Know the eligibility conditions for health insurance
I want to work in Québec
To qualify for health insurance when you come to Québec to pursue work, you must have an authorization of entry in Québec issued by the Canadian immigration authorities.
If you are a seasonal agricultural worker, you are entitled to health insurance upon your arrival in Québec if:
- You are participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
- You are a worker participating in the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program and coming from Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico or Salvador
To find out more, check the registration procedure and the required documents, depending on your situation.
If you have applied to have your work permit renewed and have an acknowledgment of receipt confirming that you did so before the expiry of the previous permit (meaning you have implied legal status), you can renew your registration for health insurance. Please call us to obtain the required form. You must also contact us if you have obtained a new open work permit instead of an employer-specific permit.
Coverage start date
When you come to Québec to pursue work, you are usually covered by Québec health insurance after a waiting period of up to 3 months after your registration. This period also applies if you hold Canadian citizenship, but does not apply to children under age 18 accompanying you. We therefore advise you to take out private insurance in the 5 days following your arrival in Québec so that you are covered during the waiting period. To find out more, visit the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance website.
Agreements with other countries
Québec has concluded social security agreements with certain countries. If you are covered under the social security of one of these countries, you may be eligible for Québec health insurance from the very date of your arrival in Québec, without being subject to the waiting period pending eligibility.
Rules to follow to remain eligible
You must be present in Québec for the entire duration of your stay here to remain covered by Québec health insurance. However, you are allowed to leave Québec for periods of 21 consecutive days or less. The days on which you leave and return are excluded from the 21 days. If you plan to be outside Québec for more than 21 days, let us know before you leave.
At any time, we may check whether you are still working full time for the employer indicated on your work contract. If you do not comply with the conditions, you could lose your eligibility and have to repay the cost of the covered health care received during the year.
Change of situation
If you receive new immigration documents, they may change your status or affect your eligibility for the Québec Health Insurance Plan. To find out more, contact us or refer to the webpage Register or re-register for health insurance.