Overview
The British Columbia (BC) government Medical Services Plan (BC MSP) is a mandatory public health insurance plan for everyone who lives in BC for 6 months or longer. The BC MSP is an important part of benefiting from the health care available to all BC residents.
The plan covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. If you are not enrolled, you will have to pay for medical expenses independently.
Who is eligible and how do I apply?
If you will live in BC for 6 months or longer, you are required by law to enroll in MSP. If you are a study permit holder, you are required to pay the plan’s health-care coverage fee. You must apply for MSP as soon as you arrive in BC. You cannot apply for MSP before you arrive.
You do not need to apply for BC MSP only if you participate in an exchange program or short-term study abroad with your own provided medical insurance during your stay in Canada. And your program is no longer than 6 months.
When am I covered?
There is a 3-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins: this is the balance of the month in which you arrive in British Columbia (BC), plus two full calendar months.
For example, if you arrive in BC on August 25, you are eligible for MSP coverage starting November 1.
To cover the 3-month waiting period for MSP, new TWU international students are encouraged to purchase Guard. Me health insurance for your first 3 months in Canada.
BC MSP coverage will be provided to the same expiry date as your status in Canada (such as your study or work permit), unless you leave BC for an extended period.
If you extend your study permit or get a Post-Graduation Work Permit, you must apply to extend your MSP online, otherwise you will not be covered.
If you applied for a new study or work permit and your study permit expires before you receive it, you will have maintained status. It’s important to take action and request temporary MSP coverage while under maintained status.
As of January 1, 2020, all study permit holders are charged a $75 health-care coverage fee per month. You will receive a bill from the British Columbia government, and must pay the BC government directly. You can subscribe to eBill to get bills by mail.
If your family is with you in Canada, they will only be charged the new health-care coverage fee if they also hold study permits. If they hold work permits or are here as visitors, they will not be charged the fee.
The fees are subject to change. Check the MSP website for the most up-to-date information.
Getting your MSP card
When your application is processed, your MSP card, or BC Services Card (formerly known as "BC CareCard"), will be mailed to the address you provided in your application. Your BC Services Card will indicate your coverage period, which should match the expiration date of your status in Canada (such as your study or work permit). Note that your card will not include your photo.
Using your MSP insurance
In most cases, you will not have to pay at the time you seek care for medically required services when you show your BC Services Card.
MSP does not cover dental care, prescription drugs, routine vision care such as eye examinations or corrective lenses, or travel.
See a full list of your medical and health care benefits provided by MSP.
In general, you should go to clinics for non-urgent medical care, and hospitals for emergencies. For emergencies and for an ambulance, call 911. Learn about when to go to an Emergency Department or Urgent & Primary Care Centre, finding services in BC, and explore the BC Newcomers’ Guide to learn about healthcare in BC, which is available in 13 languages. You can also call 811 to reach Health Link BC 24/7 for assistance and to speak to healthcare professionals such as a nurse.
TWU Wellness Centre provides Health & Mental Health Services through clinic appointments with Doctors, Registered Nurses, Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC), and Counselling Interns. Check LINK to contact their team and book an appointment for Health Services and Mental Health Services.
Maintaining your MSP coverage
Generally, your MSP coverage will have the same expiry date as your status in Canada, such as the expiry date of your study permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit. If you extend your immigration documents, make sure you extend your MSP coverage as soon as you get your new study or work permit.
MSP coverage outside of BC
To remain eligible for MSP, you need to live in BC for a minimum of 6 months in one calendar year. If you are absent from BC for more than 6 months, you may need to re-apply when you return to the province and go through the approximately 3-month waiting period again.
For example, if you live outside of BC between May and December in 2023, you may need to reapply for your health insurance. However, if you are away from BC between September 2023 and April 2024, you remain eligible for MSP because you are only absent from the province for 4 months in each calendar year.
For more information, visit Leaving BC Temporarily.
Before leaving BC
Make sure you understand MSP’s residency requirements and call MSP to discuss how your coverage could be impacted by travel plans. It will help if you know the exact dates when you will be traveling outside BC.
If you will be in another Canadian province or territory
You might be able to continue to use MSP coverage for 3 months outside of BC, which could be used to cover your waiting period in another province or territory. To confirm your eligibility for coverage outside of BC and options to cancel your MSP, contact MSP by phone.
Different provinces and territories in Canada have their own health insurance plans and they do not all provide coverage for international students.
If you will be outside of Canada
If you will be outside Canada for less than 6 months, you have the option to keep or cancel MSP.
If you will be outside of Canada for more than 6 months in a calendar year, contact MSP by phone to confirm your eligibility. You might need to cancel your MSP coverage, or you might be given the option to keep MSP.
If you are eligible and you decide to keep MSP, you do not have to reapply or have a 3-month waiting period when you return.
If you cancel MSP, you have to reapply when you return to BC and get temporary private health insurance such as the Guard Me Insurance before you return to Canada to cover you during the MSP 3-month waiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I enrol my family members to BC MSP?
If your family members plan to reside in BC for 6 months or more, they may also be eligible for MSP.
If your family members arrive in BC with you within the same calendar month, you can all apply for MSP at the same time.
If your family members arrive in BC later (outside of the same calendar month), use the MSP Account Change form to add them to your existing MSP.
Remember to include photocopies of every family member’s Canadian status document (such as a study permit, visitor record, or work permit) valid for 6 months or more in the application. Some visitors will only have an entry stamp in their passports; use this as their status document.
Also remember that your family members will need to go through the 3-month waiting period and should purchase a temporary private health insurance, such as the Guard Me Insurance (if you are still covered).
What should I do if I have questions about BC MSP?
Do I need to apply for MSP if I am coming from another province?
If you are moving from another province, you should apply for MSP and arrange for coverage with your former medical plan during the 3 month wait period to ensure you have full medical coverage while living in BC.
There are no monthly MSP fees for Canadian students.
When and how should I apply for MSP?
If your TWU Program is more than 6 months, immediately upon your arrival in BC. There is a 90-day waiting period before it will take effect but you should apply immediately.
Sign up for MSP (this process takes 3 months to activate):
- BCMSP (British Columbia Medical Service Plan) - Health Insurance BC
- Lower Mainland: 604 683-7151
- Elsewhere in B.C.: 1 800 663-7100 (toll-free)
- Apply online: HERE
- Online application form: HERE
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If you still have questions related to immigration, health insurance, and life as an international student in Canada?
- Workshops and Seminars: Our workshops and seminars are conducted regularly to help international students stay informed and empowered. Link to TWU Calendar.
- Service Hub: For personalized assistance in resolving immigration-related questions, please submit your inquiries through Service Hub. Our team is here to provide specific support and help with any concerns you may have. Please note that TWU RCICs or RISIAs can only advise international students, their spouses, common-law partners, and children. We do not submit IRCC applications on behalf of international students.