Your department will work to get permission to offer you employment in Canada. Before you can accept that offer, you'll need to apply for a work permit at the nearest Canadian visa office in your country of citizenship or residence, or online via the IRCC website.

Other things you should know

• Residents of some countries are also required to obtain temporary resident visas and or electronic travel authorizations.
• You're responsible for all fees associated with all government immigration applications.

New faculty and staff with questions about obtaining their Work Permits or Permanent Resident status may contact Housing & Relocation Services for individual support from a regulated immigration consultant.

Once all relevant documents are in place, you'll be able to travel to Canada and meet with a Canadian Border Services Officer. They'll ask you some questions, and then staple the necessary (conditional) permits into your passport(s). Each eligible family member can then work or study legally in Canada. If you have children traveling with you, ensure they receive a stamp in their passport or visitor record.

Renewing your work permit can be done online via the IRCC website from within Canada, well in advance of the expiry date. If you're a temporary resident visa holder, you need a current and valid work permit to travel to other countries and return to Canada.

You can apply for a permanent residency (landed immigrant) status if you have an ongoing appointment at UBC.

Common ways of doing this include:

• BC provincial nominee program: We support tenure-stream faculty when your academic unit "nominates" you to stay and work in Canada.
• Express entry: A points-based application system used to apply for permanent residency. UBC faculty members usually choose one of the following options: Applying as a federal skilled worker, based on education, work experience and other set criteria, or; Applying as Canadian experience class, for those with one year of recent Canadian work experience.

Family sponsorship: If you're a permanent resident, you're entitled to sponsor parents and grandparents to join you in Canada. Find information on this process on the IRCC website.​​​

You can apply for citizenship after being present in Canada as a permanent resident for a specified amount of time.

Work with your hiring department at UBC to complete these steps:

1. Acceptance and signing of your offer of employment/appointment (from your hiring department)
2. Submission of various documents (by your hiring department) to UBC's Human Resources department to begin the immigration process. They'll ask you for these documents.
3. Temporary work permit offer from UBC, through either a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or under a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption.
4. Application for a work permit (by you), once the LMIA is approved or eligibility for an LMIA exemption is confirmed. You may need to apply for a temporary resident visa before being permitted to work.
   It's your responsibility to contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to apply for your work permit and to get any required visas or medical examinations. Citizens of certain countries also need a temporary resident visa (TRV) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).  Find out if you need a visa.
5. Begin arrangements for your move to Canada.
6. You'll receive a letter or email from IRCC once the work permit has been granted. Your work permit will be issued at the border upon your arrival in Canada, so be sure to have the following documentation available for inspection: Letter of offer of employment from UBC, passports, temporary resident visa (if applicable), travel documents (airline tickets, etc.), any family documentation (marriage, birth certificates).

Licensed Childcare:

Licensed child care is a highly regulated and monitored service that prioritizes children's safety, education, and well-being. Staff are required to have early childhood education, undergo background checks, and maintain certifications. The daycare follows a structured curriculum, maintains detailed records for each child, and adheres to strict staff-to-child ratios. Physical or emotional punishment is prohibited, and emergency preparedness protocols are in place to ensure a secure environment for all children.

Registered License-Not-Required Child Care:

This care type is registered with a Childcare Resource and Referral Centre but not licensed. Providers are over 19, have a criminal background check, basic child training, 20 hours of experience, a first-aid certificate, and group liability insurance. Their home must pass safety inspections. They can care for up to 2 children from the same sibling group who are not related to them, covering ages birth to 12 years old.

License-Not-Required Child Care:

Similar to registered care, but with no government inspections or qualifications required. Parents are responsible for ensuring their child’s safety. Two children or a sibling group who are not related to them is the maximum group size for this type of care.

In-child’s-own-home:

Unlicensed home child care is when parents hire a nanny or babysitter to care for their child in their own home. This care is exclusively for the family’s children and cannot include children from other families. The caregiver must not be a live-in relative.

There are no legal requirements to monitor this type of care, and caregivers aren’t required to have formal qualifications or training. Parents are responsible for screening and hiring the caregiver, who becomes their employee. As employers, parents must make regular payments to Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and register with Revenue Canada and WorkSafeBC.

UBC Childcare Services offers early childhood education and care for families on the UBC Vancouver campus and beyond. It serves over 750 children across 30 licensed facilities, catering to children from infancy to school age. With more than 250 staff members, the centre emphasizes learning, development, and community connection. Families can apply year-round, and the centre operates on a waitlist system; priority admission can be found on their website.

All faculty and staff may apply for the UBC childcare waitlist. The waitlist tend to be long, and we suggest that you inquire early about available space.

In an effort to improve timing of access into on-campus childcare, this supplementary Priority Childcare Placement Program (PCPP) provides a limited number of tenure-stream faculty members with higher placement on the UBC Childcare waitlist to support strategic recruitment and retention priorities. Department Heads or Deans may recommend tenure-stream faculty members for this program by completing the application below. Applications are forwarded to the Deputy Provost for review and consideration. 

UBC Childcare charges an additional $150 monthly premium on top of regular childcare rates for daycare spots secured through the PCPP. The supporting Faculty or Department is required to pay this additional monthly premium for each PCPP-assisted childcare spot for two years. 

PCPP spots will only be considered for children under the age of 5; school-aged children are not eligible for this program. While both recruitment and retention applications are accepted, recruitment applications will be prioritized. Retention applications will only be considered once all recruitment applications have been allotted a spot.

The application portal is now closed. Please note that applications are open twice a year (in Spring and Fall) for a period of one month. The next round of applications for spots in the second half of 2026 will be open from March 23, 2026, to April 24, 2026.

Contact UBC Housing, Immigration and Relocation Services at pcpp.info@ubc.ca if you have questions about the PCPP and application process.

• University Hill is a licensed non-profit preschool that offers a play-based program, which primarily follows the Reggio Emilia approach to teaching. It includes specific activities of the Montessori school as well, referred to as "exercises of practical life". Their programs run from September to June and welcome 3-year-old and 4-year-old students.
• Berwick Child Development Centre offers licensed childcare spaces to children ages 3-5 year-round in an integrated setting with typical children as well as children with special needs. Classes are offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with extended day options from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. as well as 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Berwick focuses on growing communication and social skills in a rich and engaging learning environment. Priority placements are given to children of UBC faculty, staff, students, or University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) residents. Applications for supported special needs spaces at Berwick should refer to the Vancouver Supported Child Development Program.
• Vista Point YMCA Child Care Centre has been made possible through a partnership between the YMCA, the UNA, and UBC. This centre has been built with the expressed purpose of addressing childcare needs for UBC’s growing residential community, with priority for families who do not work or study at UBC. It is intended to complement the services provided by UBC Childcare Services, who give priority to families who work or study at UBC.
• Wesbrook Childcare Centre accommodates 49 childcare spaces for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children. The facility is the first building to meet the UBC Green Building Action Plan strategies in energy, water, materials and resources, biodiversity, health and wellbeing, quality, climate adaption, and place and experience. The center is managed by the UNA and operated by the YMCA. 

UBC holds a corporate membership with Kids & Company providing faculty and staff with access to emergency childcare and priority placement. You are encouraged to sign up on the waiting list as early as possible. 

UBC's current membership with Kids & Company is valid until July 31, 2026. Once it expires, if you are still on the waiting list, there is a possibility that you may not be offered a spot. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to explore other childcare providers well in advance. 

Back-up passes for emergency childcare

As part of our membership, UBC has a limited number of back-up passes for emergency childcare. Each pass is equal to one day, with up to five days available per employee, and are subject to availability. 

If you are a UBC faculty or staff member and wish to request emergency back-up care, please email pcpp.info@ubc.ca with the following information:

• Your child's name
• Your child's date of birth and gender
• Your name and UBC EID
• Phone number
• Email address
• Preferred location(s)
• Number of requested days
• Dates needed
• Have you used back-up passes with us before?

Please note that while every effort is made to accommodate requests, Kids & Company cannot guarantee your preferred dates or location.

The public school system in British Columbia offers education from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with a focus on student-centered learning and inclusivity. Schools are divided into elementary, middle, and secondary levels. The curriculum emphasizes literacy, numeracy, creativity, and critical thinking while incorporating Indigenous perspectives. BC also provides programs for French Immersion, special education, and extracurricular activities. Public schooling is funded by the government, and students attend schools based on their residential catchment area. The system is overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Please visit your local school district website for information on the registration process, school directories, catchment areas and specialized programs and services.

• Vancouver
• Richmond
• Burnaby
• New Westminster
• Coquitlam / Port Coquitlam/ Port Moody
• North Vancouver
• West Vancouver
• Surrey
• Langley

Public Schools on UBCV Campus

There are three public schools on UBC campus that are within the Vancouver School district:

• Norma Rose Elementary
• University Hill Elementary
• University Hill Secondary School 

There is no guarantee that your child will be placed in your preferred school. ​​​​​​

To register for public schools on campus, refer to Registering for Schools in Vancouver.

Private School

Private schools in British Columbia provide families with diverse educational choices, including faith-based, Montessori, and other specialized programs. These institutions typically feature smaller class sizes and different curricula compared to public schools, which may appeal to families seeking alternative educational experiences for their children. Tuition rates vary, and admission processes can differ by school, often requiring applications and assessments. Families considering private education should weigh the benefits and costs to determine the best fit for their child's needs and educational goals. 

Children are required to register online through the Newcomer Welcome Centre (NWC), if one of the following criteria applies to them:

• Grade 1 to Grade 12 students born in Canada, and who DO NOT speak English as their home language.
• Kindergarten to Grade 12 students born outside Canada, regardless of language spoken at home.
• Parent/legal guardian is neither a Canadian Citizen or a Permanent Resident. This applies even if the child was born in Canada.
• Former students, who meet the criteria listed above, who were withdrawn from the VSB and have returned.

If your child was born in Canada, English is their first language, and none of the criteria indicated above apply, you will need to register on the VSB Apply Now portal.

Required Documents:

The following documents are needed for the online registration to determine eligibility:

• Proof of British Columbia residency;
• The original birth certificate of the child;
• Applicable Immigration/Citizenship/Permanent Resident Documentation;
• Immunization Records, if available;
• Most recent report card, if available.

Documents that are not in English or French need to be translated in English by a certified translator. Please visit VSB for a comprehensive list of required documents.

Registration process:

After you complete the online registration process, you will be required to appear in person at the NWC with your child and your original documents. Use the confirmation email you received, after you submitted your online registration, to book an in-person appointment with a Registrar. You will need to present your original supporting documents during this meeting. Missing documents will delay the process. 

Once your registration has been reviewed by a Registrar, and your child is assessed, if necessary, the completed registration package and the assessment results will be sent directly to the catchment/placement school. The school will contact you shortly after to discuss the next steps. 

School Placement:

Your child will be placed at your neighbourhood school if you live within that school's boundary and there is space and a program available. If your catchment school is full, the school will find a place for your child at the next closest school that has space and a program available.

An elementary school student can transfer to the neighbourhood school when space becomes available. Secondary school students can only transfer to the neighbourhood school at the end of the school year, provided there is space, resources and a program available to accommodate the student.

If you arrive in the summer and your children are starting school in September, you may not find out the school they have been allocated to until late August.

Foreign nationals and international fees:

New UBC faculty members who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply for either a study permit or a visitor record for each of their children. The documents will be attached to the children’s passports, with marked dates that they can legally reside in Canada.

Dates usually match the dates set out in the faculty member’s work permit. Preschool children do not need a study permit and can obtain a visitor record or a stamp in their passport on entry to Canada.

Your work permit must be valid for a full year in order to register your children in school without paying international fees.

• Visit ChildCareBC for more information on childcare services available in Vancouver.
• Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre provides information, referrals, training and resources to families and care givers. Initiatives include the active recruitment of “license not required” caregivers (LNRs) around Vancouver and the accessibility to toy library services.
• The Development Disabilities Association (DDA) provides over 50 community-based programs and services for all children (including special needs), youths, and adults. UBC has partnered with the DDA to enhance the availability of child care for faculty and staff in five of their centres.
• Nannies on Call provides reliable quality childcare 24/7. Nannies have two years childcare experience, are pre-screened, and are first aid certified.
• The Affordable Childcare Benefit is a monthly payment to help eligible families with the cost of childcare. Factors like income, family size, and type of care determine how much support families can get. Families need to renew their applications every year.
• The UNA provides community centres, parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and community gardens throughout UBC’s residential neighbourhoods.
  1. Wesbrook Community Centre is located in the heart of Wesbrook Village, a resident-focused recreation in the UBC community. The community centre includes studios, gymnasiums, fitness centres, recycling centre and parking services.
  2. Located at Hawthorn Place, the Old Barn Community Centre provides a social, recreational and community gathering place for residents and students on campus. The Old Barn Community Centre houses meeting rooms, social spaces, a fitness centre and the Bean Around the World coffee shop.
• UBC Camps is a leading provider of high-quality camps for children ages 3-17. They offer a vast selection of summer camps, including adventure, art and music, enrichment, and sport and recreation programming.
• UBC Recreation is committed to providing all individuals on campus with welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable physical recreation opportunities. Some programs offered include the Intercultural Physical Activity Series, Move More, Learn More and Walking Programs.  
• StrongStart is a free drop-in program offered to parents and caregivers with children ages zero to five years old.  StrongStart program emphasizes learning through play, language and positive social interactions. StrongStart provides a rich learning environment, designed for early learning development.  Qualified early childhood educators lead learning activities where children find opportunities to make friends and interact with others of similar ages.  The overall learning experience is shared as parents and caregivers attend with their children and are encouraged to get involved in activities like telling stories, playing games and serving healthy snacks.  English as a first language is not necessary to attend a StrongStart program.

A cover letter is a one-page document that provides your prospective employer with an overview of your qualifications, showcasing specific work experiences that make you a strong candidate for the role you are applying for. It’s your chance to demonstrate how your background aligns with the specific needs of the employer, and to highlight the transferable skills that make you an asset to the organization. While a cover letter is not always required, if a job posting asks for or recommends it, be sure to include one. It is essential to customize your cover letter for every application to effectively address the company’s unique requirements. 

Other considerations

• Take the time to thoroughly review the job posting and note examples where you’ve applied the required skills. 
• Research the company to understand its culture, voice and values. 
• Proofread your draft cover letter carefully to ensure there are no grammatical or formatting errors.

A resume is your opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences in a way that demonstrates you can succeed in the role. Keep in mind that employers typically spend a very short time reviewing each resume, so it’s essential to make yours clear, concise, and focused on your most transferable skills. To stand out, tailor your resume to the specific industry and role you’re applying for, emphasizing the experiences that best match the job requirements. Ideally, your resume should be a one or two page document that includes the following sections:

Personalize your resume
To help your resume stand out, feel free to personalize it by adding a colourful header, a unique layout, or other design elements. However, ensure your resume remains well-organized and easy to read. We don’t recommend adding photos or graphics to a resume.

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation, you can stand out as a top candidate. Here are some key strategies to help you succeed:

Other considerations

• Arrive 5-10 minutes early for your interview, and take a moment to introduce yourself with a smile while maintaining eye contact with the interviewer(s). 
• Dress in professional attire that suits the industry and company culture. 
• Listen carefully to each question and taking a few seconds to gather your thoughts before responding. 

UBC Careers: Explore opportunities available in the areas of clerical/secretarial, technical, trades, management and professional positions, and for faculty positions.

UBC Hiring Solutions: gain experience working at UBC through temporary short term placements. 

Dual Career Programs: assist partners in exploring faculty and staff job possibilities at UBC, as well as other career options in the Greater Vancouver area.

The search boards are a great tool, however, it is recommended to apply directly on the said company's websites, through their careers page. 

• CivicInfo BC
• Canada’s Top 100
• BCJobs
• Canada Job Bank
• WorkBC
• LinkedIn
• Indeed

The cost of renting in Kelowna varies greatly depending on the rental location, size, age, and condition of the home.

For a bachelor or studio suite (a single room with a kitchen and bathroom) monthly rental costs start at about $1,400, while the average one-bedroom apartment costs $1,700 and a two-bedroom apartment is typically $2,000 per month.

The usual practice is to pay half of the month’s rent up front as a damage deposit that will be given back to you at the end of your rental agreement, as long as you leave the place clean and well maintained.

Resources for renters

To help you understand your rights as a tenant, here are some valuable resources:

• Residential Tenancy Office – Provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services.
• Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (tenants.bc.ca) – Provides legal education and information about residential tenancy matters to tenants, community advocates and others.

Where to look for rental housing

If you need short or long-term accommodation on or near the Okanagan campus, consider the following:

• UBCO conferences and accommodations – Short-term contemporary, standard or deluxe apartments with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms. Bookings available online (okanagan.ubcconferences.com) for the non-academic season: May- mid-August only.
• University District - Condominium rentals about a 5-10 minute walk from campus.
• ARGUS Properties Ltd. - Residential rental properties in and around Kelowna. Ask for the Argus Advantage program discount for UBC employees
• ​​​​​Worman Residential Rentals - Numerous purpose-built affordable rental properties to fit various lifestyles.
• Associated Property Management- search their website for existing listings or contact them to add your name to their list of 'searching'
• Nest Host- short-term corporate stays in furnished homes or apartments.
• Zumper- Homes and condos for rent website.
• Sabbatical Homes – Popular website maintains a rental listings web page, with options often lower-priced than on standard rental sites.
• Padmapper- A new website with numerous listings to choose from and statistics, updated monthly, regarding the local rental market.
• Kelowna Resort Accommodations – 120 fully furnished units available for short or long term.
• Owner Direct rentals – Short-term rentals available on this website, including at Quail Ridge, close to UBC and situated on a golf course with options for villas, condos or house rentals.
• Kelowna Tourism listings – Hotels, motels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfast rentals.
• Classified listings – Use these websites and agencies to help find rental options in and around UBC and Kelowna: Castanet; Craigslist; Kijiji.

There are a variety of housing options for purchase in and around Kelowna, including single family homes, apartments, condominiums, and townhouses. The following tools, sites and services can assist you in purchasing a home in the area:

Real Estate Council of British Columbia- Procedures and information about buying a home in British Columbia.

Association of Interior Realtors- Tools to help you find a realtor, a home and learn about Kelowna neighborhoods.

Rank My Agent - a tool to find the top rated agents in Kelowna.

Canadian Bankers Association – Consumer information on mortgages, financing and the Canadian Home Buyer’s Plan.

Canada Home & Mortgage Corporation – Information on mortgage loan insurance, mortgage-backed securities, housing policy and programs, and housing research.

Get full details on home-buying options, realtor and banking information on our buying a home in B.C. page.

The following resources are available to members of the UBC community:

• UBC’s Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) –  A confidential counselling service that can help you or your family members with any personal problem, big or small, that affects your family life, your work life or your general wellbeing.
• Relocation fact sheets have been provided, below, but please contact our Relocation and Benefits Associate for more information:
  • Housing resources (PDF)
  • Neighbourhood profiles
    • North Kelowna (PDF)
    • South Kelowna (PDF)
    • West Kelowna (PDF)
  • Child-care resources
    • Child-care resources (PDF)
  • Elementary and secondary schools
    • School registration K-12 (PDF)

If you require more information, please contact:

Jacky Ivans
Relocation and Benefits Associate
Human Resources, UBC Okanagan
Phone: 250-807-8928
Email: jacky.ivans@ubc.ca

Office 
OM1 – 1157 Alumni Ave
Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7

Kelowna child care resources

Get information on childcare in B.C. at the BC Government's Childcare BC website. Child care resources for Kelowna and area include:

• UBC Okanagan Child Care- On-campus child care for infants to school-age children for UBC students, faculty, staff and the community.
• Childhood Connections Okanagan - Provides daycare listings and resources for childcare in Kelowna and surrounding areas.
• Boys and Girls Club of Kelowna – Childcare and after school program information
• Document

  child_care_resources.pdf (577.92 KB)

   

Elementary and secondary schools

B.C.'s Ministry of Education is the branch of the provincial government that oversees standards and the quality of the educational system for both publicly-funded and privately-funded schools, from kindergarten through grade 12 (ages 5 - 17).

The Central Okanagan School District in Kelowna, and the Vancouver School Board provide area maps, school directories, and information on local programs and services.

See the school registration, transportation and private school information for Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon: 

With an aging demographic, UBC understands that faculty and staff sometimes care for aging family members, and may benefit from supportive resources.

In addition to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and the Welcome and Relocation Services Centre, here are some examples of external services that can help.

Provincial government’s B.C. Seniors guide: Information for seniors on housing, transportation, finances, recreation, support services, personal security and more.

Seniors Outreach & Resource Centre in the Kelowna area that offers programs and services to assist and enhance the lives of seniors. 

Interior Health Long-term Care for adults who can no longer live safely or independently at home. 

UBC recognizes that relocation often includes a spouse or life partner who may be looking for work. 

Careers at UBC

• Look for UBC career opportunities including postings in the areas of clerical/secretarial, technical, trades, management and professional positions, and for faculty positions.
• UBC Okanagan’s human resources department has auxiliary casual positions for short-term temporary placements that can be either part time or full time. Most of the placements are secretarial and clerical positions, but we also have demand for administrative, clinical secretarial and facilities maintenance staff.

General career and business resources

• Service Canada: Services such as finding a job, starting a business, raising a family, having a baby or planning for retirement.
• Kelowna Community Resource Centre: Assists those with professional experience in finding work in their field and assists with job search and resume writing skills.
• Monster.ca: Information and resources on various careers, an online job searching tool and the ability to create your own work profile.
• Workopolis.com: Information and resources on various careers, an online job searching tool and the ability to create your own work profile.
• Indeed.com: An online job searching tool specializing in finding and monitoring job announcements of employers across Canada. Includes e-mail alerts to job seekers.

Living in Kelowna, you'll have access to a large network of health practitioners, including doctors, dentists and physiotherapists.

B.C's Medical Services Plan, mandatory for all B.C. residents, pays for many medically required services when they're performed in a hospital. There's a three-month waiting period for new residents to obtain coverage under the BC Medical Services Plan.

If you're new to BC or Canada, it's important to arrange for temporary health insurance during this waiting period for you and your family. You're welcome to use any insurance provider you prefer, including those who provide preferred rates to UBC faculty and staff. Learn more about private coverage.

Depending on your job and the length of your appointment at UBC, you may also be eligible to receive extended health and dental benefits as part of your employment benefits package. Learn more about health care coverage options.

See this resource to learn how to find a doctor or specialist in the Kelowna area:  https://www.interiorhealth.ca/locations

UBC’s benefits provider, Sun Life, provides online health and wellbeing companion tools that can help you understand how healthy you are and what health risks you may be facing. As well, you can get up-to-date information about medical conditions, diseases and tests and information about various prescription drugs and how they are used.

You can also create a personal health file online where you can store your health records in an encrypted database protected from outside intrusion. Please note that use of this service is voluntary, anonymous and confidential.

To access the members’ website as a UBC employee, you’ll need an access ID and PIN. To get a Sun Life access ID and PIN, you may register online, or call the Customer Care Centre at 1 800 661 7334. Before Sun Life provides your access ID, you'll be asked a few personal questions, including:

• UBC’s group policy contract number (25205)
• your member ID, which is your seven-digit employee number from your pay stub

Your temporary password will be mailed to you the next day.

Other programs at UBC include return to work, ergonomics, and seminars that promote personal and community health.

Learn about other health and wellbeing options at UBC.

Find a family doctor in the Central Okanagan is an online tool  for a program to help local residents find a family doctor. To search for a specialist or location through Interior Health go here. 

MediMap is an online program to help find a walk-in clinics, in your area, where you can drop-in to see a physician at short notice. Should you have a medical condition, any registered doctor can refer you to a specialist.

Find a physician for your family through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.

Find a dentist in your area through the BC Dental Association.

Doctors are on call through the emergency ward at most local hospitals, which are open 24/7. 

Okanagan-based hospitals can be found through the Interior Health website and include:

• Kelowna General Hospital
• Vernon Jubilee Hospital
• Penticton Regional Hospital

Many independent pharmacy or drug stores exist, in addition to those found within large grocery store chains. Examples of large chain stores with pharmacies include Pharmasave, London Drugs, Shopper’s Drug Mart and Rexall Drugs.

From driving to buses to walking or riding your bike, there are various accessible ways to take you around the city of Kelowna and neighboring communities.

Public transportation

The Kelowna transit system has service throughout the City of Kelowna as well as servicing the communities of West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon and Peachland. There's also an Express rapidBus that runs through Kelowna directly to UBC Okanagan.

Get more information at bctransit.com.
or
Faculty and staff can arrange for a discounted pass through UBC Parking Services. See ProPass for more information. 

Cycling

Cycling is not only a form of exercise but is a popular mode of transportation among residents of Kelowna. There are nearly 300 km of on-street bicycle lanes and 40 km of separated paved multi-use paths. Kelowna’s ‘Rails with Trails’ pathway is one example of a paved multi-use pathway that provides a safe, accessible route for cyclists).

Learn about Kelowna bike routes.

See UBCycles for all biking activities and resources on UBC's Okanagan campus. 

Car sharing

Driving options in the Okanagan include car sharing programs with ZipCar and Modo.

Driver’s license and car insurance

If you have a driver’s license from another Canadian province, the United States, or overseas, your license is valid in British Columbia for a period of 90 days as long as you meet B.C.’s licensing requirements. Prior to the end of the 90-day grace period, you must visit the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) driver licensing office to register for a BC driver’s license.

Most vehicles must be registered, licensed and insured within 30 days of arriving in B.C. You should speak with ICBC about your vehicle’s insurance needs. Be sure to bring the title, registration, and evidence of current insurance with you.

To save money on insurance costs, it's recommended that you bring 10 years’ (or as much as you have) driving history and insurance claims history.

Information about bringing your vehicle to BC is available on the ICBC website.

The Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. All employees are required by Service Canada to present their SIN card to their employer within three days of starting work. you'll also need a bank account to have your paycheque deposited into.

Foreign academics who are to receive salary or an honorarium must apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) from a Service Canada Centre. It can take up to three weeks for a SIN card to be issued, but when the application is made, Service Canada will issue a receipt of application. This receipt and a copy of the work permit must be supplied to your UBC department administrator who will forward them to faculty relations and payroll. It's mandatory that all non-Canadians supply these two pieces of information. UBC appointments cannot be processed without them.

For more information about obtaining a Social Insurance Number, visit the Service Canada website.

Taxation in Canada/B.C. income tax

While at UBC, any earnings received are considered Canadian income, unless otherwise indicated by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in writing prior to arrival.

Please note that, by law, deductions are taken from your salary for Canada Income Tax, Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employment Insurance (EI). If you receive fellowship earnings, these will not be deducted for CPP and EI.

In the spring of every year, you'll receive T4 and/or T4A slips from UBC's payroll department, which you will use to file your tax return. You must ensure your forwarding address is up to date in the event you leave UBC prior to this time.

Please contact a financial advisor or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax and financial information.

You can also access the CRA website for a self-directed online course on understanding taxes, which includes help on how to file a tax return.

If you have any questions about paying income tax in Canada, please refer to CRA’s information for non-residents or contact the International Tax Services Office (collect calls are accepted):

• Calling from Canada and the U.S.: 1 800 267 5177
• Calling from outside Canada and the US: 1 613 952 3741
• Fax: 1 613 941 2505

Get information about taxable benefits related to UBC housing programs.

Banking and credit cards

There are a number of banking institutions and branches for you to choose from in British Columbia, including:

• Royal Bank
  • RBC Newcomer Advantage
• Bank of Montreal
  • BMO New Start Program
• TD Canada Trust
• CIBC
• HSBC
• Scotiabank
  • Scotiabank Start Right Program

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found on campus and throughout the city.

Mortgages in Canada

When buying a home, you may rely on a lender for a mortgage to finance the purchase of your home. If you're using one of the home ownership programs being offered by UBC, you may be restricted by which lenders you can use.

Outside of this, you may be able to get a loan with any of the major banks in Canada or go through a mortgage broker.