Discover all essential details before immigrating to British Columbia as a newcomer. This province appears to be the third-largest in Canada, comprising more than a million new immigrants. Besides this, the province has an exceptional reputation for its natural beauty, 40 Provincial Parks, and six Canadian national parks.
British Columbia is especially renowned for its pleasant weather conditions. Canada consists of four seasons devoid of the unbearable freezing cold temperatures usually prevalent in other provinces or territories.
Immigrating to British Columbia as a newcomer – Exploring all aspects
Explore everything related to arriving and settling in British Columbia as a newcomer.
What about Housing?
If we talk of Canada’s housing market, British Columbia has the most significant housing market. However, one must also remember that the housing costs and property types will rely on two factors. They will be the family size and location of the desired settlement.
The latest National Rent Report by rentals.ca represents the median rent for one and two-bedroom housing units in B.C.’s three chief metropolitan areas. These include Vancouver, Kelowna, and Victoria.
The one-bedroom rental cost in Vancouver is $3,103, $2,054 in Victoria, and $1,947 in Kelowna. The two-bedroom housing cost in Vancouver is $3,918, $2,753 in Victoria and $2,790 in Kelowna.
Commuting Expenditure
British Columbia’s three massive Census Metropolitan Areas, Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna, comprise at least 73 percent of residents who reside below 500 meters from the point of public transit access.
In Kelowna, the figure is 73.7 percent, while in Vancouver and Victoria, it is around 90 percent. The province consists of public transportation alternatives, such as buses, the SeaBus, and the SkyTrain.
Additionally, a majority of residents in this province commute by car, van, or truck. Hence, it is vital to understand the driving aspects of British Columbia’s new immigrants.
- The initial 90 days as a province’s new resident, the new immigrants above the driving age might access their driver’s license in B.C. issued from their home country.
- Toward the end of the ninety days, new immigrants must acquire a driver’s license from the provincial government of British Columbia.
Immigrating to British Columbia as a newcomer – Knowing the Employment Prospects
Looking at the significant industries in British Columbia, we can say that this province is prominent for its versatile economic sectors, including the following chief contributors to the economy of British Columbia:
- Construction and Real Estate
- Technology and Innovation
- Manufacturing
- Natural Resources
- Film and Television Production
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Agriculture and Food Production
British Columbia consists of an Immigrant Employment Council of BC that integrates employers into hiring skilled immigrants and provides programs, resources, and tools to assist new immigrants in their job search.
Healthcare
Canada’s public healthcare demonstrates a universal model through which the country receives funds. Alternatively, the healthcare services Canadians receive at no cost at the point of sale in British Columbia and throughout the country are funded by an assortment of resident taxes. Before being eligible for public healthcare through the province’s Medical Services Plan, residents in this province must wait two months plus the remaining month following the first determination of their residency.
Once they acquire eligibility for public healthcare, all British Columbia’s new immigrants must touch the designated medical services as long as they hold a valid health card.
Typically, the residents in British Columbia will be able to use certain public healthcare services without any charges. However, specific treatments and medications will require the receivers to pay independently. As a result, it is all the more essential for residents to get private health insurance.
Education
British Columbia children from the age group of six, until they graduate, must study within its education system. This province happens to be proud of its extraordinary public education system. In this education system, K-12 children happen to accomplish top positions in assessments across the globe.
Furthermore, the provinces impress everyone with their chain of independent educational institutions. These schools offer day as well as boarding programs. Parents must pay tuition fees on their own to let their children get admission to private education.
Similarly, British Columbia offers a massive number of 275 DLIs for those looking for Post-Secondary education. Essentially, only a DLI in this province will be able to provide appropriate programs to qualifying international students for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. Moreover, this province does make it possible for candidates to achieve a PGWP after the completion of specific programs from several DLIs. Besides this, a PGWP enables its holder to access various Canadian PR pathways to gain eligibility after completing one year of Canadian work experience.
As a result, most programs reward candidates possessing work experience in Canada.
Taxation
In British Columbia, there are two types of sales tax: the federal GST and the provincial Sales Tax (PST). The PST is currently 7% and the GST is 5%.
Depending on one’s tax band, income taxes in this province range from 20% to 53%. The marginal tax rate rises in tandem with increased income and the associated tax category.
Immigrating to British Columbia as a newcomer – What services are available for them?
Like in other parts of Canada, newcomer services in British Columbia include community and cultural events, legal aid, childcare, job assistance, and much more.
The British Columbia Settlement and Integration Services (BCSIS) program oversees the management of settlement services in British Columbia.
Essentially, the service provider has a major influence on who is eligible for newcomer services. You might qualify for some services but not others based on your residency status and legal status in Canada.
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