To answer simply, because it’s compulsory! Taking out health insurance is one of the conditions required to be accepted for an internship visa in Canada. Here’s a look at the healthcare system in a country that attracts students and expatriates alike for its quality of life.
Internship in Canada: where do you stand with the French and Canadian healthcare systems?
From the moment you leave France to work on foreign soil, you can no longer benefit from the French healthcare system. Are you going to Canada for a paid internship (with a bonus higher than 15% of the hourly social security ceiling)? You cannot benefit from French health insurance and social security during this period (nor from the European health insurance fund, as the country is not part of the European Union).
In Canada, as mentioned above, taking out private health insurance is one of the conditions required to obtain an internship visa(the same applies to the PVT). In fact, health coverage is a prerequisite for all immigrants. This law was introduced by Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, or DFAIT. Anyone wishing to settle in Canada for the short or long term must take out health insurance. The Stage Coop International permit, as it is known, will not be issued without private health insurance.
Health in Canada
Canada offers quality health care. The country is well-developed, with qualified healthcare personnel and well-equipped hospitals, both public and private. You’ll find everything you need for quality care… albeit at a price. Medical care is generally very expensive on the American continent. So, not only is insurance compulsory, it’s welcome. It is strongly recommended to be covered in the event of a medical emergency.
So don’t hesitate to ask your embassy, your internship company or even your future insurance company about recommended health establishments and professionals. This is to avoid private clinics and establishments whose costs are far too high (even for a simple consultation, as doctors’ fees are set freely).
Taking out international health insurance for an internship abroad
Canada’s healthcare system is different from France’s: each territory and province has its own social protection system. To be more precise, there are 10 provincial plans and 3 territorial plans. From one region to the next, from one province to the next, membership fees and coverage vary. All Canadian residents are by default affiliated to the public health care system, and are free to supplement their health care costs with a complementary plan if they wish. The situation is different for foreigners. As a “temporary resident”, you cannot benefit from the Canadian system.
A student enrolled at university in Canada can join the country’s social security system, but as we said, it will differ from region to region, and you’ll need to join a complementary plan to cover all your healthcare costs. Or, if you’re leaving for a compulsory unpaid internship in Quebec, as part of a training program, it’s possible to join the region’s health insurance scheme. But this is not the case everywhere, and even less so for all types of internship.
There are private companies in Canada. That said, the insurance you choose for your stay must cover repatriation to be accepted by the country (we list all the necessary guarantees below). And national insurance companies rarely offer coverage for repatriation. In this respect, complementary international health insurance plans are more attractive, as they generally offer coverage for hospital stays, health care costs and repatriation.
What does insurance cover?
If health insurance is compulsory, it must meet a number of conditions. What exactly does Canada expect, and how do you choose your insurance for Canada?
- repatriation coverage (transportation in the event of illness, death or accident)
- health care in the country in the event of illness (it must reimburse medical expenses),
- it must cover hospitalization costs,
- Finally, it must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada (from the first day of your arrival; a certificate can be requested at the airport immigration desk).
So it’s important to get the right information before you expatriate, so you can choose the health organization and insurance plan best suited to your experience. Chapka assurances, for example, offers dedicated insurance for expatriates. To find out more, we invite you to discover all the best offers on our Santexpat.fr website. Depending on your situation and age, our experts will find the offers best suited to your stay and your internship insurance in Canada.
