Visitors to Canada & Super Visa policies

Canada boasts a world-class healthcare system. However, non-residents can face significant medical costs if they require treatment. Emergency travel medical insurance ensures that visitors can access the same level of quality healthcare as Canadian citizens without worrying about the associated costs.

Visitors to Canada insurance typically covers a wide range of medical situations, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and even emergency medical evacuation. Whether a visitor is on a short vacation, an extended stay, or visiting family, Goose insurance plans can be customized to match the duration and purpose of the trip.

Visitors to Canada (VTC) Insurance

Who is this coverage for and what does it do?

This policy is for Temporary visitors to Canada, individuals in Canada under a valid work or student visa, returning Canadians or immigrants not eligible for benefits under a government health insurance plan who are between 15 days and 84 years of age. 

The policy should ideally be purchased before the visitor arrives in Canada, though it may be possible to buy a policy after arrival as well.

Applicants must be in good health, not experiencing any new or undiagnosed symptoms or know of any reason to seek medical attention. Please see the policy wordings or contact us for full eligibility requirements. 

How long can we buy coverage for? 

Any trip duration up to one year can be purchased with our flexible Visitors to Canada plan. Extensions may be available upon request as well, provided the applicants continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Are pre-existing conditions coverable?

For applicants under age 65, certain pre-existing conditions may be covered if they have been stable* for at least 90 days prior to the effective date. For visitors aged 65-84, any sickness, injury or medical condition must be stable for 180 days prior to the effective date in order to be coverable under this policy. Some conditions are completely excluded - contact us if you have specific questions about pre-existing conditions, or see the policy wordings.

Is there a waiting period before coverage starts?

If this Visitors to Canada policy is purchased after the traveller has already arrived in the country, varying waiting periods may apply. No coverage for sickness will apply for the first 48 hours of the policy period if the traveller has been in Canada for 30 days or less. If they've been here for more than 30 days, there is a 5-day waiting period following the effective date of the policy.

Do you pay hospitals directly or do we have to submit a claim for reimbursement of expenses?

Whenever possible and for eligible services according to the policy terms, our Claims Administrator will instruct the hospital or clinic to bill us directly.

What's the cancellation policy?

If you request cancellation in the 10 days from the application date or prior to the effective date, a full refund is available if no travel has taken place and if the visitors are not already in Canada. If you have to return to your home country of origin and request cancellation, or if you become eligible for coverage under a government health insurance plan during the coverage period, a partial refund of premium may be available if there have been no claims incurred. Contact us for details.

Is there a deductible?

There is no deductible with the Goose VTC and Super Visa policies

Can I pay monthly?

Payment for the VTC policy must be made in full by credit card when the insurance is purchased.

Will coverage apply if we want to take a short trip outside Canada?

Yes, the policy will provide emergency travel medical coverage for short trips outside Canada. A minimum of 50% of your coverage period must be spent in Canada and time spent outside of Canada is limited to a maximum of 31 days per visit. There is no coverage while in your country of origin.

SuperVisa Insurance

How is this coverage different from a regular Visitors to Canada policy?

While the coverages, limitations and exclusions are virtually identical to our VTC policy, the eligibility requirements, cancellation rules, one-year policy term requirement and payment options are slightly different.

As explained in the Government of Canada's website, there are certain insurance requirements for individuals applying for a super visa. The health insurance policy should:

• be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry
• be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren’t accepted)
• cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation
• provide a minimum of $100,000 of emergency coverage
• Our Goose Super Visa insurance meets these minimum requirements, with higher coverage limits available.

Who can buy this, and what coverage does it provide? 

This insurance is typically purchased by the host in Canada, for their parent or grandparent only, prior to the traveller's arrival. Again, the requirements to be eligible are listed in the Government of Canada's website. Though $100,000 coverage is the minimum required, we recommend higher coverage limits as the premium differences are minimal and claims certainly can exceed $100k. 

How long can we buy coverage for? What if my dates change or the visa is denied?

Policies are issued for one year (can be extended in future if necessary, either renewed on a one-year term as another Super Visa policy or as a regular Visitors to Canada policy).

If cancellation of your policy is requested prior to the effective date, the full premium can be refunded, however satisfactory proof from Citizenship and Immigration Canada that your Super Visa was denied will be required prior to the refund being accepted and processed.

If the traveller's arrival date changes, please contact us before the policy becomes effective so that we can make any necessary adjustments.

Are pre-existing conditions covered?

Pre-existing conditions are treated identically under the VTC and Super Visa policies - conditions must be stable for 90 days for visitors under the age of 65, and stable for 180 days for visitors aged 65-84 in order to be coverable. 

Is there a deductible?

There is no deductible with the Goose VTC and SuperVisa policies

Can I pay monthly?

Yes, with Super Visa policies only. A down payment equal to 2 monthly payments is required when the policy is purchased. This is followed by 10 monthly instalments which begin the following month after the policy is purchased.

Will coverage apply if we want to take a short trip outside Canada?

Yes, the policy will provide emergency travel medical coverage for short trips outside Canada. A minimum of 50% of your coverage period must be spent in Canada and time spent outside of Canada is limited to a maximum of 31 days per visit. There is no coverage while in your country of origin.

Related: 

Which should I choose - Goose's Visitors to Canada or Super Visa insurance?

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*Stable means any medical condition (whether or not the diagnosis has been determined) for which there has been:

• no hospitalization; and
• no new diagnosis, treatment, or prescribed medication; and
• no change* in treatment or medication; and
• no new, more frequent, or more severe symptoms; and
• no new test results showing deterioration; and
• no referral to a specialist (made or recommended), and you are not awaiting surgery, or the results of further investigations performed by any medical professional.

*Change includes any new treatment or medication, stopped treatment or medication, increase, or decrease in treatment or medication but does not include transition between generic and brand-name versions of drugs with the same active ingredient and dosage or the routine adjustment of dosage within prescribed parameters when you are taking insulin or oral diabetes medication.