Is health insurance available for temporary residents?

Yes, health insurance is available for temporary residents in Calgary, but the terms and scope of coverage depend on your immigration status, length of stay, and other factors. Let's take a closer look at the health insurance options available to different categories of temporary residents.

Public health insurance (AHCIP)

The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a provincial health insurance program that provides basic medical coverage. Temporary residents may be eligible for AHCIP under certain conditions.

Eligibility criteria for temporary residents

To be eligible for AHCIP coverage, temporary residents from outside Canada must meet the following criteria:

  • Establish residency in Alberta (purchase or rent a home)
  • Intend to live in Alberta for at least 12 consecutive months
  • Have an acceptable Canadian entry document issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
  • The document must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of expiry

Acceptable Canadian entry documents

Not all immigration documents are eligible for AHCIP coverage. Acceptable documents are:

  • Work permit for an employer in Alberta (the place of work must be in Alberta unless it is an open permit)
  • Study permit for Alberta or it must be accompanied by a letter from an Alberta educational institution confirming full-time study
  • Visitor record – must indicate clergy or that the holder is the spouse/common-law partner or dependent of an eligible resident
  • Designation as a Convention refugee with supporting documentation

Medical insurance for different categories of temporary residents

For temporary workers

If you have come to Alberta on a work visa, you may be eligible for AHCIP coverage if:

  • Your work permit is valid for at least 6 months
  • You intend to stay in Alberta for 12 months or longer
  • Your work permit is issued for an employer in Alberta (unless it is an open permit)

It is important to know that if you are not eligible for AHCIP, your employer is required to provide you with private health insurance:

  • Employers must purchase private health insurance for temporary foreign workers before they arrive in Canada
  • The employer cannot deduct the cost of this insurance from the employee's wages

For international students

International students may be eligible for AHCIP coverage under the following conditions:

  • You are 18 years of age or older
  • You have a study permit valid for at least 12 months for an educational institution in Alberta
  • You will be living in Alberta for at least 183 days during the year

If your study permit is valid for 3-11 months, you may still be eligible for AHCIP coverage if you provide a letter of intent to remain in Alberta for at least one year.

Students under the age of 18 must be added to their guardian's AHCIP account.

Most universities also offer additional health insurance plans through student unions that cover services not included in AHCIP, such as dental services, prescription drugs, and optical services.

For Ukrainian evacuees

For Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program, there is a special program called the Ukrainian Evacuee Temporary Health Benefits Program (UETHBP):

  • The program provides temporary coverage for Ukrainian evacuees who are not eligible for registration and coverage under AHCIP
  • Coverage includes medically necessary doctor and hospital services
  • Additional coverage is provided for dental services, prescription drugs, optical services, and other benefits through the Alberta Adult Health Benefit (Ukrainian Evacuee) program

It is important to note that the UETHBP program ended on March 31, 2025. Ukrainian evacuees who were previously covered by the Alberta Health Benefit for Ukrainian Evacuees program and apply for Non-Group Coverage by April 30, 2025, can transition directly from Alberta Health Benefit without a waiting period.

Private health insurance

If you are not eligible for AHCIP or are waiting for your application to be processed, it is recommended that you purchase private health insurance:

Private insurance options

  • Visitor Insurance for Canada: Covers emergency illnesses and injuries
  • Non-Group Coverage Program: A program that provides access to additional health benefits for all Albertans, including temporary residents registered with AHCIP
  • Insurance through an employer: Many employers offer group health insurance plans for their employees

What private insurance covers

Private insurance plans typically cover:

  • Emergency medical care
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription drugs
  • Dental services
  • Vision services
  • Ambulance services
  • Repatriation (return home in case of serious illness)

How to apply for AHCIP

Steps to apply

  1. Complete the application form: Download and complete the AHCIP coverage application form
  2. Gather the required documents: Prepare documents that prove your residence in Alberta, your identity, and your legal right to be in Canada
  3. Submit your application: Submit your application in person at a registration office or by mail

Required documents

To apply for AHCIP, you must provide:

Documents proving your residence in Alberta:

  • Utility or telephone bills
  • Rental agreement
  • Other documents with your name and address in Alberta

Identification documents:

  • Passport
  • Other government-issued documents with a photo

Documents proving your legal right to be in Canada:

  • Work permit
  • Study permit
  • CUAET visa (for Ukrainian evacuees)
  • Other immigration documents

Important notes

  1. Waiting period: If you do not apply for AHCIP within 3 months of arriving in Alberta, the start date of your coverage will be determined when your application is processed.

  2. Emergency medical care: You will not be denied emergency medical care in Alberta, even if you do not have health insurance. However, the cost of medical care can be high, so it is recommended that you have insurance.

  3. Coverage limitations: AHCIP only covers basic medical services. Many services, such as dental care, prescription drugs, physical therapy, psychological services, and vision care, are only partially covered or not covered at all.

  4. Additional insurance: It is recommended to consider purchasing additional private insurance to cover services not included in AHCIP.

Conclusion

Health insurance is available for temporary residents in Calgary, but the terms and coverage depend on your immigration status and length of stay. Public health insurance (AHCIP) is available to temporary residents who meet certain criteria, such as having a valid work or study permit and intending to live in Alberta for at least 12 months.

If you are not eligible for AHCIP or are awaiting processing of your application, it is recommended that you purchase private health insurance, as the cost of medical care without insurance can be very high. Different categories of temporary residents, such as temporary workers, international students, and Ukrainian evacuees, have access to different health insurance programs that meet their specific needs.