Quick answer
Yes, new immigrants can buy life insurance in Canada. Permanent residents can usually apply soon after arriving, and many insurers also cover work permit holders who live here; some ask how long you've lived in Canada or limit cover for very recent arrivals. Term life is the usual choice for young families. On our live quotes on October 29, 2026, $500,000 of 20-year term cost from $29.70 a month for a 35-year-old male non-smoker in Ontario and from $22.05 for a woman the same age.
Can Newcomers Get Life Insurance in Canada?
Usually, yes. Insurers look at three things for newcomers: your status (permanent resident, work permit, study permit), how long you've lived in Canada and plan to stay, and your health and travel, including time you'll spend back home each year.
Permanent residents are the simplest case. Work permit holders can often get cover too, sometimes with limits on the amount. A medical exam or blood test may be needed for larger amounts; the insurer pays for it.
Two things trip newcomers up. First, a health history from abroad: be ready with medicine names and dates. Second, long trips home: say how often you travel and for how long. Answering accurately is what makes the policy pay.
Your employer's group life, if you have one, usually ends when you leave the job and is often only one or two years' salary. Treat it as a bonus, not the plan.
A 20 or 25-year term policy for each parent, sized to cover the mortgage and about 10 years of income, then reviewed when the kids are older or a parent's salary changes.
TFSA room starts from the year you become a resident of Canada, not from 2009. RRSP room starts once you have Canadian earned income and file a return.
TFSA or RRSP first?How Much Life Insurance Does a Newcomer Family Need?
Cost estimate scales the lowest live 20-year term quote for $500,000 on October 29, 2026. Real prices don't scale exactly; use the live form for yours.
$500,000 of 20-Year Term: Live Quotes
Male, 35, non-smoker, Ontario, Regular class, quoted on our site on October 29, 2026. At 45, the lowest was $69.75 a month.
| Plan | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Co-operators Versatile Term 20 | $29.70/mo |
| BMO Term 20 | $30.15/mo |
| Beneva Term Plus 20 | $30.15/mo |
| Desjardins Term 20 | $30.15/mo |
| Humania HuGO Term 20 | $30.15/mo |
| Equitable | $30.34/mo |
| RBC YourTerm 20 | $30.42/mo |
| Empire Life Solution 20 | $30.60/mo |
Life Insurance for Newcomers: Your Questions
Can new immigrants get life insurance in Canada?
Yes. Permanent residents can usually apply soon after arriving. Many insurers also cover work permit holders, sometimes with limits or extra questions about how long you plan to stay.
Can I get life insurance on a work permit?
Often yes, if you live in Canada and plan to stay. Some insurers cap the amount or ask about your PR plans. We'll match you with insurers that accept your status.
How much life insurance does a new immigrant family need?
A common starting point is the mortgage and debts, plus about 10 years of after-tax income, plus education and any support you send home, minus savings. Use the calculator above.
Is the payout taxed?
No. A life insurance death benefit paid to a named beneficiary is tax-free in Canada.
Do I need a medical exam?
For smaller amounts, often not. Larger amounts may need a paramedical exam or blood test, paid for by the insurer.
Is my employer's group life enough?
Usually not. Group life is often one or two times salary and ends when you leave the job. A personal policy stays with you.
Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS
Pankaj is a licensed insurance advisor with offices in Mississauga and Cambridge, Ontario, and a member of Advocis. He helps families compare Super Visa and visitor plans from Canadian insurers and sorts out claims and refunds when plans change.
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