Arrive and Check In at Your Residence Front Desk

Residence Front Desk Check-in

We can’t wait to welcome you to residence at UBC! 👋

Here’s some key information so you know when to arrive, how to get here, how to check in, and how to move into your new room—whether you’re moving in on one of our official Move In Days or on any other date throughout the year.

Arrival and check-in instructions

For students moving into the following residences—who check in at their residence front desk.

  • Acadia Park
  • Fraser Hall
  • Ponderosa Commons
  • Brock Commons
  • Iona House
  • tÉ™ Å¡xÊ·hÉ™lelÉ™mÌ“s tÉ™ kÌ“Ê·aƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ
  • Exchange
  • Marine Drive
  • Thunderbird
  • Fairview Crescent

This information also applies to the following residences for Term Two (Jan. 4, 2026) Move In: Orchard Commons, Place Vanier, Totem Park and Walter Gage.

Move In Days

We host official Move In Days on the following dates, but many students in Year Round Residence areas move in throughout the year.

Use the instructions below to get to UBC and move in—whether you’re arriving on one of these official dates or any other date throughout the year.

On this page

Move In Day: Jan. 4, 2026
Winter Session, Term 2

January 4, 2026
1 pm–10:30 pm*

Move In Days: May 3, 2026
Year Round Residence

May 3, 2026
1 pm–10:30 pm*

Move In Day: May 10, 2026
Summer Residence

May 10, 2026
1 pm–10:30 pm*

Move In Day: Sept. 5, 2026
Winter Session, Term 1

September 5, 2026
9 am–4 pm*

*Except for Acadia Park, where you can start moving in at 1 pm and must be finished moving in by 10 pm. Learn more about moving into Acadia Park.

Check-in timeslots (Fall Move In only)

  • Ponderosa Commons: if you’re moving into Ponderosa Commons on Sept. 5, 2026, you’ll need to book a timeslot. Watch for an email from us in early to mid-August with info about how to book yours.
  • Other residence areas: if you’re moving into one of the other areas listed above, you do not need to book a timeslot for any Move In Day.

Move In Day overview

Here’s a brief overview of how the day will go. More details below!

  • Arrive at UBC—if you’re arriving by vehicle, you’ll temporarily park near your residence.
  • Check in—check in at your residence front desk.
  • Move in!—if you drove a vehicle, you’ll unload and move in, then you’ll re-park at a nearby parkade or lot.
  • Unpack and settle in—if you drove, walk back to your room, unpack and settle in! If you need a bite to eat, find out what’s open on-campus.

Move In Day schedules

Schedule: January 4, 2026

  • 1 pm: Check-in opens at your residence front desk.
  • 10 pm: Acadia Park residents must be finished moving in.
  • 10:30 pm: Latest arrival for check-in (for residences except Acadia Park).**
  • 11 pm: Residence front desks close.

Schedule: May 3, 2026

  • 1 pm: Check-in opens at your residence front desk.*
  • 10 pm: Acadia Park residents must be finished moving in.
  • 10:30 pm: Latest arrival for check-in (for residences except Acadia Park).**
  • 11 pm: Residence front desks close.

Schedule: September 5, 2026

  • 9 am: Check-in opens at your residence front desk.*
  • 4 pm: End of official move-in period—but you can still check-in throughout the evening.
  • 10 pm: Acadia Park residents must be finished moving in.
  • 10:30 pm: Latest arrival for check-in (for residences except Acadia Park).**
  • 11 pm: Residence front desks close.

Schedule: All other dates throughout the year

  • 7:30 am: Check-in opens at your residence front desk.*
  • 10 pm: Acadia Park residents must be finished moving in.
  • 10:30 pm: Latest arrival for check-in (for residences except Acadia Park).**
  • 11 pm: Residence front desks close.

*Acadia Park residents can check-in as early as the times indicated, but cannot begin moving in until 1 pm, when their occupancy begins. Learn more about moving into Acadia Park.

**If you’re arriving after 10:30 pm, you’ll need to book a hotel and check in the next day between 7:30 am and 10:30 pm. On-campus hotel accommodation is available.

Residence front desk check-in locations

Front Desk check-in locations for your residence area. Refer to the map below for location information.

  • Acadia Park: Acadia Park Commonsblock.
  • Brock Commons: Brock Commons North.
  • Exchange: qÊ·ta:yθən lelÉ™mÌ“ (Sturgeon House)—at tÉ™ Å¡xÊ·hÉ™lelÉ™mÌ“s tÉ™ kÌ“Ê·aƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ (The Houses of the Ones Belonging to the Saltwater).
  • Fairview Crescent: Acadia Park Commonsblock.
  • Fraser Hall: Acadia Park Commonsblock.
  • Iona House: Brock Commons North.
  • Marine Drive: Marine Drive Commonsblock.
  • Ponderosa Commons: Ponderosa Commons (Cedar House).
  • tÉ™ Å¡xÊ·hÉ™lelÉ™mÌ“s tÉ™ kÌ“Ê·aƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ: qÊ·ta:yθən lelÉ™mÌ“ (Sturgeon House).
  • Thunderbird: Thunderbird (3000 block).

For Term Two (Jan. 4, 2026) Move In, residents in Orchard Commons, Place Vanier, Totem Park and Walter Gage will check in at their residence commonsblock.

Map: check-in and temporary parking locations

Move In Day details

Detailed steps for arriving, checking in and moving into your room/unit on Move In Day, which depend on how you get here.

Arriving by vehicle?

GPS is great for getting to UBC, but once you’re close to campus, follow our signs instead. We’ve posted them at key points all over campus.

Park temporarily near your residence front desk

  • Your first stop is either a short-term parking zone, parking lot or parkade near your residence front desk, where you’ll park for free while you get checked in.
  • Find your temporary parking location on the map above.

Proceed to your residence front desk

  • Leave your belongings in your car.
  • Bring your government-issued photo ID.

Check in

  • Come on in to your residence.
  • Visit the front desk.
  • Present your government-issued photo ID.
  • Pick up your check-in package and, if applicable, a vehicle pass (Term One Move In only).
  • Get instructions for driving to closer to your residence building, if applicable, and moving in—including how long you have to move your stuff in before you need to re-park your car in longer-term parking.

Move in

  • Return to your vehicle
  • If applicable, follow the instructions to drive your belongings closer to your residence building.
  • Move your belongings into your residence room/unit within the time frame provided by your residence front desk.
  • Moving carts are available to use for free—although a limited supply is available on official Move In Days. To borrow one, you need to leave us with your government-issued photo ID.

Re-park your vehicle at a nearby parkade or parking lot

  • Once you’ve moved your stuff to your room/unit, return to your vehicle.
  • Drive and re-park at the nearest applicable parkade or parking lot.

Learn more about residence parking permits and parking at Acadia Park.

Unpack and settle in

🚀 Mission accomplished!

Arriving by taxi or rideshare?

If you’re arriving by taxi or rideshare (i.e., Uber), follow these directions to arrive, check in and move in.

  • Your driver can drop you off at your residence.
  • Come on in!
  • Visit the front desk.
  • Present your government-issued photo ID.
  • Pick up your check-in package.
  • Move in!

Arriving by bus?

If you’re arriving by bus, follow these directions to arrive, check in and move in.

  • You’ll arrive at the UBC Bus Exchange or trolley bus loop, depending on which bus you take.
  • Proceed to your residence: walk/roll across campus or take transit from the UBC Bus Exchange.
  • Come on in!
  • Visit the front desk.
  • Present your government-issued photo ID.
  • Pick up your check-in package.
  • Move in!

FAQs

Do I need to book a timeslot?

Residents moving in on Jan. 4, 2026 do not need to select a timeslot. You can go directly to your residence front desk to check-in.

Ponderosa Commons residents arriving on one of our official Move In Days need to book a timeslot. Watch for an email from us a few weeks before Move In Day with info about how to book yours!

What if i’m moving in after January 4?

If you’re arriving after the official Move In Day of January 4, please proceed directly to your residence front desk to check-in. The front desk is open between 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily. Please arrive by 10:30 pm at the latest to check-in before the front desks close at 11 pm.

What if I arrive late?

If you’ll be arriving too late to check in and move in, you’ll need to book a hotel and check-in at your residence front desk the next day. On-campus hotel accommodation is available.

Can I bring my pet?

While we love animals, pets are not permitted in residence.* Please leave your pet at home.

*Except for select pet types at Acadia Park.

What if I forget to bring something?

UBC Bookstore also has plenty of residence supplies in stock, for purchase online or in-store.

Questions?

Check out the complete Move In Day guide. If you have additional questions that aren’t answered there, please email move.in.day@ubc.ca.