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If you're trying for eligibility based on work permit, the requirement is full-time employment for six months, c.f. the Ontario government website:

- are in Ontario on a valid work permit and are working full-time in Ontario, for an Ontario employer, for at least six months

My ServiceOntario office was asking for a letter from my employer and gave me a template for this. According to this wording of this template, you didn't have to have already been working for six months, the employer just needed to attest that you would be employed at least six months. (Don't know if they have a standard, province-wide template letter.)

My difficulty was that I'm self-employed. I just launched my sole proprietorship, a consultancy, and could only claim perhaps half-time employment. Which did not qualify me. The agent was quite strict on this point (and rather unfriendly, as if I were trying to scam OHIP).

So I ended up waiting for the approval of eligibility letter from IRCC, which thankfully came the next week. So now am approved for OHIP but coverage won't start until after the three month waiting period.

All very frustrating as one extends and further extends rather expensive travel insurance coverage. The more so given that the info we received before deciding to move to Canada was that I would be eligible once I got the work permit. And that the waiting period would be counted from when I established residency. Bref...
I had replied to this concern in the previous pages and I apologize, I was actually referring to the AHIP and not OHIP as I live in Alberta. Apparently, each province is different. Here in Alberta, as long as you have an OWP and proof of temporary residence, they will issue you health coverage. They don't require you to be employed or anything.
 
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Really? Wow! These guys were very specific with me on what they wanted on the job offer too. So strange.
Sorry I was referring to AHIP and not OHIP, as I live in Alberta. I apologize. Apparently here in Alberta, so long as you have an OWP and proof of temporary residence, they will issue you health coverage right away.
 
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Sorry I was referring to AHIP and not OHIP, as I live in Alberta. I apologize. Apparently here in Alberta, so long as you have an OWP and proof of temporary residence, they will issue you health coverage right away.
Well in that case, you are very lucky. Because Ontario does ask for a job offer letter and the health coverage gets activated after 3 months from the date of your job start date
 
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Well in that case, you are very lucky. Because Ontario does ask for a job offer letter and the health coverage gets activated after 3 months from the date of your job start date

Oo! So if PA has been working for over a year on a working holiday visa before they got their OWP, they don't have to wait 3 months for OHIP?
 
My application received on June 6th, the last update I got is passing my medical on November 4th. my background check started on Oct 25 and it's taking forever! I'm seeing some of June applicant have been skipped, seems the officer who reviewing those applications started the Xmas break early, what a bad luck!
 
Thanks for the clarification. I suppose that eligibility approval letter is the AIP which sent by mail?

ps. Have you considered being insured under a Provincial Replacement Coverage Plan?

Yes, the AIP. I got mine via my online account and the Service Ontario office here thankfully did accept my printed copy.

Will check into the Prov Replacement Coverage, wasn't aware of this option, thx!
 
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Well in that case, you are very lucky. Because Ontario does ask for a job offer letter and the health coverage gets activated after 3 months from the date of your job start date

Indeed, Alberta sounds kinder in this regard! I was actually even told that a job offer letter would not suffice; I had to have received the work permit and already started working for an Ontario-based employer. Was really glad the AIP came soon after so I could go that route instead
 
Question: Is there anyway I can check when they started my background check?

I haven't checked my gckey in a month. Just checking email and ecas twice or three times a week for any updates since November2(my medical) and checking June spreadsheet here and there. Now I checked my gckey they updated my profile and said processing background check so I don't know when was this got updated.

And congrats to everyone who's getting their landing interviews! I hope all of us waiting will soon get our pr. Happy holidays everyone!
 
Question: Is there anyway I can check when they started my background check?

I haven't checked my gckey in a month. Just checking email and ecas twice or three times a week for any updates since November2(my medical) and checking June spreadsheet here and there. Now I checked my gckey they updated my profile and said processing background check so I don't know when was this got updated.

And congrats to everyone who's getting their landing interviews! I hope all of us waiting will soon get our pr. Happy holidays everyone!
Your ECAS should indicate when they started your background check. It will be stated as follows:

“[No.] We started processing your application on [date]”
 
Really? Ours doesn't say that. We only see it on gckey.
Mine says “we started processing your application on November 26, 2019.” Which is when I noticed the change in background check status on GCkey (I check it daily).
Meanwhile, the medical request was sent on November 22, 2019 (4 days before that).
Maybe other applicants can confirm their eCAS status?
 
Mine says “we started processing your application on November 26, 2019.” Which is when I noticed the change in background check status on GCkey (I check it daily).
Meanwhile, the medical request was sent on November 22, 2019 (4 days before that).
Maybe other applicants can confirm their eCAS status?
Whose ecas do you check, sponsor's or applicant's? To me, "We started processing your application" appeared in sponsor's ecas very early on the day when AOR was received.