Travelling to Canada & Self-Isolation Planning

Use the online BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool to help determine if you need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. If you cannot use the online tool, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (toll-free) or 7-1-1 (deaf & hard of hearing), 24-hours a day/seven days a week. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.

Students are recommended to bring the following documents while travelling to enter Canada:

• Current Letter of Acceptance from the College (for new students)
• Verification of Enrollment (VOE) from the College
• A letter from the College supporting your eligibility and need to travel to Canada
• A Valid Passport
• Valid Temporary Resident Visa or eTA
• Valid Study Permit or a port of entry letter of introduction from IRCC

To print a VOE online:

1. Log-in to your secure registration area
2. Select “Student Records”
3. Select “View/Print Documents & Letters”
4. Select the Verification of Enrolment document type (with or without fees)
5. Select a term
6. Click “continue”
7. On the window toolbar select “file” and then “print”

Douglas College Fall 2020 semester classes begin on September 8, 2020. Douglas International students should plan to arrive in Canada with enough time to complete the 14- day quarantine before classes begin. However, when students arrive too early to Canada, or whose classes are online, their purpose could be considered optional and discretionary travel, and therefore not be able to enter the country. Please carefully time your arrival in Canada.

When booking your flight to Canada, please make sure you book a flights with the least amount of connections. Direct to Vancouver is ideal. 

We strongly recommend all new students have a valid medical insurance plan before your date of Travel. Douglas College students can enrol in Guard Me here with your Letter of Acceptance during the waiting period for MSP. Upon arrival in BC you must apply for BC Medical Services Plan (MSP). Returning students, please make sure your MSP coverage is active and valid.

International students should plan to take a taxi or ride share service or have a private pick-up (by family or other) directly to the address of self-isolation. You will be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

Taxis and wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available at taxi stands located on Level 2 of the Domestic and International Arrivals Area at YVR.

Public transit including bus, skytrain, and Canada Line is not permitted for students travelling from the airport to your address of self-isolation.

You will be required to wear a mask and maintain 6 ft of physical distance at all times.

Due to COVID-19 some Metro Vancouver hotels are not currently open for guest reservations. Many hotels are changing their room rates due to the pandemic, and they might not know what their rates will be in August and September 2020. Douglas College has contacted a few Metro Vancouver hotels that might be able to accommodate Douglas International Students. They are available here. 

If you are self-isolating with family members, be sure to read through this guide from the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Students have a variety of food options while in self-isolation. Since you will not be allowed to leave your address of self-isolation, you can plan to designate a friend or family member to deliver groceries while respecting physical distancing or use a food delivery service. Here are some popular options:

Skip the Dishes / DoorDash / Save-on-foods / Uber Eats / SPUD.CA / Fresh Prep / Hello Fresh