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TIPS: Snowbird Insurance

Snowbirds Minimum Residency for Health Insurance 

map of canadaBefore you pack the sunscreen and the golf clubs for your sunny destination down south, be sure you are aware of the amount of time you need to be resident IN your province, so you know exactly how long you can be AWAY from it.

Ontario’s Health Insurance recently changed its residency minimum, allowing for additional time away, but each province can be a little different.

PROVINCIAL MINIMUM RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Ontario: 153 days (you can now spend 212 days away)

British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon: 6 months

Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territorites 183 days

Prince Edward Island: 6 months PLUS a day

Newfoundland & Labrador: Looks like first-timers get a bit of a break, as described on the Ministry website as follows: “Beneficiaries leaving for vacation purposes may receive an initial Out-of-Province Coverage Certificate for up to 12 months’ coverage. The normal 4-month residency requirement must be met immediately following their return to Newfoundland and Labrador. Further Out-of-Province Coverage Certificates will only be issued to provide up to 8 months’ coverage.”

Quebec: 183 days (but there are exceptions here, so check on their website:

Nunavut: (Note: The requirements for Nunavut were not expressly outlined on their website, so please check directly with the government office there.)


For more information on Travel Insurance and Providers click here.

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