Canada's healthcare system is provincial — your health insurance options depend entirely on which province you study in.
Mandatory at participating Ontario universities: you are enrolled automatically and the premium is charged to your student account. Covers medically necessary hospital and doctor services similar to OHIP, up to CAD 1,000,000. Administered by Cowan Insurance Group, coverage provided by Manulife. Prescription drugs, dental care and eyeglasses come from your university's supplementary plan.
British Columbia's public plan. Enrolment is mandatory by law. MSP premiums were abolished in 2020, but international students pay the International Student Health Fee of CAD 75/month (since January 2020), invoiced from the month coverage begins. Coverage starts after the rest of your arrival month plus two months — carry private insurance until then.
Covered through Québec's social security agreements with these 11 countries. Ask your home country's social security body for a certificate of coverage before you leave and register with RAMQ when you arrive. Students from all other countries need private or school-arranged insurance.
Private plan offered through the GuardMe portals of 300+ Canadian colleges, universities and schools. Up to CAD 2,000,000 per 365-day period, no deductible, prescriptions (30-day supply) and psychiatric hospitalization up to CAD 50,000. CAD 704 for 12 months.
Up to CAD 2,000,000 in emergency and non-emergency medical benefits, including hospital stays, physician services, diagnostic tests and prescription drugs. Spouse and children can be added (all family members under 45). Priced per day of coverage — the price appears in the online quote at coverme.com.
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| UHIP (Ontario, single) | CAD 948/year (CAD 79/month) | Policy year 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027, 8% tax included. Starting in January 2027 it costs CAD 632, starting in May 2027 CAD 316. Charged to your student account. |
| MSP health fee (British Columbia) | CAD 75/month (since 2020) | International Student Health Fee for every student enrolled in MSP with a study permit of 6 months or more, charged from the month coverage starts. Private insurance is needed for the waiting period. |
| Alberta (AHCIP), Saskatchewan, New Brunswick | No premium | Eligibility conditions apply — Alberta: a 12-month study permit (or 6–12 months with proof you will live in Alberta for 12 months); New Brunswick: full-time students only, no exchange students. Saskatchewan coverage may start only on the first day of the third month after arrival. |
| MISHP (Manitoba, University of Manitoba) | CAD 1,320/year | 2026–27 rate at the University of Manitoba: CAD 440 for the fall term and CAD 880 for January–August, paid with tuition. Other Manitoba schools set their own fees. |
| GuardMe Canada (private) | CAD 704/year (CAD 58/month) | Primary plan at many colleges and language schools; also used to bridge provincial waiting periods. |
Canada is one of the world’s largest study destinations, but it has no single national health plan for international students. Health care is run by the provinces, so the province you study in decides whether a public plan covers you, whether you pay a fee, or whether you need a university or private plan — a patchwork of provincial rules that you should check before you accept an offer.
Unlike countries with a single national health insurance system, Canada’s healthcare is administered provincially. This means your insurance options — and costs — depend entirely on which province you study in:
Public coverage without a premium: Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick extend their provincial plans to eligible international students (conditions such as a minimum study-permit length or full-time enrolment apply). In Saskatchewan, coverage can start as late as the first day of the third month after arrival. Prince Edward Island issues temporary health cards to some study-permit holders.
Public coverage with a fee: British Columbia requires study-permit holders (6 months or more) to enrol in MSP and charges an International Student Health Fee of CAD 75/month — MSP premiums were abolished in 2020, but this fee has applied since then. Coverage begins after the rest of the arrival month plus two months.
Mandatory school plans: Ontario universities enrol international students in UHIP (CAD 948/year from September 2026); Ontario colleges use their own private plans. Manitoba has insured international students through the mandatory MISHP since provincial coverage for them ended in 2018.
Restricted access: Québec’s RAMQ covers only students from 11 countries with a social security agreement (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Sweden). All other students need private or school-arranged insurance.
| Province | Plan for international students | Cost (2026–27) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | UHIP at universities; private plans at colleges | CAD 948/year | Automatic enrolment at universities |
| British Columbia | MSP (mandatory) | CAD 75/month (since 2020) | Waiting period: rest of arrival month + 2 months |
| Alberta | AHCIP | No premium | No waiting period |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan health coverage | No premium | May start on the 1st day of the 3rd month |
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick Medicare | No premium | Full-time students only, no exchange students |
| Manitoba | MISHP (mandatory) | CAD 1,320/year (University of Manitoba) | Replaced provincial coverage in 2018 |
| Québec | RAMQ for 11 agreement countries | No premium if eligible | Everyone else needs private insurance |
For most international students, insurance comes through their university or college. UHIP is the standard plan at Ontario universities, and MISHP at the University of Manitoba is run by Alumo with Manitoba Blue Cross. Colleges and language schools across Canada often use GuardMe, which is available through 300+ institutions.
For international students at colleges or universities outside Ontario’s UHIP, or anyone who needs gap coverage during a provincial waiting period, we’ve reviewed Canada’s leading student health insurance plans. See all Canada student health insurance plans →
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Compare provincial and private insurance options for your Canadian study destination. Find the right plan before your study permit application.
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