victoria from Vancouver

Please be aware that the city of Vancouver (and its international airport) is not located on Vancouver Island. If you will fly to Vancouver International Airport, you will need to make arrangements to travel onward to Victoria. You must follow the current public health measures when travelling to Victoria from the mainland.

Visit the Directions to UVic website for information on how to reach UVic from Vancouver.

Travelling to Victoria by sea

There is a regularly scheduled ferry service from Vancouver and the Gulf Islands (bcferries.com, bcfconnector.com) and from Washington State (cohoferry.com, wsdot.wa.gov/ferries).

For information on reaching UVic from the ferry terminals, visit the Directions to UVic website.

Please review our Planning your travel page for information about the necessary documents for entry to Canada. In addition, you should also bring any of the following documents that apply to your situation:

• birth certificate or baptismal certificate
• driver's licence
• vehicle registration, licence, and insurance papers
• immunization, vaccination, dental, and health records
• health insurance documents
• marriage certificate or proof of common-law status
• separation or divorce papers
• adoption papers
• language proficiency scores
• official school records or academic transcripts (for yourself and any accompanying family members who will study in Canada)
• medical or psychological documents if you plan to access services for students with a disability or short or long-term health issues
• letters of reference from former employers
• documents required for entry into other countries you plan to visit

Make copies of all important documents and keep the copies in a safe place, separate from the originals.

You are allowed to bring personal items into Canada, but there are restrictions on things like pets, plants, food products, and herbal remedies. Current regulations are available on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website.

If you plan to bring many personal items, consider having them shipped or mailed after you arrive in Victoria.

Clothing

Students at UVic tend to dress casually with an emphasis on comfort and practicality.

If you plan to work, you will need business attire for interviews and certain job placements.

You may wish to bring some formal or traditional clothing from your home country for special occasions.

Victoria has the mildest climate in all of Canada, but we do have four distinct seasons, and appropriate clothing is required for each. The west coast of Canada is famous for its rain, so you will need a raincoat, waterproof shoes or boots, and an umbrella. For winter months you will also need a warm jacket, gloves, a scarf, and a hat.

The weather can be difficult to predict at any time of year, so we recommend dressing in multiple removable layers.

Vehicles

If you plan to bring a vehicle to British Columbia (BC), visit the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) website to make sure you meet all the legal requirements.

Bring goods or money across the border

Exchange enough currency to cover your immediate expenses in Canada, such as airport taxes, food, and transportation. Ask for Canadian dollars in denominations of less than $50. If you do not want to carry cash, major credit cards are also widely accepted.

Ask your bank at home about the best way to transfer money to Canada. Some international students use a bank draft for large dollar values. Other students rely on international wire transfers.

If you arrive in Canada from abroad with currency or monetary instruments (including but not limited to stocks, bonds, bank drafts, cheques and travellers cheques) valued at $10,000 Canadian or more, you must report it on the CBSA Declaration Card. For more information about how to bring goods across the Canadian border, refer to the CBSA website. 

A few more suggestions...

Consider bringing the following:

• items that will remind you of home and help you feel comfortable in your new surroundings, such as photographs of friends and family and your favourite books and music
• contact information for family and friends so you can stay in touch
• comforting food recipes that remind you of home
• a sleeping bag or blanket, sheets, a pillow, and a towel or two
• a bilingual dictionary or translation app if English is not your first language
• a voltage converter and plug adapter if your appliances and electronic equipment are not compatible with Canadian electricity (110 volts, 60 Hz)
• a four-month supply of any medications you require (all medications must be in the original packaging and should be accompanied by a prescription from your physician)

Do not miss the many fun and informative orientation events designed to help you have a smooth transition to UVic.

We encourage you to attend as many UVic orientation events as possible. As an international student, you may have some unique needs, so our office has planned an International Student Welcome to help you get connected with the UVic community and settled in your new home - Victoria. Registration is required for all International Student Welcome events and activities.

Read the Identification Cards handout for important information about getting a UVic ONECard, a provincial identification card, and an International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

If you have a study permit, we recommend opening an account at a financial institution in Victoria.

The major banks in Victoria include BMO, CIBC, CWB, HSBC, RBC, Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust. Research your options before making a decision. Some banks will request your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to open an account, however this is not required for all banks.

Please read the Banking handout for important information about choosing a financial institution and opening an account.

There are no bank branches on campus, but TD Canada Trust and RBC have automated teller machines (ATMs) on campus. If you use an ATM that is not owned by your financial institution, you will probably be charged a service fee.

Learn about the many services and resources on campus that are available to support you in achieving your personal, academic, and career goals.

Join the UVic Global Community! Our UVic Global Community Facebook group provides daily updates. Our bi-weekly newsletter helps you stay informed. Our programs support your transition to UVic.

The Tourism Victoria Visitor Centre can help you discover all that this wonderful city has to offer.

Refer to the handouts on our Resources webpage for topics about adjusting to a new culture, shopping in Victoria, and more.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), if you are in Canada with a study permit you must actively pursue and make timely progress towards completing a program of study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

This means your academic enrollment status at UVic will impact your compliance with your study permit conditions. Your enrollment will also have implications for your ability to work on and off campus, and your eligibility to apply for a post-graduation work permit.

Make sure you understand the structure of an academic year at UVic and that you are familiar with the definitions* of full-time studies and part-time studies for undergraduate students or for graduate students.

* Please note there are different full-time definitions for JD students in the Faculty of Law.

An easy way to confirm your registration status at UVic is to check your verification of enrolment, which you can access through UVic My Page in the Student Services section under the Online Request Forms tab.

Your program planning choices will impact your registration status at UVic, so please seek academic advice early and often:

• Undergraduate students who are engaged in a program of study leading to a UVic credential should contact the appropriate academic adviser.
• Graduate students who are engaged in a program of study leading to a UVic credential should contact the appropriate graduate adviser or graduate secretary.
• Incoming exchange students and incoming study abroad/visiting students should contact the International Exchange Program Team at International Centre for Students (ICS). (Note: Business exchange students must contact the Gustavson School of Business for support).

Make sure to consult with the International Student Advising (ISA) team if you have questions about your academic enrollment status at UVic and whether your program planning choices will satisfy the conditions of your study permit and maintain your authorization to work in Canada.

The transit system in Victoria operates seven days a week, 365 days a year. UVic is a major transit hub in the community. Students can use their UVic ONECard as a bus pass through the universal bus pass (U-Pass) program. For more information, see Using your ONECard for transit.

Exchange and visiting research students: U-Pass privileges are not automatically included on your UVic ONECard, but you can opt in by purchasing a UVSS or GSS membership package.

UVic has lots of great resources for cyclists.

Cyclists are required by law to wear a helmet at all times and to use both a front headlight and a rear light at night.

To drive a vehicle in British Columbia (BC), you must have a valid driver’s licence and insurance.

Visit the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) website for comprehensive information about moving to BC from overseas.

UVic offers several alternative driving options.

If you plan to drive a vehicle to campus, you must either park where there is a meter or purchase a parking permit.

Taxis are generally too expensive for regular use but can be convenient in certain situations.

Taxis in Victoria are operated by well-established companies that provide safe transportation and electronically metered fares.

The taxi companies in Victoria include BlueBird Cabs, Victoria Taxi, and Yellow Cab.

Be sure to create a UVic email account so you receive important messages from UVic, including notifications about your registration date and time, and your movement on waitlists.

If you do not want to check multiple email accounts, you can arrange for messages sent to your UVic email account to be automatically forwarded to the email account you plan to check regularly.

Computing facilities are available on campus.

The Computer Help Desk is the first place to contact when you have computer-related questions.

A Computer Store is located in the UVic Bookstore and has a selection of hardware and software.

If you have a laptop or other mobile device you can access free wireless internet on campus. Many businesses in Victoria, such as coffee shops and restaurants, also offer free wireless internet.

Canada Post provides delivery service for letters, documents, and parcels within Canada, to the US, and internationally.

Use the Find a Post Office tool to locate a post office near you.