Eligibility for Health Cards in Canada: The Top 3 Provinces

If you’re planning to apply for a Canadian PR Visa from India, it’s essential to understand the healthcare facilities available to foreign nationals in Canada. Even if you intend to enter Canada as a Temporary Resident (TR), securing public healthcare coverage in your destination province is crucial.

Without proper registration for healthcare services, you might face exorbitant costs for necessary medical care in Canada.

To access public healthcare in your chosen province, you will need a Health Card. Below are the eligibility policies for obtaining a Health Card in the top three provinces in Canada:

Ontario

To be eligible for a Health Card in Ontario, international individuals must meet at least one of the additional criteria set by the Ontario Provincial Government. Notably, the province does not impose a waiting period for new immigrants to qualify for provincial healthcare coverage.

Applicants must be residents of Ontario and meet one of the following conditions:

• Permanent Resident, Indigenous Person, or Canadian Citizen: You must have established legal residency in Ontario and fall into one of these categories.
• Applicant for Canadian Permanent Residence: If you are in the process of applying for Canadian Permanent Residence, you may qualify.
• Lawful Work Permit Holder: You must be working for an employer in Ontario under a valid Work Permit for at least six months.
• Protected Person or Convention Refugee: You must be recognized as such by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
• Temporary Resident (TR) Permit Holder: Certain exceptions apply; ensure you verify specific conditions.
• Clergy Member: You must be a member of the clergy who is legally allowed to stay in Canada and will be serving full-time in Ontario for a minimum of six months.

British Columbia

To be eligible for coverage under the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in British Columbia, including obtaining a Health Card, immigrants must establish residency in the province.

The Government of British Columbia defines a ‘Resident’ as someone who meets the following criteria:

1. Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident: You must be a Canadian citizen or have been lawfully admitted to Canada for Permanent Residence.
2. Make a Home in BC: You need to establish your primary residence in British Columbia.
3. Physical Residence Requirement: You must maintain a physical residence in BC for at least six months within a single calendar year.

Eligibility for Temporary Residents in BC

While the criteria listed above primarily apply to Permanent Residents, the Government of British Columbia also recognizes that some Temporary Residents may qualify for MSP coverage. This includes:

• Work Permit Holders: Those with Work Permits, including those on Working Holiday Programs, that are valid for six months or longer as per the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Study Permit Holders: Individuals with Study Permits of six months or more may also be considered for MSP coverage.

Conditional Eligibility for Temporary Residents

In British Columbia, there are also conditional eligibility criteria for Temporary Residents (TRs) who have maintained their status.

Waiting Period for New Immigrants

It is important to note that the British Columbia Provincial Government requires new immigrants to wait a specific period before they can access public healthcare coverage. This waiting period consists of:

• The Balance of the Month: The remainder of the month in which you establish your residence in BC.
• Plus Two Additional Months: An additional two months beyond the balance of the initial month.

Alberta

To be eligible for a Health Card and corresponding healthcare coverage in Alberta, Permanent Resident (PR) Visa holders must meet the following criteria:

1. Legal Entitlement and Residency: You must have lawful status and be residing in Canada, making Alberta your permanent home.
2. Minimum Residency Requirement: You are required to physically reside in Alberta for at least 183 days within any given 12-month period.
3. Exclusive Residency Claim: You must not claim residency or receive benefits from another province, territory, or country.
4. Compliance with Residency Regulations: You need to fulfill all other residency requirements as stipulated by Alberta’s regulations.

Eligibility for Temporary Residents

Temporary Residents (TRs) in Alberta are also eligible for public healthcare coverage, though eligibility conditions vary depending on the purpose of their stay. This includes:

• International Students: Those studying in Alberta under a valid study permit.
• Provisional Workers: Individuals working in Alberta under a temporary work permit

Note: Alberta mandates that new immigrants wait for 90 days before becoming qualified for coverage under public healthcare.

Further, if you want to know about Healthcare Jobs in Canada and details of the AHCIP – Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan and application process for Health Card, you can obtain help from Immigration Experts.

If you wish to apply for a Canada PR Visa through any of the Provincial Nominee Programs or Express Entry, contact the Best Immigration Consultants in India – Esse India .