Students come to VFS from all corners of the globe to train, graduate, and pursue their dreams - at home or in entertainment hubs, like Vancouver.
We have offices in high-demand spots around the world. Our International Admissions Advisors, based in these areas, can help you make an informed decision about your education at VFS. They are available to work with you personally, explain all the programs thoroughly, and give you student work to view. They can also discuss financing options and help walk you through the application, acceptance, and student visa process.
Latin AmericaDirector, International Admissions
& Business Development bmartinez@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 6313024
Mexico: +52 55 5661 2704 or
+52 55 5661 3397
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Brazil Juliana Severgnini jsevergnini@vfs.com Phone: +55 11 3476 6470 Av Francisco Matarazzo,
1752 – Conjunto 405
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
05001-200
China Dora Jin (Shanghai Office) djin@vfs.com Cell: +86 13501659212 WeChat: jinduola Julia Zhong (Beijing Office) jzhong@vfs.com Cell: +86 15011482780 WeChat: 595084195
Colombia Nydia Silva Lara nlara@vfs.com Cell: +57 321 436 5915India Dinesh Alwani dalwani@vfs.com Phone: +91 937 290 0526 Reema Pereira rpereira@vfs.com Phone: +91 887 916 0609
Indonesia Hakyun Lim hlim@vfs.com Phone: +82 2 2008 4900 Japan Hakyun Lim hlim@vfs.com Phone: +82 2 2008 4900 Kazakhstan Deniz Altuntug daltuntug@vfs.com Cell: 0541 259 1800Korea Hakyun Lim hlim@vfs.com Phone: +82 2 2008 4900
Fax: +82 2 2008 4555 41/F Gangnam Finance Center
Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu
Seoul, Korea, 135-984
LA (Mexico) Veronica Jeronimo Cardenas admissionsla@vfs.com Phone: (52 55) 4737 0897 or
(52 55) 5661 3875 Manuel M Ponce 347.
Col Guadalupe Inn
Postal Code 01020. Mexico City
Middle East Dinesh Alwani dalwani@vfs.com Phone: +91 937 290 0526 Reema Pereira rpereira@vfs.com Phone: +91 887 916 0609
Russia Deniz Altuntug daltuntug@vfs.com Cell: 0541 259 1800South Asia Dinesh Alwani dalwani@vfs.com Phone: +91 937 290 0526 Reema Pereira rpereira@vfs.com Phone: +91 887 916 0609
Taiwan Penny Peng ppeng@vfs.com Phone: +886-975-120-430 WeChat: vfs_pennyThailand Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Vietnam Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Western Europe Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Sweden | Nordic Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Portugal | Spain Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
Australia Scott P. Steiger
Director, International Admissions
& Business Development ssteiger@vfs.com Phone: +1 604 631 3562
Cell: +1 778 708 7971
For your VFS application to be approved, a proper financial plan must be in place to study and live in Vancouver, Canada.
Starting January 1, 2024, international students seeking a study permit through Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) must demonstrate financial support of a minimum of $20,635 to meet the cost-of-living criteria. This amount is in addition to the tuition fees and travel expenses to get to Vancouver. Prospective students are advised to ensure they have adequate funds to cover their living expenses while at VFS and fulfill the proof of funds criteria for the Study Permit. For more information on the cost of living in Vancouver, including housing costs, contact your Admissions Advisor or housing@vfs.com.
If your country uses foreign exchange controls, you must prove that you’ll be allowed to export funds for all of your expenses.
VFS offers a variety of scholarships throughout the year. For a list of the currently available tuition grants, visit our Scholarships page.
All students are required to speak and write English at an acceptable level for their program of study. In order to succeed in any VFS program, students will need to understand technical terms and be conversant enough in English to participate in presentations and in-depth discussion.
Depending upon your program of study, you must meet either the Level 1 or Level 2 English language requirements as outlined below. Achieving the indicated scores in any of these tests satisfies the VFS English language requirements.
International Standardized Test Scores
VFS English for Creative Arts Program
Secondary (Permanent Resident)
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Post-secondary
VFS English Language School Partners
VFS has partnered with a number of ESL schools in Vancouver. Beside each school you will see an indication of the level or score required to satisfy the VFS Level 1 English language requirements.
International Standardized Test Scores
VFS English for Creative Arts Program
Secondary (Permanent Resident)
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Post-secondary
VFS English Language School Partners
VFS has partnered with a number of ESL schools in Vancouver. Beside each school you will see an indication of the level or score required to satisfy the VFS Level 1 English language requirements.
We realize that you may have to plan ahead in order to secure your seat at VFS, and that you may want to start applying before you've met the required conversational or written level of English. Our Admissions Advisors understand ESL issues and are more than willing to help you meet all language requirements to make sure they do not get in the way of your dream.
If you don’t pass an approved test, you may be accepted on a conditional basis. If you receive conditional acceptance, you must provide regular feedback to your Admissions Advisor on specifically what you are doing to improve your English before you start your course at VFS (e.g., attending ESL classes). Additionally, you must schedule and pass an approved test no later than one month before your start date, or risk having your enrollment postponed or cancelled.
All of VFS’s programs require international students to obtain a study permit. You must apply for your study permit at the Canadian Consulate or Canadian Embassy for your area, before your program starts.
You'll need to present the original acceptance letter from Vancouver Film School and proof of deposit.
As stated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), students will be required to provide proof of a minimum $20,635 CAD to cover cost-of-living expenses while residing in Canada, in addition to their first year's tuition and travel expenses.
Examples of financial support:
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your program.
Be sure to include the VFS’s Designated Learning Institution (DLI) number on your study permit application: O19239015912. Please note, the first digit in the sequence is the letter “O”, and not a zero.
You may also need to provide the letter of explanation. This letter helps the visa officer to understand you and your goals. This letter should be written entirely by yourself, in your own voice; it should be written from the heart and convey authenticity. As the letter should reflect your current English language proficiency, you should not feel the need to use a translator or other service to fix any potential spelling or grammatical errors.
Your letter should explain:
You should include this letter if you decide to apply for a study permit, even if you don’t have to get a study permit for your program.
As of January 22, 2024, IRCC has announced that most students will need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study. Find out if you are exempt from needing a PAL.
You can request a PAL as early as 6 months prior to your start date. If your start date is more than 6 months away, please return to this page later.
For more information, contact:
VFS Students under the age of 19 are considered “minors” in the province of B.C. and must be cared for by an adult. At the point of entry into Canada, Immigration Officers may, on a case-by-case basis, require any VFS international student under the age of 19 have an appointed custodian. To prevent delays in receiving a study permit, appointing a custodian before arrival in Canada is highly recommended. Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for details on how to appoint a custodian: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/minor-children.html
Minor-aged VFS students without a responsible adult, such as a family member, in and around the Vancouver area capable of accounting for them will need to retain a “custodian” who will ensure the minor-aged student’s safety and the necessary advice & support to safely reside in Canada. Agencies providing stand-alone custodian services and agencies providing homestay in addition to custodian services are both available. Agencies providing custodian services can offer valuable services including:
Students under 19 years of age have numerous, excellent homestay options they and their families can choose from. Additionally, homestay agencies can provide custodian services for a fee.
Below are some homestay options as well as homestay & custodian agencies.
For information on preferred homestay agencies, please contact VFS Housing.
Note: Vancouver Film School is not affiliated with the homestay companies listed above, and assumes no liability for any disputes arising from custodianship or other services advertised. This information is intended to provide only general information and guidance.
If the minor requires a custodian, you must include the Custodianship Declaration form (PDF, 1.02 MB) with your application. It has 2 pages that must be notarized (certified by a notary) and then included with your study permit application.
The custodian in Canada must sign the first page, and the parents or legal guardians of the minor child in the child’s home country must sign the second page.
All students must have medical insurance coverage while studying in Canada. You'll need to apply for coverage before you arrive in Canada, and it must cover you for your first three months in British Columbia. Students MUST have medical insurance while studying at VFS, or you will not be eligible for services from us.
Some main fees medical fees and their cost:
| Type of fee | Cost without insurance |
| Emergency visit | $927 |
| Outpatient visit/day | $1000+ |
| Day surgery | $3,495 |
| X-Ray | $49+ |
| MRI | $2,028 |
| Ambulance Charges | $240 |
| Lab test | $125 |
| Physician fees | $100-240 |
International students: All international students are required to have medical insurance for the length of their studies at Vancouver Film School. We have partnered with Guard.me, an insurance provider in Canada that provides coverage to international students at affordable rates. The estimated charge is $2.00 CAD per day. Guard.me covers you from the time you leave home (up to seven days prior to arrival) until a week after your program end date. VFS does not accept insurance from companies outside of Canada.
Canadian students: Canadian students can remain on their home provinces medical plan. However, you must notify your provincial health provider that you will be away from BC studying at a post-secondary school.
Guard.me Insurance coverage can be used for injury or sickness requiring emergency hospital confinement or emergency treatment up to CDN$2,000,000.00. For a comprehensive summary of the services included in their plans, go to the policy section of the guard.me website.
CDN $2.00/day per person.
For more information contact Student Services by emailing studentservices@vfs.com or talk to your advisor.
If you have been involved in an accident and have gone to a non-direct-billing clinic you will need to pay and submit a claim after. To make a claim, please go to the Guard.me website directly.
(Insurance claim is a request to the insurance provider to cover/compensate or refund you expenses for a covered loss or policy event.)
Check here to find a direct pay clinic near you.
If you are a student, and have been living in BC for more than three months you are eligible for BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). Click the link below to obtain a copy of the BC Medical Insurance application or apply online.
You may need a medical exam if any of these situations apply to you: