New Brunswick - Medicare now available for international students

10/30/2017

06 October 2017

MONCTON (GNB) – Medicare coverage is now available for international students studying full-time in New Brunswick.

“International students make our campuses richer and more diverse, and we are proud today to extend health coverage to international students who are enrolled and pursuing studies in New Brunswick universities and colleges,” said Post-Secondary Education Minister Roger Melanson. “This will help address additional out-of-pocket expenses international students face when studying in New Brunswick, make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable for them, and help us recruit more international students to our campuses.”

Through the program, all international students who possess a valid study permit, and can provide proof of full-time registration as a student at a New Brunswick college or university, will be eligible for Medicare coverage, as will their spouses and dependants. Seven other provinces offer similar coverage. The student must be enrolled full-time for the entire school year.

“Our government knows that the availability and delivery of health services have a significant impact on the quality of life of the people of our province,” said Health Minister Benoît Bourque. “We are proud to be able to extend health-care coverage to international students and provide them with the same level of health care that their peers enjoy in Canada.”

International students who wish to have Medicare coverage must submit the following information and documentation along with a completed New Brunswick Medicare application form:

• proof of full-time enrolment in a post-secondary institution

• a valid permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

• their date of arrival in the province

“The implementation of free Medicare for international students will be well received because this initiative has a real impact on the finances of international students and, consequently, on their daily lives,” said Samuel Jordan Nganga, president of the Association des étudiants et étudiantes internationaux du Centre universitaire de Moncton.

“Today’s announcement brings clarity to our members, and we are delighted that this government is recognizing the value of international students in the province,” said Robert Burroughs, executive director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance. “This finally puts New Brunswick on a level playing field when it comes to international recruitment and will play a big part in supporting the retention and post-graduation transition of these students.”

More information is available online.

reference

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2017.10.1297.html