Info for International Students

Effective Oct. 1, the Government of Canada will remove current traveller restrictions concerning testing and submitting your health information. Read the new update.

Emily Carr also offers counselling services for all students. Counselling services are available by phone. You can e-mail counselling@ecuad.ca to book an appointment.

For external counselling services, review the following resources:

• In case of a counselling emergency, please contact the Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433 or go to the emergency department at your local hospital.

• Access 24/7 counselling and community referral services for BC post-secondary students at Here2Talk.

There are financial resources available to students, such as the Emily Carr Emergency Fund, should you need it:

The Financial Aid + Awards office also has an Emergency Bursary program for International students. Please e-mail finawards@ecuad.ca to see if you qualify.

Yes, anyone over age 12 can get the vaccine in BC, even international students. You do not need MSP to access the vaccines. Vaccines are free for everyone in BC.

For more information on how to get vaccinated, visit ImmunizeBC.

If you suspect you might have COVID-19 or have been exposed to it, the first thing to do is to stay home and limit your interaction with others until you speak with a health specialist. The easiest way to find out the next steps to follow is to call the non-emergency nurse line at 8-1-1. Do not get tested if you do not have symptoms.

Yes, you can. Register for your booster shot by going to the BC Government site here.

You will need to apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) as soon as you arrive in Canada. This is an application you cannot start before arriving in Vancouver. Enrollment in the BC MSP program is mandatory for all residents residing in BC for longer than six months.

Important to note: The BC provincial government administers the BC MSP program, not ECU. For further MSP information, visit here.

A SIN number is a unique numerical identifier that grants you access to several government programs. It is also required if you wish to have employment in Canada, and it is also necessary for doing your taxes each year.

You cannot apply for the SIN card before arriving in Canada. If you are still studying abroad, you will need to apply for it once you have settled in Vancouver. For more SIN card information, visit here.