How to Apply

Last updated on April 5, 2023

MSP for Individuals Arriving from Ukraine

Date of arrival coverage is available for returning Canadians, Permanent Residents, Work Permit holders, and individuals who have arrived through the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). This means you will not have to serve a wait period.

To be eligible you must:

  • Hold a CUAET Temporary Resident Visa/Visitor Visa, a CUEAT Work Permit, Permanent Resident document or Canadian Citizenship
  • Make your new home in B.C.
  • Be physically in B.C. for at least six months in a calendar year

All applicants must provide a copy of their CUAET Temporary Resident Visa/Visitor Visa and/or Work Permit, Permanent Resident document, or Canadian Citizenship with their MSP application.

If you are waiting for your permanent address in B.C., please use the address of the community member, center or program assisting with your arrival. This is the address that your B.C. Services Card will be mailed to. Once a more permanent address is established, you will need to update your MSP account online.

If you have arrived with a CUAET Temporary Resident Visa/Visitor Visa and/or Work Permit, a non photo B.C. Services Card with your Personal Health Number will be mailed to you once your application is processed. A valid B.C. Services Card must be shown when accessing publicly funded health services. If you leave B.C. permanently before the expiry of your CUAET Permit, you must inform Health Insurance B.C.

All B.C. residents must enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP). See B.C. Services Card section below for more information on completing MSP enrolment and receiving your Personal Health Number (PHN).

If you are new to Canada, apply for MSP as soon as you arrive. Your coverage may start three months after your arrival date in British Columbia. You should get private health care insurance while you wait.

If you are moving from another province, you should arrange for coverage with your former medical plan during the wait period. If your family is not here yet, they need to keep their existing provincial health care. Once they arrive, you can apply to add them to your plan. The wait period for each family member will begin on their individual arrival date.

Coverage Wait Period: New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. may be eligible for coverage after completing a wait period that consists of the balance of the month in which residence is established, plus two months. For more information, visit Coverage Wait Period.

If your MSP coverage will be under a group plan through your employer, union or pension plan, please contact your group administrator for more information on applying.

If you already have MSP coverage and received a letter notifying you to renew your B.C. Services Card, you do not have to submit a new Application for MSP Enrolment; you only need to renew your B.C. Services Card.  Follow the instructions on the letter to renew your card.

B.C. Services Card

To complete MSP enrolment and obtain a B.C. Services Card adult family members will need to follow the steps below.

  • Most adults 18 years and six months of age and older need to visit a BC driver licensing office. To ensure the best possible service, book an appointment at your desired driver licensing office. Otherwise, check for available walk-in hours. For more information, visit icbc.com/appointment
  • At the ICBC driver licensing office, you will need to:
    • Provide primary and secondary identification documents (visit icbc.com/acceptedID for more information);
    • Declare that you are a B.C. resident; and
    • Have your photo taken.

The B.C. Services Card provides eligible B.C. residents with access to provincial health care benefits. Your Personal Health Number (PHN) will be printed on your card. Individuals under 18 years and six months of age and temporary document holders will automatically receive a Non-Photo B.C. Services Card in the mail from HIBC. If you have questions about the B.C. Services Card, please visit gov.bc.ca/bcservicescard.

BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage

You can apply for MSP coverage, Supplementary Benefits and Fair PharmaCare using the B.C. Application for Health and Drug Coverage. You can apply online or by submitting a paper form.

Once your enrolment in MSP is complete, your applications for Supplementary Benefits and Fair PharmaCare will be processed.

Go to BC Application for Health and Drug Coverage