MSP Coverage in British Columbia

[JerseyGirl1985]

Hello!

I received my open work permit that I applied for when applying for Permanent Residency (in British Columbia) as my husbands spouse back in January. Now that I have my work-permit I was interested in filing for MSP which I am eligible for according to the MSP website. Does anyone know how to properly apply?? There are many forms to choose from but I am confused which one I am to choose? Does someone have to have a job before applying for MSP or am I able to apply before getting a job?? Any help on this topic would be greatly appreciated! Also, the form states I have temporary residency through the permit, does that means I do not have to extend my visitor stay as I normally would (I am legally permitted 6 months out of a year to be in Canada and then must request an extension). *side note: I am American*

Also, since I applied inland in BC it is recommended to not leave Canada during the PR process, I am wondering if this still applies now that I have a work permit that states I am a "temporary resident" if anyone knows?

Thanks everyone!

 

[arowberry]

If you have been in BC for 2+ months and your application for spousal PR has been accepted for processing by the CIC, then you are almost certainly eligible for MSS.



Eligibility:

New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. are eligible for coverage after completing a wait period that consists of the balance of the month in which residence is established, plus two months.

Source: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=1A2EB01303A14DB390FF0003CB063BAF

Dependents of MSP beneficiaries are also eligible for coverage if they are residents of B.C. Dependents include a spouse and children who are residents of B.C. using the conditions as set out above.

• Spouse: a resident of B.C. who is married to or is living and cohabiting in a marriage-like relationship with the applicant, and may be of the same gender as the applicant.
  
• “Child” - a resident of BC who is the legal child of the beneficiary or the person in respect of whom a beneficiary stands in place of the parent, is supported by the beneficiary, is neither married nor living and cohabitating in a marriage like-relationship, and is either age 18 or younger or age 19-24 and attending school or university full-time.

A spouse or child of an eligible B.C. resident may also be deemed a resident provided that an application for permanent residence status has been accepted for processing by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), and the application remains active.

Source: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=A24BB960F5234630BCB9DE847EEFD07B



Enrollment:
The application to enroll can be found in the 'Related Forms' section, at the top right of this link:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=1A2EB01303A14DB390FF0003CB063BAF

Alternatively, this is a direct link:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/DownloadAsset?assetId=402E5A7468814F87A8FD7AD9A3BD066D&filename=102fil.pdf



Leaving Canada:
You can leave Canada during the process. I think some people get concerned about leaving too often, or for too long, suggesting that you are not really trying to commit to Canada (and perhaps spending too much time away from your spouse).