International Student Health Insurance in Canada: Options and Choices (2026)

Written by: Helene Fleischer

Edited by: Jessica Barrett

Content Marketing Manager

Updated

January 22, 2026

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Key Takeaways

International students in Canada may be eligible for public health care through provincial insurance plans or mandatory not-for-profit student insurance plans.
Most colleges and universities in Canada provide extended health insurance through student unions for medical costs that public health care won’t cover.
You may need private health insurance if your school-provided insurance doesn’t cover all your needs or leaves you with steep out-of-pocket medical bills.

Do international students need health insurance in Canada?

International students in Canada typically need two types of insurance:

Basic health and hospital insurance, which may be available through an existing public health insurance plan or as a mandatory not-for-profit healthcare plan specifically for students
Extended health insurance, which is typically provided by student unions and may be replaced or supplemented with private health coverage

The exact healthcare plans you need to enroll in will depend on your province and education institution, but most colleges and universities require international students to have both types of coverage.

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What health insurance options do international students have?

International students can meet healthcare coverage requirements through public health insurance (in most provinces), basic medical insurance designed for students, and extended health insurance provided by a student union or private insurer. Options vary by province and institution, as well as by each student’s individual medical needs.

Public health insurance

Public health insurance for international students covers medically necessary services, including physician visits and medical care delivered in a hospital. In most provinces, international students can access basic medical coverage through the existing provincial healthcare plan if they meet eligibility requirements, though a waiting period may apply to new arrivals.

The table below compares public healthcare coverage options for international students by province:

Province	Public health insurance	Waiting period	Notes
Alberta	AHCIP: Available with a 12-month study permit OR 12-month residency	None	Students with a study permit for less than 12 months must submit a letter from their school stating that they intend to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months.
British Columbia	MSP: Required for all students who reside in BC for 6 months or longer	3 months	All international students must pay a mandatory $75 monthly health fee. Alternate basic insurance may be available during the waiting period.
Manitoba	MISHP: Mandatory for all international students	None	Students enrolled in MISHP must pay an annual fee of $1,200 (subject to change year by year).
New Brunswick	Medicare: Available with valid immigration documents AND full-time enrollment at a designated learning institution in New Brunswick	3 months	Exchange students, part-time students, and those enrolled in a learning institution outside of New Brunswick are not eligible.
Newfoundland and Labrador	MCP: Available with a study permit valid for at least 12 months for full-time enrollment in a designated institution	None	Students must submit a letter from their educational institution confirming that they are enrolled full-time in a program of at least one year.
Nova Scotia	MSI: Available with a study permit valid for at least 12 months	12 months	Spouses and dependents are eligible for MSI coverage on the same basis as international students.
Ontario	None available	N/A	All international students must purchase mandatory coverage through UHIP.
Prince Edward Island	PEI Health: Available with a study permit indicating ability to work off-campus.	None	Students must submit a letter from their designated learning institution confirming that they are enrolled for the current study year.
Quebec	RAMQ: Available for students from 11 countries with social security agreements with Quebec	Up to 3 months	International students not eligible for RAMQ are automatically enrolled in and billed for health and hospital insurance through Desjardins. You must opt out of this insurance if you are eligible for RAMQ.
Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan Health: Available with a valid study permit and proof of full-time enrollment.	None	N/A

Mandatory international student health insurance plans

Only Ontario and Quebec restrict all or most international students from enrollment in provincial health insurance for primary medical expenses. International students in these provinces who don’t qualify for public health care must enroll in a primary medical insurance plan designed for students, such as Ontario’s University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) or Quebec’s Cowan Insurance.

These plans cover the same types of healthcare services as public health insurance—medically necessary physician and hospital services, lab work and diagnostics, etc. They may also cover additional costs not covered by provincial health care, such as vision care, paramedical services, ambulance transportation, and repatriation costs if the student needs to return to their home country.

UHIP and similar plans typically lack coverage for dental care and prescription drugs, leaving a gap in coverage that may be filled by a private insurance plan or school health plans.

School health plans

School health plans, which are available to both international and non-international students in Canada, provide extended health insurance coverage for students. These plans are provided through student unions and remain active only during the school year.

School health plans cover medical services that aren’t covered by public health care or a mandatory international student plan like UHIP. Common coverage provided by student union health plans includes:

Dental care, typically limited to basic checkups, cleanings, and other preventative services, as well as emergency accidental dental care
Vision care, including regular eye exams and prescription eyewear
Medical equipment, including mobility aids
Paramedical services, including visits to chiropractors, physiotherapists, osteopaths, naturopaths, and more
Mental health support and general wellness resources, which may include specific LGBT support and gender-affirming care
Travel health insurance, including trip cancellation and trip interruption benefits

Exact coverage details will vary from school to school, so review the options provided by your institution to understand what coverage is available.

How much does international student health insurance cost?

The cost of health insurance for Canadian international students depends on the type of plan:
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Public health insurance is typically free for international students, although students in British Columbia and Manitoba must pay a small monthly or annual fee.
Not-for-profit international student health insurance like UHIP charges premiums by the academic year, with rates for a single student around $250 to $800. Additional premiums apply for family members.
School health plans typically cost between $200 and $400 per academic year, with additional premiums for partners and dependents. These premiums may be included in your tuition and student fees.

Is private health insurance worth it for international students?

For most international students in Canada, private health insurance isn’t necessary. If you’re eligible for public health insurance or enrolled in a not-for-profit student plan like UHIP, you should have coverage for all primary medical treatment, including doctor visits and hospital care. You’ll also have extended health care through your student union to help pay for services that public health care doesn’t cover, such as prescriptions, dentist visits, and mental health care.

There are, however, a few situations where international students may want to purchase a private health and dental plan to replace or supplement existing coverage. Private coverage might be worth the added cost if:
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You have specific, ongoing healthcare needs that your student coverage doesn’t adequately address, such as major dental care, specialized mental health care, or multiple prescriptions
Your student health plan has weak reimbursement rates
You need coverage outside of the academic year for yourself or family members

How to choose the right health insurance as an international student

Most international students can meet their health insurance requirements by enrolling in the combination of public and school-provided insurance recommended by their educational institution. If you’re not sure you’re getting the right coverage, it’s worthwhile to assess your needs.
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Start by assessing your current healthcare usage: Do you have any regular prescriptions? Do you need regular care, including dental cleanings, eye exams, mental health support, or paramedical services? Determine how much coverage you currently have for these services and how much you’re paying out of pocket.
Consider any foreseeable changes to your healthcare needs: If you’re expecting your healthcare needs to change—e.g., if you’re planning to start a family, get major dental work done, or start intensive therapy—factor those added costs into your insurance needs.
Evaluate the coverage and costs of your current insurance: If you’re paying a significant amount out of pocket for healthcare services not covered or not fully covered by your student health plan, you may need additional or alternative insurance.
Avoid overbuying: A private health insurance plan can easily duplicate coverage you may already be paying for as part of your student union plan. If you need extra coverage, investigate your options for opting out of your school’s health insurance to avoid paying extra for redundant coverage.

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FAQ: international student health insurance

Do international students get health insurance in Canada?

Do international students qualify for OHIP?

Can international students get RAMQ?

What is the best health insurance for international students?

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