Important: Health and visa requirements change frequently. All information below is a general guide compiled from publicly available official sources as of 2026. Always verify with the official embassy, immigration authority, or government health agency of your destination country before applying. FreeStudentTools accepts no responsibility for errors or outdated information.
Most students focus entirely on the visa application and forget that several countries have mandatory health checks that must be completed — and paid for — before the visa is issued. Miss them and your application stalls. This FreeStudentTools guide compares requirements across the 8 most popular international student destinations so you know exactly what to expect.
What health checks do international students actually need?
The table shows mandatory (visa-blocking) requirements only — recommended vaccinations are listed in the country sections below.
| Country | TB Test | Medical Exam | Yellow Fever Cert | Health Insurance | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | ⚠ Required if from 107+ listed countries | ✗ Not required | ⚠ If from endemic country | ✓ IHS surcharge (~£776/yr) | TB test: £80–150 |
| 🇺🇸 USA | ✓ Required (TB screening as part of exam) | ✓ USCIS-approved physician exam | ⚠ If from endemic country | ✓ Varies by university (SHIP) | Medical exam: $200–500 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | ⚠ If from high-prevalence country | ⚠ If study is 6+ months + flagged | ⚠ If transiting/arriving from endemic country | ✓ Provincial health or private (varies) | IME exam: $250–350 if required |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | ⚠ If from high-risk country | ✓ HAP (Health Assessment Package) for most | ⚠ If from endemic country | ✓ OSHC mandatory (~AUD 800/yr) | HAP: AUD 300–400 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ✗ Not required (visa stage) | ✗ Not required (visa stage) | ⚠ If from endemic country | ✓ Statutory GKV mandatory (~€110/mo) | Insurance only |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required | ✓ Basic health insurance required (~€150/mo) | Insurance only |
| 🇫🇷 France | ✗ Not required | ✗ Not required | ⚠ If from endemic country | ✓ CPAM student health coverage (required) | Registration fee only (~€35) |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | ⚠ Required on arrival (X-ray) | ✗ Not required pre-arrival | ✗ Not required | ✓ Mandatory student pass health insurance | X-ray: SGD 30–50 |
Check your exact requirements — personalised by origin + destination
Select your home country and study destination for a tailored checklist: TB test, yellow fever, medical exam, and health insurance rules that apply specifically to you.
🇬🇧 What health checks does the UK require for a student visa?
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
Student visa (Tier 4 / Student route) — stays of 6+ months from outside the UK
TB (Tuberculosis) Test
Required — if you are a national of one of the 107+ countries on the UK Home Office list and applying for a visa of 6+ months. Must be done at an approved clinic in your home country. Result is added to your visa application. Cost: £80–150. Result is valid for 6 months.
Medical Exam
Not required at the visa application stage.
Yellow Fever Certificate
If applicable — required if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. Check the WHO list.
Health Insurance (IHS)
Mandatory — the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is paid as part of the visa application. For students: ~£776/year (2026 rate). This grants NHS access — no need to buy separate insurance, though dental and optical are not included.
Recommended Vaccinations
NHS recommends staying current on routine vaccinations (MMR, meningitis ACWY, HPV). Meningitis ACWY vaccination is strongly recommended for students living in halls of residence — universities often offer it free on arrival. No mandatory pre-travel vaccination requirements beyond yellow fever (if applicable).
🇺🇸 What medical exam does the USA require for an F-1 student visa?
🇺🇸
United States
F-1 Student Visa and J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Medical Exam
Required — an immigration medical exam by a USCIS-approved physician (called a civil surgeon) is required for most long-stay visa categories including F-1 students from many countries. The exam includes a full physical, tuberculin skin test (TST) or IGRA blood test, and vaccination review. Cost: $200–500 depending on location. Results on Form I-693.
TB Screening
Required as part of the medical exam for nationals from high-prevalence countries. A positive TST triggers additional chest X-ray and sputum tests. This adds 1–3 weeks to processing time and requires treatment documentation if latent TB is found.
Vaccinations
Required — vaccination records are reviewed during the medical exam. Missing vaccinations (MMR, varicella, polio, hepatitis B, meningococcal, influenza) must be caught up during the exam. Your university will also require immunisation records before enrollment — most US universities require meningococcal ACWY + MenB.
Health Insurance
Mandatory at the university level — most F-1 programs require enrolment in the university's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Annual costs: $1,500–$5,000 depending on the university. Some universities allow waiver if you have comparable coverage. J-1 holders must maintain insurance by legal requirement.
🇨🇦 Do Canada study permit holders need an immigration medical exam?
🇨🇦
Canada
Study Permit — programs of 6+ months
Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
Conditional — required if you are from a country on IRCC's designated country list and your study program is 6+ months. Must be done by a panel physician designated by IRCC. Results are valid for 12 months. Cost: ~CAD 250–350. Use the IRCC "Find a panel physician" tool to locate approved doctors.
TB Screening
Conditional — included in the IME for nationals from high TB-prevalence countries. Active TB disqualifies the study permit application until treated. Latent TB requires a treatment plan but does not block the application.
Health Insurance
Required — provincial healthcare coverage for international students varies. Ontario (OHIP) has a 3-month waiting period — students must have private insurance during that time. British Columbia: BC Services Card available immediately for study permit holders. Most universities mandate enrolment in their student health plan.
🇦🇺 Australia — health requirements for international students
🇦🇺
Australia
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Health Assessment (HAP)
Required for most applicants — Australia uses the Health Assessment Package (HAP ID) system. Applicants from most countries outside UK, USA, Canada, NZ, and Ireland are prompted to complete a health examination as part of the online visa application. Done via eMedical system at an approved panel physician. Cost: AUD 300–500. Includes chest X-ray for TB screening.
TB Screening
Included in HAP — chest X-ray is required for all applicants over 11 years from high-TB-risk countries. Active TB blocks the visa. Latent TB may result in a condition on the visa requiring follow-up treatment in Australia.
OSHC (Health Cover)
Mandatory by law — all student visa holders must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their visa. Purchased before arrival — your university will typically help arrange it. Cost: ~AUD 620–900/year for a single student. Multiple providers: Medibank, Bupa, CBHS, AHM, NIB.
🇩🇪 Germany — health requirements for international students
🇩🇪
Germany
Student Visa (Visum zu Studienzwecken) / National Visa D
TB Test / Medical Exam
Not required at the visa application stage. Germany does not mandate a TB test or immigration medical exam for student visa applicants. Some embassies may ask for a basic health declaration form — not an exam.
Health Insurance
Legally mandatory — German universities require proof of health insurance before enrollment. Students under 30 enrol in statutory health insurance (GKV) at ~€110/month (fixed student rate). Over 30 or on a non-consecutive study path: private insurance. Major GKV providers: TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK-Gesundheit.
Vaccinations
Recommended — MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, and meningococcal. No mandatory vaccination requirement for enrollment, but dormitory administrators may request vaccination records.
🇳🇱 Netherlands — health requirements for international students
🇳🇱
Netherlands
MVV entry visa + Residence Permit (for non-EU students)
TB Test / Medical Exam
Not required for the visa application. However, students from TB high-risk countries (most of sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia) may be called for a TB screening by the Municipal Health Service (GGD) after arrival — this is post-entry, not a visa requirement.
Health Insurance
Mandatory — Dutch law requires everyone residing in the Netherlands to have basic health insurance (zorgverzekering). Most international students use private expat insurance during their first year, then switch to Dutch basic insurance. Cost: ~€150/month. Students may apply for a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag) if income qualifies.
🇫🇷 France — health requirements for international students
🇫🇷
France
Long-stay Student Visa (VLS-TS Étudiant)
TB Test / Medical Exam
Not required for the visa application. France does not mandate TB tests or medical exams for student visa applicants. There is no immigration medical at any stage for most nationalities.
Health Coverage (CPAM)
Required — international students from non-EU countries automatically enrol in the French Social Security system (Sécurité Sociale Étudiante) via CPAM after arrival. Registration is mandatory. Cost: ~€35 administrative fee. Covers 70% of healthcare costs. Supplementary insurance (mutuelle) is optional but recommended to cover the remaining 30%.
Vaccinations
Recommended — DTPolio, MMR, hepatitis B. No mandatory vaccination for enrollment, but some residences and medical schools may require proof of specific vaccinations.
🇸🇬 Singapore — health requirements for international students
🇸🇬
Singapore
Student's Pass (issued by ICA after university conditional offer)
TB Screening (On Arrival)
Required on arrival — all new international students must complete a TB screening (chest X-ray) within 6 months of arriving in Singapore. This is done through the university's designated health centre, not a pre-arrival requirement. Cost: ~SGD 30–50. Result must be submitted to ICA.
Health Insurance
Mandatory — universities require students to maintain health insurance as a condition of the Student's Pass. NUS, NTU, and SMU all include mandatory health insurance in their fees (~SGD 200–400/year).
Vaccinations
Recommended — Hepatitis B, MMR, chickenpox, and dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia — if seropositive). Singapore has endemic dengue — students should take mosquito precautions regardless of vaccination status.
Personalised health check tool — select your origin and destination country
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