Common law status - Immigration vs. BC (for getting Health card)

[szymon247]

Hello!

I just came to BC, Canada as a newly landed PR through the Skilled Worker program. I would like to sign up for provincial health insurance but am unsure how to proceed. I came here together with my common-law partner, and my CoPR (the document I will provide to receive my provincial health card) lists my status as "common-law. The problem is that we have been living together for more than 1 year, but less than 2 years. BC requires us to live together for 2 years to be considered common-law.

Question is, should I apply for my health insurance as single (despite the CoPR indicating me having a common-law partner) since we are common law only by immigration laws (but not by the BC definition), or should I add my partner to my health card application as common law since she is mentioned as such on my CoPR, despite the fact that we have not lived together for 2 years yet and technically don't meet the BC criteria? I thought the first option is the correct one, but applying as Single when my CoPR mentions "Common-law" also felt somewhat strange, so I would really appreciate help!

Thank you very much in advance for any advice on this one!

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello!

I just came to BC, Canada as a newly landed PR through the Skilled Worker program. I would like to sign up for provincial health insurance but am unsure how to proceed. I came here together with my common-law partner, and my CoPR (the document I will provide to receive my provincial health card) lists my status as "common-law. The problem is that we have been living together for more than 1 year, but less than 2 years. BC requires us to live together for 2 years to be considered common-law.

Question is, should I apply for my health insurance as single (despite the CoPR indicating me having a common-law partner) since we are common law only by immigration laws (but not by the BC definition), or should I add my partner to my health card application as common law since she is mentioned as such on my CoPR, despite the fact that we have not lived together for 2 years yet and technically don't meet the BC criteria? I thought the first option is the correct one, but applying as Single when my CoPR mentions "Common-law" also felt somewhat strange, so I would really appreciate help!

Thank you very much in advance for any advice on this one!

Hi

It doesn't matter. There is no difference in the premiums you pay if you both apply as single or if you apply together. BC MSP is not going to ask for proof of 2 years of common-law or anything like that.