Who is eligible and for how long

As an asylum claimant, you’ll get IFHP coverage if:

• you are waiting for a decision on whether your claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
• your claim for refugee protection has been referred to the IRB and you are now awaiting a final decision from the IRB on your claim
• your claim for refugee protection has been rejected by the IRB
• your claim for refugee protection is ineligible to be referred to the IRB but you are eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA)
• you received a positive decision on your PRRA and received a stay of removal

How long your coverage will last

Your coverage will start once you receive an Acknowledgment of Claim (AOC), Refugee Protection Identity Document (RPID) or, Refugee Protection Claimant Document(RPCD).

You’ll remain eligible for IFHP coverage until:

• you qualify for health insurance from your province or territory, or
• you leave Canada

You’ll lose your IFHP coverage if you:

• withdraw or abandon your claim, or
• The Immigration Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) finds you abandoned your asylum claim, or
• Your asylum claim isn’t eligible to be referred to the IRB and you aren’t eligible to apply for a PRRA

You’re part of this group if you:

• receive a positive decision on your asylum claim
• receive a positive decision on your pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) and become a protected person in Canada

How long your coverage will last

Your coverage will last:

• for 90 days after you get a positive decision on your asylum claim or PRRA application or
• until you qualify for health insurance from your province or territory

You’re part of this group if you’re a:

• government-assisted refugee
• blended visa office-referred refugee
• joint assistance sponsorship refugee
• privately sponsored refugee
• refugee being resettled under another initiative, or through a cost-sharing arrangement with IRCC

How long your coverage will last

• Basic coverage will last until you qualify for health insurance from your province or territory.
• Supplemental benefits and prescription medications are covered until you are no longer receiving
  • income support from the Resettlement Assistance Program (or its equivalent in Quebec), and/or
  • financial assistance through private sponsorship

You can qualify for IFHP coverage if you’ve received a temporary resident permit (TRP) as a victim of human trafficking.

Criteria for victims of human trafficking

How long your coverage will last

Your coverage will last until your TRP expires.

You can qualify for IFHP coverage if you’ve received a temporary resident permit (TRP) as a victim of family violence.

What counts as family violence

How long your coverage will last

Your coverage will last until your TRP expires.

You qualify as part of this group if you’re detained under the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

How long your coverage will last

Coverage will last

• while you’re detained or in the custody of the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA)
• until you are released from detention

Eligibility and duration may vary according to the public policy you are eligible for.

Eligibility and duration will vary, as they are assessed on a case-by-case basis, through the exercise of discretion of the Minister.