Healthcare on visitor record

[Farmonic]

I'm Canadian, but was born outside of Canada and haven't ever really "lived" there. My wife (US) and I are planning to move to Calgary (Alberta), with our 3-year-old daughter (not Canadian, as she's the 2nd generation born abroad). My wife is pregnant, and we're hoping to move in December, so that there's plenty of time to get set up before she's due (in April). We'd start her PR process inland.

However, I can't find clear information about when health coverage would start for her and our daughter. Some people have told us that the visitor record she'd get at the point of entry is enough, but others that it may take up to a year. Obviously, we'd hope that the pregnancy and birth are covered, but does anyone know for sure? And if not, what options are there? Private insurances don't seem to cover maternity costs?

 

[kriv]

I'm Canadian, but was born outside of Canada and haven't ever really "lived" there. My wife (US) and I are planning to move to Calgary (Alberta), with our 3-year-old daughter (not Canadian, as she's the 2nd generation born abroad). My wife is pregnant, and we're hoping to move in December, so that there's plenty of time to get set up before she's due (in April). We'd start her PR process inland.

However, I can't find clear information about when health coverage would start for her and our daughter. Some people have told us that the visitor record she'd get at the point of entry is enough, but others that it may take up to a year. Obviously, we'd hope that the pregnancy and birth are covered, but does anyone know for sure? And if not, what options are there? Private insurances don't seem to cover maternity costs?

you are a Canadian citizen so you and your dependents are eligible to apply for Alberta health card (once you are here in canada you have to apply). you will get the alberta health card starting from the date of your arrival.( once you apply you may get your health card number in 5 to 10 days and your printed card in 3,4 weeks).
your wife and daughter as they will be here in canada as a visitor so their health card will have an expiry date (6 months) which you can further extend before it expires depending on the new visitor record she gets in future(visa extension).

your wife and daughter should maintain their legal status (visitor, open work permit etc) through out the time till they get PR.
for Albera health card you will have to go to nearest registry office where you live with the following documents:-
1)your id ( passport, Canadian citizenship card etc)
2)passport of your wife and daughter having the CBSA visitor entry stamp (Legal entitlement to be in Canada)
3) proof of legal residency in alberta ( it can be your house documents, lease agreement between you and landlord or bank statement with your name and an alberta address on it etc).

 

[scylla]

Don't apply for PR inland - apply outland. Applying inland makes no sense for Americans. And yes - your wife can be in Canada when you apply outland.

 

[Farmonic]

Thanks for the info, Kriv.

I didn't know she could apply outland from inside the country. What's the procedure for doing that?

 

[Rob_TO]

Thanks for the info, Kriv.

I didn't know she could apply outland from inside the country. What's the procedure for doing that?

Just use the outland application package, and select CPC-Ottawa as the processing office (they process outland US citizen apps): http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

Make sure you do the medicals for your wife and daughter, your wifes FBI check, and pay all the necessary fees including RPRF... all UPFRONT so you get quickest possible processing for the PR app. Some US citizens are seeing PR processing times in 4-6 months these days.

 

[Serenity03]

Good day!

I just want to ask something about my situation. I came here in Calgary as a foreign worker last 2012 and I have a 2 years contract, my work permit expired already and I restore my status as a visitor last September but no result yet. I got married last September also and my husband is canadian citizen by birth, we've been together for 19 months now and we just submit the sponsorship for spouse application last monday. We want to start a family right now because he's in late 30'salready but the thing is I don't have an alberta health insurance because my work permit expired already, but I read in some forums that AB health is the only province that gives healthcare simply by having a visitor status and being a spouse of a resident. Is it possible that AB healthcare will give me a health insurance since I don't have any result yet in my restoration as visitor application?

Thank you!

 

[Farmonic]

Me again

I've heard that getting a visitor record on landing is basically up to the immigrations officer on duty. If so, then it seems the officer could potentially refuse it, right? That seems a bit random ...

Do you know if there's anything we can do to minimize the chances of that happening?