See below for some Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Driver’s Licence or my Notice of Assessment to prove I’m a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident?

No, you must provide a copy of one of the following documents: Canadian passport; Canadian birth certificate; Certificate of Indian Status card; Citizenship card; or Permanent Resident card

My Canadian passport is expired. May I still use it to prove I’m a Canadian citizen?

Yes, because you will never lose your citizenship even if your passport has expired.

My Permanent Resident card is expired. May I still use it to prove I’m a permanent resident?

No, because under certain circumstances you may lose your permanent resident status. The only proof that you are currently a permanent resident is a valid Permanent Resident card.

Will I be able to work on student films or other non-commercial projects after I join UBCP/ACTRA?

All Members (Background, Apprentice and Full Members) may work on signatory productions ONLY. For student films and other low-budget projects they must be signatory to our Ultra Low Budget Program.

What happens if I don’t pay my Annual Dues on time?

Annual Dues are payable every year by March 31st. Members who miss this deadline may still pay their Annual Dues plus a 10% late fee in the month of April without losing their membership status.

If Annual Dues remain unpaid by May 1st, Background and Apprentice Memberships are cancelled. Full Member will be suspended, until they have paid the outstanding amount.

My membership was cancelled. May I reactivate it?

Once a Background or Apprentice Membership is cancelled, it cannot be reactivated. If you want to rejoin the Union, you will have to apply again.

My membership was suspended due to non-payment. How can I reactivate it?

Full Members who fail to pay their Annual Dues before May 1st will have their membership suspended. In order to reactivate it, all outstanding Annual Dues and Late Fees must be paid.

What are some of the consequences of being a Suspended Member?

Suspended Members must pay non-member service charges on residual payments, and non-refundable work permit fees. A Member who is suspended for two years for non-payment of Annual Dues automatically becomes a Resigned Member.

I need to take a break from working in the industry. Can I switch my membership to Withdrawn status?

Only those performers who have been Full Members in good standing for at least one year may put their membership on Withdrawn status.

Withdrawn Members may audition, but may not work in either union or non-union productions. If work is booked, the membership must be reactivated before the first day of work.

The cost to put a membership on Withdrawn status is 25% of the Annual Dues ($48.75) plus any outstanding amounts. If you switch to Withdrawn status before April 1st, you won’t have to pay the Annual Dues for the upcoming April 1^st-March 31^st dues cycle.

Members on Withdrawn status pay a service fee of 25% on all Film & Television residual payments, and 10% on all Commercial use payments. We strongly encourage everyone to contact their benefits provider before making a decision, as the insurance and retirement accounts might be affected.

If you decide to proceed, please submit this Withdrawal form and contact us to pay for the Withdrawal fee.

My membership is on Withdrawn status. How may I reactivate it?

In order to reactivate your membership, you must pay the current prorated Annual Dues. Members do not pay annual dues for the time their membership has been on Withdrawn status.

I want to cancel my Background or Apprentice Membership. What should I do?

Please submit the Background Member Cancellation Form or the Apprentice Member Cancellation Form to membership@ubcpactra.ca.

I want to resign as a Full Member. What should I do?

Resigned Members pay a service fee of 25% on all Film & Television residual payments, and 10% on all Commercial use payments. We strongly encourage everyone to contact their benefits provider before making a decision, as the insurance and retirement accounts might be affected.

If you decide to proceed, please submit this Voluntary Resignation Form to membership@ubcp.com.

I’m a Resigned Member. May I reinstate my membership?

Resigned Members may request that their membership be reactivated. However, the Union has the right to refuse reactivation if the Resigned Member acted in contravention of the ACTRA Constitution and Bylaws.

If the request is not denied, there are two options to reinstate a Resigned membership: 1) you may reinstate as a Full Member by paying your outstanding annual dues and late fees, the $1,600 Reinstatement Fee, and the prorated annual dues for the current year; or 2) you may reinstate as an Apprentice Member by registering a new eligible Acting credit and paying your outstanding annual dues and late fees, and the prorated dues for the current year.

I want to join as a Background Member. May I include days of work on non-union productions to prove that I worked 15 days in the last 12 months?

No, only days of work on union productions count. Please note that custom fitting and wardrobe days don’t count as days of work.

I want to apply as an Apprentice Member by proving that I worked 200 days or 1600 hours as a Background Member. When should I start counting my days or hours?

Your count starts the date you became a Background Member. If you don’t remember when you became a Background Member, please contact the Membership Department. Please, note that custom fitting and wardrobe days don’t count as days or hours of work.

I have changed my name. What should I do?

Please submit the LEGAL CHANGE OF NAME FORM  and/or the CHANGE OF STAGE NAME FORM to membership@ubcpactra.ca.

I moved out of British Columbia, and want to transfer my membership to another branch. What should I do?

Please submit either Background Member Transfer Form, Apprentice Member Transfer Form or Full Member Transfer Form along with proof of residence in your new province to membership@ubcpactra.ca. UBCP/ACTRA, as your current home branch, will process the transfer out of BC.

I moved to British Columbia, and want to transfer my membership from another branch. What should I do?

Please contact your current home branch and request a Transfer Form. Your transfer to BC will be processed by your current home branch.

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