You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident to be eligible to join the union.
Membership eligibility is achieved via “qualifying credits”. It takes 1 credit to be eligible for APPRENTICESHIP and 3 credits to become eligible for FULL MEMBERSHIP
You may submit your application and supporting documents, or any questions about your eligibility to membership@ubcpactra.ca
The first qualifying credit can be:
- An Acting Credit in a professional engagement in an eligible category for which a work permit was paid. You will need to provide a copy of the contract and pay stub from the engagement when making your application.
- An Education Credit: a degree or diploma from an accredited program
- 1600 hours or 200 days of on-camera work from when you joined as a Background Member. To join as a BACKGROUND MEMBER you will need proof of 15 days of on-camera work as a Background Performer in the last 12 months.
The second, and subsequent credits must be Acting Credits.
Background Member Application
(15 Vouchers)
Apprentice Member Application
(1 Credit)
Full Member Application
( 3 Credits)
In order to become a member you need to be a Canadian citizen or have permanent residency status.
The Union can offer Temporary Membership once you have applied for Permanent Residency.
As a Temporary Member you will be issued a union number and have the same rights as a UBCP/ACTRA Apprentice Member such as access to work opportunities on unionized productions through preference of engagement. You pay work permit fees until you are granted either Canadian citizenship or Permanent Resident status and have earned three (3) qualifying credits from work in a residual category on a unionized production. A Temporary Member who becomes eligible for Full Membership is entitled a credit toward their initiation fee equal to the permit fees previously paid by them, up to but not exceeding the cost of the initiation fee.
To apply for Temporary Membership, please submit the documents listed below to membership@ubcpactra.ca
- Proof of one (1):
a) Status as a Deemed Resident of Canada for income tax purposes
b) Confirmation that your application for permanent residency is being processed with immigration. We need a copy of the email or letter you received that includes your application number issued by IRCC
c) Letter of good standing from a FIA union - A copy of your work VISA issued by the Canadian Government
- Proof of at least one qualifying Acting Credit (Contract and Paystub)
- The completed Apprentice Application Form
A member in good standing with SAG-AFTRA or Equity UK may apply to be a Full Member of UBCP/ACTRA after having worked on at least one residual bearing role on a UBCP/ACTRA production.
A Canadian Actors Equity Association (CAEA) member may apply to be a Full Member of UBCP/ACTRA after having worked on at least one residual bearing role on a UBCP/ACTRA production. Under a reciprocal agreement, CAEA members are entitled to a $475.00 discount off the UBCP/ACTRA initiation fee.
You will need to submit your current membership card or letter in good standing, proof of qualifying credit (contract and paystub) along with the all the requirements of the Full Member Application to: membership@ubcpactra.ca