Parents, in-laws, friends
Single plan
One visitor on one policy, priced on that person's age, health and coverage.
Quick answer
Visitors to Canada insurance is emergency medical insurance for people visiting from abroad, who aren't covered by provincial health plans. It's optional for a regular visitor visa but strongly recommended, and required for the Super Visa. Buy it before the visitor leaves home, for the exact dates of the stay. Most families choose $100,000 of coverage or more for parents.
Interactive tool
Visitor Insurance Planner
Enter the visit details. We'll work out the policy length and flag what to watch for before you buy.
What's covered
What Does Visitor Insurance Cover?
- Emergency hospital stays and doctors' fees
- Ambulance, including air ambulance when needed
- Tests, X-rays and lab work
- Prescription drugs after an emergency
- Emergency dental care after an accident
- Return home for medical reasons (repatriation)
- Stable pre-existing conditions, on plans that include them
Read the fine print
What It Usually Doesn't Cover
- Check-ups and non-emergency care
- Conditions that weren't stable before the policy started
- Treatment planned before the trip
- Sickness that starts during a waiting period, if bought after arrival
- Care outside Canada, unless side trips are included
- High-risk activities the policy excludes
Every plan is different, and the policy wording decides. Use our 10-point plan details checker.
Buy directly
Visitor Insurance Companies We Work With
Compare prices in the live quote first. Then buy directly from the insurer with our agent code, so we can still help with changes and claims.
- Secure Travel (RIMI)Visitors to Canada and Super Visa plans.
- 2 Visit CanadaStandard and enhanced visitor plans.
- ManulifeA Canadian insurer with several visitor plan levels.
- TruStone HealthSeparate application if pre-existing conditions need cover.
- AllianzVisitors to Canada, issue age up to 89.
- MSH, GMS, Destination, Travelance, TuGo, JFAsk us which fits best, or buy directly below.
Which one do you need?
Visitor Insurance vs Super Visa Insurance
| Visitor insurance | Super Visa insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Anyone visiting Canada | Parents and grandparents on a Super Visa |
| Required by IRCC? | No, but strongly recommended | Yes, for the application |
| Minimum coverage | You choose (many plans start at $10,000) | $100,000 |
| How long | Exactly the trip, from a few days | At least 1 year from entry |
| Monthly payments | Usually paid up front | Accepted with a deposit |
| Refund if they leave early | Usually, if no claim was made | Usually, if no claim was made |
Parents on a Super Visa: see Super Visa insurance requirements and real Super Visa prices.
Before you buy
6 Tips for Buying Visitor Insurance
- Buy before they leave homePolicies bought after arrival usually have a waiting period for sickness.
- Cover the whole stayStart the day they land and end the day they fly home. You can usually extend later.
- Get the health questions rightStable pre-existing conditions can be covered, but only as the policy defines "stable".
- Choose the deductible carefullyA deductible lowers the price, but you pay it at the hospital.
- Call the insurer firstSome plans pay less if you don't call the assistance line before treatment.
- Keep the policy handySave the policy number and emergency phone number on everyone's phone.
What would a hospital stay cost?
Try our calculator with real 2026 hospital rates for visitors.
Hospital cost calculatorDeductible or not?
See when a deductible saves money, and when it costs more.
Deductible calculatorPlanning a family visit?
Dates, documents and insurance in one checklist.
Visit plannerPlan types
Single, Couple and Family Visitor Plans
Parents visiting together
Couple plan
Two travellers on one policy, often cheaper in total than two single policies.
Families visiting together
Family plan
Parents and dependent children on one policy, within the insurer's age limits.
Price
What Affects the Cost of Visitor Insurance?
- AgeThe biggest factor. Prices jump at age bands, especially after 60, 70 and 80.
- Length of stayYou pay per day, so 30 days costs far less than 6 months.
- Coverage amount$100,000 costs more than $50,000, but covers a longer hospital stay.
- Pre-existing conditionsPlans that cover stable conditions cost more, and are worth it for most parents.
- DeductibleA $500 or $1,000 deductible lowers the price. You pay it if you claim.
- InsurerThe same coverage can be priced very differently, which is why we compare.
If something happens
How to Make a Claim
- Call the assistance lineBefore going to a clinic, if you can. In a true emergency, call 911 first.
- Show the policyGive the hospital the policy number. Many insurers pay the hospital directly.
- Keep every receiptBills, prescriptions, reports and proof of payment.
- Send the claim formWith the receipts, within the policy's time limit. We help our clients with it.
More: why you should call the insurer before seeing a doctor.
Common questions
Visitors to Canada Insurance: FAQs
Is visitor insurance mandatory for visiting Canada?
Not for a regular visitor visa or eTA. It is required for the Super Visa ($100,000, valid one year from entry). Visitors aren't covered by provincial health plans such as OHIP, so without insurance the family pays the hospital bills.
How much does visitors to Canada insurance cost?
It depends mainly on the visitor's age, the length of the stay, the coverage amount, the deductible and whether pre-existing conditions are covered. The live quote on this page shows real prices from Canadian insurers in seconds.
How much coverage should a visitor have?
Enough for a hospital stay. In 2026 one Ontario hospital charges visitors $3,750 a day for a ward bed and $5,750 a day in intensive care, plus doctors' fees. Many families choose $100,000 or more for parents and older visitors.
Can I buy visitor insurance after my parents arrive in Canada?
Yes, but most plans then apply a waiting period before sickness is covered. Accidents are usually covered right away. Buying before they leave home avoids the wait.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
On many plans, yes, if the condition was stable for a set period before the policy starts. Each insurer defines "stable" differently, so tell us about every condition and medication.
Can I extend visitor insurance if the visit gets longer?
Usually yes, if you ask before the policy ends. The visitor may also need to apply to IRCC for a visitor record to extend their stay.
Will I get a refund if the visitor goes home early?
Most plans refund the unused days if no claim was made, sometimes minus a small fee.
Does visitor insurance cover a side trip to the U.S.?
Some plans cover short side trips outside Canada as long as most of the trip is in Canada. Others don't cover them at all. Tell us the travel plans and we'll pick a plan that fits.
Written and reviewed by
Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS
Pankaj is a licensed insurance advisor and a member of Advocis. Since 2016 he has arranged visitor and Super Visa insurance for families from offices in Mississauga and Cambridge, and helps them when a claim comes up.
Editorial note: General information only. Coverage, exclusions and prices differ by insurer and are set out in each policy. Hospital rates are from Cambridge Memorial Hospital's 2026 fee schedule.
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What Our Clients Say
★★★★★“Mr. Pankaj Bhatia is very professional, knowledgeable and responsive. He helped me get the best Super Visa insurance, and his after-purchase service is amazing.”
★★★★★“Pankaj not only answered every single question that I had, he also educated me about potential risks and mistakes that people often make.”
★★★★★“Pankaj is never in a rush to sell the product and gives you time to think and ask relevant questions.”
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