Are foreign nationals eligible for a health card in Canada? Well, as a foreign national, whether you arrive here as a temporary resident or a permanent resident, it is vital to obtain public health coverage in your destined territory/ province. 

Failing to register for healthcare can leave you having to pay thousands of dollars for healthcare when required. 

Note: The Canadian Government recommends that all residents of every territory/ province obtain health insurance to supplement public healthcare coverage provided by their home province or territory. 

To access public healthcare services in your destination territory/ province, you will require a health card. Broken down by province, this guide answers your question, i.e., Are foreign nationals eligible for a health card in Canada? 

This guide will further outline the eligibility criteria for health cards in Canada’s top four newcomer provinces, i.e., Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, & Alberta. 

Ontario 

In order to be eligible for a health card in Ontario, foreign nationals must meet at least one of the following additional requirements highlighted by the Ontario Government. 

Note: Ontario doesn’t require newcomers to wait to be eligible for provincial healthcare coverage. 

Moreover, the applicant must be a resident of Ontario who is also: 

  • A Canadian citizen, indigenous person, or a permanent resident
  • Applying for a permanent residence in Canada
  • In possession of a valid work permit, working full-time for an Ontario employer
  • In possession of a Temporary Resident Permit 
  • A clergy member who can legally stay in Canada & will minister full-time in Ontario for a minimum of six months
  • A convention refugee or other protected person 

According to the Ontario Government, this applies to foreign nationals who have submitted a PR application to IRCC. To qualify for a health card, IRCC must have confirmed that they have reviewed the application & that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply. Furthermore, your PR application must have not yet been denied. 

Note: This condition also applies to foreign nationals with a valid work permit under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program or the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. 

Certain candidates who obtain maintained status after their work permit expires can contact Service Ontario to see if they may still be eligible for a health card. 

In addition to the above, candidates must meet all of the following requirements to obtain a health card in Ontario: 

  • Be physically present in the province for 153 days in any 12-month period
  • By physically in the province for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you start living in Ontario
  • Make Ontario your primary residence 

British Columbia 

Are foreign nationals eligible for a health card in Canada? Well, upon fulfilling certain requirements, they can become eligible for a health card. 

In order to be eligible for public media coverage, newcomers must be established as BC residents.

‘Resident’ is defined by the provincial government as someone who meets the three conditions mentioned below: 

  • A Canadian citizen or lawfully admitted to the nation for permanent residence
  • Makes their home in British Columbia
  • Physically present in the province for at least six months 

Note: Eligible Canadian citizens & permanent residents who are outside the province for vacation purposes are allowed up to seven months of absence in a calendar year. 

Am I Eligible For A Health Card in British Columbia As A Temporary Resident? 

Although the above criteria is specific to permanent residents in British Columbia, the provincial government also notes that some holders of work & study permits might be deemed residents for the purpose of MSP eligibility. 

Moreover, it is integral to note that the provincial government in British Columbia requires newcomers to wait the balance of the month in which residence is established, plus two months before they can become eligible for provincial healthcare coverage. 

Alberta 

In order to be eligible for a health card & corresponding healthcare coverage in Alberta, permanent residents must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be legally entitled to be in & remain in Canada, thus making 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 advantages/ benefits under a claim of residency in some other province, territory, or nation. 
  • Qualify as any other individual deemed by the regulations in order to be a resident.

Along with these requirements, temporary residents in Alberta are also eligible for public healthcare coverage, although this eligibility varies depending on the purpose of an individual’s stay in Alberta. Eligibility for international students & temporary workers is as follows: 

  • Temporary Workers 

To qualify for public healthcare, temporary workers should establish residency & plan to remain in Alberta for a minimum of 12 months. Moreover, the minimum length of an individual’s work permit must be six months to be eligible for coverage. 

  • International Students 

According to the provincial government, students with a valid 12-month study permit in Alberta will be eligible for public coverage if they will be residing in Alberta for 12 months or more. In the case that a student’s permit is valid for less than 12 months, they might still be eligible for coverage if they obtain a letter from the school they are attending. This letter should confirm: 

  • The student’s intent to live in the province for a minimum of twelve months
  • The student’s enrollment   

Note: Alberta needs newcomers to wait three months before they become eligible for public healthcare coverage.

Quebec 

Are foreign nationals eligible for a health card in Canada? By fulfilling the requirements of their specific province, they can become eligible for a health card in Canada. 

In Quebec, newcomers above the age of 18 have to wait for up to three months before they are eligible for public healthcare coverage.  

This waiting period might not apply to newcomers from a nation with a social security agreement with Quebec.

Eligibility for healthcare coverage as a foreign national in Quebec is divided into two groups – People settled in Quebec & People temporarily staying in Quebec.

  • People Settled In Quebec 

This group includes foreign nationals who are permanent residents, refugees, & protected persons. 

People in this group qualify for coverage in case they: 

  • Have their primary residence in the province
  • Are present in Quebec for 183 days or more per calendar year

The main residence is defined by the provincial government as where you generally reside on a permanent basis. 

  • People Temporarily Staying In Quebec 

This group includes foreign nationals who: 

  • Have an eligible work permit valid for more than six months 
  • Have a study permit or internship permit from a nation that has signed a social security agreement with Quebec 
  • Are a spouse or dependent who holds an authorization of stay of more than six months accompanying an adult falling into one of the above categories 

People in this group qualify for coverage in case foreign nationals comply with the presence in Quebec rule. The rule dictates that they cannot be absent from Quebec for more than 21 consecutive days.