Countries

Canada: provincial health cover and university plans

Health care in Canada is run by the provinces, so the rules for international students depend on where you study.

Ontario

International students in Ontario are not eligible for the provincial plan, OHIP. Instead, most Ontario universities enrol international students in the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), which is mandatory and charged with fees. If you study in Toronto, you will almost certainly be covered by UHIP.

Other provinces

Some provinces bring international students into the public plan. In British Columbia, for example, international students staying six months or more must enrol in the provincial Medical Services Plan. Others, such as Quebec, generally leave international students to arrange private or university cover. Check the rules for your province, and check whether there is a waiting period before public cover starts.

University extras

Many universities also have a student union plan for dental, eye and prescription costs. These are often charged automatically, with an option to opt out.

Universities

The Universities DB Canada page lists universities by province and city, including a separate page for Montreal.

This page is general information, last reviewed in October 2026. It is not advice, and rules change. Check the official source for your visa and your university's own guidance before you buy anything.