Pressed for time? OHIP covers eligible residents, and most people moving from another Canadian province will usually wait three months before coverage starts — check with ServiceOntario to see if your situation is different. Go to a ServiceOntario centre in person and bring the original documents the office asks for — they won't be able to process your request without proper ID. This guide walks through eligibility, the exact documents to bring, step-by-step actions, costs to expect, common pitfalls, and short-term alternatives while you wait.

Quick reference — at a glance

- Who can apply: Canadian citizens, permanent residents and some temporary residents who make Ontario their primary home.

- Apply in person: at a ServiceOntario centre; online or phone applications aren’t accepted for new OHIP enrolments.

- Waiting period: usually 3 months (90 days) after you move to Ontario.

- Physical presence rule: you must be physically in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.

- Documents: bring original ID and proof of immigration status plus proof of Ontario residency (see list below).

- Phone and website: ServiceOntario INFO line 1-866-532-3161 and https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-ontario-health-card.

Prerequisites — who’s eligible and what OHIP covers

OHIP covers medically necessary physician and hospital services for eligible Ontario residents. There’s no monthly premium to join OHIP. To be eligible you must:

  • Make Ontario your primary place of residence.
  • Be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, certain temporary residents or otherwise meet OHIP immigration-status rules.

Most people coming from another Canadian province meet these rules but still face a standard three-month waiting period before OHIP coverage begins. Some groups are exempt from the wait — for example, newborns and certain refugees — so check with ServiceOntario if you think you might be exempt.

Mastheads

Step-by-step: how to apply for OHIP when you move from another province

  1. Start by confirming your move date and eligibility.

    Note the date you established Ontario as your primary residence. That date starts the three-month waiting clock. If you’ve lived elsewhere in Canada immediately before moving, contact that province’s health plan to ask whether they offer transitional coverage during Ontario’s waiting period.

  2. Bring original documents rather than photocopies so you don’t get turned away.

    ServiceOntario requires original documents that prove:

    • Legal status/citizenship in Canada (examples: Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship card, Permanent Resident card, Confirmation of Permanent Residence — IMM 5292 or IMM 5688 — or Record of Landing IMM 1000).
    • Identity (examples: Ontario driver’s licence, Canadian passport, birth certificate).
    • Ontario residency — at least two documents showing your name and Ontario address. Typical proofs: Ontario driver’s licence or Ontario photo card, lease or rental agreement, utility bill, bank or credit card statement, pay stub, employer letter, or school document. One document should be recent (issued within the last 90 days).

    Different documents prove different things, so don’t assume one paper will cover every requirement. If a document proves both identity and residency (for example, an Ontario driver’s licence), it still helps to bring extra proofs to avoid delays.

  3. Visit a ServiceOntario centre in person.

    Find your nearest office and hours at https://www.serviceontario.ca or go directly to https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-ontario-health-card. Bring all originals and expect staff to take a photo for your health card. You’ll complete an application form there.

  4. Declare previous provincial coverage.

    If you moved from another Canadian province or territory, tell ServiceOntario which province you left and the end date of that coverage. Your previous province may cover you during Ontario’s wait — contact them before moving to confirm. Keep records like the old health card number or a letter from the prior plan.

  5. Get temporary proof of registration if available.

    After applying, ServiceOntario may give you temporary document or confirmation to show you’ve applied. The new photo health card is mailed to you — typically within a few weeks (commonly around 4 weeks). Keep the temporary paper with you until the card arrives.

  6. Plan for the three-month waiting period.

    OHIP usually starts about 3 months after your move date. If your old province won't cover you during Ontario's waiting period, buy short-term private health insurance to avoid gaps for doctor visits, prescriptions or hospital bills. Private, short-term plans vary a lot by age and medical history — get quotes from a few providers so you know the price before you need coverage.

  7. Update your contact details with ServiceOntario and follow up if you don't get the card in the expected time.

    If your card doesn’t arrive in the expected timeframe, contact ServiceOntario at 1-866-532-3161. If your legal status or address changes, update ServiceOntario right away to avoid coverage lapses.

What to bring — checklist

Bring original documents. Be ready to show:

  • One document proving legal status/citizenship (passport, PR card, Confirmation of Permanent Residence, etc.).
  • One or two documents proving identity (driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate).
  • Two documents proving your Ontario address — at least one recent (utility bill, lease, bank statement, pay stub).
  • Your old province health card and any letters if you moved directly from another province.

Costs and timelines (2026)

There’s no fee to enroll in OHIP. The health card itself is provided at no charge to eligible residents. Expect the mailed photo card to arrive in roughly 2–6 weeks after you complete your in-person application; local processing times can vary.

Waiting period: typically 3 months (about 90 days) from your Ontario move date. Physical-presence requirement: 153 days in any 12-month period.

Private interim insurance costs vary. Typical short-term coverage for the waiting period often ranges from roughly CAD 50–200 per month depending on age, pre-existing conditions and benefits selected. Get quotes from at least two insurers before you buy.

Tips — practical advice from people who’ve done it

  • Book an appointment at ServiceOntario where possible — it can save hours of waiting.
  • Bring more documents than you think you need. Staff prefer originals and will return them to you.
  • Keep records of your move date — lease start, shipping receipts, or employment start date can help if there’s a dispute about when you became an Ontario resident.
  • If you have a complex immigration status (work permit, study permit, refugee status), call ServiceOntario ahead of time to check which documents they accept.
  • If travelling between provinces often, track days spent in Ontario to ensure you meet the 153-day requirement within any 12-month window.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Showing photocopies instead of originals. ServiceOntario will refuse photocopies.
  • Assuming OHIP starts immediately. Plan for the three-month wait unless you fall into an exemption category.
  • Not notifying your previous province about the move. Some provinces offer bridging coverage — you’ll need to ask them.
  • Showing documents with an old or out-of-date address. Make sure at least one proof of residency is recent (within 90 days).
  • Relying solely on online applications. New OHIP enrolments must be done in person.

Alternatives while waiting

If you’re uninsured during the three-month wait:

  • Contact your former province to see if they’ll continue coverage temporarily.
  • Buy short-term private health insurance — compare prices and exclusions, especially for prescriptions and emergency hospital coverage.
  • Look into employer health benefits if you start a job — many employers offer group health coverage that starts on the first day of employment.

Related Articles

Applying for OHIP when moving from another province takes a bit of prep: know your move date, bring original documents to a ServiceOntario centre, and plan for the standard three-month waiting period. Confirm whether your previous province will bridge your coverage. If not, shop short-term private insurance or rely on employer benefits until OHIP begins. For forms, documents and ServiceOntario locations, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/get-ontario-health-card or call 1-866-532-3161.

This article was created with AI assistance.