Quick answer
You can buy visitor or Super Visa insurance after arriving in Canada, but most insurers apply a waiting period — commonly 48 hours, and longer for some ages or plans — when illness isn't covered. Accidental injuries are usually covered right away. Buying before arrival, or renewing with no gap, avoids the waiting period.
Why waiting periods exist
Insurers want to avoid people buying cover only once they already feel unwell. The waiting period protects against that, so it applies only when coverage starts after arrival.
What's covered during the waiting period
| During waiting period | After waiting period | |
|---|---|---|
| Accidental injury | Usually covered | Covered |
| Sudden illness | Not covered | Covered (subject to policy terms) |
| Illness that started during the waiting period | Not covered | Often still excluded |
How to avoid it
- Buy before your relative travels, with the start date as the arrival date
- Renew or extend before the current policy ends, so there's no gap
- Ask whether the insurer waives the waiting period when you replace another policy without a gap
Already here without insurance?
Buy as soon as possible — every day without cover is a day of full risk. We can usually have a policy in place the same day.
Common questions
How long is the waiting period?
Commonly 48 hours, and longer — sometimes 7 to 15 days — for older ages or certain plans. It varies by insurer.
Does the waiting period apply to renewals?
Usually not, if the new policy starts the day after the old one ends with no gap. Confirm with the insurer.
Can returning Canadians avoid the waiting period?
Some insurers treat returning Canadians differently — ask us to compare.
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