OHIP for newcomers
Last checked 2026-10-10
There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP. If you are eligible, coverage starts immediately. (ontario.ca)
Who qualifies
You must be physically in Ontario 153 days in any 12-month period, and at least 153 of the first 183 days after you began living here, and make Ontario your primary residence. Plus at least one of:
| Status | OHIP? |
|---|---|
| Canadian citizen | Yes |
| Permanent resident | Yes |
| Convention refugee / protected person | Yes |
| Work permit holder | Only if working full-time in Ontario for an Ontario employer for at least 6 months (spouse and dependants may also qualify); Live-in Caregiver and Seasonal Agricultural Worker permits qualify |
| Applicant for PR | If IRCC confirmed you meet eligibility requirements and you have not been refused |
| International student | Not listed as an eligible group — ask your school about its health plan |
| Refugee claimant | Not eligible while claim is pending — covered by the federal Interim Federal Health Program |
How to apply
In person at a ServiceOntario centre with the completed registration form and three separate original documents: proof of citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status, proof of Ontario residency, and proof of identity. Photocopies are not accepted. (ontario.ca)
After you get your card
Register with Health Care Connect (online or 811, TTY 711) to be matched with a family doctor or nurse practitioner. (ontario.ca) You can also browse GTA doctors accepting new patients.
Refugee claimants: IFHP
IFHP coverage starts when you receive your Acknowledgment of Claim, RPID or RPCD and lasts until you qualify for provincial insurance or leave Canada. Basic care is free; since May 1, 2026 there is a $4 co-payment per prescription and 30% for supplemental services. (IRCC, IRCC information sheet)