Can newcomers to Canada get an ADHD assessment?

Yes, newcomers in Canada can book a private online ADHD assessment

If you've recently moved to Canada, you can still get assessed for ADHD. A private online ADHD assessment is paid out of pocket, so it doesn't depend on having a provincial health card (such as OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia), on permanent-resident status, or on a completed residency waiting period. What matters for a private assessment is that you're physically located in Canada at the time of your appointment, in a province where our clinicians are licensed.

Finding Focus is a virtual clinic, so newcomers across the country can book without travelling to an office or joining a public wait list. Adult assessments (18+) are available across Canada, and ADHD and mental-health care is offered for all ages, including adults 65+. Youth assessments (ages 12-17) are currently available in Ontario only. If you're unsure whether your province is covered, see which provinces offer an online ADHD assessment.

• Permanent residents and new citizens who have recently arrived
• International students on a study permit
• Workers on a temporary or open work permit
• Family members who have joined a relative already living here
• Anyone still in a provincial health-coverage waiting period, or without a health card yet

Private pay bridges the provincial health-coverage waiting period

Many newcomers face a gap before provincial health coverage begins. Several provinces apply a waiting period after you establish residency before your provincial plan takes effect, often up to about three months, though the exact rules vary by province, and international students or temporary workers often rely on private or student health insurance instead of a provincial card. During that gap, a private online assessment is one of the few routes that doesn't ask for a health card at all.

It also helps you sidestep the long public wait lists that affect newcomers and long-time residents alike, often one to two years or more for a publicly funded ADHD assessment. The table below compares the common routes a newcomer might consider.

Private psychologist and psychiatry assessments are valid options, but they commonly cost several thousand dollars, and a psychiatry referral usually requires a family doctor, something many newcomers are still trying to find. An online assessment from $399 keeps both the cost and the timeline predictable while you settle in.

Booking is simple, here's what newcomers need and what to expect

Booking as a newcomer follows the same straightforward process as for any Canadian resident. You don't need a referral, a family doctor, or a provincial health card to start.

1. Start with a quick symptom check, such as our free ADHD self-test, to see whether a full assessment makes sense for you.
2. Book your online assessment and pay transparently up front, pricing starts at $399 CAD, with payment plans if you need them.
3. Meet by secure video with a licensed Canadian nurse practitioner or clinician, who works through DSM-5-TR criteria using CADDRA-aligned tools.
4. Receive your result, Finding Focus delivers diagnosis in hours, not weeks, and, if ADHD is confirmed, move into a personalized treatment plan.

You'll typically need a piece of government-issued photo ID and a device with a camera and an internet connection, that's it. You don't need childhood school or medical records from your home country. ADHD assessments use a structured retrospective interview, so your clinician explores your history through conversation rather than paperwork. Learn more about getting assessed without a formal childhood diagnosis, and about what a full ADHD testing and diagnosis involves.

Costs are transparent, and newcomers have real support options

Pricing is shown up front so there are no surprises. Finding Focus assessments start at $399 CAD, and if you already have an ADHD diagnosis from a previous provider or your home country, you may qualify for 50% off your initial consultation to confirm and continue your care in Canada. Affordable payment plans are available to spread the cost.

• Transparent pricing from $399 CAD, with affordable payment plans available
• 50% off the initial consultation if you already have an ADHD diagnosis
• A receipt you can submit to private or student health insurance where ADHD assessments are eligible, see whether insurance covers an assessment
• Help with Disability Tax Credit (DTC) forms once you file taxes in Canada
• Treatment that can include medication management, CBT/DBT and other psychotherapy, and work or school accommodations

A confirmed diagnosis opens the door to a personalized treatment plan, expedited psychiatry referrals where needed, and documentation for school or workplace accommodations, practical support as you build your new life in Canada. If you have questions about eligibility in your specific situation, you can reach the team at 1-866-506-9203 or support@findfocusnow.com.