Can I apply for permanent residence from within Canada?

Yes, many immigration programs allow inland applications. Canadian study and work experience strengthen your application significantly.

What happens if my study permit application is refused?

You may reapply addressing the refusal reasons or consider alternative programs. Consult a regulated immigration consultant for guidance.

Can I travel while my PGWP application is processing?

Yes, but you must be able to re-enter Canada if you travel. A valid visa or eTA may be required. Consult immigration guidelines before traveling.

Canada Health Insurance for International Students

The process at a glance

01
Check Provincial Coverage
Determine if your province covers international students
Each Canadian province has different health coverage rules for international students. Alberta, BC, Manitoba, NB, NL, NS, PEI, Quebec, and SK provide provincial health coverage after a waiting period. Ontario requires private insurance through UHIP. Check your specific province rules before arrival.
02
Get Private Insurance
Purchase private health insurance if needed
If your province does not cover international students (or during the waiting period), purchase private international student health insurance. Plans cost $500-$1,500 per year. Ensure coverage includes: doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, dental, and emergency evacuation.
03
Understand Gaps
Know what provincial and private plans cover
Provincial plans typically cover doctor visits and hospital stays but may exclude: prescription drugs, dental, vision, ambulance, and mental health services. Private plans can fill these gaps. Review your coverage annually and during life changes (graduation, marriage, moving provinces).
04
Submit Claims
File insurance claims correctly
Keep your insurance card with you at all times. For medical visits, present your card before treatment. For prescriptions, pay upfront and submit receipts for reimbursement. Maintain digital copies of all claims and approvals. Know the emergency contact number for your insurance provider.

Overview

Studying in Canada as an international student comes with specific rights and responsibilities. This guide provides detailed information about canada-international-student-health-insurance, including eligibility criteria, application timelines, and ongoing requirements.

Key Information and Requirements

As a study permit holder in Canada, you must study full-time at a DLI, progress academically, and comply with all conditions. Your permit specifies whether you can work off campus, and if so, how many hours per week during academic terms.

Working During Your Studies

Part-time employment helps Canadian international students gain experience and manage living costs. Study permit holders can work up to 20 hours off campus per week during academic sessions. On-campus positions include research assistant, teaching assistant, library, and administrative roles with flexible scheduling.

Working After Graduation

The PGWP is one of the most attractive features of studying in Canada. It gives graduates up to 3 years of open work authorization, during which they can work for any Canadian employer. Canadian work experience gained through the PGWP is highly valued for permanent residence applications.

Pathways to Permanent Residence

Canada's immigration system favors international graduates. The Canadian Experience Class within Express Entry is designed for individuals with Canadian education and work experience. Provincial Nominee Programs offer additional pathways, particularly for graduates who studied and worked in the nominating province.

Provincial coverage vs private plans

Health coverage for international students varies by province and by school. Some provinces offer public coverage after a waiting period; others require private insurance for the entire study period. Many DLIs mandate a specific plan. Confirm start dates so you are not uninsured between arrival and enrolment. Keep policy documents, student ID, and emergency numbers accessible offline.

There is no single "Canadian health card" for international students — your province, not your study permit, decides what you pay at the clinic door.

What to check before you buy or rely on a plan

Read exclusions for pre-existing conditions, prescription drugs, mental health, dental, and repatriation. Check whether dependents can be added and how claims work if you travel outside the province. If your school plan is mandatory, compare only allowed supplemental options. Do not cancel coverage early if your permit or co-op work continues after classes end without confirming continuity rules.

Prescription drugs and mental health services — the common gaps

Student health plans often cap prescription drug coverage at a fixed annual dollar amount and may exclude medications you took before arrival unless declared during enrolment. Ask the plan administrator for a formulary list so you know which drugs are covered before a prescription is written. Mental health counselling through campus wellness centres frequently has session limits, and off-campus psychologists may not direct-bill student plans. Some provinces offer free or low-cost community mental health services accessible with a provincial health card. Keep receipts for therapy and prescriptions that exceed plan limits — they may be eligible medical expenses for Canadian tax purposes if you meet the CRA threshold.

When a claim is denied

Request the denial in writing with the specific policy clause cited. Compare it against your plan booklet — clerical errors and miscoded claims are not uncommon. If the denial stands, most insurers have an internal appeal process followed by an external ombuds service depending on the province. Your school’s international student office may have a staff member who helps students navigate insurer disputes. Paying out of pocket and waiting for reimbursement is risky if the insurer later upholds the denial; ask for pre-approval on expensive procedures where the plan allows it. Do not let a denied claim go unchallenged past the plan’s appeal deadline.

Travel insurance and coverage outside your province

A provincial health card or school plan typically covers services within your province of study, but if you travel to another province during reading week, summer break, or for a conference, coverage may be limited to emergency hospital care only. Non-emergency visits to a walk-in clinic in another province can result in out-of-pocket bills. Check whether your plan includes out-of-province travel within Canada and, separately, international travel outside Canada. If you plan to visit the United States during your studies, confirm whether your Canadian plan covers any US medical costs or if you need a standalone travel medical policy for the trip.

Flashcards

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What you learned

End-of-guide quiz

3 questions

01
You move to Quebec from India for university. What is your default insurance route?
02
You break your arm in week 2 in Toronto. Who pays the ER bill?
03
Provincial plans typically do NOT cover which of the following?

0 / 3 answered

Official sources

Verify rules, fees, and forms on first-party government sites. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO, solicitor, or licensed adviser.

Procedural deep-dives

For statutes, forms, deadlines, and evidence standards, use these legal owners on MyCaseworks.

Canada study & PGWP library
Study permit, PGWP, and family sponsorship deep dives.
PGWP eligibility 2026
Field-of-study and program-length rules after graduation.
Study permit document checklist
Evidence pack for IRCC study permit filing.