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Health Coverage by Province for Newcomers

Your province's health plan, any waiting period, and how to apply, from the official government page.

Health care in Canada is run by each province and territory, so your health card, any waiting period before coverage starts, and how you apply all depend on where you live. Choose your province or territory to see its rules for new permanent residents, plus work and study permit holders, with a link to the official page for every answer.

Just arrived? A Social Insurance Number is usually the other first step: see how to get a SIN as a newcomer.

For a permanent resident arriving from outside Canada. Work and study permit rules are listed too.

Waiting periods in every province and territory

For a permanent resident arriving from outside Canada. Moving from another province usually means a wait of about three months, covered by your old province.

Province or territoryHealth planWaiting periodOfficial page
AlbertaAlberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)Waiting period: None if you apply within 3 months (may start on the date you settle)Apply for Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
British ColumbiaMedical Services Plan (MSP)Waiting period: Rest of the month you arrive, plus 2 monthsApply for Medical Services Plan (MSP)
ManitobaManitoba Health coverageWaiting period: NoneApply for Manitoba Health coverage
New BrunswickNew Brunswick MedicareWaiting period: None; may be covered from your first dayApply for New Brunswick Medicare
Newfoundland and LabradorMedical Care Plan (MCP)Waiting period: NoneApply for Medical Care Plan (MCP)
Northwest TerritoriesNWT Health Care PlanWaiting period: Not stated on current pages; confirmApply for NWT Health Care Plan
Nova ScotiaNova Scotia Health Insurance Program (MSI)Waiting period: None; usually from the date you become a residentApply for Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program (MSI)
NunavutNunavut Health Care Plan (NHCP)Waiting period: May start on the 1st day of the 3rd month; confirmApply for Nunavut Health Care Plan (NHCP)
OntarioOntario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)Waiting period: NoneApply for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)
Prince Edward IslandPEI MedicareWaiting period: None, first-day coverage may applyApply for PEI Medicare
QuebecQuébec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ)Waiting period: Up to 3 monthsApply for Québec Health Insurance Plan (RAMQ)
SaskatchewanSaskatchewan health coverageWaiting period: Up to the 1st day of the 3rd month after you arrive in CanadaApply for Saskatchewan health coverage
YukonYukon Health Care Insurance PlanWaiting period: 3 monthsApply for Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan

Refugee claimants and some other groups are covered by the Interim Federal Health Program until they qualify for provincial coverage.

This tool is for information only and is not medical, legal or immigration advice. Each answer summarizes the official page of the province or territory, and rules can change. Coverage start dates are decided by the provincial or territorial health plan, so confirm with them before you rely on a date.

Official source: Health care in Canada (canada.ca) · Last updated: 2026-10-10

Planning for citizenship later?

Most permanent residents can apply once they've been physically present in Canada for 1,095 days within five years. Find out when you'll be eligible.

Check when you're eligible →Or try a free citizenship practice test

Frequently asked questions

Is there a waiting period for health coverage in Canada?
It depends on the province or territory. For a permanent resident arriving from outside Canada, Ontario, Manitoba and Newfoundland and Labrador have no waiting period, and in Nova Scotia coverage usually starts on the date you become a resident. Alberta, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island may cover you from when you settle (in Alberta, if you apply within 3 months). British Columbia (the rest of the month you arrive plus 2 months), Québec (up to 3 months), Saskatchewan (up to the first day of the third month after you arrive in Canada) and Yukon (3 months) have a wait. The Northwest Territories and Nunavut don't state one clearly on their current pages, so confirm with them.
Should I buy private health insurance when I arrive?
If your province has a waiting period, the federal government's newcomer page advises having private health insurance to cover your health care during it. British Columbia and Québec also recommend private insurance for people arriving from outside Canada.
Can I get a provincial health card on a work permit?
In most provinces and territories, yes, but the rules differ and many have a minimum: 6 months of permit validity in British Columbia and Alberta, more than 6 months in Québec (where most open work permits don't qualify), 6 months of full-time work in Ontario, 183 days in Prince Edward Island, and 12 months or a year in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and Nunavut. Pick your province above for its exact rule.
Can international students get provincial health coverage?
It varies a lot. Study permit holders aren't eligible in Manitoba or Yukon and aren't among the groups that qualify for OHIP in Ontario, and in Québec only students from countries with a social security agreement qualify. Nova Scotia covers students after about 12 months. Other provinces cover students who meet their conditions, such as full-time enrolment.
What if I'm a refugee claimant?
The Interim Federal Health Program gives limited, temporary health coverage to asylum claimants, resettled refugees, protected persons and some other groups until they're eligible for provincial or territorial insurance.
When should I apply for my health card?
As soon as you arrive. Most provinces need you to be living there (and often physically present) before you apply, and several say that applying late can push back your start date.