OHIP after outland stage 1 approval?

[chatsubo20]

I'm hearing mixed messages about this, so I thought I'd ask : After my wife gets her stage 1 approval for an outland spousal application, can she then apply for OHIP? Her friend claims she was able to do this, but we're hearing from others that it can't be done until after stage 2 is finished.

Also, will it take 3 months to be covered after applying for OHIP, or will that waiting period be waived because she has already been living in Ontario for longer than that time?

Thanks!

 

[lellen]

From OHIP website:


You may be eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) if you are included under one of the following categories:

you have submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada ;


http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/ohip_eligibility.aspx

 

[lellen]

Also:

Generally, there is a three-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage. It applies to most new residents and former residents returning to Ontario.

Is anyone exempt from the waiting period?

Yes; these include, but are not limited to:

newborn babies born in Ontario;
OHIP-eligible adopted children under the age of 16;
protected persons (Convention Refugees and persons in need of protection); and
people from another province/territory who move directly into a long-term care facility in Ontario, or who require admittance into a long-term care facility within 3 months of arrival in Ontario.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/ohip_waiting_pd.aspx


My OHIP expired last August, I wonder if I'm going to have to wait three months again when I renew it. I guess I will!

 

[tink23]

I doubt you will be able to. There is a 3 month waiting period for after landing. It is unlikely you will receive OHIP prior to that. There are probably exceptions, but majority of people applying Outland pr for spousal sponsorship are not granted ohip until after the 3 month waiting time is up after landing as pr.

 

[screech339]

I'm hearing mixed messages about this, so I thought I'd ask : After my wife gets her stage 1 approval for an outland spousal application, can she then apply for OHIP? Her friend claims she was able to do this, but we're hearing from others that it can't be done until after stage 2 is finished.

Also, will it take 3 months to be covered after applying for OHIP, or will that waiting period be waived because she has already been living in Ontario for longer than that time?

Thanks!

I don't even think you can even apply for OHIP while the PR process is done outland. I do believe that only those who have applied "inland" are able to qualify for OHIP after getting AIP 1st stage.

Remember since it is done outland, the AIP letter will indicate the the file will be transferred to the local VO of the native country. The Ontario Service will see that it is an outland PR application thus deem you to qualify for OHIP. OHIP is granted to those who are residing in Ontario. PR outland doesn't mean that the applicant is residing in Ontario. You are a visitor for all sense and purposes.

Screech339

 

[Rob_TO]

Actually if the applicant is in Canada and applying outland, they CAN get OHIP or at least start the 3 month wait before full PR is granted. There is a certain step during stage 2 processing outland, which is similar to stage 1 approval of inland, that qualifies an applicant to get OHIP. It involves the OHIP office talking directly to visa office, and will involve an initial rejection of OHIP and then escalation to OHIP eligibility review committee.

For a great post on the subject and how to do it, see here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/important-ohip-eligibility-info-for-all-pr-applicants-residing-in-ontario-t56695.0.html;msg2518001#msg2518001
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/important-ohip-eligibility-info-for-all-pr-applicants-residing-in-ontario-t56695.0.html;msg3139952#msg3139952

 

[chatsubo20]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

It's confusing, because in theory the outland application would not make one eligible for OHIP after stage 1, yet my wife's friend (and others) report that they have successfully done it. Only one way to found out I guess!

I know that when I moved back to Ontario from abroad, I didn't bother applying for OHIP until 4 months later - when they saw my entry date was greater than 3 months in the past, they gave me immediate access to OHIP and put my number on a piece of paper. It took a few weeks to get the card. I'm Canadian, but I'm not sure that was a factor.

 

[lellen]

Wow thanks for that Rob_TO!

 

[bartjones]

Yes, if you applied outland, have been in Canada for 3 months and have passed the "Eligibility Assessment" stage, you will qualify for OHIP. Just follow the procedure described in the thread Rob linked to.

You can expect that the folks at Service Ontario will be unaware that this is possible, but the people at the OHIP Eligibility Review Committee will know exactly what you are asking for. Good luck.

 

[screech339]

Actually if the applicant is in Canada and applying outland, they CAN get OHIP or at least start the 3 month wait before full PR is granted. There is a certain step during stage 2 processing outland, which is similar to stage 1 approval of inland, that qualifies an applicant to get OHIP. It involves the OHIP office talking directly to visa office, and will involve an initial rejection of OHIP and then escalation to OHIP eligibility review committee.

For a great post on the subject and how to do it, see here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/important-ohip-eligibility-info-for-all-pr-applicants-residing-in-ontario-t56695.0.html;msg2518001#msg2518001
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/important-ohip-eligibility-info-for-all-pr-applicants-residing-in-ontario-t56695.0.html;msg3139952#msg3139952

That is good to know. I was not even aware that this was possible. Like the saying goes, "you learn something new everyday".

Screech339

 

[chatsubo20]

Yes, good to know! Thanks all for the feedback!