How to Get Health Insurance for Your Visa: UK Immigration Health Surcharge, Australian OSHC, and Student Insurance in the US and Canada

2026-09-26 · Application guides

Clarify the health insurance requirements for international students across different countries: UK: The Immigration Health Surcharge is paid with the visa application at £776 per year for students, fully refundable if the visa is refused. Australia: OSHC is mandatory and must be maintained throughout the stay, with six registered insurance providers to choose from. US: F-1 students are responsible for their own coverage based on university requirements, while J-1 students must meet federal minimum coverage standards. Canada: Requirements vary by province. Includes general principles for purchasing insurance.

Health insurance requirements for university applications vary significantly by country: the UK requires an "immigration health surcharge" paid with the visa, after which students use the National Health Service (NHS); Australia mandates specific Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) that must be maintained throughout the entire stay; the US and Canada primarily depend on university and provincial/state requirements. Based on official government websites, this article explains the requirements, purchasing process, and key considerations for student health insurance in each country.

1. Overview of Requirements by Country

Country	Healthcare Solution	Visa Relationship
UK	Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS); £776 per year for students	Paid together with the visa application
Australia	Purchase Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)	Must be held throughout the entire stay in Australia
US	Student's responsibility to purchase; universities usually have requirements	F-1 follows university requirements; J-1 has federal minimum coverage standards
Canada	Varies by province; follows university and provincial requirements	The Canadian federal government does not cover international students' healthcare costs

2. UK: Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

How Much

Students and dependents: £776 per year;
Calculated by visa duration: visas over 6 months but less than a year are charged for a full year; up to 18 months are charged for a year and a half, and so on;
Not required for visas of 6 months or less applied for from outside the UK;
Dependents aged 18 and over generally pay the same amount as you.

The surcharge is calculated based on the actual visa duration, which may be longer than the course itself, making it a significant expense for a three-year undergraduate program. You can use the calculator on GOV.UK to determine the exact amount before applying.

When to Pay

It is paid together with the online visa application. If you receive a notice of non-payment, applications from outside the UK must be paid within 7 working days, otherwise it may affect your application.

Refund Policy

Full refund: visa refused, application withdrawn before a decision is made, or duplicate payment;
Partial refund: visa granted for a shorter duration than applied for, or accompanying dependents refused;
No refund: withdrawn after visa approval, did not travel to the UK, left the UK early, etc.

Refunds are generally processed within 6 weeks after a decision is made; it will take longer if an administrative review or appeal was filed.

3. Australia: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

Who Needs It

International students studying in Australia and their dependents (spouse and children under 18) must hold OSHC, and the Department of Home Affairs requires it to be maintained throughout the entire stay in Australia.

What is and Isn't Covered

Generally includes: GP visits, some hospital treatments, ambulance, and limited pharmaceuticals;
Generally excludes: dental, optical, and physiotherapy. If needed, you can purchase additional extras cover or private health insurance.

Where to Buy

According to Study Australia, there are six registered insurance companies providing OSHC: ahm OSHC, Allianz Care Australia (Peoplecare), Bupa Australia, CBHS International Health, Medibank Private, and nib OSHC. Some universities can also arrange it on your behalf.

Things to Note

The insurance period must cover the entire visa duration with no gaps;
If bringing dependents, you must purchase a family policy;
When renewing your visa or extending your studies, the insurance must be extended accordingly.

4. US: Student Responsibility, Subject to University Requirements

F-1 Students

According to the Department of Homeland Security, purchasing health insurance is the student's own responsibility while studying in the US. Universities may offer health services, but requirements and costs vary. Some universities require students to purchase the university's insurance plan or prove that their own insurance meets university standards. Please refer to the specific guidelines from your university's international student office.

J-1 Exchange Visitors

J-1 has federally mandated minimum coverage standards, which apply to the exchange visitor and accompanying dependents:

Medical coverage of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
Repatriation of remains coverage of $25,000;
Medical evacuation coverage of $50,000;
A deductible not exceeding $500 per accident or illness.

For regulations regarding J-1 internships, please see our article on J-1 internships.

Healthcare is Expensive in the US, Choose Insurance Wisely

Regardless of whether the university mandates it, living in the US without insurance is not recommended. When choosing insurance, focus on the coverage limits, deductible, whether it covers hospitals and doctors in the university's area, and whether it includes mental health services.

5. Canada: Depends on Province and University

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) explicitly states that the Canadian federal government does not cover international students' healthcare costs, and the healthcare coverage available to international students varies by province. Practices differ across provinces, and universities may also have their own student insurance plans. Before enrollment, be sure to confirm with your university:

Whether your province includes international students in the provincial health insurance plan and if there is a waiting period;
Whether the university mandates student insurance;
How to cover the gap before the provincial health insurance takes effect.

Additionally, renewing health insurance requires a valid study permit, which is one of the reasons your study permit must not lapse.

6. General Principles When Buying Insurance

Cover the entire stay. From the day you enter until you leave, there should be no gaps. In Australia, this is a visa condition, and a lapse can cause issues.
Understand what is and isn't covered. Dental, optical, pre-existing conditions, and mental health are often not included in basic coverage.
Know how to use it. Figure out where to seek care, whether you need to pay out-of-pocket first, and how to claim reimbursements before you depart.
Cover your dependents if bringing them. Dependents in the UK also need to pay the surcharge, and dependents in Australia must have OSHC.
Keep your policy documents safe. Keep proof of insurance in your carry-on luggage, as it may be required upon entry and enrollment.

Conclusion

Health insurance is not optional. The UK and Australia include it in visa requirements. While the US and Canada do not mandate it at the visa level, universities and provinces usually have requirements, and the cost of getting sick without insurance is huge. Arranging your insurance before departure is a highly worthwhile part of your university application preparation.

For more visa information, check out our guides on how to prepare your visa document checklist and 20 FAQs about student visas. This article does not constitute insurance purchasing advice; for specific insurance products, please refer to the guidelines from your university and the insurance provider.

Verification note: This article was verified in September 2026. The UK section is cross-referenced with the GOV.UK pages for Immigration Health Surcharge payments and refunds; the Australia section with the OSHC page on the Australian Government's Study Australia website; the US F-1 section with the Department of Homeland Security's "Study in the States" website, and the J-1 minimum coverage standards are based on search summaries from the US Department of State J-1 website (derived from federal regulation 22 CFR 62.14); the Canada section with the IRCC's Prepare to study in Canada page and help center. Policies and insurance products are subject to change; please refer to the latest official and university information.

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