Enrolling in the health and hospitalization insurance plan for international students

For new international applicants, the insurance takes effect when you arrive in Québec and, at the earliest, from:

• August 15th for the fall semester
• December 15th for the winter semester
• April 15th for the summer semester

If you plan to arrive:

• in Québec before the dates mentioned above

OR

• in a Canadian province other than Québec and stay there before you arrive in Québec

Then it is your responsibility to do the following:

• Ensure that you are adequately covered until the insurance coverage with Université Laval takes effect
• Take out comprehensive travel-health insurance and emergency medical insurance for the duration of your journey until you arrive in the province of Québec.

In the event of an accident, you won’t be entitled to the benefits under the group health and hospitalization insurance plan for international students and interns.

The insurance coverage is individual and does not include dependants. Any accompanying family members must also have adequate insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in Canada. Among other things, you can get insurance coverage for your family members through Desjardins Insurance too. For more information, see Visitors to Canada Insurance.

Some international students may be exempt from the Université Laval health insurance plan. If the Québec government has signed reciprocal social security agreements with your home country (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, and Sweden), you may be eligible for coverage under the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec [Québec’s public health insurance plan] (RAMQ). 

To qualify for benefits under these agreements, you have to take certain steps before you leave your home country and when you arrive in Québec. Contact your home country’s healthcare organization to find out whether you are covered by the social security agreement and to get the necessary documents. Visit the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) website for more information. 

Other exemptions are available, namely for students on academic scholarships. 

Coverage with the RAMQ for students covered under reciprocal social security agreements with certain countries begins only when you arrive in Québec.

If you plan to arrive in a Canadian province other than Québec and stay there before you arrive in Québec, it is your responsibility to take out comprehensive travel-health insurance and emergency medical insurance for the duration of your journey until you arrive in the province of Québec.

International students enrolled in a regular program who are eligible for the RAMQ can also take out supplemental health insurance through their student association. Visit the ASEQ student association health insurance website for more information (in French only).

Helpful links

• Registering with the RAMQ: Steps to follow (PDF) 
• RAMQ's checklist for first registration or renewal (PDF)
• Registering with the RAMQ
• Eligibility renewal
• To learn more about the reciprocal social security agreements established with Québec:
  • General information for all countries involved
  • Additional information for France

Options for enrolling in student health insurance plans

Eligibility

This table provides a summary of insurance coverage. Be sure to double-check your coverage, conditions, and exemptions before seeking non-urgent care. Your insurance may reimburse only 50% or 80%, not 100%, of the cost of certain services, or there may be a maximum annual limit or deductible.

Helpful link: Healthcare covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec