Health care in Canada is run by each province, so your health insurance as an international student depends on where you study. In some provinces you join the public plan, in others you must buy a university or college plan, and the costs vary widely. This guide compares the main provinces for Indian students, using provincial and university sources checked on 28 October 2026.
- British Columbia charges international students enrolled in MSP a health fee of 75 dollars a month
- Alberta covers students with a 12-month study permit at no cost
- Ontario's university plan UHIP rose to 948 dollars a year from 1 September 2026
- Manitoba has not covered international students under the provincial plan since 2018.
Do International Students Get Free Health Care in Canada?
Not everywhere. Provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan let eligible international students join the public plan without a premium, British Columbia charges a monthly fee, and Ontario, Quebec for most Indian students, and Manitoba require a university or college insurance plan instead. Your study permit length usually decides your eligibility.
| Province 2026 | Public plan for international students? | Typical cost to you |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Yes, MSP with a study permit of 6 months or more | 75 dollars a month health fee |
| Alberta | Yes, AHCIP with a 12-month study permit | No premium |
| Saskatchewan | Yes, health card for full-time students with a valid study permit | No premium |
| Ontario | No, OHIP excludes international students | UHIP 948 dollars a year at universities; college plans vary |
| Quebec | Only for students from countries with an agreement; India has none | School-mandated private plan |
| Manitoba | No, removed in 2018 | University plan, e.g. 440 dollars for the Fall 2026 term at U of Manitoba |
Even where the public plan is free, it does not cover everything. Prescription drugs, dental care, eye care and ambulance trips are often extra, which is why most student unions add a supplementary health and dental plan to your fees. You may be able to opt out of the supplementary plan if you already have equivalent cover.
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International students with a study permit of six months or more must apply for MSP, the BC Medical Services Plan, as soon as they arrive. The province then charges a mandatory International Student Health Fee of 75 dollars a month. New arrivals face a waiting period, so colleges usually provide private cover for the first few months.
BC also expects you to keep your address and study permit details up to date with Health Insurance BC. If you leave the province for a long period, for example for a co-op placement elsewhere, your eligibility may change, so check before you go.
Apply for MSP soon after you land, because the waiting period only starts once you are in the province. Keep your study permit valid, because MSP coverage depends on it. The 75 dollar fee is billed per student, so a spouse with their own study permit pays separately.
How Does Health Insurance Work in Alberta and Saskatchewan?
Alberta says international students with a 12-month study permit for an Alberta institution who will live there for at least 12 months are eligible for AHCIP at no cost, and should apply soon after arrival. Saskatchewan gives a provincial health card to full-time students with a valid study permit who live in the province.
Alberta's pages differ on students with permits between six and 12 months, so check with your institution's international office. In both provinces your health card usually expires with your study permit, so you must renew coverage when you extend your permit. Keep receipts for any care you pay for before your card arrives.
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International students in Ontario cannot join OHIP, the provincial plan, so universities enrol them in the University Health Insurance Plan, known as UHIP. Universities report that the UHIP rate for one student rose from 792 to 948 dollars a year from 1 September 2026. Colleges in Ontario use their own private plans.
UHIP is charged with your fees, and you can only opt out in narrow cases. It covers doctor visits and hospital care, but not everything OHIP covers, so many students also have an extended health plan through their student union. Check your university's international office page for the exact charge, because some add administration fees.
What Do Students in Quebec and Manitoba Need?
Quebec's RAMQ only covers international students from countries with a social security agreement, such as France and Belgium. India has no such agreement, so Indian students must take the insurance their institution requires. Manitoba removed provincial coverage for international students in 2018, so universities there run mandatory plans charged with tuition.
The University of Manitoba lists 440 dollars for its international student health plan for the Fall 2026 term, which covers 1 September to 31 December 2026. Rates differ between institutions and terms, so check your offer letter or student account. In Quebec, also check whether your plan covers travel outside the province.
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Check which province you will study in, whether you qualify for its public plan, how long any waiting period lasts, and what your institution's mandatory plan covers. Buy private travel insurance for the gap if needed, carry your policy documents, and register for the provincial plan as soon as you arrive.
When you compare institutions, add the health plan to your yearly cost. A university in Ontario adds about 948 dollars a year for UHIP, a Manitoba university adds its own plan, and a student union plan may add more for dental and drugs. In Alberta or Saskatchewan the basic cover may cost nothing, while British Columbia adds 75 dollars a month, about 900 dollars a year. These differences are small next to tuition, but they matter for a tight budget.
Atlantic provinces such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador set their own rules, often based on study permit length. Contact your institution's international student office before you fly. Also keep a small emergency fund, because some services such as dental work and prescriptions may not be covered at all.