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Can Work Permit Holders in Ontario Receive Health Insurance (OHIP)

If you are living in Ontario with a valid work permit, you may be eligible for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This insurance covers essential healthcare services such as doctor visits, medical tests, surgeries, and more. Below are the eligibility requirements, required documents, and steps to apply for OHIP as a work permit holder.

Eligibility for OHIP for Work Permit Holders

To access OHIP as a work permit holder in Ontario, you must meet the following conditions:

Ontario Residency Requirements

Be physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.
Be physically present for at least 153 of the first 183 days after establishing residency in Ontario.
Ontario must be your primary place of residence.

Work Permit Requirements

You must have

A valid work permit, and be employed full-time for at least 6 months by an employer in Ontario.

The employer must provide a letter on official company letterhead confirming

You are employed full-time.
Your job title is specified.
Your employment will last for at least 6 months.

OR, you must have a work permit under one of the following programs

Live-In Caregiver Program
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program

OR, you have submitted a permanent residency (PR) application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and the application has received initial approval.

Work Permit Renewal

If your work permit has expired, you may still apply for OHIP as long as you applied to renew your permit before the previous one expired.

How to Apply for OHIP

To register for OHIP, you must apply in person at a ServiceOntario center. Here’s how:

Required Documents

Prepare the following for your OHIP application

Completed application form: OHIP Registration Form.
Valid immigration document: e.g., your work permit.
Proof of full-time employment in Ontario: Letter or contract from your employer.
Proof of residence in Ontario
Examples: utility bill (water, electricity, gas), lease agreement, bank statement, Ontario driver’s license.
Personal identification
Examples: passport, driver’s license, employee ID, citizenship card.

Note: You cannot use the same document for more than one category. For example, if you use your driver’s license as ID, you can’t also use it as proof of address.

Visit ServiceOntario

Use the ServiceOntario center locator tool to find the nearest location.
Note: Not all centers provide health card services — check before you go.

Receiving the Health Card

Once your application is approved, your OHIP card will be issued. You’ll need to present this card whenever you access healthcare services.

What Does OHIP Cover

OHIP covers many essential medical services. Here’s a breakdown

Service	Covered?	Details
Doctor visits	Yes	In-person and virtual visits (clinics and general physicians).
Hospital care	Yes	Includes doctors, nurses, diagnostic tests, and in-patient medications.
Medical tests	Yes	Essential tests in hospitals or approved labs.
Abortion	Yes	Surgical and medical abortions (e.g., Mifegymiso with prescription).
Dental surgeries (in hospital)	Yes	Only necessary procedures like fracture repairs or tumor removals.
Eye exams	Partially	Covered for under 20, over 65, or specific eye conditions.
Ambulance services	Partially	Depends on circumstances.
Prescription drugs (outside hospital)	No	Not covered.
Routine dental care	No	Regular dental check-ups are not included.
Vision care (glasses, lenses)	No	Glasses, contacts, and non-medical eye surgeries (e.g., LASIK) not covered.

Important Notes About OHIP

No waiting period: OHIP becomes active immediately after your application is approved.
Family coverage: If you’re eligible, your spouse and dependent children may also qualify for coverage.

Summary

If you meet the requirements, getting OHIP allows you to access essential healthcare services in Ontario. For more information and to access forms, visit the Ontario Ministry of Health website.