Visitors to Canada insurance for family from the Philippines

When family visits from the Philippines — parents, in-laws, or relatives staying for weeks or months — they arrive without any Canadian health coverage. Visitors to Canada insurance exists to close that gap for the length of their visit.

Why OHIP won’t help

OHIP covers Ontario residents, not visitors. If a family member visiting from the Philippines has a medical emergency — a fall, chest pain, appendicitis — the hospital bills them directly, and Canadian emergency care is expensive. A single emergency department visit, and certainly a hospital admission or surgery, can run into thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Visitors to Canada insurance pays for eligible emergency care so that cost does not fall on the visiting family or on you as the host.

What to look for

A good visitor policy is matched to the actual trip:

• A coverage amount sized to the risk — higher limits give more cushion against a serious event.
• The right length, covering the whole stay from arrival to departure with no gaps.
• 24/7 emergency assistance, so a hospital can be directed to bill the insurer rather than the family.
• Clear pre-existing condition terms, especially for older visiting parents.

Our underwriting partner covers visitors through its Visitors to Canada shelf, as a Canadian insurer operating since 1964, with assistance in multiple languages and claims handled directly.

No age limit, questionnaire for 60+

There is no age limit on visitor coverage, so older parents and grandparents can be insured. Visitors under 60 answer no medical questions. Visitors 60 and over complete a medical questionnaire, which sets the premium rather than eligibility. No medical exam is required. Accurate answers matter, because an incorrect declaration can undermine a future claim.

Pre-existing conditions

Visiting parents often manage conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. These are frequently covered if they have been stable for a defined period before coverage begins — no changes to the condition, medication or treatment in that window. Check the stability period, declare conditions honestly, and keep records.

Visitor insurance vs the Super Visa

This is ordinary visitor insurance, not the Super Visa policy. If your family is applying for a Super Visa, they need coverage that meets IRCC’s rules — at least $100,000, valid 365 days, from a Canadian insurer. If they are visiting on a regular visitor visa, standard visitor-to-Canada insurance sized to the trip is the right fit. Both protect against the same medical risk; the difference is the visa framework.

Round-the-clock help

An emergency is harder in an unfamiliar country. Our 24/7 assistance in multiple languages means families from the Philippines can reach help whenever they need it, and the assistance team can coordinate care and billing directly with the hospital.

Choosing the length and timing

Match the policy dates to the whole visit, from the day of arrival to the day of departure, so there is no uncovered gap. If travel dates are not final, ask the insurer how the effective date can be adjusted. Buy before the family arrives, so coverage is in force the moment they land — a medical event in the first days of a trip is just as possible as one later on, and an uncovered arrival day defeats the purpose.

The practical takeaway

Family visiting from the Philippines are not covered by Canada’s provincial plans, so visitor insurance is what protects them — and you — from a surprise medical bill. Size the policy to the length and coverage you want, declare any conditions accurately, and compare your options with a quote to see the right coverage and price for your visiting family.