Living Abroad

RAMQ Health Card: Who Can Register in Quebec and How Long You Wait

4 min read

In this guide
  1. Quick answer
  2. Who is eligible for RAMQ?
  3. What documents do you need?
  4. How do you register?
  5. How long is the waiting period?
  6. Moving to Quebec from another province?
  7. Common mistakes
  8. FAQ
    1. Can I register before arriving?
    2. Is the waiting period the same for children?
    3. Is RAMQ the same as MSP?
  9. Key takeaways
  10. Related guides
  11. Sources

What is RAMQ? RAMQ (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec) runs Quebec’s public health insurance. If you move to Quebec, registering with RAMQ is the step that gets you the Health Insurance Card. Rules depend on your status, so check the group you belong to before you arrive.

Quick answer

  • Canadian citizens and permanent residents settling in Quebec can usually register online.
  • You must be in Quebec to register and give a Quebec mailing address.
  • Coverage usually begins after a maximum of 3 months. This does not apply to children under 18.
  • Some groups are exempt from the waiting period, including refugees.

Who is eligible for RAMQ?

Group What RAMQ states
Settled in Quebec Main residence in Quebec, present in Quebec at least 183 days per calendar year, and authorization to remain in Canada (for example citizen, permanent resident or refugee)
Temporarily staying in Quebec Not absent more than 21 consecutive days, and an authorization of stay such as an eligible work permit valid for more than 6 months, or a study or internship permit from a country with a social security agreement with Quebec
Generally ineligible Travellers staying 6 months or less, tourists, people with an authorization of stay under 6 months, and generally holders of open work permits (with some exceptions)

Ineligible people can still receive care but must pay for it. For a ruling on your own case, contact RAMQ.

What documents do you need?

RAMQ lists documents depending on your situation:

  • Proof of Canadian citizenship, such as a valid passport, birth certificate or certificate of Canadian citizenship.
  • Permanent Resident Card or Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
  • Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
  • If your country has a social security agreement with Quebec, a certificate of coverage. Get it before you leave for Quebec.

How do you register?

  1. Be in Quebec and have a Quebec mailing address.
  2. Register online. Each family member completes their own application; children use the Child application form, completed by a parent or legal guardian.
  3. For other family members, use the reference number emailed after the first member registers.
  4. Watch for the confirmation email, which states the processing time. Peak periods may take longer.
  5. RAMQ sends a letter of eligibility to your Quebec address, then your Health Insurance Card.

How long is the waiting period?

After registration, coverage usually begins after a maximum of 3 months. You have 12 months from registration to submit missing documents, or your eligibility start date will be delayed. Some people are exempt, including refugees, recipients of last-resort financial assistance and people arriving from a country with a social security agreement with Quebec. Certain services are free during the wait, including those related to pregnancy, violence or sexual assault, and infectious diseases that affect public health.

Plan private cover for the gap. Our first 90 days checklist shows where this fits in your settling-in plan.

Moving to Quebec from another province?

Canadian citizens or permanent residents working in Quebec for 12 months or less remain covered by their home province or territory. Stays longer than 12 months require registration in Quebec. Children born in Quebec are automatically eligible if their parents were eligible at the time of birth.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming an open work permit qualifies.
  • Arriving without the social security certificate of coverage when your country has an agreement.
  • Not arranging private insurance for the waiting period.
  • Forgetting that each family member needs their own application.

FAQ

Can I register before arriving?

No. RAMQ says you must be in Quebec to register.

Is the waiting period the same for children?

The three-month maximum does not apply to children under 18.

Is RAMQ the same as MSP?

No. MSP is British Columbia’s plan. See our BC MSP guide.

Key takeaways

  • Register as soon as you are in Quebec with a Quebec address.
  • Expect up to 3 months before coverage starts, unless exempt.
  • Keep private insurance until your card is active.

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check RAMQ before you act.

Sources

  • Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec: Newcomers, register for health insurance online
  • Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec: Know the eligibility conditions

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