Health care in Canada is run by each province, and the rules for international students differ. Some provinces cover study permit holders after they meet certain conditions, and others, such as Ontario, do not. Most school boards require private insurance for international students, often bought through the school. Check the school's requirement and the province's rules before arrival.
Key facts
- Health care: run by each province and territory
- Ontario: international students are not eligible for OHIP
- School boards: usually require private insurance
- Medical consent: the custodian can be named for emergencies
Coverage depends on the province
There is no single national health plan for international students. Each province decides whether study permit holders can join the public plan and when. Even where public coverage is available, there can be a waiting period, so many families buy private insurance for the first months.
Ontario
International students in Ontario are not eligible for OHIP, the provincial health plan. Schools and school boards usually require private health insurance and often sell a plan as part of the fees.
What to check in a plan
- Doctor visits, emergency room and hospital stays
- Prescriptions and ambulance
- Coverage for the full stay, including school breaks
- Whether the insurer pays the clinic directly or your family pays and claims later
- Repatriation, if your child must return home for treatment
Medical consent
Doctors in Canada may need consent from a parent or the person acting for the parents before treating a minor. The custodian can be that person in an emergency, which is one of the main reasons IRCC and schools ask for one.
How we help
Our custodianship includes a 24/7 emergency contact with medical consent, so a hospital can always reach a responsible adult in Canada.
Sources: IRCC, Study permits: Guidelines on minor children. This article is general information and not legal advice. For your situation, talk to our team.
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