Manulife visitor to Canada insurance review (2026): Coverage, costs, pros & cons

Advisor insight: The Standard and Enhanced plans are often the safest option for seniors who want stronger financial protection against unexpected medical expenses during an extended stay in Canada.

How much does Manulife visitor health insurance cost?

The cost of a visitor to Canada health insurance policy from Manulife ranges from $73.20 to $726.60, depending on the age, coverage amount, duration, and health status. 

Here are the sample premium costs of the Manulife visitor health insurance based on an individual’s age and health status:

*Premium cost for $100,000 in coverage for a visitor to Canada insurance plan for 30 days.

How to reduce the cost of Manulife visitor health insurance?

To reduce your Manulife Visitor to Canada Insurance premium costs, you can utilize two primary methods:

• Apply as a group: Qualify for a 5% premium reduction when applying as a family or travel group.
• Select a higher deductible: Choose a higher deductible to lower your premium by up to 40%.

A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket toward eligible medical expenses before your insurance starts covering costs. As a rule of thumb, a higher deductible results in lower premiums.

See how your Manulife Visitor to Canada insurance premiums change with different deductible amounts:

Who is eligible for Manulife visitor insurance?

Any non-resident in Canada meeting Manulife’s definitions and medical eligibility criteria and not covered by a provincial health care plan is eligible for Manulife’s visitor to Canada plan. 

This includes tourists visiting Canada, new immigrants, Super Visa holders, work permit holders, and returning Canadians who are not currently covered by a provincial plan.

However, you are not eligible for Manulife travel insurance for visitors if you:

• Travel against a physician’s advice or have a terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than two years
• Have received a diagnosis of, or treatment for, pancreatic, lung, brain, or liver cancer within the past two years
• Have ever been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, where cancer has spread from one part of the body to another
• Are awaiting, or have previously undergone, an organ or bone marrow transplant (excluding corneal transplants)
• Live with congestive heart failure or a kidney condition that requires dialysis
• Have required home oxygen therapy within the past 12 months
• Reside in a nursing home, long-term care facility, or rehabilitation centre

Does Manulife visitor health insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes, the Enhanced plan of the Manulife visitor health insurance offers coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. It covers conditions that have been stable for 180 days. The Basic plan does not cover any pre-existing conditions.

Under Manulife visitor insurance, a pre-existing medical condition is considered stable if there have been no new treatments, medications, or changes to existing treatment plans within the required stability period.

Key things to know before buying Manulife visitor insurance

Here are the major points you must keep in mind during your Manulife travel insurance for visitors policy period:

• 24-hour call requirement: Policyholders must contact Manulife’s Assistance Centre (1-877-878-0142)  within 24 hours of hospitalization or before treatment. Failure to do so may result in a 20% coinsurance penalty. 
• Pre-approval for diagnostic procedures: MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, biopsies, and certain cardiovascular procedures require prior approval from the Assistance Centre unless it is a life-threatening emergency. 
• Automatic policy extensions: The coverage may automatically extend at no extra cost for travel delays (up to 72 hours), hospitalisation on the expiry date, or medical emergencies occurring within 5 days before the policy expires.
• TravelAid app: Manulife also has a dedicated TravelAid App that you can use to file claims or contact claim administrators. It can also provide directions to the closest medical facility wherever you are in the world.

Advisor’s take: Manulife visitor insurance to Canada remains a strong choice for travellers and long-term visitors, thanks to its flexible plans and comprehensive emergency medical coverage with side trip support. Despite the lack of monthly payment options, it is a great choice for those seeking comprehensive coverage.

Can you cancel or get a refund on Manulife Visitor Insurance?

Yes, Manulife Visitor Insurance allows policy cancellations and refunds under certain conditions. The refund amount depends on whether coverage has started, whether a claim has been filed, and the reason for cancellation. 

Here are Manulife visitor insurance cancellation and refund rules at a glance:

• 10-day free look period:

You may be eligible for a full refund if you cancel within 10 days of purchase, before your departure date, and no claim has been made. Terms and conditions apply.

• Visa refusal refunds: 

Full refunds may be available if your visa or Super Visa application is refused before coverage begins. However, proof of visa refusal is required.

• Early return refunds:

      Partial refunds for unused coverage days may be available if you:

• Return to your country of origin early, or
• Become eligible for a provincial or government health insurance plan (GHIP)
• No claim can have been paid or denied

Note: Proof of departure or GHIP coverage is required. Refund eligibility is subject to policy conditions.

Manulife Visitor Insurance refund handling fees

However, a handling fee applies to partial refunds once a claim has been initiated. Manulife will deduct this fee from your refund amount according to the terms and conditions.

Here are the deductions for refunds with claims:

• Claim withdrawn: refund issued minus a $300 file handling fee per claim
• Claim denied: refund issued minus a $500 file handling fee per claim
• Claim paid: the paid claim amount and a $300 file handling fee are deducted from the refund amount

How to extend coverage instead of cancelling?

If you are thinking about extending your coverage instead of cancelling, you must purchase a new Manulife policy before your current coverage expires.

To avoid a new waiting period, the new policy must:

• Start immediately after the old policy ends
• Not reduce the deductible
• Not increase the coverage limit
• Not switch from a non-pre-existing condition plan to a pre-existing condition plan tier (Basic to Standard/Enhanced)

Note that eligibility for an extension may depend on factors such as your claims history, health status, and the length of coverage requested. Additional premiums will apply, and certain conditions may need to be met.

How does Manulife compare to other visitor insurance options?

Here’s a quick overview of the Manulife visitor health insurance policy compared to similar policies offered by GMS, TuGo, Allianz, and others:

Does Manulife visitor medical insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, the Enhanced plan covers pre-existing medical conditions under certain specific rules. The Enhanced plan covers stable pre-existing medical conditions for at least 180 days before coverage begins.

Is Manulife suitable for Super Visa? 

Yes, all three plans are eligible for the Manulife Super Visa insurance when the coverage amount is $100,000 and above.

What is the maximum coverage available under Manulife visitor insurance?

Manulife offers emergency medical coverage limits up to $200,000 under the Basic, Standard, and Enhanced plans.

Does Manulife visitor to Canada insurance include dental coverage?

Yes, the Standard and Enhanced plans of the Manulife visitor insurance include up to $4,000 for accidental dental treatment and up to $300 for emergency dental pain relief. However, the basic plan has no support for dental work.

Are side trips outside Canada covered by the Manulife Visitor to Canada Insurance?

Yes, the Manulife Visitor to Canada Insurance supports any trip taken to other countries from Canada (starts and ends in Canada). However, they must not exceed the lesser of 30 days per policy or 49% of the total number of coverage days in your policy.

What is a stable pre-existing condition in the Manulife Visitor Insurance?

Under Manulife visitor insurance, a pre-existing medical condition is considered stable if there have been no new treatments, medications, or changes to existing treatment plans within the required stability period. The condition must not have worsened, produced new or more severe symptoms, required hospitalisation or specialist referrals, or involved any pending tests, investigations, or planned treatments.