Visitors to Canada Insurance

Last reviewed: October 2026

Visitors to Canada insurance is emergency medical coverage for people who are not covered by a Canadian provincial or territorial health plan. Provincial plans are built for residents. Ontario's government, for example, states that visitors to Ontario do not qualify for OHIP and recommends private medical insurance for the trip. Without a policy, a visitor is responsible for hospital and physician bills in Canada.

Who needs visitors insurance?

• Visitors and tourists, including family and friends coming to stay for a few days or several months.

• Parents and grandparents on a Super Visa. Valid Canadian medical insurance is a requirement of the visa. See our Super Visa insurance guide.

• Workers and IEC participants. International Experience Canada (working holiday) participants must hold valid health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization and repatriation for their full stay, and it is checked at the border when the work permit is issued.

• International students. Most Canadian schools require proof of health coverage as a condition of enrolment, and some provinces require international students to enrol in a provincial or institutional plan. Check your school's requirements first, and use private insurance to fill any gap.

• Newcomers waiting for provincial coverage. Waiting periods vary by province. British Columbia's wait is the balance of the month you establish residence plus two months. Ontario has no waiting period for eligible residents. Check your province's health ministry for its current rule.

• Temporary workers. Provincial eligibility depends on the province and your permit. In Ontario, for example, a work-permit holder generally needs to be working full-time for an Ontario employer for at least six months to qualify for OHIP.

• Returning Canadians who are re-establishing residency and not yet covered by a provincial plan.

What does it cover?

Visitors insurance is built for sudden, unexpected illness or injury while you are in Canada. Policies differ in wording, limits and conditions, but most cover these core categories:

• Emergency hospitalization: room and board, nursing care, and operating and treatment rooms.

• Emergency medical care: physician and specialist visits, diagnostic tests and X-rays for a sudden illness or injury.

• Prescription drugs needed because of the emergency, usually limited to a short supply.

• Ambulance: licensed ground ambulance, and on some policies air ambulance when medically necessary.

• Emergency dental for an accidental blow to the mouth or sudden, acute pain.

• Repatriation: returning you home by air when medically necessary, or returning remains.

• Extras on some plans, such as transportation for a family member or friend, and an out-of-pocket allowance for hotel, meals and taxis.

It is not health insurance in the everyday sense. Routine check-ups, elective procedures and ongoing treatment of a pre-existing condition are generally not covered unless the policy explicitly includes it, so always read the policy wording. Some plans cover short side trips outside Canada as long as most of your stay is in Canada.

How to choose a visitors insurance policy

Rather than choosing by brand name, compare policies on the points that decide whether a claim gets paid:

• The insurer. Choose a policy issued by an insurer licensed in Canada. Life and health insurers operating in Canada are members of Assuris, the industry-funded protection organization. If a member insurer fails, Assuris guarantees you keep up to $250,000 or 90% of your health expense benefit, whichever is higher.

• The coverage limit. Higher limits protect you from a serious hospital stay. Super Visa applicants must meet the government minimum (see our Super Visa guide). IRCC sets no minimum for general visitors, and some policies start at a much lower limit, so most visitors should choose well above the lowest option.

• The deductible. A higher deductible can lower your premium but means you pay more out of pocket at claim time.

• Age and eligibility rules. Many policies set age limits and use health questions for older travellers.

• Pre-existing conditions. Check how the policy defines a stable condition and how far back it looks.

• Direct billing and assistance. Ask whether the insurer's assistance team arranges payment directly with the hospital, or whether you must pay first and claim later.

• Refunds and extensions. Know the rules for cancelling, refunds if you leave early, and extending coverage if your stay grows. Buy any extension before your current policy expires.

Pre-existing medical conditions

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that exists before your policy starts. Most visitors policies will cover a condition only if it has been stable for a set period before the policy's effective date. That period commonly runs from 90 to 365 days depending on the insurer and your age, and the definition of stable differs between insurers. Some plans also limit or exclude certain conditions, most often heart, stroke and lung conditions, even when they are stable. Declare every condition honestly on the health questionnaire; an incomplete declaration can lead to a denied claim. Read our guide to pre-existing conditions and travel insurance for how stability works.

Common exclusions

Policies typically exclude claims related to things like drug or alcohol use, criminal activity, travelling against medical advice, and conditions that were not stable before coverage began. Exact exclusions vary, so check the policy wording before you buy.

When should I buy?

Buy before the visitor leaves home and set the start date to match the arrival date, so coverage begins on arrival with no waiting period and applies during transit. If you wait until after you arrive, most insurers apply a waiting period of 1 to 8 days with limited coverage, and anything that begins during that period may not be covered. Some insurers do sell after-arrival policies, subject to the waiting period.

Frequently asked questions

Does provincial health insurance cover visitors?

Generally no. Visitors to Canada typically do not qualify for provincial plans. Ontario's government says so directly and encourages visitors to buy private medical insurance.

Can I buy a policy for a family member who lives overseas?

Yes. A relative or friend in Canada can buy visitors insurance on someone's behalf before the visitor arrives. If you are the sponsor, you could be responsible for the visitor's medical bills if they are uninsured, so arranging coverage in advance is strongly recommended.

Is travel insurance mandatory to visit Canada?

For most visitors it is not legally required, though it is strongly recommended. It is mandatory for Super Visa applicants and for International Experience Canada (working holiday) participants.

What should I do in a medical emergency?

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, then contact your insurer's 24/7 assistance line. Notify the insurer within 24 hours of a hospital admission, since failing to do so can limit the benefits payable.

What if my condition changes after I buy the policy?

It may affect coverage. If your health changes before the trip, contact the insurer, check whether your condition is still considered stable, and update your health declaration if needed.

What happens if my insurer fails?

Canadian life and health insurers are required to belong to Assuris. Assuris guarantees you keep up to $250,000 or 90% of your health expense benefit, whichever is higher.

Compare policies with BestQuote

Ready to see your options? BestQuote lets you compare emergency medical plans for visitors to Canada from several insurers side by side, so you can match coverage limits, deductibles and eligibility to your visitor's trip.

Compare policies with BestQuote