Residence and physical presence[1]
Ontario must be your primary home. General rules require presence for at least 153 days in any 12-month period and 153 of the first 183 days after establishing residence. Exceptions need individual assessment.
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Your life in Canada, with clarity and at your own pace.
ServiceOntario / OHIP / Free preparation
First, place your application.
OHIP is Ontario’s public health insurance. Prepare your application and visit here; ServiceOntario decides whether you qualify.
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WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR
First OHIP application: an adult permanent resident applying for themselves and living in Ontario. This edition does not cover children, renewals or other immigration categories.
Other situations
Students, temporary workers, visitors, protected persons and people applying for someone else need their own requirements. This route does not establish those requirements; do not confirm a category that does not fit.
153 days is not a wait before applying[1]
The presence rule is not a waiting period before making an application. Eligible applicants have no coverage waiting period. Discuss planned absences or special circumstances with ServiceOntario.
Where this journey ends[1]
A first application is made in person at ServiceOntario. Prepare three separate documents and form 0265-82. Finishing this guide does not activate coverage.
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Sources for this step
References support what you read here. You do not need to open them to complete the preparation steps.
- Apply for OHIP and get a health cardServiceOntario · Consulted 11 Nov 2026Who qualifies / minimum qualifications · No waiting period / physical presence · How to apply