International postdoctoral trainees and new permanent residents must apply for a health insurance card from the Régie de l’assurance-maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Please note that fees apply when this card is issued. For further information, contact

425 de Maisonneuve Blvd. West
3rd floor, bur. 300
Montreal, QC H3X 2T8
+1 (514) 864-3411
Website: https://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca/en/contact-us

A waiting period of up to three months is to be expected. International postdoctoral trainees and new permanent residents are strongly advised to take out basic medical insurance for the first three months of their stay, while waiting to obtain a health insurance card.

You can take out medical insurance in your home country before you arrive or take out private insurance in Canada. For more information, visit the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI) website.

Note that the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars offers the possibility of joining a group insurance plan.