All BC residents must enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP), if you are planning to live in BC for more than one term and hold a study permit for six months or longer. One or two semester exchange students are exempt.
If you are new to Canada, apply for MSP as soon as you arrive. Your coverage may start three months after your arrival date in British Columbia. Guard me is a private health care insurance that covers you while you wait.
BC MSP premiums are $75 per month per student. For details, please refer to the BC government Medical Services Plan.
Medical Insurance information for international students in Academic, Trades Vocational, or ESL programs at the Nanaimo Campus.
- Each term you will continue to be enrolled in the guard.me at VIU plan until you request, and are approved, to opt out. If you have valid BC MSP coverage you may opt out of guard.me.
You may request to opt out of a term of study during the following periods:
- Sept 1 to 30 for Fall term coverage
- Jan 1 to 31 for Spring term coverage
- May 1 to 31 for Summer term coverage
Charges for any opt-out requests received after the above noted opt-out periods, and approved by guard.me, will not be reversed for the current term but will be applicable for your next VIU term of study.
- If you already have BC Health-Care (MSP), you can opt out of the guard.me@ VIU plan before the opt-out deadline (30 days from the date your policy is activated). You must opt out online at Guard.me International Medical Insurance. You must upload the BC Health-Care (MSP) letter that you will receive with your Health-Care card in the mail. If you lose this letter, you can call BC Health Care (MSP) and obtain a new confirmation letter for free.
- With guard.me International Insurance, direct billing may be an option for eligible visits with a limited number of clinics in your region. Please check Guard.me International Medical Insurance for direct billing clinics.
- For BC Health Care (MSP) you do not need to pay for each visit, just present your Health-Care (MSP) card.
- Academic students, requiring information on Green Shield Extended Health and Dental Plan, read details below or visit the VIU Students' Union or go to the Students' Union, Building 193.
Upon Arrival
Insurance Provider | guard.me International Insurance 
|
|---|---|
How to Apply | All new students are automatically enrolled. |
Type of Coverage | guard.me@ VIU is a short term primary medical insurance coverage for items such as: Medically required doctor and hospital visits, lab tests, x-rays, ambulance, taxi to/from clinic or hospital, prescriptions, paramedical services, eye exams, accidental dental, family transportation and emergency return home, and more, You can view your coverage at guard.me Student Medical Insurance |
Coverage Period | Students are enrolled in their first term of study under guard.me.* *Note: students will continue to be enrolled, and charged, for subsequent terms until proof of BC MSP is provided to guard.me Your insurance policy will be emailed to you before classes begin; check your email for specific dates. |
Approximate Cost | $246 per semester Charged to your student record account. |
Learn More |
| Insurance Provider | Greenshield Extended Health and Dental Plan
|
|---|---|
How to Apply | Academic, trades and vocational students are automatically enrolled when they register. |
Type of Coverage | Extended Health and Dental Plan |
Coverage Period | Coverage continues for a one-year term and is charged annually. |
Approximate Cost | $275 per year Charged to your student record account. |
For More Information | Check Greenshield Canada for coverage information, forms and printable claim cards. Cards can also be picked up at the Students' Union Building 193. |
After One Term
| Insurance Provider | British Columbia Health-Care Coverage (MSP) 
|
|---|---|
How to Apply | Students who have a study permit for 6 months or longer are eligible for British Columbia Health-Care Coverage (MSP) after 3 months in British Columbia. To follow Apply for BC Health-Care Coverage. For assistance go to International Student Services in building 255. |
Type of Coverage | Basic BC Health-Care Coverage (MSP): Doctor and hospital visits, lab tests, x-rays. Learn about what is covered under the BC Medical Services plan. |
Coverage Period | You are eligible for BC Health-Care Coverage (MSP) after living in British Columbia for 3 months (the month you arrive counts as your first month). For example, if you arrive Aug 20, your 3 month waiting period will be completed Nov 1. |
Approximate Cost | The health-care coverage fee for International students is $75 per month per student. For details, please refer to BC International students continue to contribute to BC health care as MSP premiums eliminated. |
For More Information | Check BC Health-Care Coverage (MSP) or visit our local BC Access Centre: 460 Selby Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 2R7 |