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British Columbia · Health

Health card renewal and replacement in British Columbia

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

In British Columbia you first enrol in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) with Health Insurance BC, online, by mail or at a Service BC location. Adults who are citizens or permanent residents then visit an ICBC driver licensing office with two pieces of ID to get a free Photo BC Services Card. New residents usually wait about three months for coverage.

Who handles it

Health Insurance BC (Medical Services Plan)

Handles it in British Columbia.

Enrol in MSP first; adults then get the photo BC Services Card at an ICBC driver licensing office.

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Who can apply

  • Everyone who lives in B.C. has to enrol in the Medical Services Plan to get provincial health care benefits.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Steps

  1. You can enrol in MSP online, by mailing the paper form HLTH 101 to Health Insurance BC, or in person.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  2. To finish enrolment, adult citizens and permanent residents go to an ICBC driver licensing office, show two pieces of ID (one primary), confirm they live in B.C. and have a photo taken.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  3. Renewing your BC Services Card also renews your MSP enrolment. You can renew before the card expires or after it has expired.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  4. If a photo card or combined licence card is lost or stolen, report it to ICBC driver licensing by phone, then get a new card at an ICBC office.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

What you need

  • For an online application, upload a clear photo or scan of ID showing the name, date of birth and citizenship or immigration status of each person applying, such as a birth certificate, passport, PR card or a work or study permit.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Cost

  • The BC Services Card costs nothing. If you combine it with your driver's licence, the normal licence fees apply.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

How long it takes

  • New residents wait for the rest of the month they arrive in, plus two more months, before coverage can start.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Where to go

  • In-person MSP applications are taken at any Service BC location.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Good to know

  • Children and youth under 18 and a half are mailed a Non-Photo BC Services Card automatically and do not need to visit ICBC.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Questions people ask

Can I apply for MSP online in B.C.?

Yes. Health Insurance BC says applying online is the easiest and fastest way, and it takes about 15 minutes. You need images of ID for everyone on the application.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

How long does it take for MSP coverage to start after moving to B.C.?

There is a wait period of the rest of your arrival month plus two months. Newcomers to Canada are told coverage may start three months after arriving and to buy private insurance while they wait.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

How much does a BC Services Card cost?

It is free. Only if you combine it with your driver's licence do the regular licence fees apply.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

What ID do I bring to ICBC for a Photo BC Services Card?

Bring two pieces of ID, and one of them must be a primary ID. Staff will also ask you to declare that you live in B.C. and will take your photo.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

How do I replace a lost non-photo BC Services Card?

Call Health Insurance BC as soon as you can to report the missing card. Photo cards are reported to ICBC instead.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

In every province and territory

The same service across Canada: who handles it and the official link. British Columbia is marked.

Province or territoryWho handles itOfficial linkGood to know
British ColumbiaThis pageHealth Insurance BC (Medical Services Plan)Apply for MSPchecked Enrol in MSP first; adults then get the photo BC Services Card at an ICBC driver licensing office.
AlbertaAlberta Health Care Insurance Plan (Government of Alberta)Apply for AHCIP coveragechecked Apply free at a participating registry agent or by mail to the AHCIP office.
SaskatchewaneHealth SaskatchewanApply for a health cardchecked
ManitobaManitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term CareRegister for a health cardchecked
OntarioServiceOntario (Ministry of Health, OHIP)Apply for OHIPchecked First-time applicants 16 and over must apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre.
QuebecRégie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)About health insurancechecked RAMQ mails a renewal notice about 3 months before your card expires.
New BrunswickNew Brunswick Medicare (Department of Health), through Service New BrunswickApply for Medicare coveragechecked Renewals and changes cannot be done online; call 1-888-762-8600 or visit a Service New Brunswick centre.
Nova ScotiaMSI Resident Services (Department of Health and Wellness)Apply for a Health Cardchecked There is no in-person counter; apply online, by mail or fax, or use the MSI drop box.
Prince Edward IslandPEI Medicare (Health PEI)Renew a PEI health cardchecked
Newfoundland and LabradorMedical Care Plan (MCP), Department of Health and Community ServicesApply, renew or replacechecked New applications use a paper form; some Canadian citizens can renew online through MyGovNL.
YukonYukon Health Care Insurance Plan (Government of Yukon)None on recordCards are replaced automatically when they expire; keep your address up to date.
Northwest TerritoriesHealth Services Administration Office (Department of Health and Social Services)Apply for health care coveragechecked
NunavutHealth Insurance Programs Office (Nunavut Department of Health)Apply or replace a cardchecked No fee; email or mail the form to the Health Insurance Programs Office in Rankin Inlet.

Where to go in person

Places in the biggest cities, from open data. Check the official link for hours and what each office offers before you go.

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Health card renewal and replacement in British Columbia", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/british-columbia