Ontario International Students Face 20% UHIP Insurance Hike: $156 More Per Year
Effective September 1, Family of Three Pays $468 Extra
Starting September 1, 2026, all international students enrolled at major Ontario universities will pay at least $156 more annually for mandatory health insurance. A family of three must pay $468 extra.
According to the latest update on the UHIP website under the “Rates for September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027” tab, individual annual premiums have risen from $792 to $948, and family-of-three coverage from $2,376 to $2,844.
What Is UHIP?
UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) is Ontario’s health insurance program for international students who do not qualify for OHIP.
All international students enrolled at UHIP member institutions must purchase this insurance. Member institutions include 22 publicly funded universities across Ontario.
International students are automatically charged UHIP premiums each term through their student accounts unless they actively notify their institution to opt out.
Who Can Be Exempted?
Students can only opt out of UHIP if they meet one of four exemption criteria.
However, in Ontario, foreign nationals cannot qualify for OHIP based on having temporary resident status as international students. This contrasts with provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia, which have provincial plans that provide coverage to qualifying international students.
As a result, most international students effectively cannot opt out.
What Does UHIP Cover?
UHIP provides coverage up to a maximum of $1 million CAD per policy year.
Coverage includes:
- Visits to primary care physicians
- Diagnostic tests
- Emergency room visits
- Surgeries performed in hospitals
UHIP coverage is not equivalent to OHIP. Many international students also purchase extended group health insurance to cover services not included in UHIP, such as prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care.
Extended health coverage varies by institution, typically offered through student societies at the group plan level. Similar to group health insurance plans offered to many Ontario workers, students’ extended health plans usually cover prescription drugs, dental care, and vision.
In many cases, purchasing the group extended health insurance offered by one’s student society is also mandatory unless a qualifying exemption exists and the student opts out. To be exempt, a student typically must provide proof of comparable coverage from another extended health insurance plan, such as being covered through an employer’s group plan.
The Real Impact on International Students
What does this increase mean for students?
First, September 1 falls right at the critical start of the fall semester. For international students enrolling in autumn 2026, this additional expense is a real and immediate increase.
For the most common single-student enrollment, the annual extra cost is $156. If a student completes a four-year undergraduate degree in Canada, this single health insurance increase amounts to $624 extra over the entire program.
For international students with families, the impact is even greater. A family of three pays $468 more per year, totaling $1,872 extra over four years.
Second, this is part of a broader trend of rising costs for international students in Ontario. With tuition increases, higher accommodation costs, growing transportation and living expenses, and now this health insurance hike, the total cost of studying in Ontario is climbing significantly.
Ontario’s Unique Situation
Why can’t international students in Ontario simply join OHIP?
Under Ontario regulations, foreign nationals on temporary resident status as international students do not qualify for OHIP (the Ontario Health Insurance Plan).
By contrast, Alberta and British Columbia have already established provincial plans that provide health coverage to qualifying international students. This means that studying in Canada can involve very different health insurance costs depending on which province you choose.
These differences also influence students’ decisions when selecting study destinations. When comparing schools with similar academic quality, health insurance costs may become a significant deciding factor.
Advice for International Students
For international students preparing to study or already studying in Ontario, here are key points to keep in mind:
First, confirm whether your school is a UHIP member institution. If it is, the premium will be automatically included in your tuition account and no separate payment is required.
Second, carefully review whether you qualify for any exemptions. If you have comparable health coverage through an employer group plan, you may be able to apply for an opt-out.
Third, consider purchasing additional extended health insurance. While UHIP covers basic medical services, it does not include dental, vision, or most prescription drugs. These costs can be extremely high if paid entirely out of pocket.
Fourth, when comparing schools across different provinces, factor health insurance costs into your total expense calculation.
Canada’s provincial policies regarding international student health insurance are undergoing significant changes. Staying informed about these developments can help you better plan your study budget and long-term arrangements.