Ontario Universities Increase Compulsory Health Insurance Premiums for International Students
International students studying at certain universities in Ontario, Canada, will have to pay more for compulsory health insurance from September 1, 2026. The annual premium under the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) for individual coverage will rise by $156, taking the cost from the existing rate to $948 for the 2026-27 policy year, as reported by CIC News. The increase will also affect students covering dependents. For a family of three, the annual UHIP premium will rise by $468, from $2,376 to $2,844 for the period from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027. UHIP is mandatory for most international students UHIP is the basic health insurance arrangement for international students at participating Ontario institutions. The plan is used by 22 publicly funded universities, including the University of Toronto, Queen's University, University of Waterloo, McMaster University, York University and Toronto Metropolitan University. For most students, the insurance premium is added automatically to their university account along with tuition and other charges. International students can opt out only if they meet specific exemption conditions. These can include having coverage through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), another approved health insurance plan, diplomatic status or a government-sponsored insurance arrangement. However, most international students do not qualify for these exemptions. Unlike some other Canadian provinces, Ontario does not generally provide OHIP coverage simply because a foreign national is studying in the province. Dependents also need UHIP coverage Students who bring family members to Ontario also need to arrange UHIP coverage for their eligible dependents unless they qualify for an exemption. The enrolment of dependents is not automatic, meaning students are responsible for completing the required process. UHIP coverage generally begins from the date the student arrives in Canada or the 10th day of the month before the study period starts, whichever is later. What does UHIP cover? UHIP provides up to $1 million in coverage per policy year for certain basic medical services. The insurance can cover services such as: Primary care visits Diagnostic tests Emergency room treatment Hospital surgeries However, UHIP should not be confused with OHIP. The two plans are separate, and UHIP does not provide identical coverage to Ontario's provincial health insurance. Students may have to pay for additional insurance The higher UHIP premium is not necessarily the only health insurance cost international students face. Many Ontario universities and student associations also provide extended health plans. These can cover expenses that fall outside UHIP, including prescription medicines, dental treatment and vision care. At several institutions, students are automatically enrolled in these additional plans and charged a separate fee. Students may be able to opt out if they have comparable alternative coverage and meet the institution's exemption requirements.
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