Visitor Insurance Trip Planner
Enter the travel dates. We'll work out the policy dates and the key deadlines.
General guidance. Plan rules (waiting periods, side trips, stability periods, refunds) differ by insurer. Entry rules are set by IRCC and the border officer.
Before-You-Fly Checklist
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Visitors pay full hospital prices. One Ontario hospital charges visitors $3,750 a day for a ward bed and $5,750 a day in intensive care in 2026–2027, plus doctors' fees.
Hospital cost calculatorCoverage amount, pre-existing conditions, deductibles and refunds explained, with a 4-question plan chooser.
How to choose visitor insuranceCall the insurer before the doctor. Here's what to do and how to claim.
Claims guideParents and grandparents can stay up to 5 years per entry on a Super Visa.
Super Visa Canada 2026Visiting Canada: Insurance FAQs
Do visitors to Canada need health insurance?
It isn't required for a regular visitor visa or eTA, but it's strongly advised: visitors aren't covered by OHIP or other provincial plans, and one Ontario hospital charges visitors $3,750 a day for a ward bed and $5,750 a day in intensive care (2026–2027). It is required for the Super Visa.
When should we buy visitor insurance?
Before the visitor leaves home. Plans bought after arrival usually have a waiting period for sickness; on one plan we sell it's 48 hours if bought within 30 days of arrival and 8 days after that.
What dates should the policy cover?
From the day the visitor arrives in Canada to the day they leave. Many families add a few days in case flights change; unused days can usually be refunded if no claim was made.
How long can visitors stay in Canada?
Most visitors can stay up to 6 months; the border officer decides and may set a different date in the passport. To stay longer, apply to IRCC to extend before the status ends, and extend the insurance too.
Can visitor insurance be extended if the visit gets longer?
Usually yes, if you ask before the policy ends. Some plans need a health declaration for the extension. Tell us early.
Does visitor insurance cover a trip to the US during the visit?
Many plans allow side trips outside Canada for a limited time, as long as most of the stay is in Canada. One plan we sell allows 30 days. Check before booking.
What isn't covered by visitor insurance?
Routine check-ups, regular prescriptions, planned treatment, and conditions that weren't stable or weren't declared. Each policy lists its exclusions; read them before you buy.
What's the difference between visitor insurance and Super Visa insurance?
Super Visa insurance must have at least $100,000 of coverage, last one year from entry and come from a Canadian or OSFI-authorized insurer. Visitor insurance can cover any length of trip.
Where These Facts Come From
- Ontario.ca: Apply for OHIP (visitors don't qualify)
- IRCC: Visit Canada
- IRCC: Extend your stay in Canada (visitor record)
- Cambridge Memorial Hospital: Fee for service 2026-2027
Plan examples (waiting period, side-trip limit) come from one plan we sell as of October 2026; other insurers differ. Last reviewed October 18, 2026 by Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS.
Insure the visit before the flight
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