After You're Accepted

Besides your passport, you may also need to apply for a Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), depending on your citizenship, to enter Canada. Find out which document is required for you at the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Visitor Visa

If you need a visitor visa to enter Canada, find out how to apply for one here. The processing time for a Canadian visitor visa application may take longer than you expect. In order to participate in ICG-EW, it is crucial that you apply with us as soon as possible, and then make your visitor visa application at once after you have received your ICG-EW Letter of Acceptance. Find out the current visitor visa processing times here. It will depend on the country of where you are applying from, not the country of your citizenship.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

If you are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada, you can apply for one here. While an eTA would usually be approved within a few minutes, you are still advised to make the application as soon as possible as you could be asked to submit additional documents for reviewing and this would significantly extend the processing time.

Study Permit

At this time, a study permit is not required to participate in ICG-EW as the study period of our program is less than 6 months. Additional information about study permits can be found here.

About Provincial Attestation Letters

A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is not required for visitor visa or eTA applications. PALs are for students applying for a study permit, which is not required for participating in ICG-EW. Therefore, UBC will not issue PALs for ICG-EW students.

We’ll send you the link to the FAR form closer to the program starting date. When you have all of your flight details and documents ready, submit the form with your flight information and rooming preferences filled in. Completion of this form is mandatory for all ICG-EW students.

As a participant in the ICG-EW Summer Program, you need to sign and submit a consent package to us (we’ll send you the forms). The package includes giving consent for:

• Outdoor activities
• Expectations of conduct
• Expectations while living in residence
• Use of your image for photos/videos
• Emergencies
• Release of liability, waiver of claims, and assumptions of risks

International students are eligible for iMED. iMED health insurance covers hospitalization and medical services for emergencies due to sickness or injury. The full coverage details (including the benefits, conditions, limits and exclusions) are in the policy wording which you will receive directly from the provider David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) in Vancouver.

What iMED covers

• Doctor visits (for injuries or illnesses)
• Hospital visits
• Diagnostic, x-ray, and laboratory services
• Ambulance services
• Maternity coverage
• pre-existing conditions (special requirements apply)

Read the full details about what is covered and what is excluded in the iMED policy.

Where can I use my iMED card?

Keep your insurance card on you at all times. If you visit any of the following locations with your iMED card, you will not have to pay upfront for most treatments:

Resources

• See Full Coverage
• Make a Claim

If you plan to arrive in Canada early or stay later than your ICG-EW package dates, you must purchase additional health insurance for the time you’re not in the program.

You can arrange extra coverage with David Cummings Insurance by email. The cost is $2.20 CAD* per person per day. You can pay for extra insurance by credit card before you arrive.

*Insurance rates are subject to change

If the ICG-EW International Summer Program is cancelled by the university and no alternative program is offered, ICG-EW will refund 100% of the program fees paid (excluding service fees). The university is not responsible for any additional costs incurred by participants, including travel, accommodation, visa fees, insurance, or other personal expenses.

If you can no longer participate in ICG-EW and choose to withdraw, please email cpe.ubco@ubc.ca with an official withdrawal request. Withdrawal does not automatically result in a refund.

General Refund Policies

• Once payment has been received, program fees are non-refundable.
• A 4% service fee is applied to all payments and is non-refundable in all circumstances.
• Refunds may incur additional bank fees, currency conversion charges, or exchange rate differences, which are the responsibility of the participant.
• Approved refunds will be issued to the original method of payment.

Visa Refusal Exception

A refund of the program fee (excluding service fee) may be considered if you are refused a visitor visa, provided all of the following conditions are met:

1. You required a visitor visa to enter Canada.
2. A complete visa application was submitted no later than June 1, 2026.
3. Official documentation of the visa refusal is provided.
4. The program office is notified promptly upon receipt of the refusal.

Visa delays, pending applications, or late submissions do not qualify. Participants from visa-exempt countries are not eligible for visa-related refunds.