UHIP premiums jump from $792 to $948 per student at Ontario's 22 public universities on September 1, 2026 — $156 more a year, $468 more for a family of three.
If you're an international student at one of Ontario's 22 public universities, your mandatory health insurance is about to cost 20% more. Starting September 1, 2026, the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) rises from $792 to $948 a year per student — and if you have a spouse and child with you, your family's premium jumps from $2,376 to $2,844.
UHIP posted the new rate table on August 21, 2026, under "Rates for September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027." The increase applies automatically — there's no opt-in required, because for most students, opting out isn't possible in the first place.
| Coverage | Current (2025–26) | New (Sept 2026–Aug 2027) | Increase |
|---|
| Individual student | $792/year | $948/year | +$156 (20%) |
| Family of three | $2,376/year | $2,844/year | +$468 (20%) |
UHIP is compulsory for international students at 22 UHIP member institutions, including the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McMaster, Queen's, York, Western, and every other publicly funded Ontario university. The premium is charged directly to your student account alongside tuition — you don't apply for it, and unless you qualify for one of four narrow exemptions (OHIP eligibility, an approved alternate plan, diplomatic status, or a government-sponsored plan), it's added automatically each term.
In most provinces, international students eventually qualify for the public health plan. Not in Ontario. British Columbia and Alberta both run provincial programs that cover eligible international students; Ontario's OHIP does not extend to temporary residents on a study permit, full stop. UHIP exists specifically to fill that gap, which is exactly why it's mandatory rather than optional — for the vast majority of international students in this province, there is no alternative source of basic health coverage.
That's the real story behind the 20% jump: it isn't a fee you can shop around or decline. Whatever UHIP charges, you pay, on top of tuition that's already risen for several consecutive years.
UHIP pays for the basics: family doctor visits, diagnostic tests, emergency room care, and hospital surgeries, up to $1 million per policy year. It is not the same as OHIP — coverage is narrower, and many students layer on a second policy, extended health insurance through their institution's student society, to cover prescription drugs, dental, and vision, which UHIP doesn't touch. If your student society plan is also mandatory (most are), budget for both increases separately; UHIP's rate change doesn't tell you what your extended plan will cost this year.
Coverage starts on whichever comes later: the day you arrive in Canada, or the 10th of the month before your study period begins. If you're bringing a spouse or child, you have to enroll them yourself — it isn't automatic the way your own coverage is, so check your UHIP account before the semester starts.
If you're already enrolled and paying UHIP: the extra $156 (or $468 for a family) will show up on your account with your fall term charges. There's nothing to apply for and nothing you need to do to receive the new rate — it's applied automatically.
If you think you might qualify for an exemption: the four paths are OHIP eligibility (rare for study permit holders), coverage under another pre-approved plan, diplomatic status, or a plan sponsored by your home government. If none of those apply to you, budget for the full $948.
If you're planning your first year's costs from abroad: add $948 (or $2,844 for a family) to your tuition and living cost estimate now, not after you land. Combined with a mandatory extended health plan through your student society, health coverage alone can run well over $1,500 a year for a single student at some institutions.
Tip
If you have a spouse or child accompanying you, enroll them in UHIP as soon as your own coverage starts — it's a manual step buried in the UHIP portal, not something your university does for you. Missing it means a gap in coverage for your dependents at exactly the point you're least equipped to absorb an unexpected medical bill.
This is one more line item in a year where Ontario has been raising the direct cost of studying in the province — tuition increases, ancillary fee hikes, and now a 20% jump in mandatory health coverage, all landing on international students who are already the highest-paying segment of the university system. If you're deciding between provinces, remember that BC and Alberta students on study permits can access provincial health coverage the way domestic students do; Ontario students cannot, and UHIP's cost has just gone up accordingly.
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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.