Insurance for entering Canada: who needs it, the rules for different categories of visas and where to get it?

Canadian law requires foreigners entering the country to have an insurance policy. At the same time, depending on the purpose of the trip and the length of stay, different requirements are put forward for insurance. Find out when and what type of insurance is required to enter Canada

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay abroad

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According to Canadian law, travelling or moving to Canada requires obtaining the appropriate type of visa and purchasing an insurance policy. Therefore, before packing your bags, you need to find out what type of entry permit you need to obtain and what insurance requirements apply.

We'll tell you more about the specifics of health and travel insurance for visitors to Canada below.

The rules of entry and residence in Canada in 2025 are available here.

Planning a trip abroad?

Take out reliable health insurance from Visit Ukraine!

What determines the type of insurance policy for travelling to Canada?

Not all travel or health insurance policies are the same and will be suitable for your stay. The following factors affect the type of coverage you need:

- Length of stay.

- The provinces and territories you plan to visit.

- The activities you plan to do during your stay (for example, winter sports and adventure tourism may require special cover).

- Whether you need special insurance to obtain a work permit, etc.

What are the requirements for an insurance policy to enter Canada?

Insurance requirements in Canada vary depending on the type of visa, planned activities, and length of stay.

- Tourist visas

Canada is a very popular destination among tourists. The country is known around the world for its vast unspoilt landscape, unique mix of cultures and multifaceted history.

Travel insurance is one of the mandatory documents required when applying for a visa to Canada, and it is also a condition for travelling on an eTA (electronic travel permit).

You need to take out a policy for the entire period of your stay in the country. It should cover a wide range of risks (visits to doctors, hospital treatment, medicines, etc.).

- Student visas

International students in Canada are eligible to receive a Health Card, but each province decides whether to provide health insurance to international students. Currently, the following provinces offer health insurance to international students: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan.

Students applying to provinces that do not offer health insurance for international students are usually required to purchase private health insurance.

Also keep in mind that it takes some time to apply for a national health insurance policy. Therefore, in order to protect yourself from unexpected expenses, it is essential to have a good quality health insurance policy for the first months of your studies.

Students who participate in exchange programmes and plan to stay in Canada for up to 3 months can apply for a regular travel insurance policy.

- Work permit

Expats travelling to Canada for work are also covered by the Health Card system of national insurance. However, as in the case of student insurance, the policy begins to operate after a certain period. Therefore, to protect yourself from unnecessary expenses in the first months of your stay in Canada, take out a health insurance policy before you travel.

- IEC work permit

If you are participating in the IEC (International Experience Canada) programme, insurance is mandatory. You must purchase a private health insurance policy for the entire period of your work in Canada. Your policy must also cover repatriation costs.

- Super Visa

Canadian migration law requires that foreigners applying for a Super Visa, a permit that allows relatives of Canadian residents to stay in the country for more than 6 months, must have health insurance. The policy must be valid for the entire duration of the foreigner's stay in Canada and cover a wide range of medical risks.

- Health insurance for expats moving to Canada for permanent residence

If you move to Canada under a permanent residency programme, you will be eligible for public healthcare under the terms of the programme, but this will happen a little later. For the first few months after your arrival, you will not be covered by an insurance policy, as it takes some time for your provincial or territorial insurance to take effect. That is why you need to have a health insurance policy in the first months of your stay in Canada.

- Refugees under the CUAET programme

In Canada, health care is provided by provincial and territorial governments. This means that access to the healthcare system and specific healthcare services depends on which province or territory you will live in.

If your provincial or territorial government offers public health services under CUAET, you will need to apply for a health card.

If you are not eligible for public health care, you may be able to get it through an open work permit or you may need to purchase a private health insurance policy.

Also, keep in mind that the first time you arrive, in particular when applying for documents and health insurance, it is better to be sure that in case of an emergency or illness, you will be able to receive guaranteed assistance in a language you understand. In addition, given the high cost of medical services in Canada, an insurance policy can save you a lot of money in case of illness. Therefore, we recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy before moving to Canada.

Read here to find out what types of visas to Canada are available to Ukrainians and what steps you need to take to get into the country.

What should I look for when buying travel or health insurance to Canada?

Canada has no state requirements for what a health insurance policy for visitors to the country should include. Therefore, a foreigner can choose the components of the policy, but we advise you to pay attention to:

- Coverage amount - the maximum amount of payments you can receive in the event of an insured event.

- Deductible - the part of the loss that will not be reimbursed by the company when the insured event occurs.

- Insurance components - what is covered by health insurance: doctor's consultation, hospitalisation, medicines, dental care, ambulance call, etc.

Work in Canada for Ukrainians: available vacancies and salary levels are described here.

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What is covered by the insurance that can be arranged on Visit Ukraine?

Health insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal

The health insurance policies available on Visit Ukraine provide comprehensive protection during your stay in Canada, including emergency medical care, COVID-19 treatment, and reimbursement for transportation costs in case of emergency.

The ‘Whole World Classic‘ policy provides basic coverage:

- COVID-19: diagnosis and treatment as prescribed by a doctor.

- Emergency outpatient care.

- Emergency inpatient care.

- Emergency dental care.

- Expenses for transportation by vehicle to the nearest medical facility.

- Emergency obstetric care up to the 28th week of pregnancy.

- Accident insurance.

- Expenses for burial abroad.

- Costs of repatriation of the body to the place of burial in Ukraine.

The policy ‘SILVER-VU Whole World’ provides extended coverage, including all the benefits of ‘Classic’, as well as additional services, such as:

- Payment of expenses for consultations, diagnostics, treatment and medicines.

- Expenses for emergency calls.

- Compensation for vaccination costs.

- Coverage of expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

- Compensation for the cost of telephone communication in the event of an insured event.

- Organisation and payment for emergency medical care.

The policy ‘GOLD-VU Worldwide’ provides even wider coverage, including all the benefits of ‘SILVER-VU’, as well as:

- Coverage for COVID-19 and SARS treatment costs.

- Payment for inpatient treatment for up to 15 days after the end of the insurance period.

- Compensation for the cost of lost luggage.

- Reimbursement of expenses for the preparation of documents for returning to the country of permanent residence.

- Emergency gynaecological care.

The policy ‘All Inclusive PLATINUM-VU’ provides the maximum level of insurance coverage, including all the benefits of ‘GOLD-VU’, as well as:

- Reimbursement of expenses for staying in a high-comfort waiting area in case of flight delay.

- Reimbursement of expenses due to technical malfunctions of water transport.

- Payment of expenses for the early return of children under 14 years of age in case of an emergency.

- Reimbursement of the cost of stay of the insured person's companion in a hotel abroad in case of hospitalisation.

- Coverage of expenses for legal services and an interpreter for medical care.

- Payment of the cost of economy class travel to return to the country of permanent residence.

Travel insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal

If you are planning a short-term trip to Canada, you can take advantage of the ‘All Inclusive Basic’ travel insurance package, which covers:

- COVID-19: diagnosis and treatment as prescribed by a doctor.

- Emergency outpatient care.

- Emergency inpatient care.

- Costs of calling an ambulance in the country of residence.

- Emergency ambulance.

- Emergency obstetric care up to the 28th week of pregnancy.

- Expenses for emergency and urgent outpatient and inpatient care, including consultations, diagnostics, treatment and payment for medicines.

- Expenses for emergency surgeries, including medicines, bandages and fixation devices.

- Repatriation of the body.

- Medical transport.

The family reunification programme in Canada for Ukrainians is no longer available. Follow the link for details.

How much does insurance cost on the Visit Ukraine portal?

Medical insurance

Travel insurance

Why is it worth taking out insurance for a trip to Canada on Visit Ukraine?

- A wide range of insurance programmes adapted to the different needs of travellers - from tourist trips to long-term stays.

- Instant online registration.

- Affordable tariff plans with transparent pricing conditions and no hidden fees.

- Round-the-clock customer support to help resolve any situation during your stay abroad.

- Guaranteed quality of insurance services from trusted companies.

Travel without worries with insurance from Visit Ukraine!

Discover the world with confidence, knowing that you have reliable protection in any situation. The insurance covers all important services during your trip. It takes just a few minutes to apply, and you will receive your policy immediately by email.

Don't put it off - take out an insurance policy right now!

Just a reminder. The Government of Canada does not plan to distribute permanent residence permits to Ukrainians on a massive scale, but it also does not intend to return such citizens to their homeland while the war is ongoing. Read here how the Canadian authorities offer refugees to legalise their stay in the country.

Photo: Freepik

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