Student insurance in Canada

International students in Canada are required to obtain health insurance for the duration of their stay in the country. Health insurance services in Canada are provided in some provinces for international students, either for free or for a premium. However, some provinces do not offer this type of insurance for foreign students.

If you don’t have adequate health insurance coverage for all your medical expenses, you’ll have to pay for your medical expenses out of pocket, and it goes without saying that some of these services can be quite expensive. For example, if you don’t have insurance, an MRI scan can cost between CAD 900 and CAD 2,400.

How does health insurance for international students work in Canada?

As an international student, you should apply for a Medicare Card as soon as you arrive in Canada. On average, it takes about three months to issue this card. During this time when you don’t have student insurance, you can look into getting travel insurance.

Is health insurance in Canada effective?

Canada’s healthcare system ranks high internationally, but a significant drawback is the long waiting times. On average, the wait time to see a doctor or specialist is longer than in other countries.

Different health insurance plans for students in Canada

There are mainly three types of health care insurance plans you can use – private health insurance plans, health insurance plans provided by universities, and government health insurance in Canada. Since health insurance is mandatory for all international students studying in Canada, you should choose one that best fits your location and medical needs.

University health insurance

Many universities are connected with healthcare insurance providers in Canada and offer these plans to their international students through these links. Although the healthcare programs provided by universities are generally cheaper than private insurance, you might not have many options to choose from. This is because they typically offer a single healthcare service package for all students.

Public health insurance

Public health insurance offers standard medical services, primary care doctors, and hospitals that are pretty much the same across the board. Some common services that aren't usually covered under most public healthcare policies include eye and dental care, physiotherapy, and psychiatric services.

Private health insurance

You can choose from many different private plans. Some of these plans include: prescription medication services, dental costs, private hospital rooms, ambulance services, and prescription glasses. Keep in mind that private insurance in Canada, like everywhere else in the world, is significantly more expensive than public health insurance.

To find private insurance companies for your healthcare coverage, we’re introducing you to a tool that can help you, as an international student wanting to receive more services from private companies, find the right provider.

Find Insurance tool: This tool allows you to find about 99% of the insurance programs offered by life and health insurance companies in Canada, categorized and listed for your convenience.

Ways to apply for student health insurance in Canada

The rules and regulations regarding health insurance aren’t the same across all provinces in Canada. If you plan to study at a university that provides health insurance coverage in that province, you should do the following:

Apply for health insurance on the province’s website.

Fill out the application form.

Pay the premium amount.

If the province doesn’t provide you with health insurance coverage, you need to get it through a private company before heading to Canada. For this, you need to:

Contact a health insurance company

Choose a plan that meets all your needs

Is there provincial coverage for international students? Yes

Abbreviation: AHCIP

Initial requirements:

You must have a valid study permit for at least 12 months.

You must have resided in Alberta for at least 12 months.

Additional information:

Study permit holders for more than three months and less than 12 months may qualify if they can show their intent to stay in Alberta for at least 12 months.

Students under 18 must be added to their parents’ or guardians’ insurance.

You must submit your application within 90 days of arriving in Alberta.

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) only covers basic health expenses and does not cover dental care or prescription drugs.

Is there provincial coverage for international students? Yes

Initial requirements:

You must have a valid study permit for at least 6 months.

Insurance coverage starts after three months.

International students are advised to apply immediately upon arrival. Coverage begins on the first day of the third month afterward. For example, if a student arrives on August 25, their coverage will start on November 1. International students must be covered during these three months.

Note: Students at the University of British Columbia are covered by iMED insurance during this three-month waiting period, which provides them with basic insurance coverage.

Cost: All international students in British Columbia must pay $75 per month for healthcare. This fee starts after the mandatory three-month waiting period.

Is there provincial coverage for international students? Yes

Initial conditions:

A study visa with a validity of at least six months

Minimum residency of six months each year

Additional information:

International students in Manitoba must be covered by the Manitoba International Student Health Plan. This plan covers you for medical services that could be expensive for non-residents, such as hospitalization, doctor visits, and radiology.

Is there provincial coverage for international students? Yes

Initial conditions:

A minimum residency of three months in New Brunswick

International students are required to provide the following:

Proof of enrollment in full-time studies at a New Brunswick post-secondary institution

A valid study visa

Date of entry into New Brunswick

Is there provincial coverage for international students? Yes

Initial conditions:

A valid study visa for at least 12 months

Is there provincial coverage for international students? Yes

Initial conditions:

A valid study visa for at least 12 months

Additional information:

A student can apply for health insurance coverage as a student on the first day of the thirteenth month after entering Nova Scotia. The student must not have been outside of the province for more than 31 consecutive days. A student arriving in Nova Scotia in July cannot apply until August the following year. To maintain continuous insurance coverage, you need to complete a declaration each year and a copy of each study permit must be sent to the Nova Scotia Health Card (MSI).

Is there provincial coverage for international students? No

Additional information:

Most universities in Ontario participate in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). International students must enroll in this plan unless they are exempt.

 

Is there provincial coverage for international students? No

Additional information:

International students are required to obtain private insurance. Institutions may offer their own coverage plans, which may be optional or mandatory. For more information, consult with the institutions.

Provincial coverage for international students? No, with exceptions.

Additional information:

Students from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden may qualify due to bilateral agreements between Quebec and their home countries.

Some scholarships for students in Quebec include health insurance. Otherwise, international students are required to obtain private insurance. Institutions may offer their own coverage plans, which may be optional or mandatory. Check with the institutions for more details.

Provincial coverage for international students? Yes.

Initial requirements:

A study visa and proof of full-time enrollment.

Provincial coverage for international students? No.

Provincial coverage for international students? Yes.

Initial requirements:

A valid study visa for at least 12 months.

 

Out-of-province health insurance.

A very important point to consider is that provincial health insurance, whether public or private, will likely only cover health issues that arise within the province in question. If, as an international student, you plan to travel outside the province where you are studying, you should consult with your insurance provider regarding this.

Cost of health insurance for students in Canada.

Universities and colleges in Canada have made health insurance mandatory for all students. The cost of health insurance for international students in Canada can vary depending on the location and insurance company. On average, the annual premium for health insurance in Canada ranges from CAD 600 to CAD 900.

Frequently asked questions

Is health insurance mandatory for studying in Canada?

Yes. The applicant must be covered by health insurance. They need to purchase the insurance before applying for the visa, or they must be able to prove financially that they can afford health insurance.

Between $600 and $900.

No. The provinces of Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Yukon do not provide public health insurance to international students.

In emergency situations, all provinces in Canada provide free services, even if the patient does not have a government health card. However, depending on individuals’ immigration status, there may be significant limitations on the services provided.

The provincial healthcare system in Canada covers both primary and preventive medical services as well as emergency care. As an international student with a valid study visa, you should be eligible for a provincial health care card to access these services.

International students in Canada are required to obtain health insurance for the duration of their stay. Some provinces offer provincial health coverage to international students, either for free or with a premium.

 

No. Government insurances in Canada have no cost limitations and cover everything from a simple cold to major surgeries, regardless of the expense.

No. However, they do cover dental treatments for children under 12 years old.

 
 

yes If you need emergency dental services, you will be covered by government insurance.

For example, if you’ve had an accident where you broke your tooth and need to get it treated, this treatment is covered by health insurance services.

Dental services

Ophthalmology services

Psychiatric services

Physiotherapy, chiropractic, or massage therapy services

No. Anyone with a government insurance card can access the same services.

In these cases, one of the parents can be the primary applicant, and the other family members can be insured under this person’s application. Or anyone can apply separately. In fact, there’s no difference in this regard.

Yes. Anyone who enters Canada on a study or work visa and receives government insurance can benefit from free medical coverage, and this insurance covers childbirth expenses in Canada.

No. Although the Canadian government provides a universal healthcare system for most medical services, this insurance does not cover international students.

Those who work in Canada and are insured through their employer have supplemental insurance, which covers what the government insurance, or MSP, does not cover.

Yes. If you want to have employer insurance, you first need to be covered by government insurance and then apply for employer insurance.

 

Canadian travel insurance is a policy designed to protect individuals against unexpected losses and damages while traveling to Canada. The insurance company pays part of the costs of covered incident losses to the insured. These incidents can include minor damages (like lost luggage) or serious injuries (like serious illnesses and even death).

 
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