Quick answer
Ontario has no waiting period for OHIP: eligible newcomers are covered once registered. British Columbia's MSP starts after the rest of the arrival month plus two months. Alberta covers newcomers from outside Canada from the date they establish residency if they apply within three months, but people moving from another province wait until the first day of the third month. During any gap, a private visitor-style plan covers emergencies; on our live quotes on October 29, 2026, $100,000 for a 35-year-old cost from $2.48 a day.
Waiting Periods by Province
| Province | Waiting period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario (OHIP) | No waiting period | Covered once eligible and registered. Must be in Ontario 153 days in any 12 months. |
| British Columbia (MSP) | Rest of arrival month + 2 months | Arrive March 15, covered June 1. Applies to newcomers and people moving from other provinces. |
| Alberta (AHCIP) | None from outside Canada, if you apply within 3 months | From another province: covered the first day of the third month after you arrive. |
| Other provinces | Rules vary | Several use a wait of up to 3 months. Check with the province before you arrive. |
Checked against Ontario, BC and Alberta government pages in October 2026. Rules for refugees, military families and some other groups differ. We're licensed in every province except Quebec.
When Does My Health Card Start?
Pick the province and your arrival date. You'll see the likely start date, the days to cover privately, and a real price for those days.
Daily cost uses the lowest live quote on October 29, 2026 for $100,000 with no deductible: $223.20 for 90 days at age 35, $696.60 for 180 days at age 65. Short plans can have a minimum premium.
Getting Through the Gap Without a Big Bill
Apply on day one. In BC and Alberta the clock runs from when you arrive, but a late application can push the start date back. In Ontario, you still need to visit ServiceOntario in person with your documents before you're covered.
Buy gap cover before you fly. A visitor plan bought before arrival usually covers you from the moment you land. Bought after arrival, many plans add a waiting period of 48 hours to several days for sickness.
Choose the end date carefully. Set it a little past the expected start of provincial coverage. Most plans refund unused days if you end early with no claims.
Moving between provinces? Your old province normally keeps covering you during the new province's waiting period. Tell your old plan you're moving, and keep the old card until the new one starts.
TruStone Association Plus: $223.20 · Travcare Essential: $223.20 · JF Visitors to Canada: $251.10 · 21st Century Basic: $262.80 · Secure Travel Standard: $282.60
Newcomer insurance guideHealth Card Waiting Periods: Your Questions
Is there still a 3-month wait for OHIP?
No. Ontario no longer has a waiting period for OHIP. If you're eligible, you're covered once you register at ServiceOntario.
How long is the MSP waiting period in BC?
The rest of the month you arrive, plus two full months. If you arrive on March 15, MSP starts June 1.
Does Alberta have a waiting period?
Newcomers from outside Canada who apply within three months can be covered from the date they establish residency. People moving from another province are covered from the first day of the third month.
What happens if I get sick during the waiting period?
You pay the clinic or hospital directly unless you have private insurance. Visitor-style plans cover emergencies during the gap.
Does my old province cover me after I move?
Usually yes, during the new province's waiting period, for up to about three months. Check with your old plan before you move.
Can I buy insurance for just the waiting period?
Yes. Visitor and newcomer plans can be bought for the exact number of days, and most refund unused days if your card starts earlier and there were no claims.
Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS
Pankaj is a licensed insurance advisor with offices in Mississauga and Cambridge, Ontario, and a member of Advocis. He helps families compare Super Visa and visitor plans from Canadian insurers and sorts out claims and refunds when plans change.
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Waiting for your card?
Tell us the province and your arrival date. We'll quote cover for exactly the gap.