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What is international student insurance?

International student travel insurance is designed for students studying in Canada, helping cover unexpected medical expenses from accidents, illnesses, or other health emergencies that arise while they're here.

Please note that these quotes are intended specifically for students enrolled in a Canadian institution. If you're visiting Canada for vacation, or if friends or family are coming to see you, you'll want to look into insurance for visitors to Canada or super visa insurance instead.

What's covered under international student insurance?

International student medical insurance plans generally provide emergency medical coverage of up to $2,000,000 for eligible expenses, including:

Hospital accommodation
Diagnostic services
Prescription drugs
Emergency dental
Emergency transportation
Physician visits
X-rays
Physiotherapy
Chiropractic care
Mental health services

Most plans also cover side trips outside Canada, as long as your journey starts and ends within the country.

Do international students get free healthcare in Canada?

Healthcare in Canada is managed at the provincial level, so coverage rules vary depending on where you're studying.

Take Ontario as an example: international students aren't covered under Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), but public universities provide coverage through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) instead.

Even in provinces that do offer some coverage, you may still want to add private insurance for extra protection. The right amount of coverage really comes down to your location and personal needs.

International student insurance across Canadian provinces

Province	Is public health insurance available?	How does it work?
Alberta	Yes	Students enrolled in a program of six months or longer are generally eligible for provincial coverage through the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP).
British Columbia	Yes	Students studying in BC for six months or longer typically qualify for coverage under the province's Medical Services Plan (MSP).
Manitoba	Yes	Since 2023, international students holding a valid study permit for full-time enrollment qualify for essential public health coverage.
New Brunswick	Yes	Most international students can access free basic coverage through New Brunswick Medicare.
Newfoundland and Labrador	Yes	Students enrolled full-time for at least 12 months qualify for free basic coverage under the province's Medical Care Plan (MCP).
Nova Scotia	Yes	Coverage works a bit differently here — students need to arrange insurance before arriving, since the provincial plan only kicks in after 12 consecutive months in the province, and only if you haven't been away for more than 31 consecutive days at a time.
Ontario	No	Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) doesn't cover international students. Public universities typically arrange coverage through the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), while colleges and private institutions may offer plans through other providers.
Prince Edward Island	No	Students planning to live in PEI for at least six months are eligible for coverage, but there's a gap to watch for: you can only apply for a PEI health card after three months of residency, so you're uninsured provincially during that initial stretch.
Quebec	It depends	Eligibility depends on nationality. Students from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden may qualify for free coverage through Quebec's Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Students from other countries need to purchase private health insurance.
Saskatchewan	Yes	Students enrolled in a program of 12 months or longer may qualify for free basic coverage by applying for a Saskatchewan health card.

How much does international student health insurance cost?

On average, expect to pay somewhere between $1 and $2 per day, though the exact cost depends on factors like your location, the length of your stay, and your coverage needs.

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Factors that impact your travel insurance quote as an international student

As is the case with other types of insurance, your travel insurance premium will depend heavily on your individual factors, including the following:

Your health: Healthier individuals (without pre-existing conditions) are more likely to receive a lower premium — due to being less risky to insure. If you have pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, your travel insurance premium will be higher. The type and severity of your pre-existing condition may also play a role in determining your premium.
Your age: The older you are, the more you will pay for your travel insurance. This is especially once you enter post-retirement age (65 years or older). If you’ve had a pre-existing condition for a good portion of your life, you’ll find that your premium will rise as you get older. That’s because older individuals are more likely to get hospitalized to pre-existing conditions.
The cost of the trip: The more expensive a trip is, the more likely you are to pay for trip cancellation, which will lead to a higher travel insurance rate.
The duration of the trip: The longer the trip, the higher the likelihood of accidents or travel mishaps occurring, and thus, higher travel insurance rates.
Your destination: Countries with higher rates of crime, political instability, and other perceived risks have higher premiums. It’s important to note here that insurance companies will not provide coverage if the government of Canada has advised against travel to a particular destination. Thus, travelling to a high-risk destination on an existing annual travel insurance policy will render your insurance void.
Add-ons or additional coverages: Premiums for policies with endorsements like trip delay, cancellation or interruption will cost more than a standard travel insurance policy. All-inclusive or comprehensive travel insurance also costs more than basic travel medical insurance.

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Your questions about travel insurance for international students, answered.

Is health insurance mandatory for international students?

Yes, in every province, one way or another — either through enrollment in the public plan, a mandatory school plan, or a private policy you arrange yourself. The specific requirement is set by your province and your institution, not by a single federal rule.

What are the eligibility requirements for international student insurance?

To qualify for international student insurance, you'll typically need to show that you:

Are currently in good health.
Aren't already insured, or eligible for coverage, under a government health plan.
Are enrolled in at least 60% of the course load required for your program at a recognized Canadian school, college, university, or other accredited institution.

Can international students get a health card?

It depends on the province. In places like Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, international students can qualify for a health card as long as they're studying in Canada for six months or more, but the rules shift elsewhere. For the full breakdown, check out our guide to health coverage for international students by province.

Taras Trofimov

About the Author

Taras is the Content Manager for LowestRates.ca. He has produced thought leadership content for organizations like Constellation Software, Facebook and Yellow Pages as well as outlets like The Globe and Mail, Autoblog and MSN Autos.