Why is it important for International students to be covered by health insurance?

Many foreign students looking for quality education and a better future choose Canada as a destination for their studies. Canadian schools are among the best in the world, and Canada is a safe and secure country based on tolerance, diversity and non-discrimination!

The health care system in Canada varies across the country. Foreign nationals intending to study in Canada should become familiar with the health care offered in Canada by their province of study. Some provinces provide health insurance for international students, but most provinces require students to register for private health insurance.

In many provinces, educational institutions provide health insurance programs to the international students. Some educational institutes will require students to register with their health insurance providers. Whereas, some others give students the options to buy a coverage for themselves. Canada's publicly funded, free health care system is very generous to its own people and permanent residents. But for visitors, this is not totally free. The visitors are expected to be responsible for emergency medical costs themselves. Foreign students are no exception. Universal health care for all Canadians includes only medically necessary services that are considered basic health care.

The cost of Medicare is expensive.

If you are not covered by the provincial health program and have no health insurance, you will have to pay out of pocket for health-related expenses. In addition, those services can be quite expensive. You may be required to pay $100 CAD to see a doctor in a walk-in clinic. On the other hand, you could be charged $1,000 CAD for an emergency room visit and $3,700 CAD for acute care in a standard department. Depending on where you go for treatment, it can be expected that you will pay the initial costs.

Provincial health coverage program for international students in Canada

Some provinces offer coverage for international students through their provincial health insurance, while other provinces and territories require you to purchase private health insurance.

The following is a breakdown of each province and study permit requirements to be eligible for Provincial healthcare:

Province / Territory Whether Covered under Provincial Health Program? Requirements for international students
Alberta Yes
  • At least a 12-month study permit. 
  • Apply within 90 days of your arrival to Alberta.
  • Students who have a 3- to 12-month study permit may qualify if they can prove that they intend to live in Alberta for 12 months.
For Resource: https://formsmgmt.gov.ab.ca/Public/AHC0102.xdp
British Columbia (B.C) Yes
  • Minimum six-month study permit
  • Up to a three month wait period
  • Coverage does not start until the first day of the third month after you arrive in Canada.
For Resources:Click here
Manitoba No
  • Minimum 12-month study permit
  • Proof of full-time registration at a college or university required
Resources :Click here
Newfoundland and Labrador Yes
  • Minimum 12-month study period
  • Proof of registration at a college or university required
For Resources :Click here
Northwest Territories Yes
  • Minimum 12-month study period
  • Proof of registration at a college or university is required
For Resources:Click here
Nova Scotia Yes
  • Minimum 12-month study period
  • One year wait period
  • Apply on the first day of the thirteenth month following your arrival as a student
  • Must not be out of the province for more than 31 consecutive days
  • Proof of study permit required
For Resources :Click here
Ontario No  
Prince Edward Island (PEI) Yes
  • Copy of valid study permit that also indicates you can work off-campus
  • Proof of full-time registration at college or university
For Resources:Click here
Quebec Possibly
  • Students from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden may be eligible for health coverage as Quebec has a reciprocal agreement with these countries
For Resources:Click here
Saskatchewan Yes
  • Proof of valid study permit and full-time enrollment at a university or college is required
For Resources:Click here
Yukon No  

Your options - if you are not covered by the province's health program?

If you are not eligible to enrol in a provincial health program or have an applicable wait time, it is highly recommended that you purchase your private health insurance. Sometimes this coverage is offered by educational institutions, or you must purchase this coverage on your own. There are a number of insurers that offer a different plan to suit you. The maximum coverage under these plans can range from 2 million up to 5 million.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for coverage a person must, as of the effective date:

a) Be a student enrolled in a school in Canada; or
b) Be an accompanying dependent* under certain age of an eligible student; and
c) Be currently in good health; and
d) Be less than a certain age at the time of application; and
e) Not be insured or eligible for benefits under a Canadian government health insurance plan.

If you become eligible for and insured under the government health insurance plan of the province or territory in which you study, the insurance will then apply in excess of this provincial or territorial government health insurance plan.

What does the Plan cover?

  • Emergency Hospital
  • Emergency Medical
  • Professional Services
  • Drugs or Medications
  • Maternity Benefit
  • Physical Examination
  • Emergency Air Transportation / Return home
  • Transportation of Family
  • Non-Emergency Treatment
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Emergencies
  • Wisdom Teeth
  • Return of Deceased
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment
  • Psychiatric and Psychological Care
  • Prescription Glasses, Contact Lenses, and Hearing Aids
  • Tutorial Services
  • Trauma Counselling
  • Tuberculosis testing and Vaccination

whatsap