How to Get Your Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) Card

Who can qualify for the OHIP?

Below is a list of the minimum qualifications you need to fulfill to qualify for the OHIP. 

1. You must be physically residing in Ontario province for 153 days in any 12‑month period
2. You must be physically residing in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after you began living in the province
3. You must register Ontario as your primary residence

In addition to the minimum requirements above, you must also meet at least one of the following additional requirements.

• You are a Canadian citizen
• You are an Indigenous person 
• You are a permanent resident 
• You have an application for permanent residence in Canada, submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Your application should have already been reviewed by IRCC and you were deemed to meet eligibility requirements to apply.
• You have a valid work permit in Ontario with and a full-time work for an Ontario employer for at least six months. This also allows your spouse and dependents to qualify for the OHIP. 
• You are in Ontario on a valid work permit under the federal Live-in Caregiver Program.
• You are a convention refugee or other protected person 
• You have Temporary Resident Permit, just certain cases as listed here.

How to Apply for an OHIP?

The application for the Ontario Health Insurance Program should be in person at a ServiceOntario centre. ServiceOntario locations, hours and contact are provided in the following page. You are advised to choose and visit the centre located close to your place of residence. 

As part of your application to OHIP, you will need to bring the following documents:

1. A completed ‘Registration for Ontario Health Insurance Coverage’ form
2. 3 separate qualifying identification documents from the following list. These need to be original and not photocopies.  
3. An original document as a proof of your OHIP-eligible immigration status
4. A proof of your residency in Ontario
5. An original document that proves your identity

Specific Cases, Application Review and Appeal

In the case of newborn babies in Ontario, the application for OHIP is different depending on where and how the baby was delivered, either in a hospital with birthing facilities or with the help of registered midwife. Here you can have more information on the requirements in each of the cases.

If the OHIP Eligibility Review Committee’s decision was that you are not qualified for the OHIP, you can send a letter with supporting documents, within 15 days of receiving the written decision, to the Health Services Appeal and Review Board via:

Health Services Appeal and Review Board

151 Bloor Street West, 9th Floor

Toronto, ON M5S 2T5

Phone:416-327-8512

Fax:416-327-8524

Non-residents or visitors to Ontario from other Canadian provinces and territories, or from outside Canada, do not qualify for OHIP and can’t benefit from the Ontario Health Insurance Program services and benefits.

OHIP Card Protection

It is your own responsibility to protect your OHIP card. If someone got access to your card, it may be used to access your private credentials and personal health information or could be used for OHIP fraud. That is why we recommend that you share your health card number only with health care professionals who have the professional rights to do so. This includes:

• Doctors
• Nurse practitioners
• Hospitals
• Chiropractors
• Optometrists