---
title: "Health card renewal and replacement in Quebec"
url: "https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/quebec"
description: "Apply for or renew your health card in Quebec: handled by Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Compare all 13 provinces and territories."
site: "Canada Service Map"
author: "Mahmoud Halat"
publisher: "Space & Story"
lastReviewed: "2026-10-13"
licence: "Built entirely from public data: open data and official government pages. Each record keeps the licence of its source, listed at https://canadaservicemap.ca/data."
---
# Health card renewal and replacement in Quebec

Quebec · Health

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked 13 October 2026. Not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

## Short answer

In Québec, the health insurance card comes from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). Register as soon as you arrive. As a general rule, newcomers are not covered for the first three months, so private insurance is strongly recommended for that time. People from countries with a social security agreement may be covered right away. Every family member needs their own card.

Who handles it: [Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/bodies/regie-de-lassurance-maladie-du-quebec). Handles it in Quebec.

RAMQ mails a renewal notice about 3 months before your card expires.

## Official links

- [About health insurance](https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/insurance-schemes/health-insurance-prescription-drug-insurance), checked 12 October 2026

## Who can apply

- Québec residents are eligible for the public health insurance plan, but you must register with RAMQ and get a health insurance card when you arrive. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/settle-and-integrate-in-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.
- Québec has social security agreements with some countries. If you come from one of them and show proof of coverage in that country's health plan, you could be covered on arrival without the three-month wait. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/settle-and-integrate-in-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.
- Temporary foreign workers generally need a work permit for more than six months. Their card is valid only as long as the work permit and must be renewed if the permit is extended. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/work-quebec/temporary-workers/temporary-foreign-worker-program/after-authorizations), checked 13 October 2026.
- To stay eligible, you must be present in Québec for 183 days or more. Tell RAMQ before any trip or stay outside Québec that would break this rule. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/stays-outside-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.

## Steps

1. When you become a permanent resident, apply to RAMQ for a new health insurance card and submit documents that support your new status. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/skilled-worker-selection-program/after-selection-certificate), checked 13 October 2026.
2. To renew, if you are 14 or older and your photo is already on your card, fill in and sign the renewal notice and mail it to RAMQ. No visit or new photo is needed. Source: [saaq.gouv.qc.ca](https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/renewing-drivers-licence), checked 13 October 2026.
3. If you are outside Québec when your card is due for renewal, fill in and sign the renewal notice, write your expected return date, and mail it to RAMQ. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/stays-outside-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.

## What you need

- Each person in your family must have their own health insurance card. Carry it with you and never lend it. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/settle-and-integrate-in-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.
- If your photo is not on your card, renew at an SAAQ service outlet (by appointment) or a CLSC. Bring the completed renewal notice and two pieces of ID, one with a photo. Source: [saaq.gouv.qc.ca](https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/renewing-drivers-licence), checked 13 October 2026.

## How long it takes

- There is a waiting period. As a general rule, the plan does not cover your medical care for the first three months after you arrive in Québec. Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/settle-and-integrate-in-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.

## In every province and territory

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

| Province or territory | Who handles it | Official link | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| [British Columbia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/british-columbia) | Health Insurance BC (Medical Services Plan) | [Apply for MSP](https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/apply-for-msp), checked 12 October 2026 | Enrol in MSP first; adults then get the photo BC Services Card at an ICBC driver licensing office. |
| [Alberta](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/alberta) | Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (Government of Alberta) | [Apply for AHCIP coverage](https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-apply), checked 12 October 2026 | Apply free at a participating registry agent or by mail to the AHCIP office. |
| [Saskatchewan](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/saskatchewan) | eHealth Saskatchewan | [Apply for a health card](https://www.ehealthsask.ca/residents/health-cards/apply-for-a-health-card), checked 12 October 2026 |  |
| [Manitoba](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/manitoba) | Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care | [Register for a health card](https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/registration.html), checked 12 October 2026 |  |
| [Ontario](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/ontario) | ServiceOntario (Ministry of Health, OHIP) | [Apply for OHIP](https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card), checked 12 October 2026 | First-time applicants 16 and over must apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre. |
| Quebec (this page) | Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) | [About health insurance](https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/insurance-schemes/health-insurance-prescription-drug-insurance), checked 12 October 2026 | RAMQ mails a renewal notice about 3 months before your card expires. |
| [New Brunswick](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/new-brunswick) | New Brunswick Medicare (Department of Health), through Service New Brunswick | [Apply for Medicare coverage](https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/health/DrugPlans/content/medicare/ApplyingforaCard.html), checked 12 October 2026 | Renewals and changes cannot be done online; call 1-888-762-8600 or visit a Service New Brunswick centre. |
| [Nova Scotia](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/nova-scotia) | MSI Resident Services (Department of Health and Wellness) | [Apply for a Health Card](https://www.novascotia.ca/apply-health-card), checked 12 October 2026 | There is no in-person counter; apply online, by mail or fax, or use the MSI drop box. |
| [Prince Edward Island](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/prince-edward-island) | PEI Medicare (Health PEI) | [Renew a PEI health card](https://services.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/renew-pei-health-cards), checked 12 October 2026 |  |
| [Newfoundland and Labrador](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/newfoundland-and-labrador) | Medical Care Plan (MCP), Department of Health and Community Services | [Apply, renew or replace](https://www.gov.nl.ca/hcs/mcp/), checked 12 October 2026 | New applications use a paper form; some Canadian citizens can renew online through MyGovNL. |
| [Yukon](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/yukon) | Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (Government of Yukon) | None on record | Cards are replaced automatically when they expire; keep your address up to date. |
| [Northwest Territories](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/northwest-territories) | Health Services Administration Office (Department of Health and Social Services) | [Apply for health care coverage](https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/applying-health-care), checked 12 October 2026 |  |
| [Nunavut](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card/nunavut) | Health Insurance Programs Office (Nunavut Department of Health) | [Apply or replace a card](https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/health/applying-health-care), checked 12 October 2026 | No fee; email or mail the form to the Health Insurance Programs Office in Rankin Inlet. |

## Questions people ask

### Is there a waiting period for RAMQ health insurance?

Yes, as a general rule. Health insurance does not cover your medical care for the first three months after you arrive in Québec. Some people, such as those from countries with a social security agreement, may be covered on arrival.

Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/settle-and-integrate-in-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.

### How long can I be away from Québec and keep my health insurance?

You must be present in Québec at least 183 days to stay eligible. Contact RAMQ before a trip that would break this rule to check whether your coverage will continue.

Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/stays-outside-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.

### Where do I renew my Québec health card if I need a new photo?

Go to an SAAQ service outlet, with an appointment, or a local CLSC. Bring the renewal notice RAMQ sent you and two pieces of ID, one with a photo.

Source: [saaq.gouv.qc.ca](https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/renewing-drivers-licence), checked 13 October 2026.

### Does my Québec health card work when I travel?

Yes, covered services can be received outside Québec with a valid card, but RAMQ usually pays back only part of the cost. Québec recommends private travel insurance.

Source: [quebec.ca](https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/health-system-and-services/stays-outside-quebec), checked 13 October 2026.

## More

- [Apply for or renew your health card in every province and territory](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/health-card)
- [Public services in Quebec](https://canadaservicemap.ca/provinces/quebec)
- [Go to an emergency room](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/emergency-room)
- [See a doctor without an appointment](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/walk-in-clinic)
- [Canadian Dental Care Plan](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/dental-care)
- [Get help in a mental health crisis (call or text 988)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/mental-health-crisis)
- [First Nations and Inuit health benefits (NIHB)](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/first-nations-health-benefits)
- [Check product, food and vehicle recalls](https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/product-recalls)

## Cite this page

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