Moving to a new city can be challenging. Luckily, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful, livable and welcoming cities in the world.
On this page, there are newcomer guides, information on rental housing, ideas for activities in Vancouver, and more.
Getting Started in Vancouver, British Columbia
There are a number of things that you should do when you arrive in British Columbia (BC).
Finding a place to stay, getting support from a settlement services worker, and applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) card, will help you and your family settle in BC quickly and easily. The province offers more help through WelcomeBC.
Newcomer guides are also available in different languages from both the City of Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia. These guides are great resources to help in you understand British Columbia and the City of Vancouver including its history and the experiences of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. The City of Vancouver also has a 6-part video series highlighting the guides.
- The BC Newcomers’ Guide to Resources and Services
- Growing Roots: A Newcomer’s Guide to Vancouver
- First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers
The BC Newcomers’ Guide in different languages
Are you looking for immigration or settlement information in your language?
You can find the B.C. Newcomers’ Guide, videos, pre-arrival information and more in up to 13 different languages, including English.
BC Rental Housing
If you’re planning to immigrate to British Columbia and wish to find out more information about renting accommodation, please refer to the Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre.
The City of Vancouver (Local Government Services)
Want to know more about Vancouver’s services and activities? The City of Vancouver’s site has information on things to do in Vancouver and much more. Use Google Translate to view the city’s website in over 50 languages for free. You may need to install Language Packs to view some of the languages correctly.
