Country information Canada
Health insurance for foreign nationals working in Canada

There are many reasons for foreign workers to search for a job in Canada. Canada is one of the world’s wealthiest nations and a big player in diverse industries. But not only the economical reasons inspire people to dream of working in Canada. Canada is among the countries with the best quality of life and it is considered one of the friendliest countries in the world.
The Canadian government continuously pushes their efforts to attract skilled professionals from abroad. Well-qualified workers can boost their careers in Canada and improve their intercultural competence.
Eligible group
If you want to become a foreign worker in Canada you will need a Canadian work permit. The receipt of the work permit for Canada is attached to the following conditions.
- you must prove that you will leave the country when your work permit for Canada expires
- you must prove that you have enough money to take care of yourself and your family members during your stay in Canada and for the return home
- you must prove that you have no record of crminal activity (a police clearance certificate may be required)
- you must show that you obey the law and that you will not become a danger to Canadian security
- you must be in good health and submit the results of a medical exam if needed
- you do not plan to work for an employer listed with the status “ineligible” on the list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions
- you don’t plan to work in the sex industry
- you must submit all the documents you are asked to submit
Furthermore, you must obtain an employment offer, which was approved by the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment). The LMIA is a document which ensures, that the employer can not fill a vacancy with a Canadian worker.
Legal basics about health insurance for workers in Canada
Canada has no single statutory health insurance plan. The Candian health care system consists of 13 provincial and territorial health care insurance plans, which provide almost the same benefits.
The provincial and territorial ministries of health are:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
The costs for health insurance are financed through taxes in most of the provinces. Only in Alberta and British Columbia you have to pay contributions by yourself, but the taxes are correspondingly lower there. The statutory health insurance plans have only a limited coverage, for instance medically prescribed medications and transports are not covered. That is why many Canadians have a private health insurance to make health care costs controllable.
Please note, that Candian health insurance plans may only cover benfits in one province or territory. If you want to travel to another province or territory you must take out an additional travel insurance.
The health insurance system in Canada in general only insures Canadian citizens and foreigners with permanent resident status. As a foreign worker in Canada who wants to stay for a defined period of time, you have to protect yourself in your own initiative.
Insurance advice
Every country has its own health care system. On the basis of characteristics like your home country, the duration of your stay, the reason of your stay and the destination of your trip different needs for health insurance appear. Our organistion recommends Care Concept AG from Germany for health insurance solutions abroad. Click here for further informations about Care Concept AG.
As a temporary worker in Canada you are not insured through the statutory health insurance in your home country. Furthermore, as a temporary worker in Canada you are not insured through the Canadian health insurance system. It is your duty to get a suitable health insurance to cover any medical costs incurred during your stay in Canada. For foreign workers in Canada we recommend the health insurance Care Discover.
Foreign workers in Canada from Germany and Austria can check out special health insurance solutions.
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