OHIP coverage while studying or working outside Canada

Studying outside Canada

If you’re planning to study outside Canada, you can keep your OHIP coverage if you:

• have a valid Ontario health card
• are registered in a full-time academic program (proof is required – e.g. letter from international university or college confirming your enrollment)
• will be in Ontario for at least 153 days a year in each of the two years immediately before you leave the country
• make Ontario your primary home (proof is required – e.g. most recent income tax assessment, utility bill, valid Ontario driver’s licence)

Before you leave

Before you leave, take the following items to the nearest ServiceOntario centre to apply for an academic absence:

• your health card
• proof of residency (e.g. mortgage, lease or rental agreement, property tax bill, valid driver’s licence)
• proof of registration in a full-time academic program outside of Canada (e.g. letter from the international school)

Working outside Canada

If you’re planning to work (including for a charity) outside Canada on a full-time but temporary basis, you can apply for this coverage if you:

• have a valid Ontario health card
• have proof of full-time position from your employer or sponsoring registered charity (e.g. offer of employment, contract or letter from the charity)
• will be in Ontario for at least 153 days a year in each of the two years immediately before you leave the country

Before you leave

Before you leave take the following items to the nearest ServiceOntario centre to make sure your OHIP coverage stays active:

• your health card
• proof of residency (e.g. mortgage, lease or rental agreement, property tax bill, valid driver’s licence)
• proof of employment or charity work (e.g. contract/letter from employer/charity)

For family members

If you’re leaving Canada for full-time study or work only, immediate family members who travel with you may also be able to keep their OHIP coverage. This includes:

• your spouse
• dependent children under 22 years of age
• adult children over 22 years of age if they depend on you financially due to mental or physical disability

Source: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ohip-coverage-while-outside-canada