Canada offers a publicly funded healthcare system called Medicare, which means that basic medical services are provided to Canadian citizens and permanent residents free of charge. The provinces and territories administer their own healthcare programs, resulting in some variations in coverage and eligibility across the country.
However, international students have different access to healthcare services, depending on the province/territory they are in.
It is mandatory that international students have medical insurance while studying/working in Canada.
Ensure Comprehensive Coverage: Make sure your private health insurance covers essential medical services, prescription drugs, hospitalization, emergency care, and any pre-existing medical conditions you may have.
This guide will help you navigate Canada’s healthcare system as an international student.
Types of Healthcare/Medical Insurance
Provincial/Territorial (free) Healthcare: Provincial/territorial programs that include international students under specific conditions (for example, a minimum study duration) and offer a specific set of features, such as doctor-visits, for free.
Education institution-offered Insurance: Many institutions, particularly universities, have tied up with insurance plan providers to offer special plans for international students. They can be often cheaper than private insurance plans.
Private Healthcare Plans: These are offered by for-profit companies and one can choose from various options.
The healthcare coverage offered by the provinces and territories for international students can be divided into three:
- Yes
- No
- Yes with exceptions
Let’s take a look.
Province/Territory | Details | ||||||||||||
Alberta (Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan – AHCIP) | Public health insurance available.
Students who have a 12-month study permit (valid for an Alberta educational institute) and who will reside in Alberta for 12 months or more are eligible for AHCIP coverage and should apply. Students under 18 years of age must be added to the AHCIP account of a custodian. Students with study permits valid for less than 12 months, may be eligible for AHCIP coverage if their application is accompanied by a letter from the school confirming their enrollment and their intent to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months. How to apply https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-how-to-apply.aspx
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British Columbia (Medical Services Plan – MSP)
| Public health insurance available.
All international students are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies. MSP processing takes about three months, so students are expected to have iMED for the first three months in Canada.
You will need two types of health insurance: Basic insurance, which covers most medically-required services. iMED for your first 3 months in Canada. MSP from your 4th month until the expiry of your study permit. Extended health insurance, to cover what basic insurance does not. AMS/GSS Extended Health and Dental Plan for the duration of your studies at UBC
Accompanying family members are also strongly recommended to have basic and extended health insurance. Check your student fees.
Extend your MSP, if required
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Manitoba (Manitoba International Student Health Plan or MISHP) | Public health insurance not available.
Health insurance is mandatory and check with your educational institution for options. Often, they provide basic and extended coverage options.
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New Brunswick (Medicare) | Public health insurance available.
Fulltime students of DLI under-graduate, graduate students, diploma and certificate students, with a valid Canada Immigration Document, in full-time attendance studies as defined by the approved educational institution for the full scholastic year are eligible. Spouses and dependents are eligible for New Brunswick Medicare coverage, under this program, if they live with the student and possess their own valid immigration document for the same period of time as the eligible international student.
Who is NOT eligible for New Brunswick Medicare? Exchange students, students enrolled in part time studies, and graduate students who are employed by the approved educational institution during their studies and covered under a post graduate permit. https://www.pxw1.snb.ca/snb7001/e/1000/CSS-FOL-35-5012E.pdf
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Newfoundland & Labrador (Medical Care Program – MCP) | Public health insurance available
Students must be attending for a period of at least 12 months. Dependents of the student will also be covered under MCP, provided they are living in the province and have relevant documentation to support their application. Coverage will become effective for eligible students on the date of arrival in the province or the effective date of the study permit, whichever is later. MCP will be available for 90 days after graduation, giving candidates the chance to look for jobs in the province.
MCP coverage is not available to International Students who study abroad or who study by distance while residing outside the province. https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/forms/#3
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Northwest Territories (Health Care Plan – NWTHCP) | Public health insurance available.
If you are a student studying a minimum of a 12-month program, you can apply. https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/sites/hss/files/request_for_health_care_coverage_0_1.pdf
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Nova Scotia (Medical Services Insurance – MSI) | Public health insurance available only after 12 months.
International students will be covered only after they complete 12 months of study. This means that you MUST purchase an international students’ emergency medical insurance plan provided through your educational institution.
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Nunavut | There are no DLIs in Nunavut.
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Ontario (Ontario Health Insurance Plan – OHIP) | Public health insurance not available.
International students aren’t eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Every academic institution in Ontario provides health insurance for students to purchase. Public universities usually provide health insurance through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). Colleges and private institutions in Ontario offer plans from various providers.
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Prince Edward Island (Health PEI) | Public health insurance available.
International students in Prince Edward Island (PEI) are eligible for public health insurance if they will be living in PEI for at least six months. However, a student can only apply for a PEI Health Card after residing in the province for at least three months. For this reason, international students must purchase health coverage either from their institution or a private health insurance provider for the beginning of their study period. If an international student becomes eligible for a PEI Health Card, they may be able to opt out of their purchased health insurance. Learn more about how to apply for a PEI Health Card.
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Quebec | Public health insurance not available unless your country has signed an agreement with Quebec.
You must have health and hospital insurance for the duration of your studies. This obligation also applies to accompanying family members. The following countries have signed special agreements with Quebec to provide health insurance.
For students from other countries: If you come to study at a university in Québec, you will be automatically registered for the group health insurance plan for foreign students. You must pay the premium established by your university. Other educational institutions also offer a group health insurance plan for foreign students. Check with your educational institution. If you come to study at an educational institution in Québec that does not offer this option, you must obtain private health and hospital insurance for you and your accompanying family members. Your educational institution can suggest private insurance. Otherwise, contact the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) for information on insurance companies that offer this type of protection. When you arrive in Québec, you will have 5 to 30 days to obtain private insurance. After this time, you may not be able to get insurance. In this case, you will not respect the conditions of your stay and your CAQ could be revoked.
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Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Health Plan) | Public health insurance available.
If you are an international student you may be eligible for Saskatchewan health coverage. A student whose program has not started is not eligible to apply for Saskatchewan Health Card. It takes between 4-6 weeks for health card to be processed, so students should get private coverage until then. International students not eligible for a Saskatchewan health card include those who: · are not a full-time student, · do not have a study permit, or · have an expired study permit.
Apply for a Saskatchewan Health Card
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Yukon | Public health insurance not available. Your education institution will enrol you in their health coverage plan.
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If there is no coverage through your province/territory or the educational institution, check for student advisors for available private insurance options before choosing one.
Additional Tips:
Familiarize yourself with the healthcare services available on your campus, including the campus health center and counseling services.
Carry your health insurance card with you at all times and understand how to use it when seeking medical care.
In case of an emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.