How health insurance works for international students at Canadian high schools, colleges and universities, and what parents should check before departure.
For parents, few questions matter more than this one: if my child gets sick or injured in Canada, will they be looked after, and will we be facing a huge bill? It is a natural fear, especially when your child will be thousands of kilometres away. The reassuring answer is that health coverage is a standard part of studying in Canada. The details simply depend on the school and the province.
High schools: usually built into the package
Public school districts that welcome international students normally include a medical insurance plan in their fees or require one as a condition of enrolment. Published 2026-27 figures show how it appears on fee schedules:
- Toronto District School Board: medical fee of CAD 500.
- Vancouver School Board: insurance of CAD 1,400.
- Calgary Board of Education: health fee of CAD 550.
- Coquitlam School District: insurance included in the program.
Private and boarding schools have their own arrangements, often with on-campus health staff. Our high school cost table lists insurance alongside tuition.
Colleges and universities: their own plans
Most colleges and universities enrol international students in a health plan arranged by the institution or the student association, with the cost added to student fees. Some programs bundle it into published tuition; Sheridan’s figure for Business – Marketing, for example, includes insurance. Students may be able to opt out only if they prove equivalent coverage, and rules differ by school.
Why the province matters
Health care in Canada is organised by each province, and the rules for international students are not the same everywhere. Some provinces allow certain students into public coverage after conditions are met, others do not, and waiting periods can apply. That is why we check the specific rules for the student’s province and institution rather than relying on general advice.
What parents should check before departure
- Start date of coverage: make sure it begins on arrival day, not weeks later.
- What is included: doctor visits, emergencies, hospital stays and prescriptions.
- Dental and vision: often limited or separate.
- How to use it: the student should know where the nearest clinic is and carry the insurance card.
- Pre-existing conditions: declare them and confirm how they are handled.
For students under 18, the homestay family and custodian are part of the safety net: they know how to reach a clinic and will contact parents quickly.
Good coverage is quiet peace of mind you hope never to use. To review the insurance arrangements for your chosen school and province, book a free pre-assessment with Canadian Edu Centre.