Visitor Insurance
Visitor insurance covers emergency medical and dental costs for someone visiting Canada who is not eligible for provincial health coverage. Without it, a single hospital stay can run to tens of thousands of dollars.
Who needs visitor insurance?
Anyone in Canada who is not covered by a provincial health plan is paying out of pocket for medical care. That includes:
- Tourists and family visiting from another country.
- International students and foreign workers.
- Canadians returning to the country after time abroad.
- Newcomers waiting out the qualifying period for provincial health coverage.
- Anyone applying for a Super Visa, though that has its own minimum requirements.
What does visitor insurance cover?
Coverage is for emergencies, meaning an unexpected illness or accident, rather than routine or planned care. A typical policy includes physician fees, prescription drugs and hospitalization in a semi-private room, plus emergency repatriation by air ambulance or commercial flight with a medical escort where needed.
Does visitor insurance cover travel outside Canada?
Side trips outside Canada are generally covered, provided the trip is shorter than the total time being spent in Canada. Travel back to the country of origin is normally excluded.
How much coverage should you choose?
You choose the coverage amount when you buy, and insurers offer a range of limits rather than a single figure. For a short visit by someone in good health, a lower limit may be reasonable. For an older visitor or a longer stay, a higher one is usually worth the modest extra premium, since it is the catastrophic bill you are insuring against rather than the likely one.
If the visit is for a Super Visa, the coverage amount is not a choice: IRCC requires at least $100,000. An advisor can tell you what each insurer offers and what it costs at the level you need.
What a visitor policy typically includes
| Coverage amount | Chosen when you buy. Insurers offer a range of limits; an advisor can tell you what is available and what each costs |
|---|---|
| Hospital and physician | Physician fees, prescriptions, semi-private room |
| Emergency repatriation | Air ambulance or commercial flight with medical escort |
| Emergency dental | Treatment following an accident, up to the policy limit |
| Accommodation and meals | Where return home is delayed by a medical emergency, up to the policy limit |
| Specialist services | Physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy and podiatry when prescribed by a physician, up to the policy limit |
Typical features of a visitor policy, shown for illustration and not an offer of coverage. Exact limits, deductibles and exclusions vary by insurer and plan, and the terms of the policy contract prevail. Ask for the policy wording before you buy.
Common questions
- What does visitor insurance cover in Canada?
- Emergency medical costs: physician fees, prescription drugs, hospitalization in a semi-private room, emergency repatriation, and emergency dental treatment following an accident. It covers emergencies rather than routine or planned care, and each benefit is subject to its own limit in the policy wording.
- How much visitor insurance do I need?
- You choose the amount when you buy, and insurers offer a range of limits. A higher limit usually costs modestly more, so for an older visitor or a longer stay it is generally worth taking. If the visit is for a Super Visa, IRCC requires at least $100,000.
- Does visitor insurance cover trips outside Canada?
- Side trips outside Canada are generally covered if they are shorter than the total time spent in Canada. Travel to the country of origin is normally excluded.
- Can newcomers to Canada buy visitor insurance?
- Yes. Newcomers waiting out the qualifying period for provincial health coverage are a common reason for buying it, alongside tourists, international students, foreign workers and returning Canadians.
Talk to a licensed advisor
Every situation is different, and the details that matter are usually in the policy wording rather than the headline price. There is no cost for the conversation and no obligation to buy.
Prefer to book a time? Schedule a 15-minute call. Open Mon–Fri 9am–9pm, Sat–Sun 10am–9pm.