Compare the Best Visitor Insurance Plans in Canada

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Compare the Best Visitor Insurance Plans in Canada

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Get affordable visitor insurance to Canada

Compare the best travel insurance for visitors to Canada. Our licensed advisors will help you get instant quotes for Super Visa insurance, emergency medical coverage for parents, students, and tourists.

Visitors to Canada

Comprehensive emergency medical coverage for a visit to Canada

Super Visa Insurance

Coverage that fits the requirements for those applying for a Canadian Super Visa

International Students

Coverage for international students attending school in Canada or Canadians studying abroad

Foreign Workers

Coverage for those working in Canada before they are eligible for provincial health plans

Travellers from Canada

Coverage for travelling Canadians and snowbirds when they are abroad

Recognized as a leader in the industry

What is visitor to Canada insurance?

Canada’s provincial healthcare does not cover visitors, making health insurance for visitors to Canada a crucial form of coverage. Visitor to Canada insurance protects your parents, relatives, and other visitors from unexpected medical emergencies and travel-related costs while in Canada.

There are two main types of visitor insurance: medical insurance for visitors to Canada and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.

Medical insurance for visitors to Canada can help to cover the cost of medical care if you become sick or injured while travelling. It can also help to cover the cost of travel if you need to be transported to a hospital in another country. This is the most common type of visitor insurance.

Trip cancellation/interruption insurance can help to reimburse you for the cost of your trip if you have to cancel due to an unforeseen circumstance, such as illness or bad weather, or other situations that may delay or cancel your trip (lost baggage, transportation delays, etc).

What is Super Visa insurance?

Super Visa insurance is a special type of travel insurance that’s only available to the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or residents who are staying in the country for a long period of time. It will cover any medical emergencies that may happen to your relatives during their stay.

The minimum requirements a Super Visa insurance policy has to meet are:

  • Must be valid for at least one year from the date the visa-holder arrives in Canada
  • Must have at least $100,000 CAD in coverage
  • Must cover emergency medical care, possible hospitalization, and repatriation
  • Must be active and available for review by an immigration official each time the visa-holder enters Canada
  • Must have been bought from a Canadian insurance company

2025 Update: New Super Visa Insurance Requirements

As of January 2025, Super Visa insurance must meet these updated standards:

  • Minimum coverage of $100,000 remains unchanged
  • Mental health emergencies must now be covered
  • Coverage must include extended rehab services
  • Telemedicine consultations are now eligible
  • Pre-authorization rules streamlined for faster claims
  • Policies from OFSI-authorized non-Canadian insurers are now accepted

Looking for affordable visitor insurance?

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What does visitor insurance cover?

Visitor insurance to Canada covers emergency medical expenses, hospital visits, prescription drugs, and more. Non-residents in Canada can use visitors to Canada insurance coverage to visit a hospital, emergency room, and walk-in-clinics. Here’s a list of all the inclusions in a medical insurance plan for visitors to Canada:

  • Physician consultations: Reasonable and customary charges for medical care received from a physician, whether in or out of the hospital
  • Prescription drug coverage: Health insurance can cover the cost of prescription medications that may be needed during your stay
  • Pathological tests or diagnostic procedures: Diagnostic procedures including blood work, X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and more
  • Paramedical services: Services provided by licensed professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, or massage therapists
  • Pre-existing condition coverage: Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions that are declared during the application process
  • Repatriation: Insurance can cover the costs of emergency medical evacuation back to your home country, which can be a significant cost without coverage
  • Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D): Visitors to Canada insurance may also provide a one-time lump sum amount in case of severe accidents that may lead to the death or loss of limbs of the insured
  • Emergency dental care: Some insurance plans provide coverage for emergency dental treatment or surgery that may have resulted from an accident or sudden injury
  • Ambulance transportation: Visitors’ health insurance covers the costs of ambulance services—whether ground or air— needed to transport the visitor to the nearest hospital or medical facility during a medical emergency
  • Hotels, meals, taxis: If a medical emergency requires a visitor to extend their stay in Canada for treatment or recovery, the insurance can cover additional expenses for hotels, meals, and local transportation such as taxis
  • Childcare: In the event that a visitor is hospitalized and unable to care for their dependent child, the visitor to Canada insurance may cover temporary childcare expenses
  • Trip break/Side trip: Some emergency medical insurance plans for visitors offer flexibility with a trip break or side trip coverage, which allows visitors to return to their home country for a short period or travel to another country without losing their insurance coverage

What are the types of medical insurance for visitors in Canada?

Explore comprehensive visitor medical insurance options for visiting parents, friends, family, students, and foreign workers.

Visitors to Canada

Canada’s robust public healthcare system does not extend to non-residents of the country. Those visiting Canada from outside the country also need visitor medical insurance to cover the expensive costs of a doctor’s visit, emergency care, prescription, and more if you fall ill during your trip.

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Super visa insurance

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can get a super visa for their parents and grandparents to visit them in Canada for as long as two years. A mandatory stipulation of super visa approval is holding a medical insurance policy to cover illnesses or accidents that can occur during this trip

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International Students

International students often need emergency health insurance in whichever country they are studying in. This includes both Canadians studying abroad and students completing their education in Canada. Emergency visitor medical insurance ensures one can focus on their studies knowing they won’t have to deal with an unforeseen medical bill.

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Foreign Workers

Foreign workers visiting Canada for temporary or permanent employment will not have immediate access to public healthcare. Visitor medical insurance will cover them if they get sick or injured while working in Canada.

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Travelling Canadians

Residents of Canada need travel insurance for trips abroad. While your public healthcare or group health insurance covers medical emergencies at home, an accident or medical emergency while you are out of the country can be very costly.

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Snowbirds

Snowbirds are retired Canadians who spend the winter season abroad to avoid Canada’s colder months. As a snowbird, it’s important to make sure you have the right travel insurance in place before you head south for the winter, as you will not qualify for public health insurance at your destination.

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How much does visitor insurance to Canada cost?

The average cost of visitor health insurance for travelers to Canada typically ranges from $50 to $400 per month, depending on factors such as age, duration of stay, and the level of coverage chosen. For instance, younger travelers (under 30 years) may pay between $50 and $100 monthly, while those aged 70 years and older may see costs rise between $200 and $400 per month.

Several factors such as the tourist’s age, health condition, and trip details affect the cost of health insurance for visitors to Canada. Young and healthy visitors will have to pay lower premiums while those above the age of 65 will pay higher premiums. Similarly, a pre-existing condition will increase the cost of premiums.

The cost of visitor insurance to Canada depends on factors like:

  • Age
  • Type of coverage (emergency medical, trip interruption/cancellation, baggage loss, etc.)
  • Trip length
  • Medical history
  • Amount of coverage
  • Deductible
  • Pre-existing medical conditions

The following table shows a comparison of visitor insurance in Canada monthly premiums, with and without pre-existing condition coverage

Visitor insurance monthly premiums: with vs. without pre-existing conditions

Visitor’s age Premiums
without pre-ex
Premiums
with Pre-ex
25 years $72.30/mo. $92.70/mo.
35 years $90.90/mo. $100.20/mo.
45 years $101.70/mo. $115.50/mo.
55 years $110.70/mo. $129.60/mo.
65 years $133.20/mo. $168.60/mo.
75 years $240.00/mo. $328.80/mo.
85 years $405.00/mo. $453.92/mo.

Compare Visitor Insurance Quotes in Canada

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Which company offers the best health insurance plans for visitors to Canada?

Several insurance providers such as Manulife, Tugo, Allianz, Travelance, 21st century, GMS and more offer health insurance for visitors to Canada. Different providers have different premiums, policy inclusions, deductibles, and coverages.

Some companies offer tiered visitor insurance plans, categorized as basic, standard, and enhanced or Plan A and Plan B. The different plan categories will be priced differently depending on the policy coverage.

At PolicyAdvisor, we partner with Canada’s best visitor insurance providers.

Choose a plan from Canada’s top insurance providers:

  • Manulife
  • Tugo (iA Financial Group)
  • Group Medical Services (GMS)
  • Allianz
  • 21st Century Travel Insurance Limited
  • Destination Canada
  • Travelance
  • Secure Travel

Ready to Compare Visitor Insurance Plans?

Discover the best plans available for your visit to Canada in just a few clicks

Why should you buy visitor insurance to Canada?

Visitors to Canada need medical insurance because public healthcare doesn’t cover non-residents visiting Canada. Without insurance coverage, you could face tremendously high costs for medical emergencies. The Government of Canada advises comprehensive travel insurance to avoid unexpected expenses.

An emergency visit to the hospital can cost anywhere between $1,000 – $1,200 for non-residents. MRIs can cost $1,500 or more, and a 24 hour stay in the hospital can cost $3,000 to $6,000. Without insurance, visitors could face significant out-of-pocket expenses for medical emergencies, hospitalization, or even routine care.

You need visitor insurance in Canada because:

  • You are not covered under Canada’s public healthcare plans
  • Treatment for medical emergencies and prescriptions are expensive and may require cash payments
  • Your home country’s public health care offering generally does not cover trips abroad
  • Medical insurance for visitors to Canada can cover a broad range of potential situations, including emergency room visits, transportation back to your home country, and prescription drug and dental costs

Frequently asked questions

Do I need visitor insurance if I'm healthy? Toggle Icon
Yes, absolutely. Even healthy visitors should get medical insurance for visitors to Canada. Accidents and sudden illnesses can happen to anyone. A simple emergency room visit costs $1,000+, and a hospital stay can cost thousands per day. The risk is too high to go without coverage.
How much does visitor insurance cost in Canada? Toggle Icon
Visitor insurance typically costs $50-$400 per month, depending on age, coverage amount, and duration. Younger visitors (under 30) pay $50-$100 monthly, while those over 70 may pay $200-$400 monthly. Pre-existing conditions increase costs by 10-40%
What is Super Visa insurance and who needs it? Toggle Icon
Super Visa insurance is mandatory medical coverage for parents and grandparents visiting Canada for up to 2 years. It requires minimum $100,000 coverage, must be purchased from a Canadian insurer or approved foreign provider, and must be valid for the entire stay duration. New 2025 requirements include mental health and rehabilitation coverage.
Can I buy visitor insurance after arriving in Canada? Toggle Icon
Yes, but it's not recommended. Purchasing after arrival often includes waiting periods of 24-48 hours before coverage begins. For pre-existing conditions, there may be longer waiting periods or exclusions. It's always best to purchase visitor visa insurance Canada before departure.
Does visitor insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions? Toggle Icon
Yes, you can choose policies that cover pre-existing conditions, but they cost 10-40% more. Most insurers require the condition to be "stable" (no changes in medication, symptoms, or treatment) for 90-180 days before departure. Different insurers have different stability requirements.
What's not covered by visitor insurance? Toggle Icon
Common exclusions include:
  • Non-emergency treatments
  • Routine check-ups and preventive care
  • Pregnancy-related care (unless emergency)
  • Mental health treatment (except emergency - NEW coverage in 2025)
  • High-risk activities without additional coverage
  • Treatment related to alcohol or drug abuse
  • Cosmetic procedures
How do I make a claim for visitor insurance? Toggle Icon
For emergencies, call your insurer's 24/7 hotline immediately. For non-emergencies, contact them before treatment when possible. Keep all receipts, medical records, and documentation. Submit claims promptly with complete paperwork. Most insurers have online claim submission portals.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my visitor insurance? Toggle Icon
Most insurers offer refunds if you cancel before your coverage start date or if you leave Canada early. However, if you've made any claims, no refund is typically available. Some insurers offer partial refunds for unused coverage periods. Super Visa insurance may be refundable if the visa application is rejected.
Do I need medical exams to buy visitor insurance? Toggle Icon
No, visitor insurance doesn't require medical examinations. You'll need to complete a health questionnaire honestly, but no physical exams are required. However, you must disclose all pre-existing conditions accurately, as failure to do so can void your coverage.
Does OHIP cover visitors to Ontario? Toggle Icon
No, OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) does not cover visitors or new residents during the 3-month waiting period. Emergency medical insurance for visitors is essential in Ontario, where healthcare costs are among Canada's highest.
What if I need prescription medications while visiting Canada? Toggle Icon
Visitor insurance typically covers emergency prescription medications. For ongoing medications, coverage may be limited. Bring sufficient medication for your stay, carry prescriptions in original containers, and have a letter from your doctor explaining your medical needs.
Can I extend my visitor insurance while in Canada? Toggle Icon
Many insurers allow policy extensions if you decide to stay longer than originally planned. Contact your insurer before your current policy expires. Extensions are subject to underwriting approval and may require additional health declarations.
What's the difference between travel insurance and visitor insurance? Toggle Icon
Travel insurance for visitors to Canada is essentially the same as visitor insurance - both provide emergency medical coverage for non-residents. The terms are used interchangeably. However, travel insurance might also include trip cancellation, baggage loss, and other travel-related benefits.
Do international students need separate visitor insurance? Toggle Icon
International students have different requirements depending on the province:
  • Some provinces provide health coverage after waiting periods
  • Others require students to purchase private coverage
  • Many schools require proof of insurance for enrollment
  • Student insurance often includes mental health and sports coverage
How does visitor insurance work with workers' compensation? Toggle Icon
Visitor insurance complements workers' compensation for foreign workers. Workers' comp covers workplace injuries, while visitor insurance covers non-work-related medical emergencies, illnesses, and off-duty accidents. Both types of coverage are typically needed.