Hello Victoria Canada is a study and settlement advisory service based in Victoria, British Columbia. We help families and students apply to schools and programs in Greater Victoria, and we support them through arrival and the first months of settling in.
We work by appointment and online. We do not run a walk-in office.
Who we are
We are a locally based team in Victoria. Because we live and work here, we can talk with schools and school districts directly, and we know the neighbourhoods, services and everyday routines that new families need to learn. On the University of Victoria certificate described below, our business appears under the name “Hello Victoria Student Services”.
Most of our clients so far have come from Korea, and our original website is in Korean. This English section is for English-speaking parents and students of any nationality.
What we do
Public school applications
International student applications to SD61 Greater Victoria, SD62 Sooke and SD63 Saanich.
Private and boarding schools
Help comparing and applying to private/independent and boarding schools.
English language programs
Including programs at the University of Victoria Division of Continuing Studies.
University and college
Planning and applications for post-secondary study.
Arrival and settling-in support
Housing, transport, school start and everyday set-up.
Choosing a neighbourhood
Compare six local areas side by side.
School and program admissions
- University of Victoria Division of Continuing Studies, including English language programs, as a certified representative (see below).
- Public school districts: SD61 Greater Victoria, SD62 Sooke and SD63 Saanich international student programs.
- Private/independent and boarding schools in the Victoria area. Whether a particular school is one of our partner institutions is confirmed case by case.
Being an authorized agent helps with communication and paperwork, but it does not guarantee admission, a study permit or a particular school placement. Those decisions are made by the school, the school district and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Settlement and arrival support
- Adult and university-age English language students who apply through us receive settling-in support free of charge.
- Families arriving with a parent (K–12 study with an accompanying parent) can use our paid settlement support, such as help finding housing, buying a car, and setting up phone, internet and banking. We explain what is included and the price in writing before you decide.
Custodian-related support
People often use the word “guardian” for several different things. We keep them separate:
- Legal custodian (for the study permit). IRCC requires a minor under 17 who is not coming with a parent or legal guardian to have a custodian in Canada: a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. A custodianship declaration form is signed and notarized by the custodian in Canada and by the parents in their home country. For students 17 and older a custodian is optional, but an officer can request one. Source: IRCC, Minor children.
- Our custodian paperwork support. For students admitted through us to a partner school or school district, we can provide the required custodian documentation support, where it applies, without a separate guardian service fee. Whether it applies depends on the student’s age, whether a parent is coming, and the program’s rules. Notarization and other third-party costs are paid at actual cost, and services such as hospital accompaniment, long-distance travel or extra services a school requires are not included.
- School district custodianship. SD61, SD62 and SD63 can act as custodian for students in their district homestay programs. This has its own conditions, such as district homestay placement and district fees. Check each district’s fee schedule.
- Day-to-day local support. Being named as a custodian on paper is not the same as 24-hour care, regular reporting or problem-solving with a homestay. If a family needs ongoing support of that kind, we discuss it separately so that you do not pay twice for something the district or homestay already provides.
How we work
You pay tuition directly to the school
We ask families to pay tuition directly to the school or school district, not to us. The school issues an invoice in the student’s name, you pay it from your own bank, and we follow up with the school for the payment confirmation and letter of acceptance. Before sending money, check the school’s name and banking details on its official website. Refunds follow each school’s own refund policy.
The same price and service for every student
We quote the same prices and offer the same services to every client, whether or not they already know the system. We do not add a margin to tutors, homestays, lessons or car purchases, and we do not take referral fees from them.
Korean-language background: Pay tuition directly to the school Korean-language resource · Same price and service for every student Korean-language resource
Certificate of representation
We hold a certificate of representation from the University of Victoria Division of Continuing Studies, issued to Hello Victoria Student Services. The certificate shown on our Korean-language page is for the 2025–2026 period. You can also confirm an agent’s status directly with UVic Continuing Studies.
UVic Continuing Studies agency certificate Korean-language resource
Reviews
Families and students have left reviews of our service on Google. You can read them on Google directly, and a selection is shown on our home page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit your office?
We do not have a walk-in office. Consultations are by appointment, online or by phone, and we meet in person when a service requires it.
Can you guarantee admission or a visa?
No. Schools decide on admission and IRCC decides on study permits. We help you prepare a complete, accurate application.