Update on Alberta Health Care eligibility for International Experience Canada (IEC) and Co-Op Work Permit holders

Written By Bow Valley Immigration Partnership

Published Thursday, January 22nd, 2026

This resource has been prepared by Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP) for information only. It is based on Alberta Registries Notice 120 dated January 7, 2026, and local operational guidance. It is not an official government document, legal advice, or a policy statement. For official information from Alberta Health, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip.

There have been some recent changes to who can receive Alberta Health Care coverage. This impacts many international workers in the Bow Valley.

Click here for a printable version of this information
 

What has changed for Alberta Health Care coverage eligibility?

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is the public health plan in Alberta. It helps pay for most medically needed health services.

On January 7th, 2026, Alberta Health issued Notice 120 to all Alberta Registries, including the Banff Registry, about changes to who can get Alberta Health Care Coverage.

  • These changes impact International Experience Canada (IEC) participants including Working Holiday and Young Professionals categories. This means anyone with “Case Type: 58” on their work permits can no longer apply for Alberta Health Care coverage.

  • These changes also impact Co-Op Work Permit Holders, or anyone with “Case Type: 59” on their work permits.

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states that IEC work permit holders must have their own health insurance. This is a requirement to enter Canada.

  • We understand this applies to new applications made on or after January 7th, 2026. We expect IEC work permit holders who already have Alberta Health care coverage to remain covered until work permits expire, but this has not been publicly confirmed. 

There is no public information yet. Local organizations including Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP) and the local Foreign Worker Support Office are trying to get official information from IRCC and the Government of Alberta. We will share updates when we know more.

Who does this impact, and what do you need to know?

International Experience Canada (IEC) Work Permit Holders

Permit type: Working Holiday or Young Professionals. “Case Type 58”.

Alberta Health Care coverage changes:

  • From January 7th, 2026, new applications for Alberta Health Care coverage will be denied. IEC Work Permit Holders are not eligible for Alberta Health Care coverage.

What employees need to know:

  • Purchase or maintain private health insurance. 

  • Even if you already have Alberta Health Care coverage, do not cancel your private health insurance until AHCIP confirms your eligibility and status in writing. 

  • Keep proof of any past enrollment in AHCIP.

  • Employees may wish to add the ‘High Risk Sport Coverage’ to their travel insurance for additional optional coverage.

  • Dependents of IEC Work Permit Holders are also ineligible for Alberta Health Care coverage. You will need to purchase and keep your own health coverage.

Co‑op Work Permit Holders 

Permit type: “Case Type 59” 

Alberta Health Care coverage changes:

  • If your work permit starts with S, you likely hold both a study and a work permit.

  • Eligibility is based on the study permit, not the work permit. Registries will need both permits when you apply for Alberta Health Care coverage.

What employees need to know

  • You can still apply for Alberta Health Care coverage. Bring both your work and study permits to the registry. The study permit must be valid and show full‑time study in Alberta.

  • If your study permit does not clearly show full‑time status, bring a letter from your Alberta educational institution confirming full‑time enrollment.

What should Work Permit holders do now?

  • Check your work permit

    • Find the case type on your work permit to see if these changes impact you. International Experience Canada (Working Holiday or Young Professionals) is case type 58. Co‑op Work Permit is case type 59.

  • Avoid a health care coverage gap - keep your private health insurance.

    • Keep your private health insurance active. If you are an IEC Work Permit holder, you needed to have proof of private health insurance when you arrived in Canada. Make sure you keep your health care coverage and do not cancel that insurance.

  • If you already have Alberta Health Care coverage

    • If you applied after December 15, 2025, your Alberta Health Care eligibility might be cancelled.

    • Do not cancel private insurance until you confirm your Alberta Health Care coverage status in writing from AHCIP or a registry office.

    • As far as we know, these changes only impact NEW applications for Alberta Health care coverage from January 7th, 2026.

    • If your Alberta Health care application was approved before this date, you should still have provincial health care coverage while your work permit is still valid, and your Alberta Health Care card is valid.

  • Co‑op Work Permit Holders

    • Bring your study permit, work permit, proof of full‑time enrollment, passport, and Alberta address documents.

  • If you apply at a registry and are refused

    • Ask the staff to note the reason and the date. Keep written notes or emails. 

    • If you hear of other changes or see inconsistent decisions at registries, please email details to Foreign Workers Support Office at tfw@banff.ca 

  • Access free local supports - Foreign Worker Support Office

    • This free service provides support to foreign workers in the Bow Valley. We serve as your bridge between employment, community and Canadian society. This service is provided in partnership with Calgary Catholic Immigration Services (CCIS) and the Town of Banff.

Learn more: https://banff.ca/860/Foreign-Worker-Support or follow ‘Foreign Workers Bow Valley’ on Facebook.

Guidance for Local Employers

Update onboarding and orientation

  • Advise new hires impacted by the above changes that they must have private health insurance (as required upon entry to Canada), and that they will not be eligible for Alberta Health Care for the foreseeable future.

  • Communicate clearly with current staff impacted by these changes

    • Share this information memo to employees on IEC work permits and Co-Op Work Permits. Encourage them to get or keep private health insurance coverage.

    • Remind Co‑op Work Permit holders staff to bring both permits and a full‑time enrollment letter to the registry when applying for Alberta Health

  • Track cases

    • Keep a simple log of employees who were refused Alberta Health Care coverage, including date, registry location, case type, and reason. This helps escalate systemic issues and will support local advocacy efforts.

  • Group benefits coordination

    • Check if your group benefits require provincial coverage. If yes, you may arrange alternate coverage for impacted staff who are not eligible for Alberta Health Care.

  • Reporting and support

    • If you hear of other changes or see inconsistent decisions at registries, please email details to Foreign Workers Support Office at tfw@banff.ca 

What free local supports are available for people without Alberta Health Care coverage?

We know this change may cause stress and uncertainty. Support is available for all residents, even if you do not have Alberta Health Care coverage.

  • Mental Health support is available for all residents at the free Walk-In Mental Health Clinics even without Alberta Health care coverage. 

  • Contacting any of these services will not affect your immigration status in Canada.

  • All services are confidential. Everything you say is private, unless there is a risk of harm to yourself or someone else.

FREE Walk-In Mental Health Clinics

In person. No appointment needed. No Alberta Health Care coverage needed.

Visit when you are in crisis, need someone to talk to, or need emotional support.

  • Banff Mineral Springs Hospital

    • 305 Lynx St, Banff. 

    • Available in person every day from 2PM-9PM

  • Canmore General Hospital

    • 1100 Hospital Pl, Canmore, AB T1W 1N2.

    • Available in person every day from 2PM-9PM

  • Languages: You can ask for language support. Staff speak English and can access interpreters in over 240 languages.

FREE Phone and Online Support

No Alberta Health Care coverage needed. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Bow Valley See The Signs (local online mental health directory)

  • Local online directory with tools and resources to support your mental health. 

  • Available in English, Chinese (simplified), French, Hindi, Japanese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Ukrainian.

  • Visit the website: https://www.seethesigns.ca/

Community Social Worker

The Bow Valley Primary Care Network (PCN) has a local Community Social Worker. They can help you with resources, navigating systems, filling out forms, and more.

  • The Community Social Worker can help you with:

    • Meeting basic needs (housing, food, clothing, transportation, and more)

    • Financial supports

    • Community and social supports

    • Finding medical coverage

    • Advanced care planning

    • Administering Cognitive Assessments

  • You can access the Community Social Worker by getting a referral from: 

    • Your primary care provider 

    • Going to walk-in hours at Alpine Medical or Ridgeview Clinic

    • Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) through Town of Banff or Town of Canmore

    • Family Connection Centre or Family Resource Network

    • Bow Valley Palliative

    • Bow Valley Addiction & Mental Health (Recovery Alberta)

    • Settlement Services in the Bow Valley

    • YWCA Banff

    • Diabetes Clinic

  • To learn more, phone: 403-675-3000 or visit: https://bowvalleypcn.ca/

Discounted self-pay rates for residents without Alberta Health Care coverage

Alpine Medical Clinic

  • Location: 211 Bear St #201A, Banff (front door is next to Three Bears Restaurant)

  • Phone: 403 762 3155 or Email: alpinemedclinic@gmail.com

  • Message: 

    • “Alpine Medical Clinic offers a discounted self-pay rate for patients who can confirm they are living and working locally. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Please speak with our front desk team if you have any questions. 

    • Accepted proof of eligibility includes:

      • Payslip from a Bow Valley employer

      • Alberta government-issued ID

      • Rental or lease agreement

      • Staff accommodation agreement

    • If documentation is not available, standard private fees will apply.”

Bear Street Family Physicians

  • Location: 220 Bear St #302, Banff (upstairs in Bear Street Mall)

  • Phone: (403) 762-4846 or visit their website: https://www.mtndocs.ca/

  • Message: 

    • “Bear Street Family Physicians is pleased to offer a discounted rate for uninsured locals. The clinic is also accepting new patients. Please speak to the friendly team if you have any questions.”

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is IEC?

    • International Experience Canada is a federal immigration program for people from certain countries to work in Canada. Working Holiday and Young Professionals are two IEC categories, both coded as Case Type 58.

  2. For Co-Op Work Permits, where do I see if I have both study and work permits?

    • Co‑Op Work permits that start with S often indicate a combined work and study permit situation. When you apply for Alberta Health Care at the Registry, bring both permits.

  3. I already have Alberta Health Care. Will I lose it?

    • We expect existing coverage to continue until your current work permit expires, or your Alberta Health Care card expires.

    • If you are uncertain about if this will impact you, keep your private health insurance. We do not know when Alberta Health will have more information about these changes.

  4. I currently have Alberta Health Care but need to renew my work permit for repeat participation. Will I be eligible for Alberta Health Care?

    • No. If you apply after January 7th, 2026, you will not be eligible for Alberta Health Care coverage.

  5. Is my child eligible for Alberta Health Care?

    • If a parent is not eligible, the dependent is also not eligible. Purchase or keep your private health insurance.

  6. IEC Work Permit holders used to be eligible for Alberta Health Care coverage. Why did this change?

  7. Are any other work permit holders impacted by these changes?

    • According to Alberta Health Notice 120 issued on January 7th, 2026, to registries across Alberta, there were four work permit types impacted:

    • Case Type 58 – International Experience Canada (IEC) Working Holiday & Young Professionals work permit holders: no longer eligible for Alberta Health Care coverage

    • Case Type 59 – Co-op Work Permit (Case Type 59) - need to show full-time study at an Alberta educational institution.

    • Case 86 – Others – permits must have at least 12 months on their visas

    • Class 98 – Seasonal Worker (Mexico and the Caribbean) – no longer eligible 

    • At this point in time, no other work permit holders are impacted.

    • For official updates from Alberta Health, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-temporary-residents 

  8. I applied for Alberta Health Care and was denied. How can I appeal this decision?

    • If you are denied coverage, you may request to have your application and documents reviewed. As part of the eligibility review, your application along with any new supporting documents you submit will be considered.

    • To learn more, please visit the Alberta Health website: https://www.alberta.ca/ahcip-eligibility#jumplinks-3 

Bow Valley Immigration Partnership https://www.bvipartnership.com
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