Vancouver city guide
For newcomers & families
Where the community is: The Punjabi Market on Main Street (around 49th Avenue) is Vancouver’s historic South Asian shopping street.
Health coverage
BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Enrol as soon as you arrive; coverage usually starts after a short waiting period, so arrange private insurance for the gap.
Driver’s licence
ICBC driver licensing
You can usually drive on a valid foreign licence for a limited time after you arrive, then exchange it or take ICBC tests.
Getting around
TransLink (SkyTrain and buses)
Pay with a Compass Card.
Schools
Vancouver School Board
Public school is free for children of permanent residents and most work- and study-permit holders.
Free newcomer help
MOSAIC
ISSofBC
WelcomeBC
Free settlement services help with jobs, English or French classes, housing and paperwork.
First steps in Canada
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Canada Child Benefit for families
Open a bank account and get a local phone number in week one.
Read the full newcomer checklist →
Festivals & events
Vancouver’s Vaisakhi Parade starts at the Ross Street Gurdwara each April; Diwali events run across the city.
Rules and programs change; always confirm on the official site before you apply.
Local directory
🍛 Indian restaurants
🍢 Pakistani restaurants
🐟 Bangladeshi restaurants
🥟 Nepali restaurants
🍬 Sweet shops & bakeries
🛒 South Asian grocery stores
🙏 Gurdwaras
🛕 Hindu temples
Some listing details come from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and may be out of date. Own one of these businesses? Add or update your listing for free.
