Ontario Health Insurance Costs for International Students in 2026: What You’ll Pay

• The September 2026 UHIP rate is $948 for one student, compared with the previous $792 annual rate.

• A student plus one dependant pays $1,896 for a September start. A student plus two or more dependants pays $2,844.

• Students starting in January 2027 pay $632 for individual coverage, while May 2027 starters pay $316.

• UHIP is primary health insurance for eligible international students at 22 participating Ontario universities and affiliated colleges.

• Most eligible students are enrolled automatically. Exemptions exist, but only for limited types of approved coverage or status.

UHIP increased its premiums for the 2026/27 academic year. For students beginning their studies in September 2026, individual coverage is now $948 for the year. The previous annual rate was $792, so the change adds $156, or about 20%, to the cost of coverage.

The increase scales with family coverage. A student with one dependant pays $1,896 for a September start, while a student with two or more dependents pays $2,844.

The amount depends on when your course starts and how many eligible family members are covered with you.

September 2026: $948 for one student, $1,896 for a student plus one dependant, and $2,844 for a student plus two or more dependents.

January 2027: $632 for one student, $1,264 for a student plus one dependent, and $1,896 for a student plus two or more dependents.

May 2027: $316 for one student, $632 for a student plus one dependant, and $948 for a student plus two or more dependents.

All amounts are in Canadian dollars and include 8% tax. UHIP rates are set for the academic year ending August 31 and may change again in a future policy year.

UHIP is the primary health plan used by eligible international students at participating Ontario universities and affiliated colleges. UHIP currently lists 22 participating universities, including the University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, McMaster University, Queen’s University, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the University of Waterloo, Western University, and others.

Eligible students are generally enrolled automatically by their university, and the premium is charged to the student account. Coverage renewal is also automatic while the student remains eligible.

Family members living with an eligible student in Ontario may also need UHIP coverage when they qualify as dependants. This can include a spouse or common-law partner and eligible dependent children.

UHIP is primary health insurance. It is designed to provide coverage similar to Ontario’s public health plan for medically necessary care, but it is not the same as OHIP.

• Physician and doctor services

• Hospital care

• Diagnostic and laboratory testing

• Surgery and other eligible medically necessary services

• Some health services outside Ontario, subject to plan rules

UHIP is also separate from many university student health and dental plans. Those plans may cover services such as prescription drugs, dental care, or vision care that are not covered in the same way under UHIP. This means some students may see both UHIP and a separate extended health plan on their university fees.

For most eligible international students at participating universities, UHIP is mandatory. Having private travel or health insurance does not automatically remove the UHIP requirement.

Exemptions are limited. UHIP lists certain Canadian provincial or territorial health plans, diplomatic status, specific pre-approved plans, and qualifying government-sponsored coverage among the situations that may be eligible.

An exemption is not automatic, and the rules are set by UHIP. Students who do not meet one of the listed exemption categories remain covered under the plan.

The $156 increase is small compared with international tuition, but it is another fixed cost that arrives alongside tuition and other university fees. For students bringing family members, the difference is larger because the premium increases with the number of dependants covered.

It also comes at a time when Canada has raised the amount study permit applicants must show for living expenses. For applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, IRCC requires a single applicant outside Quebec to show $23,448 for one year of living expenses, excluding tuition and transportation.

UHIP is a separate university health insurance cost, but both numbers matter when looking at what a first year in Canada will actually cost.

When you build your study permit application with BorderPass, the platform shows you how much proof of funds you need to demonstrate based on your situation, what supporting financial documents may be needed, and what other application requirements apply to you. Your file is also reviewed by Canadian immigration lawyers through BorderPass, giving you legal support without the traditional legal price tag.

Planning to study in Canada means budgeting for more than tuition. Health insurance, proof of funds, government fees and other application costs all sit alongside the documents and financial evidence needed for a study permit application.

BorderPass helps you prepare your study permit application with the current requirements built into the process. You can see how much proof of funds you need to show, what financial and supporting documents may be required, and move through the application step by step with licensed Canadian immigration lawyers reviewing your file before submission, at a fraction of the traditional legal price.

Start with BorderPass: https://www.borderpass.ai/students