Student Services & Activities

Medical Insurance

All International students are required by law to have medical insurance while studying in Canada. It is the student's responsibility to have adequate medical insurance while in Canada. Students who do not have medical insurance will not be eligible for services from VIU.

Types of Medical Insurance

A) Emergency Medical Insurance

Vancouver Island University offers medical insurance for emergencies through Island Savings Insurance Services (ISIS), a private company. This includes coverage for pre-existing conditions if a policy is purchased within 30 days of your registration at VIU. However, some limitations and exclusions will apply. Most common are: pregnancy which must commence after effective date of policy and emotional, mental or nervous disorders resulting from any cause. Starting in January 2012, the cost for ISIS medical insurance for students attending the English Language Center, is $50.00 a month, with a minimum purchase of 4 months. Academic, trades and vocational students pay $40.00 a month, with a minimum purchase of 4 months, plus additional fees for extended health coverage through the Students' Union (see Students' Union Extended Health and Dental coverage below for more information).

A representative from Island Savings Insurance Services will be available on campus to assist students who wish to purchase ISIS insurance. The International Education department will send e-mails to the International Student Services (ISS)-List Serve to notify students when the representative will be on campus. For more information please visit ISIS insurance, or email cedarinsurance@iscu.com.

B) VIUSU Extended Health and Dental Benefits

Vancouver Island University Students’ Union (VIUSU) Extended Health and Dental plan is mandatory for full-time academic students as well as trades and vocational students in a program that is 8 months or longer. The plan covers services such as basic dental care, prescription medication, chiropractic care, massage therapy, physiotherapy, naturopathy, orthotics, ambulatory care and many other services. The cost is $286 for one calendar year. To find out more about extended health and dental coverage, please visit the VIU Students’Union. For details on coverage information, forms and printable claim cards, visit Greenshield Canada.

Short-term students who are coming only for four months may be eligible for a partial refund for the unused portion of the plan. Visit the Student Union office (Building 193) one month prior to completion of your program to inquire about a refund.

Students with proof of equivalent coverage from their home country can apply to opt-out of the Student Union plan. All requests must be submitted within the opt-out deadline for your program. Please e-mail healthanddental@viusu.ca to ask about your program deadline and request assistance.

ESL students are not eligible for this extended health and dental plan. 

C) Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP)

Students with a study permit for six months or longer are eligible for Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia (BC) insurance after 90 days of residing in British Columbia. Effective January 1, 2012, the cost is $64 per month. Medical Services Plan of BC is mandatory; however, students may choose to opt out if they choose private coverage. For more information on MSP, visit www.hlth.gov.bc.ca/msp or visit our local BC Access Centre at 460 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2R7.

A Word of Caution:  The cost of medical care can be extremely high. A standard visit to the Emergency Room at a BC hospital costs $750 PLUS charges for additional tests.  Be sure that your insurance is comprehensive ($2 Million CDN) and offers a daily bed rate of at least $5000 CDN.