Lana Oconnell
The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee charged to international students studying in British Columbia (BC), Canada, with a valid study permit for at least six months of the year. The ISHF is an individual-based fee and applies to each family member enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP). The fee is $75 per month and supports the sustainability of BC's healthcare system, ensuring that international students can access necessary medical services. Students can pay the fee online, by Visa, MasterCard, or Amex, or by cheque, bank draft, or money order.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | International Student Health Fee (ISHF) |
| Location | British Columbia (BC) |
| Introduced | 2019 |
| Applicability | International students on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year, including K-12 and post-secondary students |
| Fee Amount | $75 per month |
| Payment Methods | Online, cheque, bank draft, money order, Visa, MasterCard, or Amex |
| Billing | Individual-based fee for each family member enrolled in MSP with a valid study permit |
| Purpose | Contribute to and benefit from BC's publicly funded healthcare system, ensuring sustainability and access to medical services for all residents |
| Coverage Wait Period | Three months, including the balance of the month of arrival plus two full calendar months |
| Cancellation | Possible when leaving BC temporarily or permanently, but may require reapplication upon return |
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What You'll Learn
Who needs to pay the international student health fee?
The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee of $75 charged to international students studying in British Columbia (BC), Canada. This includes K-12 and post-secondary international students. The ISHF is an individual-based fee and is applicable to each family member enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) with a valid study permit, regardless of family size, income, or secondary immigration status.
The ISHF is applicable to international students who are physically present in BC for at least six months in a calendar year. These students are deemed to be residents under Section 2(a) of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation. The fee is authorized by a directive under Section 19 of the Financial Administration Act (FAA), which allows the Ministry of Health to charge health fees to international students enrolled in MSP. The definition of an international student, as per the directive, is a person admitted to Canada with a valid study permit issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for six months or longer.
The easiest way to pay the health fee is online using Billing and Payment Services. Payments can also be made by Visa, MasterCard, or Amex, or by cheque, bank draft, or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance through the mail. It is important to note that the payment method should not be removed before opting out of the health fee to avoid incurring additional charges and interest.
In addition to the ISHF, international students are subject to a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage begins. This includes the balance of the month in which residency is established, plus two full calendar months. During this waiting period, it is recommended that international students carry private insurance.
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How much is the international student health fee?
The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee of $75. It was introduced in 2019 and is charged to all international students studying in British Columbia (BC) on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year. This includes K-12 and post-secondary international students.
The ISHF is an individual-based fee and applies to each family member enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) who possesses a valid study permit, regardless of family size, income, or secondary immigration status. This means that if you have family members enrolled in the MSP, they will also be subject to the ISHF, even if they are not students themselves.
The fee supports the sustainability of BC's health-care system and ensures that international students both contribute to and benefit from publicly funded healthcare in the province. Under the Medicare Protection Act, enrolment in MSP is mandatory for all eligible residents of British Columbia.
The easiest way to pay the health fee is online using Billing and Payment Services. Payments can also be made by cheque, bank draft, or money order, made payable to the Minister of Finance through the mail. It is important to note that cash should not be sent through the mail. If you are a school or school district and would like to pay the health fee on behalf of your international students, you can contact HIBC to set up group billing.
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How to pay the international student health fee?
International students in British Columbia who are physically present in the province for at least six months in a calendar year are deemed to be residents under Section 2(a) of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation. These students are required to enrol in B.C.'s Medical Services Plan (MSP) and pay a mandatory monthly International Student Health Fee (ISHF) of $75. This fee ensures that international students contribute to and benefit from British Columbia's publicly funded healthcare system.
The ISHF is an individual-based fee and applies to each family member enrolled in the MSP who possesses a valid study permit, regardless of family size, income, or secondary immigration status. Only adult international students who formally opt out of provincial health coverage through MSP are exempt from paying the health fee.
There are several ways to pay the ISHF:
- Online: The easiest way to pay your health fee is online using the Billing and Payment Services provided by Revenue Services of British Columbia. You can use your Visa, MasterCard, or Amex to make a payment.
- In person: You can pay your International Student Health Fee invoice in person at a Service BC Centre. Payments are accepted by cash, debit, credit card, cheque, bank draft, or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance.
- By mail: You can also make payments by cheque, bank draft, or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance through the mail. Do not send cash. You should send your payment at least eight days before the due date if you’re sending it through Canada Post.
Your payment must be received by the due date shown on your international student health fee invoice. If you're unable to pay, you can contact Revenue Services of British Columbia to discuss a payment arrangement. If you pay more than you currently owe, the extra amount will remain on your account as a credit and will be applied to your next invoice to reduce the amount you owe. Once your payment is received, it takes approximately two business days for your payment to be posted against your account. To check your account information, including your account balance, call 1-877-383-0016. Before calling, make sure you have your international student health fee account number from your invoice ready.
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What happens if you can't pay the international student health fee?
The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee of $75 charged to all international students studying in British Columbia on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year. This fee supports the sustainability of BC's health-care system and ensures that international students both contribute to and benefit from it.
If you are an international student and are unable to pay the health fee, you can contact the relevant authorities to discuss a payment arrangement. Your payment must be received by the due date shown on your invoice; otherwise, your account will become overdue, and collection actions may be initiated. If your payment is returned by your financial institution for any reason, you will need to make another payment, with an additional fee of $30.00 charged for dishonoured payments.
If you are an international student in British Columbia and have not paid the health fee, you will still have access to emergency health-care services. However, for non-emergency services, private physicians and clinics may require pre-approved payment arrangements before providing treatment. If you do not have private insurance, you will be responsible for the full cost of any health-care services received.
It is important to note that if you are physically present in British Columbia for at least six months in a calendar year and hold a valid study permit, you are deemed a resident and are required to apply for MSP (BC's health-care coverage). You can formally opt out of provincial health coverage, but this step should be carefully considered, understanding the consequences.
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How to cancel the international student health fee?
The International Student Health Fee (ISHF) is a mandatory monthly fee of $75 charged to all international students studying in British Columbia on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year. This fee supports the sustainability of British Columbia's (B.C.) health-care system, ensuring that international students both contribute to and benefit from it. The ISHF is an individual-based fee and applies to each family member enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) who possesses a valid study permit, regardless of family size, income, or secondary immigration status.
To cancel the ISHF, one must no longer be enrolled in the MSP, which is British Columbia's health-care coverage. To be eligible for medical coverage under MSP, a person must be a resident of British Columbia. International students who are physically present in British Columbia for at least six months in a calendar year are deemed to be residents under Section 2(a) of the Medical and Health Care Services Regulation.
To cancel your enrolment in MSP, you must no longer meet the residency requirements for coverage. This can be done by providing a letter or email from your school that provides the date you completed your studies or withdrew/stopped attending classes, or a dated copy of your final transcript, degree, diploma, or certificate. If you are issued a new immigration document that may qualify you to continue being enrolled in MSP, a copy of the new immigration document must be provided to Health Insurance BC (HIBC), or your MSP coverage will be cancelled based on when you ceased to meet the residency requirements.
It is important to note that emergency health-care services will not be denied to anyone, regardless of their enrolment or payment status in MSP. However, private physicians and clinics may require pre-approved payment arrangements before providing non-emergency services.
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Frequently asked questions
The ISHF is a mandatory monthly fee of $75 charged to all international students studying in British Columbia (BC) on a valid study permit for at least six months of the year.
The ISHF applies to each family member enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) with a valid study permit, regardless of family size, income, or secondary immigration status.
The ISHF ensures that international students both contribute to and benefit from BC's publicly funded healthcare system, supporting its sustainability and ensuring access to necessary medical services for all residents.
You can pay the ISHF online using Billing and Payment Services, or by cheque, bank draft, or money order made payable to the Minister of Finance through the mail.
If you are unable to pay the ISHF, you can contact the relevant authority to discuss a payment arrangement.
