[1] General information
[2] Exemption deadlines
[3] Exemption categories
[4] How to claim or confirm an exemption

General information

McGill requires that all international students take part in the University health insurance program. Students who meet certain criteria may be eligible for an exemption.

If you believe you are eligible, you must present valid documentation proving eligibility to Enrolment Services:

Room 205 or 301
James Administration Bldg
845 Sherbrooke Street West
Montreal, Quebec H3A 2T5

Exemptions are valid for one year only, and must be renewed each subsequent year.

Exemption deadlines

Exemptions must be claimed by:

• September 30, 2008 for newly-admitted students in the Fall semester.
• January 31, 2009 for newly-admitted students in the Winter semester.
• May 30, 2009 for newly-admitted students in the Summer semester.

After these dates, exemptions can still be processed for the following semester.

Exemption categories

To become exempt, valid documentation proving exemption eligibility under one of the following categories must be presented to International Student Services.

You may qualify for an exemption if you:

• are a citizen and a resident of Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal or Sweden;
• are sponsored by the Canadian Bureau for International Education;
• are sponsored by the Canadian International Development Agency;
• received an award from the International Council for Canadian Studies;
• have a diplomatic visa in Canada;
• have a parent or a spouse who works for an international organization under the umbrella of the United Nations; such as: the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, etc.;
• are a non-resident;
• commute to McGill from the U.S.; or
• have a valid Quebec Medicare card.

Contact International Student Services if you think one or more of these may apply to you.

How to claim or confirm an exemption

For citizens of Denmark, Finland, France, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal and Sweden:

First, you must apply for Quebec Medicare using one of the forms below:

• Application procedures for Quebec Medicare (English) [.pdf]
• Application procedures for Quebec Medicare (French) [.pdf]

Once you have received Medicare coverage, you must provide International Student Services with a copy of your Confirmation of Registration from the Quebec Medicare Office, or a copy of your valid Quebec Medicare card.

Only full-time students are eligible for this exemption. Students covered by the Sécurité Sociale-Caisse des Français de l'Étranger are not eligible for Quebec Medicare, and therefore do not qualify for an exemption from the insurance plan.

For non-residents:

If you are not a Montreal resident because you are studying at another institution or doing research for your thesis, you may request an insurance exemption. To do so, you must submit a letter (by mail, fax or e-mail) as soon as your plans are finalized to International Student Services, stating:

• the reason for your non-resident status;
• your place of residence; and
• the period of time for which you'll be residing there.

For students with health coverage provided by an Canadian agency or international organization:

If you have been sponsored and given health insurance by a Canadian agency or an international organization, you must submit a copy of your current Health Insurance coverage clearly stating your full name. Please note that exemptions must be renewed every year.