Moving to British Columbia: health card, driver's licence and taxes

The first steps after arriving in British Columbia: health coverage, driver's licence, sales tax, online accounts and benefits.

1. Health card. Apply to the provincial plan: MSP (Medical Services Plan). Keep your previous coverage until the new one starts, since there can be a waiting period.
2. Driver's licence and vehicle. Licences and registration are handled by ICBC / Service BC. There is a deadline to exchange an out-of-province licence and re-register a vehicle.
3. Taxes. Sales tax in British Columbia: GST 5% + provincial sales tax 7% = 12%. For income tax, the province where you live on December 31 applies for the whole year. Update your address with the CRA.
4. Benefits. File a tax return even with little income: federal and provincial benefits are calculated from it and follow you to your new province.
5. Housing and work. See our guides on renting and working in British Columbia.

Official government site ↗ · Source: Canada Revenue Agency, GST/HST rates ↗, read on 2026-11-13.

Online accounts to set up

• BC Services Card app — Digital ID used to sign in to BC services and to federal accounts such as CRA.
• Health Gateway — See your lab results, medications, immunizations and health visits.

Federal accounts explained →

Programs to know about

• BC Family Benefit — Monthly payment for families with children, combined with the CCB.
• Affordable Child Care Benefit — Monthly payment that lowers childcare fees based on income.
• Fair PharmaCare — Income-based help with prescription drug costs; register once.
• StudentAid BC — One application for federal and BC student loans and grants.

General information, not legal or financial advice. Figures show their source and the date they were read; confirm with the official body before making a decision.

Guides for this province

• Renting in British Columbia: rights, rent increases and average rents
• Working in British Columbia: minimum wage, standards and wages
• Moving to British Columbia: health card, driver's licence and taxes
• Cost of living in British Columbia: prices, rent, wages and taxes
• Buying a home in British Columbia: land transfer tax, rebates and first-time buyer help
• Health care in British Columbia: health card, drug plans and dental help
• Studying in British Columbia: tuition, student aid and grants
• Seniors in British Columbia: pensions, supplements and programs
• Taxes in British Columbia: income tax rates, sales tax and take-home pay (2026)
• Families in British Columbia: child benefits and family programs
• Immigrating to British Columbia: nominee program, steps and processing times