Health Insurance for Foreigners in Canada
Key Takeaways
- Canada’s public health insurance covers medically necessary hospital and doctor services for permanent residents and qualifying temporary residents who meet provincial or territorial eligibility and residency requirements.
- Supplemental private health insurance in Canada helps publicly insured residents pay for prescriptions, dental care, vision care, and physiotherapy within policy limits.
- International health insurance covers hospitalization and selected medical care in Canada and other covered countries, with outpatient and prescription benefits depending on the plan.
Can Foreigners Get Public Health Insurance in Canada?
Yes. Permanent residents and certain temporary residents can qualify for Canada’s public health insurance system, known as Medicare. However, they must meet their province or territory’s eligibility and residency requirements. Public plans cover medically necessary hospital and doctor services for eligible residents.
The system is funded through taxes and administered by Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories. You can contact your provincial or territorial ministry of health to check your eligibility. You can also apply for a health card and confirm when coverage begins.
Waiting periods vary by province or territory. In some provinces, you may need to wait up to three months for public coverage to start. If you are not eligible or need protection in the meantime, you should arrange a suitable private plan. Make sure to confirm its start date and any policy waiting periods.
Even after public coverage begins, a supplemental policy may help pay for services your public plan does not fully cover. This includes prescription drugs outside the hospital, dental care, and vision care. For more about covered services and provincial differences, see our guide to the Canadian healthcare system.
Find International Health Coverage for Life in Canada
Get help comparing available plans for your medical needs, coverage preferences, and budget.
- Request personalized quotes
- Compare benefits, deductibles, and exclusions
- Get guidance from a licensed insurance advisor
Which Health Insurance Do You Need in Canada?
The right coverage for you depends on your eligibility for public healthcare, length of stay, and medical needs. The table below helps you compare your options based on your situation, including their main benefits and limitations.
Your Situation | Coverage to Consider | Main Purpose and Limitation |
Eligible for public coverage | Provincial or territorial plan | Covers insured hospital and doctor services; enrollment and residency rules apply. |
Publicly insured and seeking extra benefits | Supplemental private health plan | Helps pay for prescriptions, dental, vision, and physiotherapy, within policy limits. |
Waiting for public coverage or visiting temporarily | Visitor or travel medical plan | Covers eligible unexpected illness or injury; routine care and existing conditions may be restricted. |
Living in Canada and needing ongoing or cross-border care | International health insurance | Covers hospital and medical care in Canada and covered countries; outpatient and prescription benefits vary by plan. |
Studying or working temporarily | School or employer benefits, plus any required private policy | Check public eligibility, benefit gaps, and school or permit rules before buying. |
Private Health Insurance in Canada
Before buying a supplemental plan, review any benefits you already receive through an employer or individual policy. Compare reimbursement percentages, annual limits, exclusions, and waiting periods.
Check whether the policy requires enrollment in a provincial or territorial health plan. Do not assume a supplemental policy replaces public hospital and doctor coverage while you are uninsured.
Health Insurance for Visitors to Canada
The Canadian government does not pay visitors’ hospital or medical bills. As a result, visitors to the country should arrange travel medical or visitors’ insurance before traveling. These policies focus on eligible unexpected illnesses, injuries, and medical emergencies rather than routine or ongoing healthcare.
When comparing travel medical plans, check benefit limits, deductibles, pre-existing condition terms, and any post-arrival waiting periods. If you need protection before public coverage begins, confirm that the policy accepts your residency status. Make sure it covers the full uninsured period.
International Health Insurance in Canada
When comparing global health plans, check which benefits the core plan includes and which require optional coverage. Review outpatient care (treatment without an overnight hospital stay), prescriptions, maternity coverage, and dental benefits separately. Do not assume the policy includes them.
Choose a plan that includes Canada and any other countries where you expect to receive treatment. Benefits during visits to your home country may have limits, particularly for U.S. care.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance for International Students in Canada
Before buying a student policy, ask your provincial or territorial health authority whether you qualify for public coverage. Eligibility depends on your location, permit status, and other rules. CanadaVisa’s province-by-province guide to student health insurance provides an overview, but confirm current rules with the relevant authority.
Your institution may also require you to enroll in its own health plan. If your school allows an alternative policy, confirm that it meets the required benefits and coverage dates. Also check whether coverage continues during school breaks and, if you are bringing family members, whether dependents can join.
Student Insurance
Health Insurance for Temporary Workers in Canada
If you are working temporarily in Canada, check your eligibility for public coverage, employer benefits, and work permit requirements. Ask what your employer’s plan includes, whether it requires provincial or territorial enrollment, and when benefits begin.
Some work programs have specific coverage rules. For example, International Experience Canada (IEC) is a temporary work-and-travel program for eligible young people. Participants need a plan covering medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for their entire stay. You should not assume that public coverage alone meets these rules.
Visas
Arranging Health Coverage for Employees in Canada?
Explore global group health insurance for eligible employees and dependents. Available benefits depend on your workforce, coverage locations, and the insurer’s eligibility and minimum group size requirements.
Compare Coverage Options for Your Team
Our licensed advisors can help you:
- Review existing benefits and identify coverage gaps
- Compare benefits, coverage areas, and costs
- Understand eligibility and enrollment requirements
Global Health Insurance Plans to Compare for Canada
These plans serve different needs, from ongoing international medical coverage to student insurance. Start with your public coverage eligibility and any employer, school, or permit requirements, then compare the relevant private options.
Health Insurance for All Nationalities Living in Canada
IMG Global Medical
For individuals and families seeking long-term international medical coverage.
- Four plan levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum
- Deductible options to balance premiums and out-of-pocket costs
- Annually renewable coverage, subject to policy terms
For coverage in Canada: Select the Worldwide coverage area, as the alternative excludes Canada. Confirm residency eligibility and review outpatient limits for your chosen tier.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
For individuals and families who want to build an international health plan around their healthcare needs.
- Three plan levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum
- Add optional outpatient, evacuation, wellbeing, or dental and vision benefits
- Choose worldwide coverage with or without the U.S.
Before applying: Routine outpatient consultations and prescriptions require the optional outpatient module. Confirm your eligibility, medical underwriting terms, and the cost of your selected benefits.
Health Insurance for U.S. Citizens Living in Canada
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
For eligible U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents planning to live abroad for more than three months.
- Includes medical benefits internationally and in the U.S.
- Offers an unlimited lifetime medical maximum, with limits on specific benefits.
- Provides access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network for U.S. care.
Before applying: U.S. network choices affect your share of costs. Pre-existing-condition limitations may apply; qualifying prior coverage can reduce the waiting period. Compare the separate Outside U.S. option if you do not need U.S. medical coverage.
Health Insurance for International Students in Canada
WorldTrips StudentSecure
For eligible international students and scholars studying outside their home country whose school accepts the policy.
- Compare Elite, Select, Budget, and Smart coverage levels.
- Includes eligible medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains.
- Includes limited emergency dental benefits; other benefits vary by tier.
Before applying: You cannot purchase StudentSecure while physically in Canada. Confirm other eligibility and purchase-location restrictions, school acceptance, and any pre-existing-condition waiting period.
Health Insurance for US Students in Canada
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Specialty
For eligible U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents studying in Canada whose institution accepts the coverage.
- Includes medical benefits internationally and in the U.S.
- Access to the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network for U.S. care
- Choice of deductibles; cost sharing varies by policy
Before applying: Confirm that your school accepts the policy and that you meet the student and visa requirements. A pre-existing-condition waiting period may apply, with credit available for qualifying prior coverage.
International Citizens Insurance is a licensed broker offering these plans. Availability and premiums depend on eligibility, selected benefits, and underwriting where applicable. Policy terms, exclusions, and benefit limits apply.
How Much is Health Insurance in Canada?
The cost of coverage depends on the type of policy you need and your situation. Eligible residents generally do not pay at the point of care for covered public hospital and doctor services. Supplemental and global policies have separate premiums.
Coverage Type | Cost or Monthly Premium (CAD) | Cost Details and Limitations |
Provincial or territorial public insurance | Generally no charge at the point of use for insured hospital and doctor services | Tax-funded; eligibility and covered services vary by province or territory. Extra fees may apply to certain groups. |
Supplemental private health insurance | Published individual examples: $61.32 at age 25 and $348.40 at age 75. Families of four: $167.24–$818.30.* | Examples vary by applicant and plan, not national averages or equivalent benefits. Premiums depend on age, residence, and coverage. |
International health insurance | Sample monthly equivalents: $360.62 for ages 25–34 and $1,095.44 for ages 65+.** | Pricing depends on your situation, selected benefits, deductible, and coverage area. Choose an area that includes Canada. |
* Source: PolicyAdvisor’s health insurance cost guide, accessed October 22, 2026. Examples reflect different applicants and plans, not national averages or guaranteed quotes. Confirm premiums, eligibility, and benefits with the insurer.
** Source: International Citizens Insurance sample data. Monthly equivalents were calculated from annual USD premiums and converted to CAD using the Bank of Canada’s October 20, 2026, rate of US$1 = CA$1.4054. Figures are illustrative, not monthly payment quotes. Individual premiums, exchange rates, and payment schedules vary.
Note: Public coverage does not always mean there are no associated fees. For example, British Columbia charges a monthly international student health fee of CAD $75 to students who meet the applicable rules. This is a public-system fee, not a private premium.
What Affects Your Premium?
The following factors can affect your premium:
- Age and household size: The ages and number of people insured affect the price.
- Location and policy duration: Your province or country of residence and how long you need coverage can affect available policies and pricing.
- Selected benefits: More extensive benefits and optional extras may increase premiums.
- Deductible: A higher deductible may reduce premiums, but increases what you pay before applicable benefits become payable.
- Coverage area: Global plans with comprehensive U.S. benefits often cost more than plans that exclude them.
- Medical underwriting: Where applicable, the insurer’s review of your medical history may affect acceptance, premiums, exclusions, or other coverage terms.
Your total costs include premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Coinsurance is your percentage share of a covered bill. Excluded services and expenses that exceed policy limits can increase what you pay.
What Could International Health Insurance Cost for You?
Request a personalized quote based on your age, residence, coverage area, and selected benefits.
How to Get Health Insurance in Canada
You can arrange coverage through a provincial or territorial plan if eligible, through an employer or institution, or by applying for a suitable private policy.
Follow these five steps to get the coverage you need:
- Check public eligibility and the start date. Contact your provincial or territorial health authority to confirm the application requirements and when coverage begins. Identify any uninsured period you need to cover.
- Review employer or school insurance. Ask which benefits the plan includes, whether dependents can join, and whether you need provincial coverage to enroll. Check mandatory enrollment, exclusions, and waiting periods before buying overlapping benefits.
- Identify your medical and family needs. Consider hospital care, outpatient treatment, prescriptions, ongoing conditions, and mental health benefits. Families should also check maternity waiting periods, newborn enrollment deadlines, and dependent eligibility. Include every country where you expect to need treatment.
- Compare policies and payment arrangements. Review premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, benefit limits, and terms for pre-existing conditions. Ask whether preferred providers can bill the insurer directly and which treatments require advance approval. Learn more about how international health insurance claims work.
- Confirm acceptance and coverage dates. Complete the application accurately and review the insurer’s offer. Check purchase-location restrictions, the effective date, and any waiting periods. Confirm that the policy meets applicable work permit or school rules before relying on it.
When public coverage begins, review your remaining insurance needs and the private policy’s cancellation terms before making changes.
Our licensed advisors can help you compare options, understand exclusions, and find a policy that suits your situation.
Find International Health Coverage for Life in Canada
Get help comparing available plans for your medical needs, coverage preferences, and budget.
- Request personalized quotes
- Compare benefits, deductibles, and exclusions
- Get guidance from a licensed insurance advisor
Health Insurance in Canada FAQs
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Private coverage is not mandatory for everyone in Canada, but certain immigration programs, schools, or employers may require it. If you do not qualify for public coverage or are waiting for it to begin, a private plan can help protect you from medical bills. Check the requirements that apply to your circumstances.
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Some U.S. health insurance plans cover emergency treatment in Canada, but benefits and restrictions vary. Confirm how your length of stay or residence abroad affects coverage, which providers you can use, and how to submit claims. U.S. Medicare generally excludes care abroad, with limited exceptions. Our guide explains U.S. health insurance coverage abroad in more detail.
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Private coverage may be available, but acceptance and benefits depend on the insurer, policy, and your medical history. An insurer may impose exclusions, waiting periods, or higher premiums, or decline an application. Disclose your history accurately and review the written offer. Learn more about insurance for pre-existing conditions.
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Some policies allow purchase after arrival, but eligibility depends on your location, residency status, and the insurer’s rules. Coverage may start after the purchase date, and waiting periods may apply. StudentSecure, for example, excludes purchases while physically in Canada. Confirm the effective date and restrictions before relying on coverage.
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Direct billing depends on the insurer, facility, and treatment. Ask whether advance authorization or a guarantee of payment is required; otherwise, you may need to pay and claim reimbursement. Insurance does not guarantee faster treatment. Our guide to hospitals in Canada explains more about accessing care.