Hello,

The WHP Canada website advises Australians to have full comprehensive coverage for the entire 24 month duration of the visa. However, I have called the Ministry of Health in Canada and they have confirmed that I will be eligible for Provincial Health care (OHIP) after a 3 month waiting period following my arrival in Canada. I would Just get a 6 month private insurance to make sure I had health insurance before my OHIP came into effect, but I am worried to do so wince the WHP Canada website states

"Note that the Port of Entry Officer has the disretion to grant a shorter work permit validity which coincides with the insurance coverage. If you receive a shorter work permit validity because your insurance coverage is less than 24 months, but you decide later on that you wish to stay in Canada longer, the work permit cannot be extended even if you obtain an insurance coverage extension. Instead, you will need to re-apply through the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney Australia, meet the criteria at the time of the new application, submit the required documentation and pay another fee."

My question is, what is the likelihood that a border official would reduce my working holiday visa to 6 months if that was all the private insurance covered me for? Would they not do so if I explained to them my intent to apply for OHIP? Any help would be extremely grateful since it is a big difference to purchase 6 month vs. 24 month private coverage!

From the information that you supply, it does not sound like the health coverage is a requirement of eligibility, but rather a recommendation by the Canadian government for your benefit. If so, then this should not be a factor in determining your admissibility at the port of entry.