City Hub · YVR

Moving to Vancouver

What official sources say about arriving, settling in, and working in Vancouver, British Columbia. Every point links to the page it came from.

Checked against official sources · last verified 24 Oct 2026

Plan my move to Vancouver Get it on iPhone Get it on Android

Decide

Is this the right city for us?

Vancouver at a glance

Time, weather, taxes and the cost of renting.

B.C. now stays on daylight saving time all year. Clocks went forward for the last time on 8 March 2026, and the change back planned for 1 November 2026 is cancelled.
Source: B.C. moves to permanent daylight saving time — BC Gov News (2 March 2026) ↗
B.C.'s time zone is now called Pacific time and is set at UTC−7 all year round.
Source: Daylight saving time — engage.gov.bc.ca ↗
For official forecasts and weather warnings, use Environment Canada's 7-day forecast for Vancouver.
Source: Vancouver, BC – 7 Day Forecast — Environment Canada ↗
B.C. provincial sales tax (PST) is generally 7% of the purchase or lease price of goods and some services.
Source: B.C. provincial sales tax (PST) — Province of British Columbia ↗
A plan to add PST to accounting, architectural, engineering, geoscience, security and non-residential real estate services from 1 October 2026 is paused.
Source: Notice 2026-001: Notice to providers of professional services — Province of British Columbia ↗
In CMHC's October 2025 survey, the average rent for a purpose-built 1-bedroom apartment across the Vancouver area (CMA) was C$1,807 a month, and C$2,364 for a 2-bedroom.
Source: Vancouver — Average Rent by Bedroom Type by Zone, October 2025 — CMHC Rental Market Survey ↗
Statistics Canada publishes Consumer Price Index (inflation) data for Canada and each province. Use it to follow changes in the cost of living.
Source: Consumer price indexes — Statistics Canada ↗

External links

Environment Canada: Vancouver forecast ↗CMHC rents by zone ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Laws and local rules

B.C. rules on cannabis and drugs, and who to call.

You must be 19 or older to use, buy or possess non-medical cannabis in B.C. Adults may carry up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public and grow up to four plants at home.
Source: Cannabis possession and purchasing limits — Province of British Columbia ↗
You cannot smoke or vape cannabis within 6 metres of a bus stop, transit shelter, train station or building doorway, or in parks outside designated areas.
Source: Where you can consume cannabis — Province of British Columbia ↗
Using cannabis in a vehicle or boat is illegal, even as a passenger. Driving is also illegal if you know someone in the vehicle is using it.
Source: Where you can consume cannabis — Province of British Columbia ↗
B.C.'s pilot that decriminalized possession of small amounts of some illegal drugs expired on 31 January 2026 and will not be renewed.
Source: Decriminalization in B.C. — Province of British Columbia ↗
Call 911 for a life-threatening incident or a crime in progress. For non-emergencies in Vancouver, call the police on 604-717-3321. Some crimes can be reported online.
Source: Contact Us — Vancouver Police Department ↗

External links

B.C. cannabis rules ↗Vancouver Police: report a crime ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Arrive

The first 72 hours

Arriving at YVR

Getting from the airport into town, and your first admin steps.

The Canada Line SkyTrain links YVR to downtown Vancouver in under 30 minutes and to downtown Richmond in 18 minutes. The station is between the International and Domestic terminals.
Source: Public transportation — Vancouver International Airport (YVR) ↗
TransLink adds a YVR AddFare of C$6.50 to single-trip fares that start at YVR–Airport, Sea Island Centre or Templeton stations. Monthly pass holders are exempt. (YVR's own page still shows the older C$5 charge.)
Source: Transferring and AddFare — TransLink ↗
You can tap a contactless debit or credit card right at the fare gate to pay a single adult fare. When the Canada Line is closed, the N10 NightBus runs to downtown and Richmond.
Source: Public transportation — Vancouver International Airport (YVR) ↗
When you enter Canada, declare currency or monetary instruments worth C$10,000 or more, and all goods you bought or were given outside Canada.
Source: Declare goods and currency — Canada Border Services Agency ↗
Apply for B.C.'s Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as you arrive. Coverage may start three months after your arrival, so get private health insurance for the wait.
Source: How to enrol in MSP — Province of British Columbia ↗
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) online, by mail or at Service Canada. There is no fee, and in person you can get it during your visit if your documents are in order.
Source: Apply for a Social Insurance Number — Canada.ca ↗

External links

YVR public transportation ↗TransLink fares ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Getting around

SkyTrain, buses, fares and paying by tap.

Adult fares: 1 zone C$3.50 by cash or tap-to-pay, or C$2.85 with Compass Card stored value. 2 zones C$5.10 / C$4.20; 3 zones C$6.70 / C$5.40.
Source: Pricing and fare zones — TransLink ↗
Buses are always 1 zone. On weekdays after 6:30 p.m., at weekends and on statutory holidays, every trip on the system is 1 zone.
Source: Pricing and fare zones — TransLink ↗
A single fare lets you transfer between bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and HandyDART for 90 minutes (120 minutes if you use West Coast Express).
Source: Transferring and AddFare — TransLink ↗
Adult monthly passes cost C$117.20 (1 zone), C$156.70 (2 zones) and C$211.65 (3 zones). An adult DayPass for all zones costs C$12.55.
Source: Pricing and fare zones — TransLink ↗
Tap to Pay accepts contactless Interac Debit, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Use one card per person and tap the same card on every leg. Discounted fares need a Compass Card.
Source: Tap to Pay — TransLink ↗
Children 12 and under ride free on bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express.
Source: Kids ride free — TransLink ↗
SkyTrain has three lines: Expo (Waterfront to King George, Surrey, or Production Way–University), Millennium (VCC–Clark to Lafarge Lake–Douglas) and Canada (Waterfront to YVR–Airport or Richmond–Brighouse).
Source: SkyTrain schedules — TransLink ↗
Riding without a valid fare, or with a fare you are not eligible for, can bring a C$173 fine.
Source: Pricing and fare zones — TransLink ↗

External links

TransLink fares and zones ↗Tap to Pay ↗Mobi bike share ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Settle

Home, school, doctor, bank

Neighbourhoods and renting

Rents by area and B.C. tenancy rules.

CMHC's October 2025 survey shows average 1-bedroom rents in purpose-built rentals of C$2,112 a month Downtown, C$1,915 in Kitsilano/Point Grey, C$1,494 in Marpole and C$1,602 in Surrey.
Source: Vancouver — Average Rent by Bedroom Type by Zone, October 2025 — CMHC Rental Market Survey ↗
The maximum rent increase in B.C. is 2.3% for 2026 and 2.2% for 2027. Rent can go up only once every 12 months.
Source: Rent increases — Province of British Columbia ↗
A landlord must give at least three full months' written notice of a rent increase, using Form RTB-7.
Source: Rent increases — Province of British Columbia ↗
A security deposit can be no more than half of the first month's rent. A pet damage deposit is also capped at half a month's rent. Application fees are not allowed.
Source: Tenancy deposits and fees — Province of British Columbia ↗
Landlords must prepare a written tenancy agreement and give you a copy within 21 days of signing. A fixed-term tenancy usually becomes month-to-month when the term ends.
Source: Tenancy agreements — Province of British Columbia ↗
After you move out, the landlord has 15 days from getting your forwarding address to return your deposit. If they miss the deadline, they may be ordered to pay double.
Source: Tenancy deposits and fees — Province of British Columbia ↗
The Residential Tenancy Branch answers questions and resolves disputes. Call 604-660-1020 in the Lower Mainland, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Source: Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch — Province of British Columbia ↗

External links

CMHC rents by zone ↗Residential Tenancy Branch ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Schools

Registering children in Vancouver's public schools.

New families register through the Vancouver School Board's Newcomer Welcome Centre at 1000 East 59th Avenue. Phone 604-713-5999.
Source: Required Documents — Vancouver School Board Newcomer Welcome Centre ↗
Bring proof of Vancouver address, the child's birth certificate, proof of status in Canada for parents and child, immunization records and recent report cards. Documents not in English or French need a certified translation.
Source: Required Documents — Vancouver School Board Newcomer Welcome Centre ↗
Work permit holders need a permit valid for one year or more, plus an employment letter confirming at least one year of work at 20+ hours a week.
Source: Required Documents — Vancouver School Board Newcomer Welcome Centre ↗
You must register first at your English catchment school. Cross-boundary applications are considered only after all in-catchment students are placed.
Source: Registration questions — Vancouver School Board ↗
Children can start Kindergarten in the year they turn 5. There is no deadline for your neighbourhood school; registration for the next school year opens on the first business day of November.
Source: Registration questions — Vancouver School Board ↗
The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF) is the public French-language school board for B.C.
Source: Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique ↗

External links

VSB Newcomer Welcome Centre ↗CSF schools ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Healthcare

MSP, the waiting period, and finding a doctor.

All B.C. residents must enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP). Newcomers' coverage may start three months after arrival: the wait is the rest of the arrival month plus two months.
Source: How to enrol in MSP — Province of British Columbia ↗
Get private health insurance to cover you during the MSP wait.
Source: How to enrol in MSP — Province of British Columbia ↗
Some work and study permit holders count as residents for MSP if their permit is valid for six months or more.
Source: Eligibility for MSP — Province of British Columbia ↗
Apply online, in person or by paper. Most adults also need to visit a driver licensing office to finish enrolling and get a BC Services Card.
Source: How to enrol in MSP — Province of British Columbia ↗
International students on MSP pay a mandatory health fee of C$75 a month, starting when MSP coverage starts.
Source: Health fee for international students — Province of British Columbia ↗
To find a family doctor or nurse practitioner, join the Health Connect Registry online or by calling 8-1-1. You need your Personal Health Number.
Source: Health Connect Registry — HealthLink BC ↗
8-1-1 (HealthLink BC) is open 24/7, with translation in more than 130 languages.
Source: Health Connect Registry — HealthLink BC ↗
Register for Fair PharmaCare when you enrol in MSP. New residents have about 60 days to prove their income, or the deductible is set at the maximum of C$10,000.
Source: New residents of Canada and Fair PharmaCare — Province of British Columbia ↗

External links

Enrol in MSP ↗Health Connect Registry ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Banking and IDs

SIN, a bank account, B.C. ID and your first tax year.

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is free. Apply online, by mail, or in person at a Service Canada Centre, where you can get it during your visit if your documents are in order.
Source: Apply for a Social Insurance Number — Canada.ca ↗
If your SIN starts with 9 (temporary residents), it expires with your permit. Apply to extend it when you get a new immigration document.
Source: Apply for a Social Insurance Number — Canada.ca ↗
To open a bank account, bring two original documents from the accepted list, which includes a foreign passport. One must show your address and one your date of birth.
Source: Opening a bank account — Financial Consumer Agency of Canada ↗
If a bank refuses to open your account, it must tell you in writing and give you its complaint process.
Source: Opening a bank account — Financial Consumer Agency of Canada ↗
The BC Services Card is free. Get it at an ICBC driver licensing office with two pieces of ID. It can be combined with your B.C. driver's licence.
Source: Get a BC Services Card — Province of British Columbia ↗
For most newcomers, tax residency starts on the first day you live in Canada. Your first return is due by 30 April of the next year (15 June if self-employed).
Source: Newcomers to Canada (immigrants) — Canada Revenue Agency ↗
New residents must apply for the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB, formerly the GST/HST credit) using Form RC151. Apply for the Canada child benefit with Form RC66.
Source: Newcomers to Canada (immigrants) — Canada Revenue Agency ↗

External links

Apply for a SIN ↗Get a BC Services Card ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Driving and cars

Switching your licence, insuring a car and winter rules.

After moving to B.C. from outside Canada, you have 90 days to switch your valid licence to a B.C. driver's licence.
Source: Moving from outside Canada — ICBC ↗
ICBC exchanges licences from a list of countries. If yours is not on it, you can still apply but must pass a knowledge test and a road test.
Source: Moving from outside Canada — ICBC ↗
Bring federal immigration ID, secondary ID and your driving history. You must hand in all current licences. Translations may be required and must be done by an ICBC-approved translator.
Source: Moving from outside Canada — ICBC ↗
If you can't prove more than two years of non-learner experience, you enter the Graduated Licensing Program. ICBC credits up to 15 years of driving experience for insurance.
Source: Moving from outside Canada — ICBC ↗
If you bring a vehicle, you have 30 days after arriving to register, license and insure it in B.C. Commercial vehicles must be done immediately.
Source: Moving to, from or within B.C. (insurance) — ICBC ↗
Basic Autoplan from ICBC is mandatory for every vehicle in B.C. Its Enhanced Care benefits pay injury costs even if you caused the crash.
Source: Basic insurance and Enhanced Care — ICBC ↗
Winter tires or chains are required on most designated B.C. highways from 1 October to 30 April. Some lower routes end on 31 March.
Source: Designated winter tire and chain routes — Province of British Columbia ↗
You must update ICBC with your new address within 10 days of moving.
Source: Moving and your licence — ICBC ↗

External links

ICBC: moving from outside Canada ↗Winter tire routes ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Thrive

Work, study, belong

Jobs and work

Pay, leave and getting your credentials recognized.

B.C.'s general minimum wage is C$18.25 an hour from 1 June 2026. It rises each year in line with B.C. inflation (CPI).
Source: Minimum wage — Province of British Columbia ↗
App-based ride-hail and delivery workers earn at least C$21.89 per hour of engaged time, plus a per-kilometre allowance.
Source: Minimum wage — Province of British Columbia ↗
After 90 days with an employer, you get 5 paid sick days a year, plus 3 unpaid sick days.
Source: Paid sick leave — Province of British Columbia ↗
You get 2 weeks of vacation after 12 months (vacation pay at least 4% of wages), and 3 weeks after 5 years (at least 6%).
Source: Annual vacation — Province of British Columbia ↗
In most regulated occupations you must be certified before you can be hired. Apply to the right regulatory authority early; costs can run to thousands of dollars.
Source: Getting certified to work in B.C. — WelcomeBC ↗
B.C.'s International Credentials Recognition Act (2024) removes unfair Canadian work experience requirements for 29 professions overseen by 18 regulators.
Source: Getting certified to work in B.C. — WelcomeBC ↗
WorkBC has B.C.'s job board and WorkBC Centres that give free job search support, including resume help.
Source: WorkBC ↗
Job Bank is the Government of Canada's national service for searching jobs and exploring careers.
Source: Job Bank — Government of Canada ↗

External links

WorkBC ↗Job Bank ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Universities and colleges

Main campuses and what international students need.

The University of British Columbia's Vancouver campus is at 6200 University Blvd. UBC also has an Okanagan campus in Kelowna.
Source: The University of British Columbia ↗
Simon Fraser University has three campuses: Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver.
Source: Simon Fraser University ↗
BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) offers applied education. Its main Burnaby campus is at 3700 Willingdon Ave., and it also has a Downtown campus.
Source: British Columbia Institute of Technology ↗
Langara College is at 100 West 49th Avenue, Vancouver.
Source: Langara College ↗
To apply for a study permit you need a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution (DLI). Check your school is on IRCC's list.
Source: Designated learning institutions list — IRCC ↗
From 1 January 2026, many new undergraduate study permit applications need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Master's and doctoral programs are exempt from that date.
Source: How can I receive my PAL? — SFU International Services for Students ↗

External links

IRCC DLI list ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Newcomer support

Free settlement help, libraries and local guides.

B.C. funds free, confidential settlement services, often in your own language. The BC Newcomer Services Program serves temporary workers, international students and new citizens.
Source: Find newcomer services — WelcomeBC ↗
IRCC's directory lists federally funded settlement organizations. From 1 April 2026, economic-class permanent residents can use these services only for a limited time.
Source: Find free newcomer services near you — IRCC ↗
ISSofBC offers free settlement, employment and language services to newcomers in B.C., including free LINC English classes (CLB 1 to 4) for eligible newcomers.
Source: ISSofBC — Immigrant Services Society of BC ↗
The City of Vancouver publishes 'Growing Roots: A Newcomer's Guide to Vancouver' and 'First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers'.
Source: Moving to Vancouver — City of Vancouver ↗
Vancouver Public Library has branches across the city. Ask about a library card on 604-331-3603.
Source: Vancouver Public Library ↗

External links

WelcomeBC newcomer services ↗ISSofBC ↗Growing Roots guide ↗ReLoc doesn’t review listings on these sites and isn’t paid for these links.

Every point links to its official source.Verified 24 Oct 2026

Turn this into your own plan

ReLoc builds your visa roadmap, document checklist and budget for a move to Vancouver, and keeps track of what you’ve done.

Start free Get it on iPhone Get it on Android