International Student Insurance
School plans and provincial coverage don't always start on day one — or cover your family. Here's how student health insurance works in each province, and how to fill the gaps.
Reviewed by Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS · Last updated October 2026
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How health coverage works for international students
Quick answer
It depends on your province. In Ontario, international students aren't eligible for OHIP and are enrolled in UHIP or a college plan. In BC, students can join MSP after a waiting period. Alberta and Saskatchewan cover eligible students. Private student insurance fills the gaps — waiting periods, family members and time between programs.
Canada's health care is run by each province, so the rules change when you cross a provincial border. Use the table as a starting point, then confirm with your school's international student office — they know exactly which plan you'll be enrolled in.
| Province | Provincial plan for students? | Where private cover helps |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | No — universities use UHIP, colleges use their own plans | Before the school plan starts; spouse and children; gaps between programs |
| British Columbia | Yes (MSP), after a waiting period | The waiting period after arrival |
| Alberta | Yes (AHCIP), for eligible study permits | Until registration is complete; if not eligible |
| Saskatchewan | Yes, for eligible students | Until your health card is issued |
| Manitoba | Most schools enrol students in a school plan | Dependants; gaps between terms |
| New Brunswick & Nova Scotia | Generally school or private plans | Students and families not on a school plan |
Rules change; always confirm eligibility with the provincial health ministry and your school.
When a private student plan makes sense
- You arrive before the school plan or provincial coverage begins
- You're in BC and need cover during the MSP waiting period
- Your spouse or children came with you and aren't on the school plan
- You've finished your program and are waiting on a post-graduation work permit
- Your school doesn't have a mandatory plan
What student plans usually cover
- Emergency hospital care
- Doctor and walk-in clinic visits
- Diagnostics
- Emergency prescriptions
- Ambulance
- Emergency dental
- Repatriation
- Side trips (plan-dependent)
Most student and visitor plans are for emergencies. Routine check-ups, eye exams and regular dental care are usually not included — that's what supplementary school plans are for.
Tips from an advisor
- Ask your school for the exact start and end dates of its plan — the gap is usually at the edges.
- Buy before you fly. A policy bought after arrival may have a waiting period for illness.
- Keep proof of insurance with your study permit documents.
- If family is joining you later, price their cover now so it starts the day they land.
Student insurance FAQs
Do international students in Canada need health insurance?
Yes. Every province expects international students to have health coverage — either the provincial plan where students are eligible, or a school or private plan where they aren't. Many schools make their plan mandatory and add the cost to tuition.
Are international students covered by OHIP in Ontario?
No. International students in Ontario aren't eligible for OHIP. Most universities enrol them in UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan), and colleges use their own group plans.
Can I opt out of my school's health plan?
It depends on the school and the plan. Basic plans like UHIP are generally mandatory for eligible students. Some supplementary plans (dental, vision, drugs) allow a waiver if you can show comparable coverage. Check your school's rules before you buy anything else.
What does a private student plan cover that a school plan might not?
The gap before your school plan starts, the waiting period before provincial cover (for example in British Columbia), a spouse or children who aren't on the school plan, and the months after graduation while you wait for a work permit decision.
Is student insurance expensive?
Usually less than visitor insurance for older travellers, because students are young. Price depends on age, coverage amount, deductible and length of cover. Get an instant quote above.
Studying in Canada?
Tell us your school and dates — we'll tell you whether you need extra cover, and price it if you do.