Visitor insurance for Canada, made simple.
Emergency medical coverage for visitors, parents and grandparents, and new immigrants — compared across Canada’s leading insurers by an FSRA-licensed advisor. No payment to get a quote.
What visitor insurance is — and why it matters
Canada’s public healthcare does not cover most visitors. Without coverage, a single emergency room visit can run into the thousands, and a hospital stay can cost several thousand dollars per day. Visitor insurance is designed to absorb that risk so an unexpected illness or injury doesn’t become a financial shock.
Visitors to Canada →
The complete guide — who needs it, how it works, and how to choose coverage for a visit to Canada.
What’s covered →
A plain-English breakdown of what emergency medical plans typically cover — and what they don’t.
How much it costs →
What drives the price — age, coverage amount, duration, deductible — with worked examples.
Pre-existing conditions →
How stability periods work and when a stable condition may still be covered.
Parents & grandparents →
Coverage built around the most common reason families call: bringing parents to Canada.
Monthly vs annual →
Pay-monthly plans vs paying up front — and the refund rules that come with each.
What these plans typically cover
Exact benefits, limits, and exclusions are set by each policy’s wording — this is the general shape of an emergency medical plan for visitors.
Typically covered
- Emergency hospital stays and room charges
- Emergency physician and specialist fees
- Diagnostic tests, lab work, and X-rays
- Prescription drugs during an emergency
- Ambulance and emergency transport
- Emergency dental from an accidental injury
- Medical repatriation where required
Typically not covered
- Routine check-ups and non-emergency care
- Elective or cosmetic procedures
- Unstable pre-existing conditions
- Pregnancy and childbirth (most plans)
- Injuries from high-risk activities
- Care you travelled to Canada specifically to receive
Who needs visitor insurance
Most families who reach out fall into one of three groups. What they share is simple — none of them can lean on a provincial plan like OHIP if something goes wrong, so the full cost of any care falls on the visitor.
Visiting parents & grandparents
The most common reason families call. A parent flying in for a few months — often from India, the Philippines, or the Middle East — is not eligible for OHIP, so a plan can cover the whole stay. If they are arriving on a Super Visa, a minimum level of coverage is part of the application. See parents & grandparents.
Tourists & short-term visitors
Friends, in-laws, or a spouse arriving on a visitor visa or eTA for a wedding, a graduation, or a first trip to Canada. Even a short visit can turn into an unplanned walk-in clinic or emergency-room bill that a traveller would otherwise pay out of pocket.
New immigrants & returning residents
New permanent residents and Canadians moving back can face a wait before provincial coverage starts. A visitor or new-to-Canada plan may fill that window — more on that gap below.
The provincial-health gap
Provincial plans are built for residents, not visitors. That is the gap visitor insurance is designed to close, and two situations tend to catch families off guard. First, newcomers: even after landing as a permanent resident, you have to apply for and activate OHIP, so there can be a gap before your health card is active, and Canadians returning after a long absence may need to re-enrol as well. These rules can change, so confirm your current eligibility and start date with ServiceOntario rather than assuming coverage is immediate.
Second, a policy that runs out mid-trip. If a visiting parent extends their stay, the original plan may not automatically follow, and buying a fresh policy after a health issue has appeared is harder. It is worth reviewing renewal and top-up options early — well before a claim — and confirming the details with the insurer before you rely on a plan.
How to choose a plan
There is no single right plan — the sensible choice depends on the traveller and the trip. A practical way to work through it, in order:
- Confirm eligibility and any program rules. Super Visa applicants, for example, must meet current IRCC coverage minimums — confirm those on the official Government of Canada (IRCC) website.
- Pick a coverage amount. Families commonly weigh something between $25,000 and $150,000. See how the numbers play out on the cost page.
- Declare health honestly. If the traveller has a pre-existing condition, the stability period can matter more than the price — read how stability works before you buy.
- Weigh the deductible and payment plan. A higher deductible usually lowers the premium; monthly plans spread the cost but carry their own refund rules.
- Put it in place before arrival. Buying before the trip typically gives the broadest protection and helps avoid post-arrival waiting periods.
Not sure where to land? Send the traveller’s age, travel dates, and any health notes, and I’ll put together a plain comparison across insurers — no payment to get a quote. Get a quote.
Common questions
What is visitor insurance?
Is visitor insurance mandatory in Canada?
How much coverage should a visitor choose?
Can I buy visitor insurance after arriving in Canada?
Do new immigrants need visitor insurance while waiting for provincial coverage?
How do I choose the right coverage amount?
Related coverage
Not sure which visitor plan fits?
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