Finances and Employment

There are two fees: the VIRS Program Fee and IMED Medical Insurance. VIRS students are not charged UBC course tuition.

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.

VIRS Program Fee

A Visiting International Research Student pays a program fee for any period from one month up to one year. The fee must be renewed after one year, should the VIRS wish to extend their research period. No tuition fees will be assessed during your time at UBC.

The VIRS Program Fee is $423.25.

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 three-month waiting period for BC’s 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.

Some additional information specific to VIRS:

  • If the duration of your research is one to six months, your fees will be:
    • $79 per month. For example, students studying for 5 months will pay $395.00
  • If the duration of your research is longer than six months, your fees will be:
  • Most students’ research dates are not aligned with UBC’s academic terms, therefore most students will need to request to have their coverage dates updated. This is normal. Complete and submit the iMED Date Change Form after arriving in Canada.

Paying iMED insurance fees

iMED fees will be charged to your tuition account at UBC . Your tuition account can be found under “Financial Summary” in the UBC Student Service Centre. Please use your Campus Wide Login (CWL) to login and pay iMED by the listed deadline.

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

Students get their cards at different times, but it should arrive by email before you arrive at UBC. If you have paid your iMED fee and you have not received your card before you arrive in Canada:

  1. Search “DCIS” in your email.
  2. Check your email spam or junk folder.
  3. Contact imed@david-cummings.com and virs.okanagan@ubc.ca. Include your name and UBC student number. We will check your status.

Our Global Engagement Office is here to help with any questions regarding medical coverage and dates. Please email us (virs.okanagan@ubc.ca) or swing by our office – UNC 207.

Withdrawal

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

Refund of the VIRS program fee can be given if a VIRS applicant’s withdrawal is due to either rejection of legitimate immigration document application or rejection of research funding application (i.e. government/institution grants/scholarships/awards).

Extension

Yes, students can extend up to a maximum of 12 months only if your host professor agrees to continue supervision during the extension period, and if you remain enrolled full time at your home university. You may request an extension by contacting our office. We will ask you to complete an VIRS Extension Request Form (pdf). You should request your extension at least 2 weeks before your end date but we recommend you submit your extension as soon as you make that decision.

If your extension is approved, we will provide you with a Letter of Extension which you may use to extend your Canadian study permit or visa, if necessary.

VIRS students are charged the VIRS program fee once per 12-month period.

If your extension increases the total length of your stay at UBC to more than 12 months, you will be charged the fee for the extension.

Working in Canada

VIRS students may not have an employment relationship with UBC related to their research activity. If you have a valid study permit you are eligible to work on-campus in jobs not related to your research if you are full-time (see above). You are only eligible to work during the dates you are a VIRS student.

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.

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 three months upon VIRS registration (if your research period is six months or longer) or for the duration of your study period (if your research is less than six 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 six months, you must apply for the BC Medical Insurance Plan (MSP). You may apply for this plan as soon as you arrive in BC.

The iMED program Is basic insurance coverage for your time at UBC. It covers doctors visits, most emergencies, some medications and other services.

This is normal, but you will need to apply for a “Date Change” with the insurance company DCIS. Complete and submit the iMED Date Change Form after arriving in Canada.

The automatic iMED coverage dates coincide with a standard academic term at UBC as follows:

  • August 1 for Winter Session Term 1 (September – December)
  • December 1 for Winter Session Term 2 (January – April)
  • April 1 for Summer Session Term 1 (May – June)
  • June 1 for Summer Session Term 2 (July – August)

Most students’ research dates are not aligned with UBC’s academic terms, therefore most students will need to request to have their coverage dates updated.

Students get their cards at different times but it should arrive by email before you arrive at UBC. If you have paid your iMED fee and you have not received your card before you arrive in Canada, please

  1. Search “DCIS” in your email
  2. Check your SPAM/Junk Folder
  3. Contact imed@david-cummings.com and virs.okanagan@ubc.ca. Include your name and UBC student number. We will check your status.

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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.