IFHP Canada 2026 — Who Qualifies & What It Covers?

What Is the IFHP and Who Does It Cover?

Canada’s Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) provides free health coverage — including medical care, prescriptions, dental, and vision — to refugees, refugee claimants, and other IRCC-sponsored groups who are not yet eligible for provincial health plans. The program is funded and administered by the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Coverage starts the day IRCC determines you are eligible — no waiting period, no premium, no deductible.

The IFHP is not a program for regular international students. If you hold a study permit and are paying tuition at a Canadian university, IFHP almost certainly does not apply to you. But there are specific edge cases — students who file for refugee protection while in Canada, or people studying on humanitarian or compassionate grounds — where IFHP becomes relevant. This article explains exactly who qualifies, what the three coverage tiers include, and what to do if you are not eligible.

Who Is Eligible for IFHP Coverage?

IRCC defines eligibility precisely. You qualify for IFHP if you fall into one of these categories:

Eligible groups (as of 2026):

Convention refugees and protected persons — people who have been officially recognized as refugees by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)
Refugee claimants — people who have made a refugee claim inside Canada that has not yet been decided
Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs) — refugees selected abroad and sponsored by the Government of Canada
Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) refugees — sponsored jointly by the government and a private sponsor group
Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs) — sponsored by private groups or individuals in Canada, in specific circumstances
Victims of human trafficking — persons holding a temporary resident permit as victims of trafficking
Certain IRCC-sponsored detainees — persons held in immigration detention facilities in specific circumstances

Who is NOT eligible:

Regular international students on study permits
Temporary foreign workers on work permits
Visitors on tourist visas
Permanent residents (they qualify for provincial health plans directly)

Example: Maria is a student from Brazil studying at Concordia University in Montreal on a study permit. She does not qualify for IFHP. But if she files a refugee claim with the IRB — for example, because returning home poses a serious risk — she becomes eligible for IFHP from the date IRCC records her claim. Her provincial health insurance (RAMQ) does not cover refugee claimants during the waiting period, so IFHP fills that gap.

The Three IFHP Coverage Tiers: What Each One Includes

IFHP divides coverage into three types. The type you receive depends on your immigration status.

Coverage Type	Who Receives It	What It Covers
Type 1 — Comprehensive	GARs, BVORs, PSRs (limited period), certain detainees	Full medical + dental + vision + prescriptions + supplemental benefits
Type 2 — Supplemental	Convention refugees, protected persons, approved PSRs	Benefits that supplement provincial health coverage (dental, vision, prescriptions)
Type 3 — Prescription Drug Only	Refugee claimants in provinces with some coverage	Prescription drugs only

Type 1: Comprehensive Coverage

Type 1 is the most complete tier. Government-Assisted Refugees receive it for the first year after arrival. Coverage includes:

Hospital services (inpatient and outpatient)
Physician services (GP visits, specialist referrals)
Diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, MRI in urgent cases)
Prescription medications listed on the IFHP formulary
Dental services (emergency extractions, fillings, cleanings, dentures in some cases)
Vision care (eye exams, glasses every 24 months up to a set limit)
Mental health counselling (through approved providers)
Prenatal and maternity care
Vaccinations listed on the Canadian immunization schedule
Medical transportation in urgent situations

Example: Ahmed and his family arrive in Winnipeg as Government-Assisted Refugees in February 2026. They receive Type 1 IFHP coverage immediately. Ahmed’s daughter needs glasses — IFHP pays for the eye exam and up to CAD 200 toward frames and lenses. Ahmed himself sees a doctor for a respiratory issue the week after arrival. The entire visit is covered at no cost.

Type 2: Supplemental Coverage

Type 2 is designed to fill the gaps that provincial health plans leave open. Convention refugees and protected persons are enrolled in their provincial health plan once their status is confirmed. But provincial plans typically do not cover dental, vision, or most prescriptions. IFHP Type 2 fills exactly those gaps.

Type 2 covers:

Prescription drugs (from the IFHP drug formulary)
Dental care (preventive and basic restorative)
Vision care (eye exams, eyeglasses)
Supplemental mental health support
Medical devices (hearing aids, crutches, wheelchairs — subject to prior approval)

Type 2 does NOT duplicate what the provincial plan already covers. If your province pays for hospital stays and GP visits, IFHP Type 2 does not also pay for them. It only covers the benefits that fall outside the provincial plan.

Type 3: Prescription Drug Coverage Only

Type 3 provides the narrowest coverage. Refugee claimants in provinces that already offer some emergency coverage (such as Ontario’s Interim Medical Assistance or Quebec’s RAMQ emergency provisions) may receive Type 3. This tier covers only prescription medications from the IFHP formulary.

Practical note: IFHP does not maintain an open formulary. Not every drug is covered. If a physician prescribes a medication that is not on the IFHP list, the patient may need to pay out of pocket or request an exception through the pre-authorization process.

How Does IFHP Compare to Provincial Health Insurance and UHIP?

This is the most important question for anyone navigating Canada’s layered health system. The three main coverage sources for people studying or living in Canada are:

	IFHP	Provincial Health Plan	UHIP
Who funds it	Federal government	Provincial government	University / private insurer
Who it covers	Refugees, refugee claimants, certain IRCC-sponsored groups	Citizens, permanent residents, some visa holders (varies by province)	International students at participating universities (mainly Ontario)
Cost	Free	Free (for eligible residents)	~CAD 792/year (Ontario)
Medical care	Yes (Type 1 & 2)	Yes	Yes
Dental	Yes (all types, with limits)	No (most provinces)	Limited or no
Vision	Yes (all types, with limits)	No (most provinces)	Limited or no
Prescriptions	Yes (formulary-based)	No (most provinces)	Limited
Waiting period	None	Up to 3 months (province-dependent)	None

Key distinction: Provincial health plans cover people who are permanent residents or citizens (and in some provinces, like Alberta and Saskatchewan, international students on study permits). UHIP is a mandatory private insurance plan for international students in Ontario. IFHP exists for a completely different group — those in the refugee protection system — and the three systems do not usually overlap.

If you are an international student in Ontario, you pay for UHIP. If you become a refugee claimant while in Ontario, UHIP stops being your primary coverage and IFHP takes over. If the IRB grants you protected person status, you enroll in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) and IFHP Type 2 supplements it.

For a full breakdown of provincial rules and costs for regular international students, see our complete guide to student health insurance in Canada.

How Do You Access IFHP Benefits?

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check your IRCC correspondence. The letter confirming your refugee claim, your notice of decision from the IRB, or your resettlement documentation will state your immigration category. This determines your IFHP type.

You can also verify eligibility through the IRCC Client Portal at canada.ca. Your IFHP eligibility status is visible in your account once it has been processed.

Step 2: Get Your IFHP Card

Eligible persons receive an IFHP benefit card — either a physical card or a digital version accessible through the Medavie Blue Cross portal. Medavie Blue Cross is the private insurer that administers IFHP on behalf of IRCC.

Important: You must present this card at every appointment. If you see a provider before your card arrives, keep all receipts. You can submit a reimbursement claim through Medavie Blue Cross.

Step 3: Find an IFHP-Registered Provider

Not all doctors, dentists, and pharmacists accept IFHP. You must see an IFHP-registered provider to have costs covered directly. Use the provider search tool at the Medavie Blue Cross website (medaviebc.ca) to find:

Family physicians accepting IFHP patients
Dentists registered with the program
Pharmacies on the network
Mental health practitioners

Example: Fatima is a refugee claimant living in Toronto. She needs to see a dentist for a painful tooth. She uses the Medavie Blue Cross provider search, finds an IFHP-registered dental clinic in Scarborough, books an appointment, presents her IFHP card, and pays nothing. The dentist bills IFHP directly.

Step 4: Pre-Authorization for Certain Services

Some services require prior approval before IFHP will pay. These include:

Certain specialist referrals
Medical devices and equipment
Out-of-province care
Elective or non-urgent procedures

Ask the provider’s office to request pre-authorization before the appointment. Going without pre-authorization when it is required can result in the claim being denied.

When Does IFHP End?

IFHP coverage ends when your immigration status changes. Common end dates:

Refugee claim denied: Coverage ends when the claim is officially rejected and appeal deadlines pass
Permanent residency granted: You transition to your provincial health plan (there may be a short waiting period — IFHP may bridge this)
Government-Assisted Refugees: Type 1 comprehensive coverage typically ends after 12 months; Type 2 supplemental continues
Leaving Canada: Coverage ends when you leave the country

IRCC notifies Medavie Blue Cross when your status changes. Your card is automatically deactivated. If you need continued coverage, you must arrange provincial health insurance or private insurance before IFHP ends.

IFHP and International Students: The Edge Cases

Most international students on standard study permits have no connection to IFHP. But three situations can bring a student into contact with the program:

1. Filing a Refugee Claim While Studying

Some students experience changes in their home country that make return dangerous. If you file a refugee claim with the IRB while holding a study permit, your status shifts to refugee claimant. You become eligible for IFHP from the date IRCC records your claim. Your study permit may remain valid, and you may continue your studies while your claim is processed — but your health coverage now comes from IFHP, not UHIP or provincial insurance.

Processing times for refugee claims in Canada range from 8 months to over 2 years depending on the complexity. IFHP covers you throughout this period.

2. Students on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds

Some people study in Canada while their H&C application is pending. This is a different pathway from refugee protection, and H&C applicants are generally not eligible for IFHP unless they have also filed a separate refugee claim or meet another eligibility category. H&C applicants typically need to arrange their own private insurance.

3. Transition to Protected Person Status

If the IRB grants you protected person status while you are enrolled in university, you are eligible for IFHP Type 2 until your provincial health plan kicks in. This transition period is important: provincial plans in Ontario, British Columbia, and New Brunswick have waiting periods of up to 3 months. IFHP covers that gap automatically.

What to Do If You Are NOT Eligible for IFHP

The vast majority of international students do not qualify for IFHP. If that is your situation, here are your coverage options depending on which province you study in:

Ontario: UHIP (mandatory, ~CAD 792/year) covers medical and hospital care. Add supplemental insurance for dental and vision.
Alberta, Saskatchewan: Most international students on study permits qualify for the provincial plan after 3 months. Private insurance covers the waiting period.
British Columbia: International students on full-time study permits qualify for BC MSP after a 3-month wait. Private insurance for the gap.
Quebec: RAMQ covers some permit holders; others use university group plans or private insurance.
Other provinces: Most require private insurance. University group plans are common.

For detailed province-by-province costs and coverage rules, see our article on provincial health coverage gaps for international students in Canada.

Use our insurance comparison tool to compare private insurance options that cover Canada. Our insurance finder wizard asks 5 questions and recommends the right plan for your situation.

IFHP Mental Health Coverage

Mental health is often the coverage gap that surprises newcomers most. Mainstream provincial health plans cover psychiatry (a medical specialty) but rarely cover psychologists, social workers, or counsellors. IFHP addresses this directly.

IFHP covers:

Psychologist sessions (up to a set number per year, requires referral)
Social worker counselling in settlement contexts
Trauma-informed therapy for recognized refugees
Crisis intervention services

The number of sessions covered varies. IFHP does not provide unlimited mental health care, but it gives access to services that many newly arrived refugees would otherwise be unable to afford.

Practical step: Ask your settlement agency or refugee-serving organization for a list of IFHP-registered mental health providers in your city. Organizations like the Centre for Refugee Children, the Multicultural Health Brokers in Edmonton, or the Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture in Toronto can connect you with covered providers.

IFHP Dental and Vision Benefits

Dental and vision care are the two benefits that make IFHP significantly more comprehensive than standard provincial health plans.

Dental Coverage Under IFHP

Emergency extractions and pain relief: covered
Fillings (amalgam and composite): covered
Cleanings (scaling, prophylaxis): covered up to a frequency limit
Dentures (full and partial): covered with prior approval
Orthodontics: generally not covered for adults; children may qualify in specific circumstances
Implants: not covered

Vision Coverage Under IFHP

One complete eye examination every 24 months (adults) or 12 months (children under 18)
Eyeglasses: frames and lenses covered up to CAD 200 every 24 months for adults
Contact lenses: covered as an alternative to glasses under the same limits
Prescription sunglasses: not covered

Example: Omar, a protected person in Vancouver, needs reading glasses after his refugee claim is approved. He sees an IFHP-registered optometrist for a free eye exam. His frames and lenses cost CAD 180. IFHP pays the full amount. If he chose CAD 280 frames, he would pay the CAD 80 difference himself.

Frequently Asked Questions About IFHP

Can an international student on a study permit get IFHP coverage?

No — not simply by having a study permit. Study permit holders are not an eligible IFHP category. You must be a refugee claimant, a recognized refugee, a government-assisted refugee, or belong to another specific IRCC-sponsored group. If you become a refugee claimant while studying, your eligibility changes from the date of your claim, not retroactively.

Does IFHP cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes. IFHP does not exclude pre-existing conditions. If you have a chronic illness and become eligible for IFHP, treatment related to that condition is covered from the start of your eligibility — subject to the same formularies and provider networks as any other IFHP service.

How long does IFHP coverage last?

It depends on your category. Refugee claimants are covered until their claim is decided. Government-Assisted Refugees receive Type 1 comprehensive coverage for 12 months, then transition to Type 2 supplemental (alongside provincial insurance). Protected persons remain on IFHP Type 2 until their provincial plan is fully active. There is no fixed maximum duration — it follows your immigration status.

Can I use IFHP outside Canada?

No. IFHP covers health services delivered inside Canada only. If you travel outside Canada during your IFHP coverage period, you are not covered abroad. Purchase travel insurance for any trips outside the country.

What if my doctor is not registered with IFHP?

You can still see a non-registered provider, but IFHP will not pay the bill directly. You would pay out of pocket and submit a reimbursement claim to Medavie Blue Cross. Reimbursement is not guaranteed for all services and may be lower than the provider’s full fee. Where possible, use IFHP-registered providers to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

Does IFHP cover emergency room visits?

Yes. Emergency hospital care is covered under all IFHP coverage types. You should present your IFHP card at the emergency department. In a life-threatening situation, go to the nearest emergency room and sort out the billing details afterward — your safety comes first.

What happens to my IFHP coverage if my refugee claim is refused?

Coverage ends when the claim is officially rejected and all appeal options are exhausted. If you file an appeal with the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD), coverage typically continues during the appeal process. If the appeal is also rejected, coverage ends. At that point, if you remain in Canada, you would need to arrange private insurance or another legal status that provides coverage access.

Is IFHP the same as provincial health insurance?

No. They are completely separate systems. Provincial health plans (like OHIP in Ontario or BC MSP in British Columbia) are run by provincial governments and cover permanent residents, citizens, and some temporary residents. IFHP is a federal program specifically for people in the refugee and humanitarian protection system. In most cases, eligible persons use IFHP until they transition to a provincial plan — and then IFHP Type 2 supplements what the provincial plan does not cover.

Summary: IFHP at a Glance

Question	Answer
Who administers it	IRCC (federal) via Medavie Blue Cross
Cost to recipient	Free (no premiums, no deductibles)
Who qualifies	Refugees, refugee claimants, GARs, BVORs, some IRCC-sponsored groups
Do regular students qualify	No (unless they file a refugee claim)
Coverage types	Type 1 (full), Type 2 (supplemental), Type 3 (prescriptions only)
Dental covered	Yes
Vision covered	Yes
Mental health covered	Yes (limited sessions)
Pre-existing conditions	Covered
How to access	IFHP card via Medavie Blue Cross; see registered providers
How to find providers	medaviebc.ca provider search

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Our team of insurance experts helps international students understand health insurance requirements across 34 countries. We provide clear, accurate guidance to make your study abroad experience smoother.