After arriving in B.C.

The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is British Columbia's public health insurance program. MSP pays for basic, medically-necessary services. All B.C. residents must enrol in MSP.

For more information, visit the Healthcare page.

In Canada, a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a 9-digit number issued by the federal government. You will need a SIN to work, be paid, or access specific government programs and benefits. You can apply for a SIN online.

To learn more, visit the Working in B.C. page.

Once you are enrolled in MSP, you can apply to get a BC Services Card. The BC Services Card is a government-issued ID that allows you to access government services, including healthcare.

For more information, visit the Healthcare page.

Newcomers face unique challenges from navigating cultural differences to understanding local systems. Whether you are a permanent or a temporary resident, finding essential newcomer services and accessing the right support is crucial for a smoother transition.

The Government of Canada funds organizations to provide free services for temporary residents

The Government of British Columbia also funds many organizations to provide free services for temporary residents, including refugee claimants, temporary foreign workers, and post-secondary international students.

In B.C., every motor vehicle must be insured and every driver must have a licence before operating a vehicle. You can buy car insurance and get a driver’s licence from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).

For more information, visit the Driving in B.C. page.

Opening a bank account will allow you to manage your finances (deposit, transfer, or withdraw money), and keep your money safe. It also provides convenience by letting you take money out of bank machines or do your banking online. 

Whether it is for shopping, getting paid for work, or sending money to other countries, having a bank account will help you in many ways as you start a new life in B.C.

For more information, visit the Money and Banking page.

Getting a mobile phone (also called a cellphone or smartphone) helps you keep connected with family, friends, and the community. It is especially helpful for newcomers, because it makes it easy to call or search online for support programs and services, work and study resources, and things needed for daily life.

In Canada, there are 2 kinds of payment plans for mobile phone service: prepaid plans and postpaid plans.

Prepaid (pay-as-you-go) plan

A prepaid plan is a good option if you want to control how much you spend, or if you are not eligible for a postpaid plan. With a prepaid plan:

• You do not need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and you do not need a Canadian credit check. All you need is money and identification (such as your passport).
• You do not sign a contract.
• You pay before you use your phone.
• The money goes into your phone account. This money is used for calls, texts, and data (internet).
• After you use all the minutes and data you paid for, your phone will stop working. You must put more money into the account before it will work again.
• There are no bills and no surprises because you can only use what you pay for.
• If you do not use all the minutes and data you paid for before a certain date, they will expire (be cancelled).
• The price of the SIM card is not included. You need to buy a SIM card before you can use the phone plan. Most SIM cards cost $10 CAD or less.

Postpaid plan

A postpaid plan can be good if you want more minutes and data, or if you will share the phone plan with family members. With a postpaid plan:

• You sign a contract. The contract gives you a certain amount of data and minutes for 1 monthly price.
• At the end of each month, you pay for the calls, texts, and data you used. If you used more than the amount included in your plan, you will be charged extra.
• Most contracts are 1 year or more. If you cancel the contract early, you may need to pay a cancellation fee (extra money). 
• You usually get a larger amount of data and services than with a prepaid plan. You can also get discounts when you add family members to your phone plan.
• The price of the SIM card is usually included in the contract. Some contracts include selling you a new phone.
• You can cancel your contract after 2 years with no cancellation fees—even if you agreed to a longer term. Learn more about the rules for mobile phone services in Canada.
• Before giving you a postpaid contract, the company will need to check your Canadian credit rating. This means they will check to see if you have a history of paying your bills on time. People who don’t have a credit history in Canada may not be able to get a postpaid phone plan. You can get your consumer credit report from two companies, Equifax and TransUnion.

PharmaCare is a provincial government program that helps B.C. residents pay for prescription medications, medical devices and supplies, and pharmacy services. Fair PharmaCare helps people with a lower family income get more help with their prescription costs.

To get help paying for medications, visit the Healthcare page.

For more information, visit the Healthcare page.

There are 2 public transit networks in British Columbia:

• In the Vancouver area, TransLink operates buses, the SkyTrain, the SeaBus (passenger ferry service), the West Coast Express (commuter rail service), and HandyDART (a ride service for people who are unable to navigate conventional public transit without assistance). 
• Outside the Vancouver area, BC Transit provides bus service to more than 130 communities across the province.

Both TransLink and BC Transit have transit cards for the use of their public transportation systems. Get a Compass Card to use TransLink's services, or an Umo card to pay for your BC Transit fare.

For more information, visit the Transportation page.

If you are not a driver, you can apply to get a BCID card so you can have a government photo ID.

A BCID card is a piece of government photo ID with the same security features as a B.C. driver's licence. You can use it at places that ask for photo ID to verify your age and identity.