Overview of process
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| When to apply | Immediately after arriving in British Columbia |
| Cost | $75 per month for study permit holders |
| Processing time | 1 to 2 months Coverage begins after a waiting period (the remainder of the month of arrival plus 2 full calendar months) |
| How to apply | Apply online (recommended) or by mail. Review the UBC MSP Application Guide (pdf) to prepare your MSP online application. |
| Supporting documents | International students: Copy of valid study permit or work permit (such as Post-graduation or spouse/partner work permit) Canadian students: Copy of proof of status (such as Canadian permanent resident card, record of landing, confirmation of permanent residence letter, Canadian passport, Canadian birth certificate, front and back of Canadian citizenship card, certificate of Canadian citizenship, First Nations status card, or Métis status card) Family members: Copy of visitor record, study permit, spouse/partner work permit, or passport stamp showing arrival date to Canada Additional documents may be needed. |
Tips for the process
The easiest way to apply is to submit an application online.
If you decide to submit a paper application by mail, consider using a secure mailing method such as Canada Post Xpresspost.
International students
If you are reapplying for MSP after no longer being covered by the plan, you will need to go through the approximately 3-month waiting period again. Be sure to get temporary private health insurance, such as the Global Campus Health Plan, to cover you until you can reinstate your MSP coverage. If you are a part-time student, UBC employee, visiting instructor, postdoctoral fellow, or other non-student affiliate and need temporary hospital and medical coverage, contact David Cummings Insurance Services (DCIS) for information about “non-student” medical insurance plan options. Visit the MSP page for more details.
Temporary BC residents (such as international students and workers) will typically be issued a BC Services Card (formerly known as “BC CareCard”) without a photo. Carry your card with you as well as a digital or paper copy of your valid study permit or work permit.
You can also apply for a BC driver’s license and/or BCID card (which includes your photo) by submitting a separate application to the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC).
Domestic students
As of 2018, to complete MSP enrolment, adult Canadian citizens and permanent residents will need to obtain a BC Services Card with a photo by visiting an Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) driver licensing office.
Apply for MSP, wait for your letter of instruction, then bring the letter and primary and secondary photo ID document such as your driver’s license or your BCID Card to an ICBC office near you.
Get important information on MSP
Learn about how to maintain your MSP coverage, how to make payments, what happens if you will be outside of BC and more.
Register for BC Fair PharmaCare
It is recommended for most students to register for the BC Fair PharmaCare program, which may provide additional coverage for prescription drugs, medical devices, and pharmacy services. PharmaCare registration may be required for prescription coverage through the AMS/GSS Health and Dental plan.
Since coverage is based on income, the application requires proof of your previous income based on taxes filed in Canada 2 years ago. If you are a new resident of Canada, recently turned 19, or were exempt from filing taxes in Canada 2 years ago, you might be able to submit a Fair PharmaCare Proof of Income Affidavit—contact MSP for assistance.
As of October 2022, you can register for the BC Fair PharmaCare plan at the same time you apply for MSP. It is also possible to register for Fair PharmaCare separately.
You need to provide a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to apply. If you don’t have a SIN yet, consider applying for MSP separately as soon as you arrive in BC, and then register for Fair PharmaCare once you have your SIN.
If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has resided in Canada for at least the past 12 months, you might also be eligible for supplementary benefits.
If you have questions about enrollment with Fair PharmaCare, contact MSP.
Related resources
- Health insurance for international students
All international students are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies. - iMED: Temporary health insurance for international students
iMED is a temporary basic health insurance plan required for new international students, and will provide you with health insurance coverage during the 3 month waiting period for BC’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) or for the full duration of your program if you are a one-term exchange student or Visiting International Research Student (VIRS). - Medical Services Plan (MSP) for international students
MSP is BC’s provincial health insurance plan. Anyone living in BC for six months or longer (including international students) is required by law to enrol in MSP and pay the plan’s monthly healthcare coverage fee. - How to extend your BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Find helpful tips for extending your BC Medical Services Plan (MSP).
If you have questions
To confirm your eligibility and coverage, contact MSP.
For all other questions related to international health insurance, please connect with International Student Advising.
International Student Guide
Find everything you need to know about life as an international student at UBC’s Vancouver campus.