Finances and Employment
Visiting International Research Students (VIRS) are not charged UBC tuition, but are required to pay two separate fees:
- VIRS program fee
- iMED health insurance
It is your responsibility to make sure that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in the Okanagan. When applying for a visa or study permit, you may be required to verify your funding to Canadian immigration. The cost of living is high in British Columbia. We recommend budgeting at least $2,250 per month for housing, food and local transportation.
*Subject to change from year to year
The VIRS Program Fee is $440.00 CAD.
All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable $440.00* program fee while submitting the application, for any period from one month up to one year. This fee covers administrative costs and grants access to a limited range of student support services upon acceptance**. If you choose to extend your research period beyond one year from your original start date, a second $440.00 fee will apply.
VIRS program fee is non-refundable. Exceptions may be granted only in cases of extenuating circumstances. Delays or refusals related to immigration or scholarship/funding-related aspects do not qualify as valid exceptions. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact virs.okanagan@ubc.ca
*Note: The VIRS program fee is subject to change.
**Note: Your iMED fee is additional and not part of the VIRS program fee.
Mandatory Medical Insurance (iMED and BC MSP)
iMED is mandatory for all VIRS students. After acceptance, all VIRS students will be registered with a VIRS course code which automatically enrolls you in the mandatory iMED insurance program adjusted to the duration of your program.
iMED is a temporary basic health insurance plan required for new international students and gives you health insurance coverage during the 3-month waiting period for BC’s mandatory Medical Services Plan (MSP) or the duration of your study period if you are not eligible for MSP. It covers doctors’ visits, most emergencies, some medications and other services.
The iMED fee depends on the duration of your research period.
If the your research period is one to six months, you will be assessed $68.10* per month.
If your research period is longer than six months, you must apply for BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). Because MSP has a three-month waiting period, you will be assessed $204.30 for your first three months of iMED coverage. You will also be responsible for paying the monthly MSP premium for the remaining months of your research period.
Your iMED fee will be charged as part of your student fees which you can view through your Student Workday account by selection “Financial Summary”. Learn about how to view and pay your fees.
* This rate applies to students arriving at UBC from late August 2026 onwards. Subject to change from year to year.
You may be charged for iMED before arriving in Canada. This does not mean you are paying for months when you are not in Canada. Review the “Coverage Dates” section below to understand how your fees and coverage dates align with your research period.
Coverage Dates
Applicable to all VIRS students arriving at UBC from late August 2026 onwards:
IMED coverage for VIRS students are defaulted to the below start dates to better align with UBC’s academic terms.
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Research duration of 3 months or >6 months |
Research duration of 1,2,4,5, or 6 months |
|
Arrival by Term 1 (Sept. – Dec.) |
August 10 |
September 1 |
|
Arrival by Term 2 (Jan. – April) |
December 10 |
January 1 |
|
Arrival by Summer (May – August) |
April 10 |
May 1 |
VIRS research dates often do not align with UBC’s standard academic terms. Once GuardMe has enrolled you in the insurance plan, you will receive an email with instructions to access your account. Log in and check the coverage dates shown on your Healthcare Access Card.
If your coverage dates do not align with your official research dates, submit a Date Change Request through the GuardMe website: Date Change Request. Make sure to select Go Global on the left tab. The standard submission deadline is at least three weeks before your arrival.
If you do not submit your request by the deadline, your coverage may not align with your research dates. This could result in additional costs or leave you without appropriate medical coverage during part of your stay.
Paying iMED insurance fees
Your iMED fee will be charged as part of your student fees which you can view through your Student Workday account. Learn about how to view and pay your fees.
It is your responsibility to pay your fees by the deadline. UBC will notify you if you miss the deadline about “overdue fees.” This could result in:
- Accruing interest charges on outstanding balances
- Placing you on “financial hold”
If you cannot make these payments on time, contact us at virs.okanagan@ubc.ca.
Receiving your iMED card
You will be automatically enrolled in iMED and you will receive a welcome email from GuardMe. The timing of this email varies depending on your arrival date. The email will include instructions for accessing your policy details, GuardMe account and Healthcare Access Card.
If you have paid your iMED fee and you have not received your card before you arrive in Canada, search “GuardMe” in your email and check your email spam or junk folder.
If you haven’t received an email, contact customercare@guard.me and include your name and UBC student number.
During your coverage period, print your iMED card and keep it with you in case you need medical attention, along with your student ID and a copy of your study permit, if you have one. You can also access your card through the GuardMe mobile app.
Medical Service Coverage Opt-Out
Typically, having coverage under a different private health insurance plan or a government health plan from your home country does not make you eligible to opt-out of iMED. There are very limited circumstances in which a VIRS student may opt-out of iMED. Review opt-out eligibility through GuardMe for more information.
If you have questions regarding your eligibility on opting out from the medical coverage plan, please contact GuardMe at customercare@guard.me.
BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
The British Columbia (BC) government Medical Services Plan (BC MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in BC for 6 months or longer. Applying for the BC MSP allows you to benefit from the health care available to all BC residents. The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. If you are not enrolled, you will have to pay for medical expenses independently.
Until today, the medical service plan fee for all international students will be $75 per month.
Program Withdrawal
Non-refundable Program Fee
If for whatever reason you need to withdraw your application before your arrival in Canada or you need to return home before your planned end date, you will need to follow these steps:
- Inform your host supervisor and/or department
- Inform our office right away
Extension
VIRS students are charged the VIRS program fee once per 12-month period
Extensions maximum of 12 months are allowed with your host professor’s approval and full-time enrollment at your home university. Contact our office and complete the VIRS Extension Request Form (pdf) for extension. Submit your request at least 2 weeks before your end date. If approved, you’ll receive a Letter of Extension for your study permit or visa. Extensions beyond 12 months will incur an additional VIRS Program Fee of $431.50.
Working in Canada
As a VIRS student, you cannot be employed by UBC for activities related to your research. This includes positions such as a Teaching Assistant or Graduate Research Assistant. You are not eligible to work off-campus as you are not enrolled in a program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate at UBC.
If you have a valid study permit and you are full-time—all VIRS students are considered full-time for immigration purposes—you are eligible to work on-campus in jobs not related to your research. You are eligible to work during the dates you are a VIRS student.
Make sure you meet the requirements to work in Canada and be sure to apply for a Social Insurance Number before working.
FAQs
You are automatically enrolled in the mandatory iMed temporary health insurance plan. You will be charged for the first 3 months upon VIRS registration (if your research period is 6 months or longer) or for the duration of your study period (if your research is less than 6 months). This fee is separate from and additional to your VIRS program fee. If you need additional coverage, you are responsible for extending coverage.
If your research period is longer than 6 months, you must apply for the BC Medical Insurance Plan (MSP). You may apply for this plan as soon as you arrive in BC.
To learn more about your iMED insurance policy, how to understand and use your coverage, and how to access medical care, review the GuardMe Virtual Orientation or the policy overview available in your GuardMe account.
If you have questions about your iMED coverage, getting your iMED card, or submitting claims, contact GuardMe.
If you will arrive in Canada in a different calendar month from when your iMED coverage starts, or depart after your coverage ends, you must submit a Date Change Request to GuardMe so that your coverage dates can be adjusted to align with your stay in Canada.
If you have paid your iMED fee and you have not received your card before you arrive in Canada, search “GuardMe” in your email and check your email spam or junk folder.
If you haven’t received an email, contact customercare@guard.me and virs.okanagan@ubc.ca. Include your name and UBC student number and we will check your status.
During your coverage period, print your iMED card and keep it with you in case you need medical attention, along with your student ID and a copy of your study permit, if you have one. You can also access your card through the GuardMe mobile app.
VIRS students are usually self-funded, sponsored by their home institution, or receive funding from an external source. Your UBC faculty member may agree to provide reimbursement or an award for some of your expenses from UBC, however, this decision is at the discretion of your UBC faculty member who has agreed to act as your host supervisor, as well as the department with which your host supervisor is affiliated.
If you are a UBC professor who would like to provide funding to your VIRS student, please contact VIRS to discuss your options.
All VIRS students should be able to access the Secure Network on their laptops and smartphones while on campus.
You will have to set this up using the AutoConnect application online. See the steps on the UBC IT website. You will use your UBC Campus-Wide Login (CWL) and password to access the network.
Yes, your non-credit and non-tuition bearing course that reflects your academic level at your home institution (e.g., Undergraduate, Masters, or Ph.D.) will appear on the student’s transcript. You may order official transcripts online.
