How to Apply for an Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

When I got my Confirmation of Permanent Residence, the first thing I did was apply for an Ontario Insurance Health Plan card (OHIP). Why? because it will take up to three months before your coverage begins.

Applying for an OHIP card is done in person at any Service Ontario near you. You can drop in anytime or book an appointment. Doing the latter is time-saving, because it is usually super busy at these centres.

There's no right or wrong way to do it, it's just a matter of doing it properly to save you a lot of time. The forms are better filled out before you go to Services Ontario centres. I love filling out forms on the computer, because I can save and edit documents, and just print out afterwards.

These are the requirements or documents you need to bring with you.

• a completed OHIP form 

This is how the OHIP form looks like. 

• three (3) separate, original identification documents (not photocopies or printouts): 
• one that proves your Canadian citizenship or OHIP-eligible immigration status (e.g. Canadian birth certificate, Permanent Resident Card, COPR)
• one that proves you live in Ontario (e.g. Ontario Driver’s Licence, income tax assessment)
• one that supports your identity (e.g. credit card, passport from any country, photo card)

That's all you need! When you get to a Services Ontario centre, you just have to fall in line, if there's any. Then when you get to the counter, an agent will take your form and documents to see if you have all the necessary requirements. If you do, they will take a photo of you; it's digital and it's right there, you only have to move a little bit in the white background board usually in front of the agent's counter. After that, they will give you a slip containing your information and when you should expect your health card in the mail within three months or so.