Best Medical Insurance for Visitors to Canada (2026): Top 9 Companies

Key features of Allianz Visitor Insurance

• High medical limits for students: Coverage ranges from $50,000 to $500,000 for standard visitors, while the International Student plan offers a higher limit of $2,000,000.
• High dental coverage for Visitors: All “Visitors to Canada” plan tiers provide up to $4,000 for dental emergencies, whereas the student-specific plan covers up to $1,500.
• Emergency medical transportation: Every plan variant includes Emergency Medical Transportation to cover costs related to returning your vehicle to its point of origin
• 24-Hour assistance services: Policyholders have access to a 24-hour assistance hotline included across all plan types to help navigate emergencies during their stay.
• Travel accident protection: The student plan provides a specific $15,000 benefit for travel accidents, while visitor plans cover up to the total sum insured for loss of life, limb, sight, or hearing.
• Standardized plan deductibles: Standard visitor plans carry a $500 deductible, while the International Student plan features a lower $75 deductible.
• Extended stay eligibility: All plans support long-term visits with a maximum trip duration of up to 365 days.
• Broad age limits: Coverage is accessible for students up to 49 years old, while the “Visitors to Canada” plans remain available for travelers up to 89 years old.

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate Manulife 5/5 for its highly comprehensive coverage and broad medical and travel protection for visitors to Canada. By offering three distinct levels of coverage, Basic, Standard, and Enhanced, Manulife allows travelers to balance their budget with their specific health needs. Its standout feature is the lack of an age limit on the Basic plan, making it a reliable choice for seniors and those with manageable health histories visiting Canada.

Key features of Manulife Visitor Insurance

• Tiered coverage limits: All three plan levels (Basic, Standard, and Enhanced) offer flexible coverage options reaching a maximum of $200,000 CAD.
• No age cap on basic coverage: Unlike many competitors, Manulife’s Basic plan has no age limit, providing essential emergency medical protection for older travelers.
• Pre-existing condition coverage: The Standard and Enhanced plans provide coverage for stable pre-existing conditions (subject to a 180-day stability period).
• No medical questionnaire for basic/standard: Applicants can secure the Basic or Standard plans without answering medical questions, simplifying the enrollment process.
• Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D): Standard and Enhanced plans include built-in AD&D benefits, providing extra financial security for travelers and their families.
• Emergency dental coverage: Both the Standard and Enhanced tiers include coverage for dental emergencies, protecting you from high out-of-pocket costs for unexpected dental pain.
• Flexible eligibility: Coverage is available for travelers up to age 85 on the Standard and Enhanced plans, ensuring broad accessibility for visiting parents and grandparents.

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate TuGo 5/5 because it offers one of the most flexible and comprehensive medical insurance plans for visitors with unstable conditions. The plan offers an exceptionally short 7-day stability period for certain pre-existing conditions, a massive advantage over the 180-day industry norm. Beyond medical care, TuGo provides perks like MyFlyt lounge access and MySIM data, making it a convenient choice for travellers needing superior experience.

Key features of TuGo Visitor Insurance

• Stability period: Offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with stability requirements as short as 7 days
• Two-tiered medical plans: Travelers can choose between the “Basic” plan (ideal for budget-conscious visitors) and the “Emergency Medical” plan 
• Follow-up visit coverage: TuGo covers up to 5 follow-up visits within 14 days of an initial emergency, ensuring continuity of care
• Comprehensive professional services: The medical plan extends beyond doctors to include physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other professionals for acute emergency relief
• Travel perks: Includes MyFlyt (lounge access/cash for 2+ hour flight delays) and MySIM (3GB of complimentary global mobile data)
• Telemedicine & emotional support: Provides 24/7 access to doctors via the Maple platform and confidential virtual mental health support through Assistenza
• Maternity benefits: The comprehensive plan includes coverage for pre-natal care, delivery, and potential complications for visitors
• Optional “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR): Can be added to Trip Cancellation plans, offering the ultimate financial safety net for non-refundable travel investments

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate Secure Travel 5/5 as the “Best Overall” choice for visitors to Canada due to its exceptional balance of high benefit limits and reasonable stability requirements. It also offers flexible deductible options that help visitors lower premium costs while maintaining solid emergency medical coverage. Its relatively short 90-day stability period for travelers under 70 makes it highly competitive for those with well-managed health conditions.

Key features of Secure Travel Visitors Insurance

• Robust plans: Offers two comprehensive plans (Standard and Enhanced) that both include Emergency Medical, Hospitalization, and Diagnostic services up to the full plan limit
• Favorable stability periods: Pre-existing conditions are covered with a 90-day stability period for those under 69, and a 180-day period for those aged 70–84
• Generous dental coverage: The Enhanced plan provides an industry-leading $3,000 for dental injuries and $500 for non-injury pain relief
• Extended prescription benefits: Offers up to $1,000 for a 30-day supply of emergency prescriptions on the Enhanced plan
• Included follow-up care: Both plans include 3 follow-up visits, ensuring that recovery is monitored after the initial emergency treatment
• High accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D): Includes $50,000 in AD&D coverage, with the Enhanced plan boosting Flight Accident coverage specifically to $100,000
• Comprehensive family support: The Enhanced plan covers the cost of economy airfare for the return of children, plus $3,000 for a family member to travel to your bedside
• Travel protection: Includes unique benefits such as a $500 allowance for excess baggage return and a daily hospital allowance for incidental expenses

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate 21st Century 4/5 for visitors staying in Canada long-term. They were the first in Canada to introduce a Monthly Payment Plan, significantly lowering the upfront financial barrier for long-term visitors. Their unique “Two-Year Upgrade” feature. which resets benefit limits in the second year and locks in rates, makes them a standout choice for parents and grandparents planning extended stays in Canada.

Key features of 21st Century Visitor Insurance

• Monthly payment plan (MPP): A convenient payment option requiring only a two-month deposit and a $50 fee, ideal for managing the costs of long-term coverage
• Two-year upgrade reset: On the MPP, coverage limits and benefit maximums (like the 30-day side trip limit) reset to the full amount at the start of the second year
• No age limit on basic plan: While Enhanced and Standard plans serve ages 0–85, the Basic plan offers emergency medical coverage with no age cap
• Stable pre-existing condition coverage: The Enhanced plan provides protection for stable pre-existing conditions, a vital feature for older travelers
• High dental limits: Standard and Enhanced plans include up to $4,000 for dental accidents and $500 for the relief of dental pain
• Refunds after claims: Unlike many providers, 21st Century allows for early return refunds even if a claim has been made during the trip

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate Destination Canada 4/5 as a top choice for its versatility and added benefits. Unlike many plans where they are optional add-ons, AD&D and Repatriation benefits are built directly into the policy. Furthermore, its highly competitive deductible structure, offering a $0 deductible for travelers up to age 85, makes it a standout for visitors who want to ensure they aren’t hit with unexpected out-of-pocket costs during an already stressful medical emergency.

Key features of Destination Canada Visitor Insurance

• Coverage limits: Provides a wide range of sum insured options starting from $25,000 all the way up to $300,000
• Stability periods: Offers flexible pre-existing condition coverage with age-specific stability requirements: 90 days (under 60), 120 days (ages 60–69), and 180 days (ages 70–79)
• Nursing care benefit: Includes up to $10,000 for the services of a private registered nurse, significantly higher than the industry average
• Follow-up coverage: Provides up to $3,000 for follow-up medical visits after an emergency, provided they are pre-approved
• AD&D and flight accident: Automatically includes Accidental Death and Dismemberment (up to $150,000) and Flight Accident coverage ($50,000)
• Family support benefits: Covers up to $3,000 to bring a family member to your bedside, plus an additional $1,000 for their meals and accommodation
• Return of deceased: Provides up to $10,000 for the return of remains or $4,000 for local burial/cremation

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate Group Medical Services (GMS) 4/5 and rank it as the Best for pre-existing conditions. Its standout feature is the complete elimination of medical questionnaires for anyone under the age of 55. This makes it incredibly straightforward for visitors with prior health issues to secure reliable coverage without the stress of complicated medical underwriting or the fear of denial. Combined with a “No Waiting Period” policy for those who apply before arrival, GMS offers peace of mind for travelers managing existing health concerns.

Key features of GMS Visitor Insurance

• Simplified underwriting: Visitors under age 55 can secure a plan with no medical questionnaires, making it one of the easiest policies to qualify for in that age bracket
• Zero waiting period: The standard waiting period is waived if you apply before arriving in Canada or switch from another Canadian provider without a gap in coverage
• Flexible coverage limits: Offers four distinct medical expense limits: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000
• Virtual healthcare: Includes access to virtual care, allowing visitors to skip the ER waiting room and speak with medical professionals over the phone or online
• Global side-trip coverage: Covers trips to other countries (excluding the country of origin) for up to 30 days, provided the side-trip is less than 50% of the total coverage period
• Childcare benefit: Unique to GMS, this plan provides up to $500 for licensed childcare if the insured parent is hospitalized
• Automatic travel extensions: Coverage is automatically extended for up to 48 hours if your flight is delayed or you experience layover issues
• Professional health practitioners: Includes a $500 combined maximum for services from specialists like physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate MSH 4/5 because it offers unmatched flexibility for side trips outside Canada. Unlike most insurers that limit coverage to short trips abroad, MSH allows extended worldwide travel without strict time caps. This makes it ideal for frequent flyers and visitors who plan to spend significant time outside Canada during their stay.

Key features of MSH International Canada

• High coverage limits: Offers the highest medical insurance limits in the visitor segment, with options ranging from $50,000 up to $1,000,000
• Side trip coverage: Unlike plans that limit travel to the USA/Mexico, MSH covers worldwide travel as long as the majority of the policy duration is spent in Canada  
• Maternity benefit: Provides $5,000 in coverage for pregnancy and delivery (if pregnancy commences after the policy effective date), a rare feature in medical insurance for visitors to Canada
• Extensive deductible choice: Offers a massive range of deductibles (from $0 to $25,000), allowing travelers to significantly lower their premiums if they are willing to share more risk
• Wellness & non-emergency options: Includes coverage for routine physical exams, vaccines, and eye exams, moving beyond just “emergency” care 
• Aged-based stability periods: Clear pre-existing condition coverage with a 90-day stability period for those under 70 and 180 days for ages 71–80
• Prescription drug allowance: Covers up to $2,000 for emergency prescriptions (limit waived during hospitalization), which is double the amount offered by many standard plans
• Specialist & therapist access: Includes $500 per profession for a wide range of practitioners, including acupuncturists and psychologists

PolicyAdvisor rating

We rate Travelance 4/5 because it provides flexibility with monthly payment options while still offering strong emergency medical coverage. By offering two distinct tiers, Essential (for healthy, budget-conscious travelers) and Premier (for those needing robust protection), Travelance allows visitors to pay only for the level of risk they have. Its Premier plan is particularly noteworthy for offering a $10,000 prescription drug benefit, which is one of the highest in the Canadian visitor insurance market.

Key features of Travelance Visitor Insurance

• Flexible monthly payment option (MPO): Available for plans with a 90+ day duration and at least $100,000 in coverage. It requires only a two-month deposit and a small non-refundable fee upfront
• Essential vs. premier tiering: Choice between a low-cost “Essential” plan for healthy visitors and a “Premier” plan with upgraded benefits and pre-existing condition coverage
• High prescription benefit: The Premier plan offers a massive $10,000 for prescription medications, compared to the standard $500–$1,000 offered by competitors
• Extended coverage duration: Policies can be issued for up to 558 days, providing nearly 200 days of additional coverage beyond the typical 365-day limit
• Family rates: Offers a “Family Rate” capped at twice the premium of the eldest insured adult, allowing children to be covered at no additional cost
• Follow-up care: Includes up to $5,000 for follow-up visits on the Premier plan, ensuring visitors can complete their recovery without out-of-pocket expenses
• Deductible discounts: Provides various deductible options (up to $10,000) that can reduce premiums by as much as 45%, making it highly customizable for different budgets
• Enhanced AD&D: The Premier plan includes Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage up to the plan limit (maximum $100,000)
• Travel comfort benefits: Includes niche benefits like return of baggage and personal effects (up to $800) and visits to bedside with up to $5,000 in expenses