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 6,708 reviews
Quick
Quick, easy to use tool. Great comparisons. Follow up with live rep was quick
David W
Ease of use of the interface
Ease of use of the interface. Agents were polite and helpful
Sherwin Bandong
It's a good experience to use Rate.ca for quote.
It's easy, quick and clearly to get a quite online. The quoted price is quite favorable. Following the instruction in notification email, I made call get chance to talk to referred broker. The broker explained the quite in detail and answered all my questions in very knowledgeable, professional and polite way.
Y. Chen
Alexey Fedortsov
My broker, Alexey, was able to get a great rate of 3.81%- fixed-varible, during the current economic stressors, and was in constant communication with me throughout the process. I feel that Rates.ca is a great company to assist with getting you a fair mortgage and is supportive and caring. I recommend Rates.ca
Bridgette
Quick, Easy and Accurate
By far the quickest and easiest way to find your best mortgage rates! Nobody will hound you after getting your rates!! Highly reccomend using Rates.ca
sean
Easy and quick
Easy and quick
Brayden Laidlaw
Was able to connect me to a broker…
Rates.ca were able to connect me to a broker right away who found me an even better price than what was posted on their website.
Melissa Nemeth
The questionnaire was straightforward…
The questionnaire was straightforward and easy to manipulate a maneuver.
David
All good and I could understand the…
All good and I could understand the people who interacted with me
Francois Bilodeau
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:
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.
Whether you’re gone for the weekend or for the entire summer, you want to leave your home with the assurance that your belongings are safe and will be there when you’re back. So, what's the plan?
