• Education
• Colleges, Universities and Institutes
• Information for Foreign Students

What kind of health insurance do international students get?

International students at a university or college in Ontario get health insurance through their school.

As an international student, you are not eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or OHIP+. Your school will offer special health plans for you.

Public universities generally offer the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), while colleges and private universities use other plans.

Your spouse and children may be eligible if they are with you in Canada. These plans are not free. The cost of health insurance is added to your tuition and student fees.

You may be exempt from the school's plan if you are already covered by certain plans or meet certain criteria.

How do I enroll?

Your university generally automatically enrolls you in UHIP, and premiums are charged to your student account. For more information, you can contact the International Student Services or Registrar's Office at your university or college.

Ask your school for information on what is covered by your plan and how much it will cost.

If you want coverage for your spouse or dependent children, you will need to enroll them yourself.

What other options are available?

If you are employed, you may be eligible for a health insurance plan; check with your supervisor or human resources.

To find a private health insurance company, you can search online or use the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance Finder. You can also ask your friends and coworkers about their insurance coverage. It is important to be aware of potential scams and insurance fraud before you make your final decision.

Where can I get health care if I don't have insurance?

You still have healthcare options if you don't have coverage. Some doctors accept patients without private health insurance who can pay for their services.

If you are pregnant without insurance and plan to give birth in Ontario, you may wish to contact a midwife. Midwives provide care to all residents of their catchment area, regardless of OHIP eligibility.

For More Information

• The University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) - Provides general information on UHIP coverage, cost, and how to make a claim.
• Student-run Free Clinics - are available in some communities across Canada. You can see a medical student with a doctor supervising them.
• Studying in Canada - Information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for people planning to come to Canada as international students.
• Study in Ontario - This webpage has information about coming to Ontario as an international student, and working while you study and after you graduate. From the Ontario government.
• Guide to Supplementary Health Insurance - This booklet provided by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) is about health insurance that supplements your public coverage, including information to help you decide what supplementary health insurance you need.