Do International Students Need to Have Health Insurance When Studying in Canada?

It is important to be secure especially if you are far away from home. This is the reason why Canada encourages foreign students who study in the country to avail of student travel health insurance during their stay in Canada. Unexpected illnesses, unforeseen events like accidents and other related incidents can happen anytime, anywhere.

This is something that anyone who wishes to stay in Canada as an international student must prepare for. Most educational institutions require all students coming from other countries to secure themselves by purchasing an insurance policy. This will ensure foreign international students who will study in Canada the coverage and protection from emergency hospital bills and medical expenses if ever they get sick or are accidentally injured during their stay and study in the college or university they are enrolled in.

It is a wiser choice to protect ourselves for uncalled for expenses rather than regret in the end; this is why getting yourself covered is just as important as your passport, when traveling, studying or working abroad or anywhere else.

International students who study in some provinces like British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan get coverage under their respective provincial health plans where they are studying. Other provinces require students to make private arrangements for their medical insurance coverage through some private insurance companies.

In Ontario, all international students and their dependents that go with them are all required to be enrolled in the University Health Insurance Plan within thirty days from the day of arrival in the province. Late application of the said requirements will cost an additional $500 for the dependent. To be considered as an eligible dependent, one must be the spouse of the student, a common law partner, and dependent child or children who are below 21 years of age or under age 25 and are enrolled in full time studies.

Qualifications of students who study in Canada who can purchase international travel insurance are: those who are not insured or qualified for benefits under the Canadian Government Health Insurance Plan; those who are in current good health state; those who are presently enrolled in at least 60% of the required courses and units for a particular program at a Canadian school, college, university or a recognized accredited educational institution.

Do not risk traveling or studying in Canada without international health insurance. Grab a policy now and don’t let sudden medical emergencies ruin your school year. Buy your travel insurance within Canada to have access to 24/7 customer service assistance.