🩺 Health care

Each province and territory runs its own public health plan, and some make new residents wait up to 3 months before coverage starts.

• Ontario: no waiting period for OHIP. Apply in person at ServiceOntario with three original documents (status, Ontario residency, identity).
• British Columbia: coverage starts after the rest of the month you become a resident plus two more months.
• Québec: coverage usually starts after a waiting period of up to 3 months. Children under 18 don't wait.
• Other provinces and territories: check your province's health ministry, since rules differ and change.
• Buy private health or travel insurance that covers you from the day you arrive until your public coverage starts.

There's no public plan for most working-age adults. Most people get coverage through an employer, so ask when your work plan starts and whether there's a waiting period.

If you don't have a work plan, moving to the U.S. from another country may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period on the ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or your state's exchange), so you don't have to wait for open enrollment. Contact the Marketplace about the deadline that applies to you.

Your provincial plan covers very little outside Canada and stops once you're no longer a resident of your province. Buy travel medical insurance to cover the trip and any gap before your U.S. plan starts.