Victoria International High School Programs

Q: Do I need a Study Permit in order to study in Victoria?

A: Yes, you do need a valid Study Permit to participate in our Academic High School Program.

You do not need a Study Permit for our Short-Term High School Experience, Group ESL Study Tours/CAPS, and Camp Victoria programs.

To find out how to obtain a Study Permit, contract the nearest Canadian Embassy, Consulate General, or Trade Commission, or go directly to the Citizenship & Immigration Canada website.

Q: Can I extend my valid Study Permit from Victoria?

A: Yes, you may extend your valid Study Permit as long as you remain in a recognized educational program and send all of the necessary documents to Citizenship & Immigration Canada at least two months before your Study Permit expiry date.

Q: May I stay with a homestay family while I study in Victoria?

A: Yes, absolutely. In fact, we strongly encourage all of our students to take advantage of our homestay program. We have a Homestay Manager and multilingual and multicultural Cultural Homestay Placement Officers who will place you in a safe, warm, caring and supportive local Canadian family who shares similar interests and lives near your school. The Cultural Homestay Placement Officers will give you ongoing support while you are in one of our programs.

Q: How are homestay placements made in your programs?

A: All of our homestay families go through a rigourous application and orientation process, and must meet stringent program expectations before becoming eligible to host our international students. Placements are made by our homestay staff based on information provided on the application form, student needs, school placement and homestay availability.

Q: May I choose the school I wish to attend?

A: You may request a particular school but we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in the school of your choice. School placements are made based on careful consideration of the following: student needs and interests, seat availability, international student numbers at each school, the number of international students of the same nationality at each school, and homestay availability.

Q: Do I have to take English as a Second Language (ESL) classes?

A: Yes. We encourage all international students to take ESL or an English transition class for as long as needed. Most international students usually need a semester or two of ESL study.

Q: What kind of support can I expect as an international student in one of your programs?

A: You will receive comprehensive support throughout your stay with us. You will receive support from your homestay family, your teachers at school, the International Student Program Adviser at your school, our Homestay Manager, the Cultural Homestay Placement Officers, and everyone at the VIHSP office. In addition, there are new student orientations and special VIHSP-sponsored events throughout the year. A VIHSP staff member is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency situations.

Q: What about medical insurance? Must I pay for British Columbia medical insurance even if I have private insurance?

A: Yes. All students in the Academic High School Program must join the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) while residing in British Columbia.

In most cases, medical insurance is included in the fees for our other programs. All students must have medical insurance to travel and stay in Canada.

Q: What kind of city is Victoria?

A: Victoria, the "City of Gardens", is the capital city of the Province of British Columbia, and a world-famous, year-round tourist destination located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Victoria is an affluent, safe, clean and dynamic middle-class city of approximately 350,000 people and is considered one of the most desirable places in Canada in which to live. The climate is the mildest in Canada and Victoria receives 60% less rain than Vancouver, which is a short ferry or airplane ride away.

Q: Is the VIHSP a private school?

A: No. We are responsible for administering international education programs in the Greater Victoria School District No. 61 (GVSD) which is a public school district in the Province of British Columbia. Our international students attend 7 secondary (Grades 9-12), and 10 middle (Grades 6-8) neighbourhood schools in the GVSD.