Ontario International Students to Pay More for Health Insurance
Ontario International Students to Pay More for Health Insurance From September 2026
International students planning to study at several Ontario universities will need to budget a little more for health insurance this year.
From September 1, 2026, the cost of the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) will increase by 20%. UHIP provides health coverage to international students who study at participating Ontario universities and generally cannot access the province’s public health insurance.
For a single student, the annual premium will increase from $792 to $948. Students travelling with family members will also see a higher cost.
What Is Changing From September 2026?
The new UHIP rates will apply from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027.
Under the new rates:
- One student: $948 per year, up from $792
- Family of three: $2,844 per year, up from $2,376
This means an individual student will pay $156 more per year. Meanwhile, a family of three will pay $468 more annually.
Therefore, students preparing their budget for studying in Ontario should factor this increase into their overall expenses.
Who Needs UHIP?
UHIP mainly applies to international students attending participating universities in Ontario.
For most eligible students, the university adds the insurance premium directly to their student account. As a result, students usually see the UHIP charge alongside tuition and other university fees.
The plan is particularly important because international students generally cannot receive Ontario’s public health insurance, known as OHIP, simply because they hold temporary resident status as students.
Can Students Avoid Paying UHIP?
In most cases, international students cannot simply choose not to have UHIP.
However, some students can request an exemption if they already have an approved form of health coverage.
Students may qualify for an exemption if they:
- Have or will receive OHIP coverage.
- Have another approved health insurance plan.
- Hold diplomatic status.
- Have health coverage through a government-sponsored program.
However, these exemptions apply only to students who meet the specific requirements.
What About Students Bringing Their Family?
International students who bring their spouse, children or other eligible dependants to Ontario also need to think about health insurance.
If their dependants live with them in Ontario, students generally need to enrol those family members in UHIP as well.
However, universities do not automatically add dependants to the plan.
Therefore, students need to complete the required process themselves and make sure their family members have appropriate coverage.
What Does UHIP Cover?
UHIP helps international students pay for several essential medical services while they are in Canada.
The plan provides coverage of up to $1 million CAD per policy year.
Depending on the service, coverage can include:
- Doctor visits
- Diagnostic tests
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital surgeries
However, students should remember that UHIP is not the same as OHIP. The two plans do not provide identical coverage.
Therefore, students should check the details of their policy before assuming that every medical expense will receive coverage.
Do Students Need Additional Health Insurance?
UHIP mainly focuses on essential medical care. However, students may also need protection for services that UHIP does not cover.
For this reason, many universities or student associations offer separate extended health insurance plans.
These plans may help with expenses such as:
- Prescription medicines
- Dental treatment
- Eye care and vision services
In some universities, students must also purchase the extended plan unless they qualify for an exemption.
For example, a student may be able to opt out if they already have similar coverage through an eligible employer-sponsored insurance plan.
What Should International Students Do?
The increase does not require students to take any immediate action if their university automatically enrols them in UHIP.
However, students should update their study budget to account for the new premium.
Those travelling with family should pay particular attention because their total insurance cost will be higher.
Before arriving in Canada, students should also check:
- Whether their university participates in UHIP.
- How much UHIP will cost them.
- Whether they qualify for an exemption.
- Whether their dependants need separate UHIP enrolment.
- Whether their university also requires an extended health plan.
Final Thoughts
The UHIP price increase will add another expense for international students studying at participating Ontario universities.
From September 1, 2026, an individual student will pay $948 annually, compared with $792 previously.
Although health insurance is only one part of the total cost of studying in Canada, students should include it when planning their finances.
Planning to study in Ontario? Make sure you understand your tuition, living expenses and mandatory insurance costs before you begin your journey.
Get in touch with SPS Global
Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
