Travel Insurance for Visitors to Canada

Canada does not provide public healthcare to non-residents. If you visit Canada without insurance and require emergency medical care, you will be billed at full cost. A single emergency room visit can cost $1,000–$2,000. A hospital stay can exceed $5,000–$15,000 per night. Visitors to Canada insurance covers these costs so a medical emergency doesn't become a financial one.

Visitors to Canada insurance - also called VTC insurance or visitor health insurance - is private emergency medical coverage for non-residents visiting Canada. It covers unexpected hospital bills, physician fees, diagnostic tests, ambulance costs, and related emergency expenses that arise during your stay.

It does not cover routine checkups, elective procedures, or ongoing treatment for pre-existing medical conditions unless the policy explicitly includes that coverage. It is designed specifically for emergencies, the unexpected events that can result in large medical bills with no warning.

BestQuote is a licensed Canadian travel insurance broker and Lloyd's of London coverholder. We compare plans from 13+ top Canadian insurers in one place, so you see all your options side by side before choosing.

Visitors to Canada insurance is for anyone visiting Canada who is not covered by a Canadian provincial health plan. This includes:

If you’ve recently moved back to Canada or just received permanent residency, you may face a waiting period before your provincial healthcare becomes active. During this gap, a Visitors to Canada insurance policy can act as temporary health coverage, protecting you until your government coverage kicks in.

All Visitors to Canada insurance plans vary in the language they use in the insurance contract and in the specific limits and conditions that apply. However most VTC policies provide coverage across the following core categories:

There are significant differences between VTC policies, and prices can vary considerably. Depending on your travel circumstances or your health situation, which includes pre-existing medical conditions or particular entry visa requirements - we may need to guide your decision-making and use our expertise to ensure you find the best policy at the best price. That's what BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency is all about - and we take pride in being good at what we do.

The cost of visitors to Canada insurance depends on your age, the length of your stay, your destination within Canada, the coverage amount you choose, your deductible, and whether you need coverage for pre-existing conditions. Below are indicative cost ranges for a standard emergency medical policy with $100,000 coverage and a $0 deductible.

• Age: The biggest cost driver. Premiums roughly double between age 55 and age 75.

• Pre-existing conditions: Adding stable pre-existing condition coverage typically increases premiums by 20–50% depending on the insurer and condition.

• Deductible: Choosing a $500 deductible instead of $0 reduces your premium by approximately 10–15%. A $1,000 deductible saves 18–22%.

• Coverage amount: IRCC has no minimum for general visitors. Most policies start at $25,000 - for most visitors, $100,000 is the recommended minimum.

• Trip length: Longer trips cost more in total but less per day. Rates per day generally decrease for trips over 60–90 days.

Medical costs in Canada vary by province. Here is what visitors typically pay out of pocket for common medical services without insurance coverage:

These costs apply to any visitor who is not covered by a Canadian provincial health plan. Even a minor incident - a broken bone from a fall, a severe allergic reaction, an appendicitis - can result in a bill of $10,000 or more. Visitors to Canada insurance covers these costs at a fraction of what you would pay uninsured.

BestQuote compares plans from 13+ Canadian insurers in one place. Below is a snapshot of available plans for a 55-year-old visitor on a 51-day trip with $100,000 coverage and no pre-existing conditions, to give you a sense of the market range. Get a quote for exact pricing for your age, dates, and health profile.

Prices between the cheapest and most expensive insurer for the same profile can differ by 50–100%. Comparing plans before buying is the fastest way to save money without reducing your coverage.

Many visitors to Canada have managed health conditions - high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or similar. This does not mean you cannot be insured. Several plans available through BestQuote offer coverage for stable pre-existing conditions.

Most policies that cover pre-existing conditions require the condition to have been stable for a set period before your departure - typically 90 or 180 days. Stable means no new symptoms, no changes to medication or dosage, no hospitalisations, and no new tests or investigations during that period. The exact definition of stability varies between insurers and policies.

Even if a specific condition is not covered due to a stability requirement, the rest of your policy still applies - you are still covered for new and unrelated medical events during your stay.

For a full guide to pre-existing condition coverage for visitors to Canada, including how stability periods work and which plans offer the most flexible terms, see: Visitors to Canada Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions.

For most visitors, travel insurance is not legally required to enter Canada. Tourists, family visitors, and most temporary residents can enter Canada without proof of insurance. However, there are two important exceptions:

Super Visa holders: insurance is mandatory. IRCC requires proof of a qualifying private medical insurance policy with a minimum of $100,000 CAD coverage before a Super Visa application will be approved.

IEC (Working Holiday) visa holders: insurance is mandatory. IRCC requires IEC participants to hold valid health insurance covering medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the full duration of their stay in Canada. CBSA officers verify this at the border when the work permit is issued.

For all other visitors: it is strongly recommended. Canada does not provide public healthcare to non-residents. If you visit Canada without insurance and require emergency medical care, you will be billed at full cost. A walk-in clinic visit costs approximately $100–$300. An emergency room visit costs $1,000–$2,000. A single night in a Canadian hospital can cost $5,000–$15,000 or more.

The best time to buy visitors to Canada insurance is before you leave your home country. Purchasing before departure ensures:

• Coverage begins on your arrival date in Canada with no waiting period

• You are covered if a medical issue arises during transit

• You have time to review the policy wording and ask questions before you need it

If you wait until after arriving in Canada, most insurers apply a waiting period of 1–8 days during which coverage is limited. You may not be covered for anything that begins during that waiting period. It is always better to arrange coverage in advance.

If you are coming to Canada to study, your insurance needs are different from a standard tourist - most Canadian educational institutions require proof of health coverage as a condition of enrolment, and some provinces require international students to enrol in a provincial or institutional health plan.

BestQuote offers dedicated insurance options for international students studying in Canada and Canadian students studying abroad. See: International and Canadian Student Travel Insurance.

If you're planning to visit Canada, or you're already here, you'll need Visitors to Canada insurance. Medical costs in Canada can be financially damaging if you or a visiting family member are not insured.

Visitors to Canada insurance provides protection in the event of sudden illness or accidental injury. It ensures you won't face major financial setbacks and may also include extra benefits such as emergency evacuation, family bedside visits if hospitalized, or repatriation of remains.

Play it safe. Get protected. Fill out our quote form to see all the top VTC insurance brands in available in Canada. You can easily compare prices and purchase online to save time and money.

If you need private emergency health insurance for Super Visa requirements or IEC visa requirements, VTC insurance is the right solution. Check out our dedicated pages for more details on these immigration requirements.

Yes, tourists and visitors can see a doctor in Canada. However, because visitors are not covered by Canada's provincial health insurance system, you will be billed at full cost for any medical care you receive.

How much does a doctor visit cost in Canada without insurance?

• Walk-in clinic: approximately $100–$300 per visit

• Emergency room: approximately $1,000–$2,000 per visit, depending on the province and treatment required

• Overnight hospital stay: $5,000–$15,000 per night

• Ambulance: $240–$850 depending on the province

• Surgery or serious illness: $50,000 or more in total costs

How to find medical care as a visitor in Canada: Walk-in clinics are available in most cities and towns and do not require an appointment. For non-emergency concerns, BestQuote MedEC policyholders (only available for IEC and Super Visa holders) can also access Canadian-licensed doctors through Maple - a virtual care platform included with their policy at no extra cost.

In a medical emergency: Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Always notify your insurance provider within 24 hours of a hospital admission - failure to do so may limit the benefits payable under your policy.

The quote tool on this page allows you to get a free instant comparison of Visitors to Canada insurance plans. You will be able to review real prices, coverage details, deductibles, key benefits, and refund rules - then purchase online if you are ready.

We will also email you a link to your quote so you can come back to it any time. If you have trouble receiving your quote or have questions about coverage, eligibility, or refunds, call us at 1-888-888-0510. After you purchase, your confirmation of coverage will be emailed as soon as your order is processed. We recommend saving a copy for your records and bringing a printed copy with your travel documents as proof of insurance when you arrive in Canada.

1. Get a Quote: Enter your trip details into the quote tool on this page. You will see real prices, deductible options, and key coverage details from multiple providers side by side. Select your traveller category - Emergency Medical, International Students, or Trip Cancellation and Interruption - to see the most relevant plans for your needs.

2. Compare Plans: Review the available policies. Pay attention to the sum insured, deductible options, whether pre-existing conditions are covered, refund conditions, and any secondary benefits. If BestQuote MedEC is available for your profile and trip length it will appear in your results.

3. Complete Medical Information (if required) and Purchase: Some policies require you to complete a medical questionnaire before purchasing. Complete any required information and purchase your chosen policy online securely.

4. Receive Documents: Your proof of insurance documents will be emailed to you as soon as your purchase is processed. Print a copy and carry it with your other travel documents to show as proof of insurance when you arrive in Canada.

Stay informed with our latest guides and blog posts on Visitors to Canada insurance. From choosing the right coverage to understanding pre-existing conditions options, and even Canadian travel trips, we cover everything you need to know to protect yourself or your family while in Canada.