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Americans in Vancouver

Everything you need to move to, rent in and enjoy Vancouver as an American, and how it fits with your US taxes, money and paperwork.

Official US

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Vancouver

Passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, notarials and help for U.S. citizens in BC and Yukon

1075 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6

Website · Map · +1 604-685-4311

Your community group

ExpatStateside Canada: Americans in Canada

Free group for Americans in Canada: questions, tips, meetups, Thanksgiving and the Super Bowl.

Opening soon

Vote from VancouverRegister and request your ballot with one form, the FPCA. Send a new one every January.

How to vote

Vancouver Partners

Global partner · online

The emotional move

A move abroad changes more than your address. Katharina Bergauer (innsicht) supports individuals, couples and families before the move and until everyone feels at home. Online, in English or German.

Book a first conversation

Katharina Bergauer

innsichtEintragungsnummer: 17784

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Every partner is personally vetted by us and featured through a paid subscription across our magazines. Our guides are written independently. Meet all our partners

Guides for life in Vancouver

Basics

Cost of living in Vancouver vs Seattle: what your dollars really buy

Vancouver rent is close to Seattle's, health care is mostly covered and income tax is higher. Here is how the two cities and the US average compare in 2026.

Basics

Earthquake preparedness in Vancouver: Cascadia, your building and the phone alert

Vancouver sits in Canada's busiest earthquake zone. Here's what the Cascadia risk means, how the phone alert works and what Americans should keep by the door.

Basics

Rain and dark winters in Vancouver: the real numbers, the gear and beating the gloom

Vancouver gets more rain than Seattle and less winter sun. Here are the real numbers, what to wear and how locals stay sane from November to March.

Money and work

Canadian taxes for Americans in BC: how your two returns fit together

Live in Vancouver and you file with the CRA and the IRS. Here is how BC and federal tax work, how the treaty and totalization agreement help, and why most Americans owe the IRS little.

Money and work

Banking in Vancouver as an American: credit unions, US-dollar accounts and the FATCA form

Canadian banks and BC credit unions open accounts for Americans every day. Expect a FATCA form, keep a US-dollar account, and know who insures what.

Money and work

Living in BC, working for a US employer: status, taxes, CPP and payroll

Your paycheck comes from Denver, your desk is in East Van. Here's what Canadian immigration, the CRA, the treaty and the US–Canada Social Security agreement say about that.

Home

Renting in Vancouver: deposits, the 2.3% cap and how to dodge scams

BC caps deposits at half a month's rent and limits 2026 increases to 2.3%. Here is how renting in Vancouver works, where Americans live and how to spot a fake listing.

Home

BC's housing taxes and the foreign buyer ban: what Americans can buy, and what it costs

Before you fall for a Kitsilano condo: who the federal ban covers, the 20% foreign buyer tax, two annual vacancy taxes, and the exemptions that matter for Americans.

Moving and visas

Moving to Vancouver as an American: the visa routes that actually work

Canada has no retirement or digital nomad visa, so most Americans move to Vancouver on a job, a degree or a Canadian partner. Here are the routes and the first steps.

Moving and visas

Moving to British Columbia: CUSMA work permits, the BC PNP and the road to PR

Most Americans start in BC on a CUSMA work permit, then aim for permanent residence through Express Entry or the BC PNP, which changed a lot in 2026.

Health

Healthcare in Vancouver: finding a family doctor, using 8-1-1 and what MSP won't pay for

Once you're on MSP, the hard part is a family doctor. Here's how the Health Connect Registry, 8-1-1, walk-ins and pharmacists fill the gap, and what you still pay.

Health

BC's Medical Services Plan: how to enroll, the three-month wait and covering the gap

BC's public health plan doesn't start the day you land. Here's who qualifies for MSP, how to apply, how the wait is counted and how to cover the gap.

Schools and study

Schools in Vancouver: catchments, French immersion and the road to a US college

Most American kids in Vancouver go to public school. Learn how VSB catchments, kindergarten registration and French immersion work, and how to keep US colleges in reach.

Schools and study

UBC and SFU for Americans: fees, federal loans, study permits and work rules

UBC and SFU both take US federal Direct Loans, and both charge Americans international fees. Here's what a degree in Vancouver costs, how the study permit works and when you can work.

Getting around

Driving in BC on a US license, and getting around Vancouver without one

Your US license is good for 90 days after you move to BC. Here's how the ICBC exchange works, what insurance costs you, and how to get around Vancouver without a car.

Getting around

Crossing the border from Vancouver: NEXUS, the train and trips to Seattle

Seattle is about 230 km (143 miles) down the road. Here's how Vancouver Americans cross: which crossing, NEXUS, the train, Bellingham flights and what you can bring back.

Community

American life in Vancouver: two Thanksgivings, Seattle sports and your people

How Americans in Vancouver celebrate two Thanksgivings, follow Seattle teams across the border, connect with both parties' expat groups and use the US Consulate General.

Going out

American food in Vancouver: Costco runs, Bellingham groceries, NFL Sundays and a November Thanksgiving

Vancouver has Costco, wings and plenty of Seahawks fans. For Trader Joe's and US brands, Bellingham is a day trip. Here's how to eat American, and what customs lets you bring back.

Going out

Nightlife in Vancouver: Granville, Gastown, Main Street and the brewery crawl

Vancouver's nightlife is smaller than you'd guess and better than its reputation. Here's where to go, when bars close and what BC's liquor rules mean for you.

Going out

The outdoors in Vancouver: skiing, hiking and the North Shore without getting rescued

Three ski hills within about 30 km (19 miles) of downtown, Whistler two hours up the road, and North Shore trails that humble visitors every year. Here's how to enjoy them safely.

America in Vancouver

The embassy or consulate, business groups, clubs, sport, schools, churches and a taste of home. Checked 2026-11; tell us if something has changed.

Official US

Consulate

U.S. Consulate General Vancouver

Passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, notarials and help for U.S. citizens in BC and Yukon

1075 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 2M6

Website · Map · +1 604-685-4311 · Facebook · X · LinkedIn · YouTube

Clubs and associations

Meetup

American Expats in BC

Meetup group for Americans living in British Columbia, with social outings around Vancouver

Vancouver, BC

Website · Map

Party groups abroad

Listed side by side for information. We are nonpartisan.

Party

Democrats Abroad Vancouver

Vancouver chapter of Democrats Abroad Canada for U.S. citizens

Vancouver, BC

Website · Map · +1 877-336-2008

Party

Republicans Overseas

Worldwide Republican organization for U.S. citizens abroad; no Canada chapter is listed

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X

Schools and universities

University

Northeastern University – Vancouver

Downtown campus of the Boston-based U.S. university offering graduate programs

1400 – 410 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1Z3

Website · Map · +1 604-328-7454

University

Fairleigh Dickinson University – Vancouver Campus

Vancouver campus of the New Jersey-based university offering U.S. degrees

842 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 2P6

Website · Map

School

West Point Grey Academy

Independent JK–12 day school; BC curriculum with 20 AP courses

4125 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P9

Website · Map · 604-222-8750 · Facebook · Instagram

School

York House School

Independent girls' school (Little, Junior and Senior School); BC curriculum with AP classes in the Senior School

4176 Alexandra Street, Vancouver, BC V6J 2V6

Website · Map · 604-736-6551 · info@yorkhouse.ca · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn · YouTube

School

Crofton House School

Independent girls' school, JK–12; BC curriculum with AP courses and counselling for US college applications

3200 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6N 3E1

Website · Map · +1 604-263-3255 · communications@croftonhouse.ca · Facebook · Instagram · LinkedIn

School

St. George's School

Independent all-boys day and boarding school (Junior and Senior School), BC curriculum

4175 West 29th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6S 1V1

Website · Map · 604-224-1304 · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

School

Collingwood School

Independent K–12 school in West Vancouver; BC curriculum with about 20 AP courses from Grade 10, incl. AP Capstone

Website · Map

School

Southridge School

Independent K–12 day school in South Surrey; BC curriculum with AP courses in Grades 10–12

2656 160th Street, Surrey, BC V3Z 0B7

Website · Map · 604-535-5056 · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

Advising

EducationUSA Canada (Fulbright Canada)

Free advising on applying to US colleges, run by Fulbright Canada; virtual hours Mon–Fri

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram · X · YouTube

American restaurants and bars

More in our guide: American food, restaurants and bars in Vancouver. Listings are not paid.

BBQ

Memphis Blues Barbeque House

Southern-style smoked ribs, brisket and pulled pork at two Vancouver locations.

430 Robson St, Vancouver, BC V6B (also 1342 Commercial Drive)

Website · Map · Facebook · Instagram

Diner

Deacon's Corner

Southern-style comfort food and all-day breakfast in Gastown.

101 Main St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1B8

Website · Map · +1 604-684-1555 · hello@deaconscorner.ca · Facebook · Instagram

Sports bar

Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill

Large downtown sports bar near BC Place.

180 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6B 4P4

Website · Map · +1 604-687-4275 · vancouver@sharkclub.com · Facebook · Instagram · X

Sports bar

Red Card Sports Bar + Eatery

Downtown sports bar and restaurant showing live games on large screens.

560 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3L9

Website · Map · +1 604-689-4460 · info@redcardsportsbar.ca · Facebook · Instagram · X

Sports bar

The Pint Public House

Sports bar near BC Place with wings and pints, popular on game days.

455 Abbott St, Vancouver, BC

Website · Map · +1 604-684-0258

Sports bar

King Taps Lonsdale Quay

Two-story waterfront restaurant and bar in the Lonsdale Quay Market.

Unit 141-123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BC

Website · Map · +1 778-770-2245

A taste of home

Costco

Costco Vancouver

Downtown Costco warehouse

605 Expo Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6B 1V4

Website · Map · +1 604-622-5050