Healthcare for international students in Canada
Canada's healthcare is run province by province, and coverage for international students varies depending on where you study. Some provinces include students in their public plan; others require you to buy private or university insurance. Confirm the rules for your specific province.
It depends on your province
- Provinces that cover eligible international students in their public plan include Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick (eligibility conditions apply).
- British Columbia requires enrolment in the Medical Services Plan (MSP), with a waiting period and a monthly premium on arrival.
- Ontario excludes international students from OHIP; most universities require the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) instead.
- Quebec covers students only from countries with a social-security agreement; others must buy private insurance.
What to do
- Check your institution's health-insurance requirement — many enrol students automatically and add it to fees.
- Arrange cover that starts from the day you arrive, especially where there's a public-plan waiting period.
- Keep your insurance details and your institution's health-centre information to hand.
On campus
Most universities and colleges run a campus health or wellness centre for routine care, mental-health support, and referrals. It's usually your first stop for non-emergencies.
Tip: health rules differ by province and institution — always verify with your specific university and provincial health authority.