# Health insurance in Canada for newcomers > Each province runs its own health plan, and some have a waiting period for new residents. How it works, what it covers and how private cover fills the gap. - Category: Health insurance - For: newcomers moving abroad to work, settle or join family - Country: Canada - Verified on: 2026-10-20 - Source: [IRCC — Access our universal health care system](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/health-care/universal-system.html) - Page: https://travelsorted.grihaam.online/resources/canada-health-insurance-for-newcomers ## The short answer Canada's public health insurance is run by each **province and territory**, not by the federal government. You apply for a **health card** from the place where you live, and it is the card you show to see a doctor or get hospital care. In some provinces, new residents wait before public cover starts. IRCC advises making sure you have **private health insurance** to cover the waiting period. How long the wait is, and who is eligible, differs by province, so ask your province's health ministry. ## Key terms in plain English - **Public (provincial or territorial) health insurance:** the plan funded through taxes that covers basic medical care. - **Health card:** the card that proves you are registered with your province's plan. - **Waiting period:** a period after you arrive or apply during which some provinces do not yet cover you. - **Gap cover:** private insurance you buy to cover that waiting period. - **Extended health plan:** private insurance for things public plans often do not cover, such as prescriptions, dental care, physiotherapy, ambulance services and prescription glasses. - **Walk-in clinic:** a clinic where you can see a doctor without a booked appointment. ## What public insurance usually covers, and what it does not IRCC explains that public plans generally cover basic medical care and most hospital services. They usually **do not** pay for eye care or glasses, dental care, prescription medicines or ambulance services, although this varies by province. Emergency care is available even if you do not yet have a health card, although there may be restrictions depending on your immigration status, and a walk-in clinic may charge you fees if you do not live in that province. ## How to get covered 1. **Find your province's page** and check who is eligible. Eligibility for temporary residents can differ from permanent residents, so read it for your status. 2. **Apply as soon as you can.** Many provinces need proof of identity, your immigration status and your address. 3. **Ask how long the wait is.** IRCC says to contact your ministry of health for this. 4. **Arrange private gap cover** if there is a wait. Compare what each policy covers and excludes, and when it starts. 5. **When the card arrives, carry it.** You need it for doctors and hospitals. 6. **Find a family doctor or a walk-in clinic.** Your settlement organisation can help. ## Official pages by province - [Ontario: apply for OHIP and get a health card](https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card) - [British Columbia: Medical Services Plan](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/how-to-enrol) - [Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan](https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-eligibility) - [Manitoba Health](https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/index.html) - [Saskatchewan: apply for a health card](https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-cards/apply-for-a-health-card) - [Nova Scotia Health Insurance Program](https://www.novascotia.ca/programs-and-services/nova-scotia-health-insurance-program) - [Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Care Plan](https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/mcp/) - [Prince Edward Island: apply for a health card](https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/health-and-wellness/apply-for-a-pei-health-card) - [Northwest Territories Health and Social Services](https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en) - [Quebec: settle and integrate](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/settle-and-integrate-in-quebec), which leads to Quebec's health insurance registration For New Brunswick, Nunavut and Yukon, IRCC's pages for each province or territory point to the right ministry. ## Checklist - [ ] Find your province's health card page and check your eligibility - [ ] Apply for your health card as soon as you can - [ ] Ask the ministry how long any waiting period lasts - [ ] Buy private cover for the gap, and note its start date - [ ] Keep your policy number with your documents - [ ] Find a family doctor or a nearby walk-in clinic - [ ] Gather vaccination records for the whole family - [ ] Check whether your employer offers extended health coverage ## Common mistakes - **Assuming you are covered from the day you land.** Some provinces make you wait. - **Buying cover without reading the exclusions.** Check what counts as pre-existing. - **Not cancelling gap cover you no longer need.** Ask about refunds when public cover starts. - **Forgetting dental, eye care and prescriptions.** Public plans often do not cover them. - **Going to a walk-in clinic without a card and being surprised by the bill.** Ask first. ## Things that change Eligibility, waiting periods and what each plan covers are set by each province or territory and can change. ## Verify before you act Read IRCC's page on [accessing public health insurance](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/health-care/universal-system.html) and its page on [other types of health insurance](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/settle-canada/health-care/insurance-types.html), then your own province's page. --- StudentFlow gives general information from official sources. It is not legal or immigration advice and we are not a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer. For advice on your case, speak to a licensed professional. Confirm current rules, fees and thresholds on the official source above.