Student Health Insurance - Themillenniumimmigration

Student Health Insurance Across Canada

Health insurance coverage for international students in Canada varies by province. This CanadaVisa page provides a comprehensive overview of the different provincial health insurance policies, helping you understand what to expect based on where you'll be studying.

Overview
Chart of Health Insurance Policies in Canadian Provinces
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Overview

Students planning to study in Canada should look into health insurance options specific to their province. International students must have health insurance for their entire stay. Some provinces provide provincial health coverage to eligible international students, either at no cost or for a fee, but students typically need to apply for this coverage.

In cases where provincial health insurance isn’t available, students will need to purchase private insurance. Many Canadian institutions offer private insurance plans, and in provinces without provincial coverage, schools may require students to enroll in mandatory health plans or provide optional coverage options.

Chart of Health Insurance Policies in Canadian Provinces

Province	Provincial coverage for international students?	Basic requirements	Further information
Alberta	Yes	Minimum 12 month study permit Minimum 12 month residence in Alberta	Holders of study permits for more than three months and less than 12 months may be eligible if they can show their intention to reside in Alberta for at least 12 months. Students under 18 must be added to a parent or guardian’s insurance. Must apply within 90 days of arrival in Alberta.
British Columbia	Yes	Minimum six month study permit	Coverage begins after three months. International students are advised to apply immediately upon arrival; coverage begins on the first day of the third month following. For example, if a student arrives on August 25, his or her coverage would begin on November 1. International students should seek coverage for those three months.
Manitoba	Yes	Minimum six month study permit Minimum six month residency per calendar year
New Brunswick	Yes	Minimum 3 months residence in New Brunswick.	International students are required to provide the following: proof of enrolment in full-time studies at a New Brunswick post-secondary institution; valid study permit; and date of arrival in New Brunswick.
Newfoundland and Labrador	Yes	Minimum 12 month study permit
Northwest Territories	Yes	Minimum 12 month study permit
Nova Scotia	Yes	Minimum 12 month study permit	Student can apply for coverage the first day of the thirteenth month following the date of arrival in Nova Scotia as a student. The student must not have been outside the province for more than 31 consecutive days. A student arriving in Nova Scotia in July cannot apply until August of the following year. For continuous coverage, a copy of each study permit must be submitted to Nova Scotia Health Card (MSI) and a declaration must be signed each year.
Ontario	No		Most Ontario universities participate in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP). International students at participating institutions must enrol in this plan, unless otherwise exempted.
Prince Edward Island	No		International students are required to obtain private insurance. Institutions may offer their own coverage plans, which may be optional or mandatory. Consult the institutions for further information.
Quebec	No, with exceptions		Students from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal and Sweden may be eligible due to bilateral agreements between Quebec and their country. Some student scholarships in Quebec include provision of health insurance. Unless otherwise exempt, international students are required to obtain private insurance. Institutions may offer their own coverage plans, which may be optional or mandatory. Consult the institutions for further information.
Saskatchewan	Yes	Study permit and proof of full-time enrollment
Yukon	No

Contact THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION For Assistance

If you need help studying in Canada, THE MILLENNIUM IMMIGRATION is here for you. With over 11 years of experience in Canadian immigration, we can guide you through the process.