Are you a foreign national in Canada? To avoid high healthcare bills, you need public healthcare coverage in your province. You’ll need a health card to access public healthcare services in your destination province. Below are the eligibility criteria for a health card in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.
Ontario
Foreign nationals in Ontario must meet at least one of the “additional requirements” to be eligible for a health card.
- A Canadian citizen, indigenous person or a PR
- Applying for permanent residence in Canada
- In possession of a valid work permit, working full-time for an Ontario employer
- A convention refugee or other protected person
- In possession of a Temporary Resident Permit
- A clergy member who can legally stay in Canada and will be ministering full-time in Ontario for at least 6 months
Foreign nationals with a PR application or valid work permit can qualify for a health card.
- Be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12‑month period
- Be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you begin living in the province
- Make Ontario your primary residence
British Columbia
Newcomers must be established as B.C. residents to be eligible for public medical coverage through British Columbia’s Medical Services Plan (MSP).
- A citizen of Canada or lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence
- Makes their home in B.C.
- Physically present in B.C. at least six months in a calendar year*
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can stay outside the province for a maximum of seven months per calendar year if it’s for vacation purposes only.
Alberta
To be eligible for a health card and corresponding healthcare coverage in Alberta, permanent residents must meet the following criteria:
- Be legally entitled to be in Canada and make your permanent home in Alberta
- Be committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in any 12-month period
- Not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country
Temporary workers: Temporary workers in Alberta must establish residency for 12 months and have a work permit length of at least 6 months to qualify for public healthcare.
International students: 12-month study permit holders in Alberta may be eligible for public coverage after 12+ months. Shorter permits may be eligible with a school letter. Alberta newcomers wait 3 months for public healthcare. For details, visit AHCIP’s website.
Quebec
Newcomers in Quebec may have to wait up to three months for public healthcare. Some may be exempt. Eligibility is based on settled or temporary status.
Person(s) settled in Quebec: Foreign nationals with a main residence in Quebec and present in Quebec for 183 days or more per year can qualify for coverage if they are permanent residents, refugees or protected persons.
Person(s) temporarily staying in Quebec: Foreign nationals with an eligible work or study/internship permit from a social security agreement country with Quebec, along with their spouses or dependents with an authorization of stay of more than 6 months, qualify for coverage if they comply with the 21-day absence rule.
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