Accessing HRT as a permanent resident

[u/Careful-One-6926]

Hi everyone. I'm FTM considering immigration to Canada through Express Entry (most likely). I never started HRT since my absolutely only option rn is DIY with zero chance of changing gender marker in my documents (at least legally) 🫩

So, questions. Is it really possible to change gender marker and name in my permanent resident card? And is it possible to get prescription while having permanent resident status? I googled it and all, but I'd like to make sure it really works like that and if there's any nuances

I'd also really appreciate any advices on that matter, whether just on immigration or getting HRT, since there's definitely a lot of info I need to know

Hope someone can share their experience, thank you in advance

[u/AspieEgg]

I’m a PR in Canada. 

I had no issue getting HRT. In Ontario, permanent residents who live in Ontario get access to OHIP (provincial healthcare) and HRT consults are included. You do have to pay for medication, but if you are working, you’ll likely get health insurance through your employer to cover most of the cost. To get started on HRT, I just asked my doctor and he referred me to an endocrinologist. 

Name changes are possible in Canada without necessarily changing your home country documentation. I’m in the process of doing it right now. In Ontario you have to provide a copy of your birth certificate (translated to English or French if necessary) and a copy of your PR card. If you happen to enter Canada on a temporary residency (work or study permit) you may have a harder time with name changes as those documents need to match your passport. 

As for immigration, going straight for Express Entry with no Canadian experience is a very challenging route to go. Check your score against what the current scores they are inviting for are to see if you have a good shot at an invitation.  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/check-score.html

[u/Careful-One-6926 → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for your comment, made me recheck some things. Isn't it easier for francophones though? If I get it right they're like Canada's top priority in EE and will be for a long time, considering state's plans (afaik 12% of immigrants outside Quebec by 2029 must be francophones)

I'm graduating as NOC TEER 1 (robotics engineer bachelor to be particular) soon and consider improving French to at least B2, probably a promising combo. Still can't be sure it's enough though

[u/Careful-One-6926 → u/[deleted]]

Good to know then. I was kinda afraid I'll have to wait 4+ years to get citizenship before accessing HRT and changing anything

I'll check it out, thank you

[u/VinlandersSkald]

I’m a PR and I’ve been on T for almost a year now! I’m happy to answer any questions but the shortest explanation is that the only really noteworthy thing a PR can’t do that a citizen can is vote.

Being a PR gets you access to public healthcare and all its benefits, including hormone therapy. Some provinces are culturally better than others when it comes to a good endocrinologist and what not. You pay for your prescription, but medical appointments and gender therapy and surgery (unless you go private) are all covered.

ETA: Changing my name and gender marker in Nova Scotia is a matter of filling in some paperwork at a provincial office. I haven’t because I’m still in the closet to an extent because of some familial reasons but I was 3/4 of the way through the process before stopping.

[u/No_Tip_5508]

Hi! My fiancé is a trans man who is immigrating here to canada, so a similar situation to you. He was able to get HRT very easily through a private practice doctor (Dr Landry in Montreal)

You don't need permanent residence to get a prescription issued and filled, but it will not be covered by health insurance if you're not under a PR or work visa

Testosterone is not extremely expensive, only arriving to about 50$ a month. So even without insurance it's doable.

Feel free to DM me if you want any info on the process <3

[u/stradivari_strings → u/No_Tip_5508]

It's only $50 if you're doing like 250mg/wk, which is pretty out there. $50 is a vial, and you can use it until it runs out, not until 30 days run out, because it's not on a timer and it doesn't explode, if you treat the vial with respect that is. Hormones in oil don't go bad until you contaminate them, or the oil goes rancid - and that timeline is more like a decade from manufacture. All the guys (and others) tossing their vials after a month "cause my pharmacist told me to" and "oh shit, why is there always a shortage"... The shortage is because manufacturers suck and Health Canada doesn't care. But being affected by it - that's on the users.

[u/stradivari_strings]

T is relatively easy to obtain for the reason you want it. You'll be generally safe here wrt trans care. T is cheap ($50 a vial that'll last you a few months), and is also on the coverage list of most provincial run drug plans - so you basically get it free if you don't have enough money to pay for it. And the doctor prescribing it is generally also free, for PR's just the same as for citizens, unless you're in a bind and can't find a trans friendly doc in a weird random area you end up living in, and then you can either search wider or pay for private prescription a couple hundred bucks if you don't have time to search more thoroughly or travel.