We are often asked whether getting a student permit, work permit, visitor visa, etc. will result in an individual being eligible for MSP in British Columbia.
British Columbia’s Medicare Protection Act states that a citizen who makes his or her home in British Columbia and is physically present in British Columbia for at least 6 months per year can enroll for the Province’s Medical Services Plan (“MSP”).
The Medical and Health Services Regulation state that the following people residing in British Columbia can also enroll in MSP:
- A person admitted to Canada as a student for a period of 6 or more months;
- A person admitted to work in Canada for 6 or more months;
- A diplomat accredited to represent another country in Canada;
- A spouse or child of a resident if the person has applied for permanent resident status and as long as the application remains active;
- A person who is a spouse or child of a resident and the resident has filed with Citizenship and Immigration Canada an undertaking to assist the person and paid the fee required by Citizenship and Immigration;
- A child adopted, or being adopted, by a resident;
- A person who has applied for permanent resident status and as a result has been issued a permit by the federal minister for immigration if the issuance of the permit has been recommended by the committee established by the minister responsible for the Medicare Protection Act;
Tourists and visitors cannot enroll in MSP.