Move & Settle Guide
Apply for a Provincial Health Card
Cost
Free (publicly funded). Private bridge insurance: CAD 100–300/month.
Timeline
10–60 days for card delivery · 3 months waiting period in ON, BC, QC
Step-by-step
- 1
Confirm provincial eligibility
Most provinces cover PRs immediately. Ontario (OHIP), BC (MSP), and Quebec (RAMQ) impose a 3-month waiting period.
- 2
Buy private insurance for the waiting period
Manulife, Sun Life, Allianz and Cedarwood offer 3-month newcomer plans for CAD 100–300/month. Critical for Ontario, BC, Quebec.
- 3
Apply at a ServiceOntario / Service BC / RAMQ office
Bring PR card/COPR, secondary ID, and proof of address. Some provinces (e.g. Alberta, Manitoba) allow online applications.
- 4
Receive your health card by mail
Cards arrive in 10–60 days depending on province. You'll get a temporary confirmation letter immediately for emergency use.
- 5
Register with a family doctor
Use Health Care Connect (Ontario), Pathways BC, or local walk-in clinics. Family-doctor wait lists can be 1–3 years in major cities.
Documents needed
- PR card OR COPR
- Secondary photo ID (passport or driver's licence)
- Proof of provincial residency (lease, utility bill, or bank statement showing Canadian address)
Pro tips
Buy travel/visitor insurance BEFORE you board your flight to Canada — it covers your first day of emergencies.
Use walk-in clinics or virtual care (Maple, Telus Health) instead of waiting for a family doctor.
Dental, vision, prescriptions and physiotherapy are NOT covered by provincial plans — get supplemental insurance through your employer.
FAQs
Is healthcare free in Canada?
Hospital visits and most doctor visits are free under provincial plans. Prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health and physiotherapy are NOT covered — get supplemental insurance via employer or private plan.
What's the waiting period for OHIP?
Ontario imposes a 3-month wait from your date of arrival. BC's MSP and Quebec's RAMQ have similar waits. Buy private insurance to cover this gap.
Can I see a specialist directly?
No. You need a referral from your family doctor or walk-in clinic to see a specialist. Wait times for specialists can be weeks to months depending on urgency.
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