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Written By
Corinna Frattini
Mar 21, 2025
•Healthcare
Canadians are proud of the universal, publicly-funded healthcare system that permanent residents can access! Many newcomers have questions about free health in Canada and how to access it. It’s vital to know the healthcare requirements for new immigrants and to follow the steps to apply for provincial health insurance. Applying as soon as you arrive will help you get government insurance faster. However, there may be a waiting period and other requirements to meet. Free medical care when you or a family member are sick or have an accident can save you worry and costly out-of-pocket expenses. Here’s what to know about healthcare in Canada!
Canada has 13 separate provincial and territorial health care insurance plans. It does not have a single national plan. So, you must apply for health insurance in the province where you plan to settle. This overview describes how to apply for government health insurance and how the Canadian healthcare system works.
If you are now in Canada, you must follow the steps to access free health care and apply for a provincial health card. Once you are approved, you will receive your provincial health card. The health card shows that your provincial healthcare program will cover your medical expenses. You must show your health card whenever you visit a doctor or receive medical care.
Completing a healthcare application is the first step. You can get an application form from a:
You can also apply online (see links to Provincial and Territorial Health Care Programs in Canada) below.
Settlement agencies can help you complete the application and provide more details. If you are already in Canada, click here to find free newcomer services near you.
While Canadians and permanent residents do not pay a fee to visit the doctor or hospital, healthcare is not entirely free. Here’s an overview of who pays for the Canadian healthcare system.
Under Canada’s health care system, hospital stays for surgery, to treat an illness, or maternity services (such as childbirth, pre-and post-natal care, newborn care, and pregnancy complications are covered.) So are medications while in the hospital.
You do not have to pay the clinic, hospital, or physician directly, and there are no deductibles or fees for insured services. However, some services are only partially covered and require a fee for service from that patient. There are some “uninsured” services, meaning they are not covered at all.
For most Canadians, the cost of healthcare is covered by these three sources:
Federal and provincial tax revenue covers more than 70% of healthcare spending for basic services like hospital visits and medical treatment. Each year, Canadians file a personal income tax return and a portion of the taxes pay for programs and services like health insurance. So, while you don’t pay directly, you do pay indirectly for healthcare in Canada.
Your employer may offer a health care benefits package. Many immigrants to Canada are unaware that many companies offer their employees benefits. A benefits package will cover some, or all of the costs for dental, medications, and other services not covered by a government healthcare program.
Most workplace healthcare benefits cover health, dental, vision, and prescriptions that provincial healthcare programs don’t cover. Workplace health insurance benefits can vary depending on the employer. Workplace healthcare benefits may also cover your spouse and dependents.
Canadians in every province can purchase additional private travel medical health insurance to cover services not covered by a government health care program, or an employer’s health care benefits program.
Private health insurance can fill the gap between what the provincial healthcare programs cover and what you pay for dental care, vision, care, and more. Also, new immigrants must meet provincial health insurance requirements before receiving coverage. For peace of mind, you can buy private health insurance for medical needs while you wait for provincial health insurance to cover you.
When you begin working, you can join your employer’s healthcare plan. Your employer will discuss the healthcare coverage they provide.
Apply for health care coverage soon after you land in Canada. Unfortunately, you cannot apply for health care coverage before you arrive in Canada.
It can take newcomers up to three months to get provincial healthcare insurance. Some provincial healthcare programs have a wait period before you are eligible to apply for coverage and your health insurance starts. In British Columbia, for example, new immigrants must wait 180 days to be eligible for healthcare.
You may also have to meet specific health insurance requirements for new immigrants.
While you wait for coverage, you may want to buy private health insurance.
This table has links to provincial and territorial healthcare programs and identifies if there is a waiting period for permanent residents:
| PROVINCIAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAM | HEALTHCARE REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS |
|---|---|
| Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) | Wait Period: Permanent residents are eligible for AHCIP. But, you must meet health insurance requirements and it takes time to check your eligibility and process your application. Coverage begins on the first day of the third month following the date you establish residency. Apply here. |
| British Columbia Medical Services Plan (MSP) | Wait Period: New immigrants are required to complete a three-month wait period before their health insurance coverage begins. Coverage begins after the balance of the month you establish residency plus two months. |
| Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living | Wait Period: Permanent residents can apply for coverage on arrival in Manitoba. Permanent residents and students must wait three months before their health insurance begins. Coverage eligibility is based on your proof of legal status in Canada and Manitoba residency |
| New Brunswick Medicare | Wait Period: Permanent residents must wait three months from the date of arrival in New Brunswick before applying for coverage. |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan | Wait Period: Immediate coverage |
| Northwest Territories Health Care Plan | Wait Period: Coverage begins when your application is approved. |
| Nova Scotia Medical Services Insurance (MSI) | Wait Period: New immigrants and permanent residents can apply for coverage upon arrival and receive first-day coverage. |
| Nunavut | |
| Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) | Wait Period: You must be present in Ontario for 153 days in your first 183 days after submitting your OHIP application. |
| Prince Edward Island | Wait Period: |
| Quebec | Waiting period of up to three months |
| Saskatchewan | Coverage begins within six to eight weeks of your application date |
| Yukon | Coverage begins after three months |
To protect yourself from unexpected healthcare costs, you can buy private insurance.
Arriving with an action plan for your first weeks in Canada can save you time and money. The quicker you settle into your new environment the faster you’ll feel at home! In this webinar, Your First Weeks in Canada, we discuss the important things to do to manage your first weeks efficiently.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARThe free healthcare that Canadian citizens and permanent residents enjoy gives you access to basic medical services. But not everything is covered. So, consider what coverage you need if you settle in a province with waiting periods. Also, consider your family’s needs. For example, does anyone have extensive health costs not covered by a provincial healthcare program or an employer’s healthcare benefits program?
It’s better to be safe than sorry. With private travel medical health insurance, you can begin your new life in Canada without a costly bill for a medical need.
Provincial healthcare requirements for new immigrants vary, but generally, you must prove your Canadian citizenship or immigration status to apply. You will require these documents:
Confirm if you need other documents from the provincial or territorial health care program where you plan to settle.
If you lose your health care card, contact the provincial health ministry to replace your card as soon as possible. You may have to pay a small replacement fee. You are required to show your health insurance card to receive free healthcare in Canada.
It’s a good idea to carry your health card in your wallet in case of a medical emergency. In an emergency, hospitals will treat you without seeing your card first but, you will have to show your card later if you want the province to cover your hospital bills.
Most Canadians have a family doctor or “GP” (general practitioner). When you have provincial healthcare insurance, you must find a GP. Your GP will be your first contact with the healthcare system. With a shortage of medical doctors, it may take time to find a family doctor.
To find a family doctor:
Doctors control or direct their patients’ access to most healthcare specialists. Your family doctor will:
If you have a medical emergency, go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. For non-emergencies, you can schedule an appointment with your family doctor for treatment or a referral to a health care specialist.
Click on the province or territory where you plan to settle to learn more about healthcare requirements for new immigrants.
Provinces:
Alberta: Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
British Columbia: Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Manitoba: Health, Seniors and Active Living
New Brunswick: New Brunswick Medicare
Newfoundland and Labrador: Medical Care Plan (MCP)
Nova Scotia: Medical Services Insurance (MSI)
Ontario: Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP)
Prince Edward Island: Health PEI
Quebec: Québec Health Insurance Plan
Saskatchewan: eHealth Saskatchewan
Territories:
Northwest Territories: Health and Social Services
Nunavut: Nunavut Health Care Plan
Yukon: Yukon Health Insurance Plan
It’s vital to know the healthcare requirements for new immigrants and follow steps to apply for provincial health insurance. Applying soon after arriving in Canada will ensure you get government insurance faster. However, there may be a waiting period and other requirements to meet. Free medical care when you or a family member are sick or have an accident can save you worry and costly out-of-pocket expenses.
You can bring a 90-day supply of any prescription medication that you currently take to continue your medical treatment. However, you must follow Health Canada guidelines and:
2. Have the original label on the packaging to show what the health product is and what it contains
3. Have a valid expiration date (for example: within 90 days of your arrival). This is a common question.
You can bring medication that is prescribed to you or anyone that you’re responsible for who is coming to Canada with you.
You can bring:
Once in Canada, you must visit a Canadian doctor to refill or get a new prescription. You cannot use a foreign prescription in Canada. You cannot import prescription medicine by mail or courier.
Tips:
WRITTEN BY
Corinna Frattini
Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada
Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
© Prepare for Canada 2025
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