Before you depart:

1. Apply for a study permit (if necessary)

Ensure you have all the immigration documents (study permit, temporary resident visa) you need to enter Canada and study in Canada before you leave home.

How to Apply!

2. Plan where you will live

• Apply for homestay, or
• Apply for student housing, or
• Search for off-campus housing

Apply early, student housing fills up quickly and homestay applications normally should be received at least one month before you plan to arrive. Selkirk College does not arrange or monitor for off-campus living. 

3. Airport pick up services

There is an airport pickup and reception service available for students arriving at Castlegar Airport and living in Student Housing in Castlegar, Nelson or Off Campus Accommodation. This service costs $100~$180 and includes:
      1. airport pickup
      2. help with grocery shopping
      3. Setting up a bank account

If you would like this service, please fill the application and send it back to International Student Services Coordinator. 

If you are arriving from Vancouver or Calgary, the Castlegar Airport is only a short 1 hour flight away. To learn more about the Castlegar Airport visit: www.wkrairport.ca

What do I bring?

• Warm clothing for winter (In December, January and February temperatures are between -1 and -10 degrees Celsius).
• Cool clothing for spring and summer (in July and August temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius).
• A valid passport or travel document.
• Documents you will need to present to immigration upon arrival in Canada.
• Credit card (if possible).
• Enough money to pay for books, basic medical insurance, food, accommodation, and spending money while you are in Castlegar.
• Power adapters for any electronic devices you bring.  In Canada we use 120 volt power and have North American style outlets with 2 flat prongs and a round ground plug. Electronic devices from other countries will require an adapter in order to work in Canada.

Distance Information

• Nelson to Castlegar: 44 km
• Vancouver to Castlegar: 620 km via Crowsnest Pass Hwy 3
• Kelowna to Castlegar: 309 km via Crowsnest Pass Hwy 3
• Calgary to Castlegar: 622 km via Crowsnest Pass Hwy 3

What banks are available to me?

• Castlegar: CIBC, Credit Union, Bank of Montreal
• Nelson: RBC Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Credit Union, Scotia Bank
• Western Union Castlegar
• Western Union Nelson: Safeway and Walmart

Basic Medical Insurance

There are 2 kinds of Basic Medical Insurance International Students may have:

Private basic medical insurance:

Covers doctor visits, emergencies and hospital care in Canada.  It can be purchased in Canada or in your home country before you arrive.

• If purchased in your home country it must provide at least $1,000,000.00 CDN in coverage.  If you did not purchase it in your home country, you must purchase it in Canada immediately. 
• If purchased in Canada, the International Student Services Coordinator can enrol you in Guard Me basic medical insurance before you arrive or upon arrival. 

Cost:  Guard me will cost $210 for the first full three month or 90 days (as of March 2021). To Learn more, see the International Student Services Coordinator.

What is covered?

BC MSP (BC Medical Services Plan):

• BC MSP is basic medical insurance that all residents of BC have. 
• After you have been in British Columbia for three months, you can apply for BC MSP. 
• BC MSP gives you easier access to the BC medical system.  Doctor visits, emergencies, and advice on medical issues are free.
• See the International Student Services Coordinator to apply.

Cost: MSP costs $75.00 per month (as of January 2020), once you enrol you will be sent a bill each month.

NOTE: Your BC MSP will expire at the same time as your study permit.  If you extend your study permit, you must extend your MSP coverage as well.

Dental:

• Visits to the dentist and dental costs are not covered by most Basic Medical Insurance.  BC MSP does not cover any dental costs and some emergency dental expenses are covered by private basic medical insurance. 

SCSU Extended Health and Dental Medical Insurance

English Language Program International students will not be assessed the extended health and dental coverage. 
English Language Program Domestic students will be assessed the extended health and dental coverage.

Cost: Extended medical and dental costs $279.00 per year and is automatically added to your tuition fees (cost as of January 2017). Even if you do not want this insurance, you must pay for it unless you can prove you already have the same coverage and opt out. 

If you have any questions, please contact the email: healthanddental@selkirkstudents.ca
Phone: 250.365.1303 Castlegar 250.354.3239 Silver King 250.352.6601 Tenth St. or visit their website.

Travel Medical Insurance

Your basic and extended medical insurance will not cover you in the same way once you leave British Columbia. BC Medical (BC MSP) will not pay for all the health care costs you may incur when you travel outside the province, even if you stay in Canada. Read the Leaving BC Brochure to find out more information about what is covered and what is not when you leave the province.

You are strongly advised to purchase additional health insurance from a private insurer before you leave the province, whether you are going to another part of Canada or outside the country. Learn more at Medical Care Outside B.C.

Visiting the Doctor

Castlegar Hospital, Kootenay Lake Medical Clinic, Nelson Hospital, and Trail Hospital.