From Outside Canada – Temporary Stay

The information on this page applies to persons arriving in Québec to take up temporary residence. These persons may be entitled to have Health Insurance Card if they:

• are in Québec temporarily to work;
• have received a study or training scholarship;
• are the spouse of the worker or trainee and are accompanying that person;
• are a dependant of the worker or trainee and are accompanying that person.

Here is how to register.

Step 1: Fill out the registration form

First, obtain the required form from the Régie de l'assurance maladie.

Next, check the information appearing on the form and make corrections if necessary. Be sure to sign the form.

Step 2: Attach the required proof-of-identity documents

You must attach certain documents to your registration form. After duplicating them, the Régie will return any original documents to you within 30 days, but you won't receive them at the same time as your Health Insurance Card.

Instead of an original document, you may submit a certified true copy from the issuing organization.

Canadian citizens living abroad who are in Québec temporarily for work purposes

These persons must attach to their form:

• the original of their Birth Certificate, Copy of an Act of Birth, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Canadian passport;
• a photocopy of their employment contract or an employer's attestation confirming the beginning and end dates of their employment.

Foreign nationals in Québec as temporary workers

These persons must attach to their form the original of an employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing them to work in Québec for more than six months. The authorization must indicate the employer's name and the place of employment.

Foreign nationals in Québec as seasonal workers

These persons must attach to their form the original of an employment authorization issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.

Recipients of a study or training scholarship

These persons must attach to their form the original of the attestation of stay in Québec as a scholar (document issued by the ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec).

Foreign nationals in Québec temporarily to hold a liturgical office

These persons must attach to their form:

• the original of the document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing them to be in Canada for more than six months;
• a document proving that they hold a liturgical office.

Spouses of workers or scholars

Spouses who are foreign nationals must attach to their form:

• the original of the document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing them to be in Canada for more than six months;
• a photocopy of their marriage certificate or a solemn affirmation (see form) that they are the common-law spouse of the person they are accompanying.

Spouses who are Canadian citizens must attach to their form:

• the original of their Birth Certificate, Copy of an Act of Birth, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Canadian passport;
• a photocopy of their marriage certificate or a solemn affirmation that they are the common-law spouse of the person they are accompanying;
• a solemn affirmation that their stay in Québec is for more than six months.

Dependants accompanying workers or scholars

Dependants who are foreign nationals must attach to their form:

• the original of the document issued by the Canadian immigration authorities allowing them to be in Canada for more than six months;
• if they are age 18 or over, proof of school attendance or a medical certificate attesting that they have a functional impairment.

Dependants who are Canadian citizens must attach to their form:

• the original of their Birth Certificate, Copy of an Act of Birth, Certificate of Canadian Citizenship or Canadian passport;
• a solemn affirmation that their stay in Québec is for more than six months;
• if they are age 18 or over, proof of school attendance or a medical certificate attesting that they have a functional impairment.

Step 3: Have your photo taken

To obtain a Health Insurance Card, you must in most cases provide your signature and a photo meeting specifications established by the government. The section on photo and signature explains who must have their photo taken and what the procedure is.

Remaining covered by the plan

To remain covered by the Health Insurance Plan as a person in Québec for a temporary stay, you must be present in Québec for the entire duration of your stay, not including periods of 21 consecutive days or less. If you leave Québec for more than 21 consecutive days, you will be ineligible for the Health Insurance Plan during your absence.