# Health Card for New Immigrant

**URL:** <https://discourse.settlement.org/t/health-card-for-new-immigrant/758>\
**Category:** Getting Health Care (OHIP)\
**Created:** [May 27, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/health-card-for-new-immigrant/758 "2014-05-27T22:21:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![amjad1002](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@amjad1002](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/amjad1002)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/health-card-for-new-immigrant/758/1 "2014-05-27T22:21:29Z")

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Hey every one

i was reading about new immigrants in Ontario and i saw that bellow;

Eligibility

Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage  
(OHIP). Generally, to be eligible for Ontario health coverage you  
must :  
be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or among one of the  
newcomer to Canada groups who are eligible for OHIP as set out  
in Ontario’s Health Insurance Act ; andbe physically present in  
Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period; andbe physically  
present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days  
immediately after establishing residency in the province; andmake  
your primary place of residence in Ontario.  
OHIP coverage normally becomes effective three months after the  
date you establish residency in Ontario. The ministry strongly  
encourages new and returning residents to purchase private health  
insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period.

my question is that i can not go from Canada after my first landing before 152 days for OHIP Eligibility ?

actually i want to stay ij Canada in start 1 month and then want to go out side Canada for 5 months after my first landing and then i will return for permanently so i can not go ? if i want to OHIP ?

please help me so i can make my decision.

regards

AMJAD M

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**Author:** ![SettlementOrgMod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SettlementOrgMod](https://discourse.settlement.org/u/SettlementOrgMod)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:31pm UTC](https://discourse.settlement.org/t/health-card-for-new-immigrant/758/2 "2014-05-29T12:31:46Z")

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Hello Amjad,

Thank you for sharing your situation and question with us.

It is true that this can be a little confusing to understand.

You may be able to find some helpful information in our **[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org)** [Who is eligible for OHIP?](http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?k=HEALTHINS_OHIP&faq_id=4001239) article.

Here is an excerpt,

> [@](#):
>
> **You must be able to answer “yes” to each of these statements:**
> 
> -Your principal home is in Ontario.  
> -You were not away from Ontario for more than 30 days during the first 6 months that you lived here. That means you must be in Ontario for 153 days of the first 183 days that you live in Ontario.  
> -You are in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period.

You can find some additional information in our **[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org)** [Who is eligible for OHIP?](http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?k=HEALTHINS_OHIP&faq_id=4001239) article.

I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====  
Anna  
[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org) Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS  
[Settlement.Org](http://Settlement.Org)