International students enrolled at over 20 UHIP-participating Ontario universities will pay significantly more for mandatory health insurance starting this fall.
The University Health Insurance Plan has officially announced a premium increase of nearly 20% for the 2026-27 policy year, raising the monthly rate from $66 to $79 per person effective September 1, 2026.
That brings the full 12-month cost from $792 to $948, an increase of $156 that will affect tens of thousands of students across 22 participating Ontario universities.
The increase arrives during a period of broader changes to Canada’s international student framework, including reduced study permit allocations and tighter eligibility rules for post-graduation pathways.
Students with dependents face even steeper total costs, with a family of three or more now paying $2,844 for full-year coverage under the updated rate structure.
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What Changed In The UHIP Premium For 2026-27
UHIP confirmed the premium adjustment in an official update published on its website, citing rising healthcare costs and claims as the primary drivers behind the decision.
The monthly per-person rate climbs from $66 under the 2025-26 plan to $79 under the 2026-27 plan, representing a 19.7% increase.
Multiple universities have independently published the updated figures on their official fee pages, including the University of Toronto, York University, Queen’s University, and Ontario Tech University.
Queen’s University specifically confirmed that the premium rate has increased to $79 per month per person effective September 1, 2026.
Ontario Tech University’s official page provides the clearest side-by-side comparison, explicitly listing $66 per month for 2025-26 alongside $79 per month for 2026-27.
The new rates apply to the full policy year running from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, and all published amounts include 8% tax.
New UHIP Rates For 2026-27
The following table shows the complete rate structure for the 2026-27 UHIP policy year compared to the outgoing 2025-26 rates.
| Coverage Type | 2025-26 Rate | 2026-27 Rate | Increase | Change |
| Per Person / Month | $66 | $79 | +$13 | +19.7% |
| Full 12 Months | $792 | $948 | +$156 | +19.7% |
| Student + 1 dependent | $1,584 | $1,896 | +$312 | +19.7% |
| Student + 2+ dependents | $2,376 | $2,844 | +$468 | +19.7% |
Students who begin their studies in January 2027 will pay $632 for eight months of coverage, while those starting in May 2027 will pay $316 for four months.
These prorated amounts also apply proportionally to dependants, with a student plus one dependant paying $1,264 for January starts and $632 for May starts.
UHIP Costs By Start Date For 2026-27
| Start Date | Student Only | Student + 1 | Student + 2+ |
| September 2026 (12 months) | $948 | $1,896 | $2,844 |
| January 2027 (8 months) | $632 | $1,264 | $1,896 |
| May 2027 (4 months) | $316 | $632 | $948 |
Why UHIP Premiums Increased For 2026-27
UHIP attributed the premium adjustment to rising healthcare costs and claims, consistent with the plan’s annual review cycle.
The plan operates on an annual review cycle where premiums may change each September 1 based on actual claims experience and projected increases in overall healthcare delivery costs.
Ontario’s healthcare system has faced sustained cost pressures throughout 2026, with the province expanding access to pharmacist consultations, lowering cancer screening ages, and broadening OHIP-covered services in multiple rounds of regulatory changes this year.
The federal government also raised the excessive demand cost threshold for health services in 2026, reflecting the broader upward trajectory of publicly funded healthcare expenditures across Canada.
UHIP is insured by Manulife and administered by Cowan Insurance Group, which makes it distinct from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan that covers Canadian citizens and permanent residents but generally excludes international students.
All 22 Participating Ontario Universities
UHIP’s official FAQ identifies 22 Ontario universities that participate in the plan, meaning the new $948 annual premium applies system-wide rather than on an institution-by-institution basis.
Because this is a centrally administered rate change, a participating university does not need to separately publish the updated fee before the UHIP rate takes effect for its students.
| University | University | University |
| Algoma University | Lakehead University | Trent University |
| Brock University | Laurentian University | Université de l’Ontario français |
| Carleton University | McMaster University | University of Guelph |
| Nipissing University | OCAD University | University of Ottawa |
| Ontario Tech University | Queen’s University | University of Toronto |
| Royal Military College | Saint Paul University | University of Waterloo |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | Wilfrid Laurier University | Western University |
| York University |
The participating institutions range from large research universities such as the University of Toronto and McMaster University to smaller regional institutions like Algoma University and Nipissing University.
International students planning to study at any of these universities should factor the updated UHIP cost into their overall budget alongside tuition, housing, and other mandatory ancillary fees.
Universities That Have Already Published The New Rate
At least 16 of the 22 participating universities have already published the updated $948 annual rate or $79 monthly rate on their official fee and insurance pages.
The University of Toronto’s School of Graduate Studies and the Institute of Medical Science both list $948 for 2026-27 on their international student pages.
York University, Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the University of Waterloo, and Western University all confirm the $948 figure on their respective international student portals.
Wilfrid Laurier University, Trent University, Brock University, Algoma University, Lakehead University, Nipissing University, and Laurentian University have similarly updated their published rates.
The Université de l’Ontario français lists the $948 rate and the $79 monthly breakdown on its tuition and ancillary fees page.
Universities that have not yet surfaced the dollar amount on their searchable web pages, such as McMaster University, still participate in the UHIP system and will apply the centrally determined rate to eligible students and their dependents.
How The Increase Affects Students With Dependents
The premium increase is not limited to individual students because UHIP coverage extends to eligible dependents on a mandatory basis at participating institutions.
A student enrolling in September 2026 with one dependent will pay $1,896 for the year, up from $1,584 under the previous rate, an increase of $312.
A student with two or more dependents faces a total of $2,844, which represents an increase of $468 over the 2025-26 cost of $2,376.
At institutions like the University of Ottawa, eligible international students and their dependants are required to have UHIP, although students must initially enroll their dependants; their coverage is then automatically renewed each year.
The dependent cost structure adds considerable financial pressure for students who are also navigating tighter spousal work permit eligibility rules that took effect in January 2025 and continue to shape family budgets in 2026.
Who Must Enroll In UHIP
UHIP is mandatory for eligible international students, their dependants, and certain employees at the 22 participating Ontario universities.
Enrollment is tied to registration at a participating institution, and students are typically auto-enrolled when they begin or continue their studies.
UHIP provides medical coverage that mirrors elements of the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, since international students are generally not eligible for OHIP during their studies.
The plan covers eligible hospital care, physician services, diagnostic and laboratory services, emergency care, and certain other medically necessary services within Ontario and across Canada.
Limited exemptions are available for students with qualifying provincial health coverage, diplomatic status, or certain UHIP-approved or government-sponsored plans, and the exemption process varies by institution.
Ontario college students are not automatically covered under UHIP because the plan is specifically tied to participating universities and their affiliated institutions, not the broader post-secondary system.
What Students Should Know Before September
Students returning to or arriving at any of the 22 participating universities in September 2026 should update their personal budgets to reflect the new $948 annual cost.
Those with dependents need to account for the multiplied premium, particularly if their spouse or partner is also adjusting to changes in open work permit eligibility that have limited family income options.
Students who believe they qualify for a UHIP exemption based on provincial health coverage, diplomatic status, or an approved government-sponsored plan should contact their university’s international student office well before the enrollment deadline.
Premium payments are typically charged as part of a student’s ancillary fees, meaning the cost appears on tuition invoices rather than as a separate transaction.
New students planning their arrival should also familiarize themselves with the fastest pathway to Canadian citizenship and common permanent residency mistakes to build a long-term strategy that accounts for all costs and timelines.
A 20% increase in mandatory health insurance is a material cost change for any student budgeting their year in Ontario.
The $156 annual increase per person may seem modest in isolation, but it compounds quickly for students with families and becomes one more line item in an already expensive academic year.
Students should verify the specific UHIP payment schedule at their university, confirm whether exemptions are available in their circumstances, and build the updated cost into their financial plans before September 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does UHIP cost for international students starting in September 2026?
The annual premium for a single student starting in September 2026 is $948, which breaks down to $79 per month, including 8% tax, covering the full policy year through August 31, 2027.
Can international students opt out of UHIP at Ontario universities?
UHIP enrollment is mandatory by default at all 22 participating institutions, and ordinary private insurance is not sufficient for an exemption, but limited exemptions exist for students with qualifying provincial health coverage, diplomatic status, or certain UHIP-approved or government-sponsored plans.
Does UHIP cover dependants of international students?
Yes, UHIP coverage extends to eligible dependants, though students must actively enroll their dependants initially rather than relying on automatic enrollment, with the premium charged at $1,896 for one dependant and $2,844 for two or more dependants for a full September start.
Are Ontario college students also affected by this UHIP increase?
No, UHIP is specifically tied to participating Ontario universities and their affiliated institutions, so college students covered through separate private insurance arrangements are not directly affected by this rate change.
Why did UHIP premiums increase by nearly 20% for 2026-27?
UHIP cited rising healthcare costs and claims as the reasons for the premium adjustment, with the plan operating on an annual review cycle where premiums may change each September based on claims experience and projected healthcare cost increases.
Fact-Checked: All rates, dates, and participating university data in this article have been verified against the official UHIP announcement published at uhip.ca, the UHIP FAQ listing 22 participating universities, the UHIP coverage details page confirming Manulife as insurer and Cowan Insurance Group as administrator, Queen’s University International Centre’s confirmation of the $79 monthly rate effective September 1, 2026, Ontario Tech University’s explicit $66-to-$79 comparison, and the University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies’ published $948 figure for 2026-27, all as of August 18, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or immigration advice; readers should consult with a licensed professional for advice specific to their situation.
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