Health Card by Province: Waiting Periods for Newcomers

Key takeaways

Ontario (OHIP): no waiting period; apply in person at ServiceOntario
B.C. (MSP): rest of your arrival month plus two months
Alberta (AHCIP): coverage from the day you set up residence if you register within 3 months
Quebec (RAMQ): waiting period of up to 3 months
Manitoba and Nova Scotia: no waiting period when you move from outside Canada
Buy private insurance for any gap, starting the day you land

Waiting periods by province at a glance

Province	Plan	New permanent residents	Work permit holders	International students
Ontario	OHIP	No waiting period	Covered if working full time for an Ontario employer for 6+ months	Not covered (university plan UHIP or college plans)
British Columbia	MSP	Rest of arrival month + 2 months	Same wait; permit of 6+ months	Same wait; permit of 6+ months
Alberta	AHCIP	From date of residence (register within 3 months)	Permit with 6+ months left; plan to stay 12 months	Permit with 6+ months left plus a school letter
Quebec	RAMQ	Up to 3 months	Eligible with a qualifying permit	Only from countries with a social security agreement with Quebec
Manitoba	Manitoba Health	From arrival date	Permit of 12+ months, from issue date	Not covered
Nova Scotia	MSI	From date you become a resident	Permit of 12+ months, from residence or permit date	First day of the 13th month (permit of 12+ months)
New Brunswick	Medicare	Check with Medicare New Brunswick before you arrive

Summary of each province’s official rules as of October 5, 2026. Most plans also require you to live in the province and be physically there for about 6 months a year.

Ontario: OHIP

Ontario ended its waiting period. If you are eligible, coverage starts right away. You must apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre; you cannot apply online.

Bring three original documents: one that proves your citizenship or immigration status (such as your PR card or COPR), one that proves you live in Ontario (such as a lease or a bank statement), and one that proves your identity (such as your passport). You must be physically in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period, and 153 of your first 183 days after you arrive.

Work permit holders qualify if they work full time in Ontario for an Ontario employer for at least 6 months. International students are not covered by OHIP.

British Columbia: MSP

B.C.’s Medical Services Plan (MSP) has a waiting period of the rest of the month you arrive plus two months. If you arrive on October 15, coverage starts on January 1.

Apply online with the B.C. Application for Health and Drug Coverage as soon as you arrive, so your wait starts on time. Adults then visit an ICBC driver licensing office to get a BC Services Card with a photo. Work and study permit holders with a permit of 6 months or more can enrol. There are no MSP premiums.

Alberta: AHCIP

If you move to Alberta from outside Canada, coverage can start on the date you set up residence, as long as you apply within 3 months. If you apply later, Alberta decides your start date when it processes your application.

Take your immigration document (PR card or confirmation, work permit or study permit) to an Alberta registry agent. Temporary residents need a permit with at least 6 months left, must plan to live in Alberta for 12 months, and students also need a letter from an Alberta school confirming full-time study.

Quebec: RAMQ

Quebec’s health insurance board, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ), has a waiting period of up to 3 months for most people settling in Quebec. Register as soon as you arrive; in most cases you can register online. RAMQ says its processing time is about 60 working days, so do not wait.

International students are covered only if they come from a country that has a social security agreement with Quebec. Everyone else needs private insurance, usually through the school.

Manitoba: Manitoba Health

There is no waiting period when you move to Manitoba from outside Canada. Permanent residents can be covered from the date they arrive; work permit holders from the date their permit was issued, if the permit is for 12 months or more. Register online and upload your documents. International students are not covered.

Nova Scotia: MSI

Coverage usually starts on the date you become a resident of Nova Scotia if you move from outside Canada. Work permit holders need a permit of 12 months or more; coverage starts on the later of your residence date and permit issue date. International students with a 12-month permit are covered from the first day of the 13th month after they arrive, so they need private insurance for the first year.

New Brunswick: Medicare

We could not confirm New Brunswick’s current start date for newcomers from an official page in this review. Contact Medicare New Brunswick before you arrive, and buy private insurance until you have your card.

What to bring when you apply

Every province asks you to prove three things: your immigration status, that you live in the province, and who you are. Bring originals of your PR card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (or your work or study permit), your passport, and a document with your local address such as a lease, a utility bill or a bank letter. Each family member needs their own documents. If you are still in temporary housing, ask the province which proof of address it accepts. A Social Insurance Number is not required for most applications, but having one ready helps; see how to get a SIN.

Remember that the public plan does not cover everything. Prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams and ambulance trips are often only partly covered or not covered for adults. Check your employer’s benefits and your province’s drug program.

How to cover the waiting period

Without public coverage, one emergency visit can cost thousands of dollars. Buy private newcomer or visitor insurance before you fly, so it starts the day you land. Choose a length that matches your province’s wait, check if it covers conditions you already have, and keep every receipt.

While you wait, call 811 in most provinces for free advice from a nurse, and 911 in an emergency. Children usually get coverage on the same timeline as their parents. Read our health care guide for finding a family doctor, and add the health card to your province checklist.

Common questions

Is there a waiting period for OHIP?

No. Ontario says there is no longer a waiting period. If you are eligible, coverage starts right away. You still have to apply in person at ServiceOntario.

When does MSP start if I land in B.C. on the first of the month?

The wait is the rest of the arrival month plus two months. Landing on March 1 means coverage from June 1.

Can I apply before I arrive?

Generally no. Most provinces need you to live there and show a local address. Apply in your first days.

Do international students get a health card?

It depends on the province. B.C. and Alberta cover students with qualifying permits, Nova Scotia after 12 months, Quebec only for some countries, and Ontario and Manitoba do not. Schools run their own plans where the province does not.

Does my family get coverage at the same time?

Usually yes, if they are eligible and live with you. Each person needs their own card or registration.

Sources

Checked against these sources on October 5, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Health card by province: waiting periods and how to apply

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