Moving to Victoria BC Checklist

Most moves to Victoria involve these steps, each linked to its official page. Apply for MSP as soon as you arrive: coverage can start after the rest of the month plus two months, so arrange cover for the wait. Switch to a B.C. driver’s licence within 90 days, and register, license and insure a vehicle within 30 days of arriving. Set up BC Hydro (a $13.50 + GST charge applies to new accounts and moves) and, if the home has gas, FortisBC. Register children through the Greater Victoria School District, where newcomers contact the Welcome Centre.

Last updated October 19, 2026 · Prices and schedules checked October 19, 2026

Your moving checklist

Tick steps as you finish them; your ticks stay in this browser only. Each step links to the official page. Facts checked October 19, 2026.

0 of 8 steps ticked

Enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Apply as soon as you arrive
- All people residing in B.C. must enrol in MSP.
- New residents may be eligible for coverage after a wait period of the balance of the month in which residence is established, plus two months.
- If you are new to Canada, coverage may start three months after arrival and you should get private health insurance while you wait.
- If you are moving from another province, arrange coverage with your former plan during the wait period.
BC Government: How to enrol in MSP BC Government: Apply for MSP
Page last updated July 7, 2026. The page has a separate section for people arriving from Ukraine; read it if that applies. MSP has no monthly premium (see the cost of living page).
Get a BC Services Card
To complete MSP enrolment
- Adults who applied for MSP as Canadian citizens or permanent residents must get a Photo BC Services Card to complete enrolment, at an ICBC driver licensing office.
- There is no fee to get a BC Services Card; if you combine it with a driver's licence, the usual licence fees apply.
BC Government: Get a BC Services Card
Children and youth cannot directly get a Non-Photo card at an ICBC office; the page explains how they are issued.
Switch to a B.C. driver's licence
Within 90 days of moving
- After moving to B.C. you have 90 days to switch over your licence, and you can drive with an existing valid licence in the meantime.
- Book an appointment at an ICBC driver licensing office and bring accepted ID, your current driver's licence and the licence fees.
ICBC: Moving from within Canada ICBC: Moving from outside Canada ICBC: Moving and your licence
The page we read is for moves from within Canada. The page for moves from outside Canada was not read in full by this site; follow its link for what your licence needs.
Register, licence and insure your vehicle
Within 30 days of arriving (commercial vehicles immediately)
- ICBC says you have 30 days to register, license and insure your vehicle after arriving in B.C.; commercial vehicles must be registered, licensed and insured immediately.
- You do not need proof of insurance to show your driving experience if you are new to B.C.
- Your Autoplan insurance policy must always show your current home address and vehicle use.
ICBC: Moving to, from or within B.C.
The page has a link on importing a vehicle into B.C.
Start your electricity service (BC Hydro)
Before you move in
- You can request to move, start or cancel BC Hydro service online with a MyHydro login.
- There is a $13.50 + GST charge for all new accounts and moves, which appears on your first bill, and an account may require a security deposit.
BC Hydro: Move or cancel your service
Rates are on our cost of living page.
Start your natural gas service (FortisBC), if the home has gas
Before you move in
- If your home has natural gas or electricity service installed and you just need to open an account, FortisBC's page is the place to start, and it lets you move your account to a new address.
FortisBC: Start, stop or move your service
Not every home has gas; ask your landlord or the seller.
Update your address
As soon as you have one
- ICBC: your Autoplan insurance policy must always show your current home address.
- The Canada Revenue Agency has its own page for changing your address; check it for the steps.
ICBC: Moving to, from or within B.C. Canada Revenue Agency: Change your address
The CRA page could not be loaded by this site's checker (it timed out), so its wording is not repeated here; open it for the steps and timing.
Register children for school
Check the district's registration page for your child's year
- In the Greater Victoria School District (SD61), each home address belongs to a catchment elementary, middle and secondary school; use the School Locator Tool to find yours.
- For kindergarten the child must be five years old by December 31 of the school year.
- Documents: one proof of Canadian citizenship for the child and two different proofs of residential address.
- Newcomers to Canada, including permanent residents and refugee claimants, are told not to use the online forms and to contact the district's Welcome Centre (250-475-4157, welcomecentre@sd61.bc.ca); study and work permit holders have their own instructions on the page.
SD61: Registration
Other districts (Saanich SD63, Sooke SD62) run their own registration; use your district's site.

Housing and money, on this site

This list covers the common first steps. It is not complete or personal: your situation (immigration status, a vehicle, children, a business) may add steps. Rules and deadlines change, so confirm each on the official page.

How to use the checklist

The steps are in a sensible order for most people but none is required before another, and some will not apply to you. Tick each as you finish it; your ticks stay in your own browser. The “when” badge is only the deadline the official page states, and a step with no badge date has no deadline on its page.

The first weeks

Health coverage and your driver’s licence have waiting periods and deadlines, so start them early. Electricity can usually be set up online before you arrive. If you are renting, read rent in Victoria for BC’s rules on deposits and rent increases and the rental scam checklist before you pay a deposit. If you are buying, the property transfer tax calculator and closing costs cover the taxes and fees.

What this does not cover

It does not cover immigration paperwork, tax filing, banking, employment standards or moving your belongings, and it does not estimate moving costs. Rules and fees change, so confirm each on the official page.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the MSP wait for new residents of BC?

The BC Government says new residents may be eligible for coverage after the balance of the month in which residence is established plus two months. People new to Canada are told coverage may start three months after arrival and to get private health insurance while they wait; people moving from another province should arrange coverage with their former plan during the wait.

How long do I have to get a BC driver’s licence?

ICBC says that after moving to B.C. you have 90 days to switch over your licence, and you can drive with an existing valid licence in the meantime. You book an appointment at an ICBC driver licensing office and bring accepted ID, your current licence and the fees.

How long do I have to register my car in BC?

ICBC says you have 30 days to register, license and insure your vehicle after arriving in B.C.; commercial vehicles must be registered, licensed and insured immediately. Autoplan insurance must always show your current home address.

Is there a fee to set up BC Hydro?

BC Hydro’s page says there is a $13.50 plus GST charge for all new accounts and moves, shown on your first bill, and an account may also require a security deposit. You can request service online with a MyHydro login.

Do I pay for a BC Services Card?

No. The BC Government says there is no fee to get a BC Services Card. If you combine it with a driver’s licence, the usual licence fees apply. Adults who applied for MSP as citizens or permanent residents get a photo card at an ICBC driver licensing office to complete enrolment.

How do I register my child for school in Victoria?

The Greater Victoria School District registers students online by catchment school, which you find with its School Locator Tool. Newcomers to Canada, including permanent residents and refugee claimants, are told to contact the district’s Welcome Centre at 250-475-4157 rather than use the online forms. Other districts, such as Saanich and Sooke, have their own pages.

Sources

This is an independent planning site, not the operator or a government body. Prices checked on October 19, 2026; confirm with the operator before you book.

Moving to Victoria BC: a checklist, with the official page for every step