All international students are required by law to have medical insurance while studying in British Columbia. Health care services in Canada can be very expensive and it is mandatory to have insurance coverage. A standard visit to the emergency room at a British Columbia hospital costs $750 plus charges for additional tests. It is the student's responsibility to have adequate medical insurance while in Canada. Students who do not have medical insurance will not be eligible for services from Vancouver Island University.
All new VIU international students will be registered in the guard.me@ VIU health insurance plan. To learn more about the plan benefits and services, please see guard.me International Insurance. This is a mandatory program and enrollment is automatic. Once enrolled in the plan, you will receive your guard.me ID Card by email. Make sure to have a valid email address on your student record and to check your Junk Mail. Please print this card and keep it with you at all times.
What Type of Medical Insurance do You Need?
Who am I?
- International student at Nanaimo Campus
- International student at Cowichan, Parksville, and tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) Campuses
- International student Short Term Programs (7 weeks or less)
Do You Have a Medical Question?
Talk to a Nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Toll Free: 8.1.1 or 604.215.8110
HealthLinkBC Translation Services Available in 30 Languages
- If you currently insured under the guard.me VIU health plan, go to guard.me International Insurance to find the many ways in which you can contact guard.me. Students currently insured under the guard.me plan also have free 24/7/365 access to mobile.doctor by contacting the Assistance Line number on your guard.me ID Card.
Where Should You Go if You are Sick?
In Canada, people go to walk-in clinics not the hospital for most illnesses.
Hospitals are for serious emergencies only.
If you have a sore throat, cough, stomach upset/pain/vomiting, headaches, cold/flu, rash, sore ear/eye/mouth/hand/foot, back pain, bladder/kidney/sinus infection, etc. Then visit a walk-in clinic (see the list below) and a doctor will see you. If you need to visit the Emergency Room at the hospital, the doctor will tell you.
If you have an emergency such as broken bones or serious injuries then go directly to the Emergency Department at:
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
1200 Dufferin Crescent, Nanaimo
Phone: 250.755.7691
If you have a life threatening condition call 911
VIU Health and Wellness Centre
Located in the VIU Nanaimo Campus. See the webpage for the most current information on booking appointments and clinic hours VIU Health and Wellness Centre.
The medical clinic is by appointment only and will be closed for holidays July 18 - Aug 9.
Appointments are free for all VIU students. For an appointment Call: 250.740.6620
Located in Building 200. Map of the VIU Nanaimo Campus.
Walk-In Medical Clinics
Currently there is only one Walk-In medical clinic in Nanaimo.
For Walk-In hours: phone the clinic or see their website. Hours may change.
Many clinics also offer regular day-time visits that require an appointment.
Port Place Shopping Centre - Medical Arts Centre
Unit 103-650 South Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo, (Near London Drugs)
Phone: 250.753.3431
Monday to Friday: Daytime and Evening Walk-In Hours
Saturday to Sunday: Daytime Walk-In Hours
Statutory Holidays: Closed
Website: Medical Arts Centre
Traveling to Another Country?
If you plan to leave Canada for any period of time, please contact your medical insurance carrier to verify your coverage. Your current medical insurance may not be adequate to cover all, or any expenses incurred outside Canada.