Choose an Insurance Quote
Compare International Student Travel Insurance
Save on health insurance while studying in Canada.
Compare travel insurance from providers you trust
Content Manager
Canadian health insurance for international students
When starting your adventure as a student in a new country, you probably don't know what to expect. The culture, the customs, the environment... It all seems so different.
Before you embark on this exciting new journey, make sure you’re covered in case of a medical emergency. In Canada, medical coverage for international students varies from province to province, and without adequate insurance, doctor bills and hospital care can cost thousands of dollars.
On Rates.ca, you can compare health insurance plans specifically designed for international students like yourself. It only takes a few minutes to find the best rate, saving you time and money. Get covered today.
Do international students get free healthcare in Canada?
Every Canadian province has its own health care system, and they all operate slightly differently. For international students, it really depends on where you live.
In Ontario, for example, international students are not eligible for coverage under the provincial Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), but public universities offer coverage via something called the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP).
Even if your destination province does offer some coverage, you may be able to purchase additional protection from a private insurance company. It all depends on where in Canada you are going and how much coverage you need.
International student insurance in Canada by province
Province | Is public health insurance available? | How does it work? |
|---|---|---|
Alberta | Yes | International students in Alberta studying for a period of at least six months are usually eligible for provincial health insurance coverage through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP). |
British | Yes | International students studying in British Columbia (BC) for a period of at least six months are usually eligible for BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). |
Manitoba | Yes | As of 2023, international students in Manitoba are eligible for essential public health insurance if they have a valid study permit for full-time enrollment. |
New | Yes | In New Brunswick most international students are eligible to receive free basic health coverage through New Brunswick Medicare. |
Newfoundland | Yes | International students are eligible for free basic health coverage through the province’s Medical Care Plan (MCP) provided that they are enrolled in full-time studies for a period of at least 12 months. |
Nova | Yes | International students in Nova Scotia must purchase health coverage before they arrive. The provincial health care plan is only available to international students who have been in Nova Scotia for over 12 consecutive months, and who have not left the province for more than 31 consecutive days. |
Ontario | No | International students in Ontario are not eligible for the provincial Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Public universities generally offer health insurance through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), while colleges and other private institutions may present options from other providers. |
Prince | No | International students in Prince Edward Island (PEI) are eligible for public health insurance if they will be living in PEI for at least six months. However, a person can only apply for a PEI health card after residing in the province for at least three months, so you are not covered during that initial period. |
Quebec | It depends | International students from Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg, Norward, Portugal and Sweden could be eligible for free basic health insurance through Quebec’s Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ).
International students outside of the aforementioned countries must purchase private health insurance. |
Saskatchewan | Yes | International students in Saskatchewan studying for a period for at least 12 months may be eligible to register for free basic health coverage through the province by obtaining a Saskatchewan health card. |
How to get international student insurance quotes on Rates.ca
Ready to compare quotes and save?
Tell us about your study plans!
Answer a few basic questions about where you'll be studying in Canada and for how long.
Compare your quotes
See quotes from multiple insurance companies side by side.
Choose the right coverage
Select the best rate and medical coverage for your stay.
Get covered
Connect with the provider and secure your rate. That's it!
What people say about our quotes
Based on 6,794 reviews
Best idea that day
Rates. .ca found me insurance much lower than I expected. It was a very quick process A broker was in touch with me shortly after. He helped me thru the paperwork quickly and painlessly. I had insurance with a great rate before we even hung up the phone. $28 for tenant insurance monthly, come on !!. 😄
Lynne Healey
A real time saver
A real time saver! also saved a lot with the best quote
Susan Hopkinson
Great
Great Services
LAURENTIU CIUCIU
All concerned were courteous
All concerned were courteous, informative, and proactive. It was indeed a.pleasure. Thank you
Delores Hayes
Big help.🙏🫡
Big help.🙏🫡
Dean
FAST REPLY
FAST REPLY. WITH A GOOD CONNECTION TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY WITH THE LOWEST QUOTE
Philip Ng Chao
Highly Recommend
David Irwin was the agent I spoke with who took the time to search out the best insurance provider at the best pricing. He was easy to understand with no 'pushy' sales tactics! Highly recommend!👌
Roger
This seems like a fantastic service
This seems like a fantastic service! It was very easy to generate quotes from several different insurance companies. A representative called me shortly after and I was connected to the insurance company agent almost immediately. They are now running a final report and if all goes well I could be saving $225 per month on an insurance bundle my home and 2 cars!! Yay!! Insurance agent I spoke with was very friendly and helpful as was the rates.ca representative. It took me longer to wait on hold with my current insurance company to find out what my cancellation fee would be then the whole process with rates.ca took. I’m not so naive as to celebrate before I get my final numbers back from the new insurance company, so far the experience has been exceptional. I wish I would have done this a year ago!
Jody Whittaker
Respectful Employee
Respectful Employee: Thank you, Simon for treating me with kindness even though I was ranting about the unfairness of insurance companies. You listened and responded respectfully to my queries. Simon, take a bow, you represented NFP Insurance very well.
Max
Frequently asked questions about international student insurance in Canada
What is international student insurance?
International student travel insurance helps to protect visiting students who are studying in Canada from unexpected medical costs due to accidents, poor health and other medical emergencies that occur during their stay.
International student travel insurance quotes are only available for individuals studying in Canada. If you're coming to Canada for a vacation, or have friends or family planning to visit, you should compare quotes for Visitors to Canada or Super Visa insurance instead.
What does international student insurance cover?
International student medical insurance plans typically include:
- Up to $2,000,000 for eligible emergency medical expenses.
- Extended coverage for physician fees, x-rays, physiotherapist visits, chiropractor visits, mental health and prescription drugs.
- Emergency dental coverage.
Many international student health insurance plans extend coverage to side trips, as long as you depart from (and return to) Canada.
What are the eligibility requirements for international student insurance?
To get international student insurance, you must prove that you are:
- Currently in good health.
- Not insured or eligible for benefits under a government-run health insurance plan.
- Enrolled in at least 60% of the courses for a program at a Canadian school, college, university or other accredited educational institution.
Can international students get a health card?
In several provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, international students are eligible for a health card provided they are studying in Canada for at least six months, but other provinces are different. Check out our guide to health coverage for international students by province.
How much does international student health insurance cost?
International student health insurance typically costs around $1 to $2 per day, depending on where you are studying, how long you are staying in Canada, and a few other factors.
Compare international student insurance costs and coverage options right here on Rates.ca. We have more insurance partners than anyone else, so we are confident you’ll find a great rate that suits your student budget.
Taras Trofimov, Content Manager
Taras has over nine years of content marketing experience across multiple industries in B2B and B2C spaces. He has produced thought leadership content for organizations like Constellation Software, Facebook and Yellow Pages as well as outlets like Huffington Post and MSN Canada.
He graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and studied Technical Communication at Seneca College.
Latest travel articles:
Most Canadians don’t realize they are underinsured when they travel. Having the right travel insurance can protect you from unexpected costs.
Are you 60+ and looking to escape the cold Canadian winters? Ensure your travel is worry-free with a deep dive on snowbird insurance.
Canadians tend to apologize a lot, but when it comes to getting travel insurance in Canada, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
What's the best way to travel safely this summer? Make sure you sort out your insurance needs.
Be aware of exclusions within your policy to avoid a denied travel insurance claim.
With Pride events happening around the world, summer is the perfect time to explore and celebrate identity and inclusivity.
