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Welcoming Ukraine

Last updated on April 1, 2024

B.C. is welcoming people from Ukraine to communities across the province.

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Last updated: April 1, 2024

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What to do when you first arrive

Scammers are active on social media. Be careful when connecting with people online about travel and housing. Don't send money to strangers.

Immigration is the responsibility of the federal government of Canada. The special measures for the CUAET program have now ended. Those who arrive on or after April 1, 2024, will need to meet the general requirements to enter Canada and won’t be eligible to receive supports offered under the CUAET measures.

Get your immigration medical exam

You must have a medical exam within 90 days of arriving in Canada. If you are enrolled in MSP, you should not be billed for this medical exam or diagnostic tests. If you paid for your immigration exam or tests, you can get those expenses reimbursed.

Learn about British Columbia

Welcome to British Columbia, Canada. Our province has 5.2 million people, including 232,000 Indigenous people from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. Canada's official languages are English and French, but most people in B.C. speak English. B.C. is also home to more than 200,000 Ukrainian-Canadians.

Ukrainian communities can be found in cities across the province:

Getting settled in B.C.

Map of B.C. showing large Ukrainian-Canadian communities

Health care

B.C. offers free health care coverage to all residents. To access health care services, you need to enrol in the B.C. Medical Services Plan. Anyone can access emergency health care in B.C. Find clinics, hospitals and pharmacies near you.

Apply for health insurance

The B.C. Medical Services Plan (MSP) pays for required medical services. You must apply.

You can apply for MSP if:

  • You have a valid work permit
  • You have permanent resident status
  • You arrived in Canada through CUEAT

If there is a gap between when you arrived in B.C. and when you applied for MSP, you are eligible for coverage based on the date you arrived.

Get prescription drug coverage

If you arrived through CUAET and are enrolled in MSP, you are automatically covered under BC PharmaCare.

You will get one year of coverage under PharmaCare Plan C. To ensure you keep your coverage after your first year, you should also register for Fair PharmaCare.

PharmaCare can help pay for:

  • Prescription drugs
  • Medical supplies
  • Pharmacy services

Before you're enrolled in MSP, emergency coverage is available for medications you need urgently. Your doctor or nurse can complete a form (PDF, 1MB) that you take to the pharmacy.

Protect yourself against COVID-19

Vaccination against COVID-19 is free for everyone 6 months and older in B.C. Getting vaccinated is easy and safe.

You can get free COVID-19 test kits from a local pharmacy.

Employment, housing and cost of living

Employment in B.C.

To work in B.C., you need a work permit.

Housing and cost of living

Financial assistance

Temporary financial support is available from both the Government of Canada and the B.C. government. If you arrived under CUAET, you should apply for both programs.

Parents or caregivers are typically responsible for supporting youth under the age of 19, B.C.’s age of majority. Youth between the ages of 17 and 19 who do not have parents or caregivers to support them can apply for Ministry assistance. Youth under the age of 17 are referred to the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

One-time payment from the federal government

If you arrived or are staying in Canada through CUAET, you may be able to get a one-time payment of $3,000 for each adult (18+) and $1,500 for each child (under 18).

Review eligibility requirements and apply online. Each adult needs their own Canadian bank account to receive payment.

Monthly payments from the B.C. government

You can apply for income assistance. Payments are based on need and family size. Review eligibility requirements and learn how to apply.

Children and education

Children under 18

If you have children aged 5 to 18, register them in a local school. Schools in B.C. offer English language learning support for all students who need it.

Learn how the expect respect and a safe education (erase) plan helps B.C. create safe and caring school communities.

Child care

If you have children under 5, learn how to access child care in B.C.

Your local Child Care Resource and Referral Centre can help you find child care in your area.

Post-secondary

If you are a post-secondary student looking to study in Canada, you may need a study permit. Ukrainians arriving though CUAET may be eligible for domestic tuition rates.

If you don't have access to education documents like diplomas or academic transcripts, the World Education Services Gateway Program may be able to help you.

Graduate studies

Graduate students and researchers may be eligible for funding to continue their research in Canada. You must have already received funding from a Canadian research agency.

I need help

When you phone, translators are available in Ukrainian, Russian and 220 other languages.

Talk to a Service BC agent about government information and services like health care and education.

Dial: 1-800-663-7867. Available 7:30 am to 5 pm Pacific time