IEC Young Professionals and Health Insurance

[Chiolope]

Hello,

I am from Germany and I got a working visa through the IEC program. I will move to Quebec and work there for a year.
One requirement I have to fullfil is a health insurance.

Here in Germany a health insurance is covered by taxes of the salary by a health insurance from the government
(besides that you can switch to a private insurance company). This seems to be different in Canada, is this correct?
So even I have a contract from an employer I need to get a coverage by my own from a company?

Which insurance company would you recommend to go with?

Thanks!

 

[rezafc]

Hey,

It's no different in Canada, once you obtain a permanent residency status you are covered by the government (depending on your salary you might end up paying a little every month), if you want to do a private health insurance then by all means you can do so. Some restrictions apply to government insurance (I'm sure they apply everywhere) for instance dental insurance and such.

Now getting back to your main question, it really all depends when you are a foreign worker. Some companies are willing to take care of your insurance and some companies simply don't. Some companies cut it out of your paycheque some companies don't. But there are loads of private insurance sectors all across Canada, you can insure yourself as little as $1 a day (or something along those lines) with some private companies.

I can't recommend to you any insurance company since I have never dealt with them. But a google search is rewardable.

Also please bare in mind that I reside in BC and I don't know much abour Quebec rules. But as a rule of thumb once you are a PR in Canada you are insured.

I will await more senior's opinions on this if I were you.

Best of luck,

P.S. If you ever decide to apply for a PR, don't miss a day of work. Start from day one and finish at the last day. You will be eligible for CEC stream.

 

[Bs65]

Hello,

I am from Germany and I got a working visa through the IEC program. I will move to Quebec and work there for a year.
One requirement I have to fullfil is a health insurance.

Here in Germany a health insurance is covered by taxes of the salary by a health insurance from the government
(besides that you can switch to a private insurance company). This seems to be different in Canada, is this correct?
So even I have a contract from an employer I need to get a coverage by my own from a company?

Which insurance company would you recommend to go with?

Thanks!

be sure though when you land to have travel insurance as this is a requirement to get full IEC permit term http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/arrival.asp CBSA officer will likely ask to see it

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

be sure though when you land to have travel insurance as this is a requirement to get full IEC permit term http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/arrival.asp CBSA officer will likely ask to see it

Agreed!

You need a private insurance company, it's something like a Travel Insurance for a year, be sure coverage meet CIC requirements.

If your insurance is for a shorter period your WP will be issued for the same time, being able to extend it later but I strongly recommend to buy 1 year insurance since your date of arrival.



Just FYI, health insurance in Canada depends on Provincial Government, with different rules.

In Alberta, Citizens, PR and temporary workers are allowed for Health Insurance since firts day, even IEC, if they are coming to establish in AB.

I don't know about Quebec, you should ask once you're out there