Visitors to Canada insurance in Ottawa

Ottawa, the national capital, is home to many families who host visiting parents and grandparents for long stays. When they arrive, their health care is not covered by any provincial plan, and Visitors to Canada insurance is what protects both the guest and the family hosting them from the cost of a medical emergency.

What it covers

Visitors to Canada insurance is emergency medical coverage for people in Canada who have no provincial health coverage. It pays for unexpected illness or injury during the visit: hospital admission and physician fees, diagnostics, prescriptions, emergency dental and emergency medical transport, backed by a 24/7 assistance line. It is emergency protection for the stay, not coverage for routine or planned treatment.

Why visitors need it

OHIP covers eligible Ontario residents, not visitors. A tourist, a visiting parent, or any guest from abroad has no provincial coverage, so if they are admitted to hospital the full cost falls to them or to the family hosting them in Ottawa — and hospital care in Canada is expensive. Visitors to Canada insurance pays or guarantees those emergency costs, turning an unpredictable risk into a manageable one.

The Super Visa option

A major use of this coverage is the Super Visa, which lets parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent residents visit for long stays. IRCC requires Super Visa applicants to hold at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, valid for 365 days from entry, from a Canadian insurer, covering healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation. Visitors to Canada insurance includes Super Visa options designed to meet these rules, and you receive proof of coverage to submit with the application. A full year of coverage is why Super Visa premiums are larger than a short tourist policy.

What drives the cost

There is no flat price. The premium depends mainly on the visitor’s age, the length of the stay, the coverage amount chosen, and health. There is no age limit, and no medical questions under 60; at 60 and over the visitor completes a short questionnaire that sets the premium rather than eligibility. Answering it accurately protects any future claim.

When to buy

Buy before the visitor arrives where possible, so coverage is active the moment they land. Set the start date to the arrival date and the end date to the planned departure. Our underwriting partner, a Canadian insurer operating since 1964, offers Visitors to Canada coverage with 24/7 assistance in multiple languages and claims handled directly, so a Ottawa family has support at any hour if something goes wrong.

If care is needed during the visit

Keep the policy number and the 24/7 assistance line handy, and call before non-emergency treatment when possible. The assistance team can direct the visitor to an appropriate facility, arrange a guarantee of payment so no one pays cash up front, and open a claim right away. Keep receipts and medical reports to support the claim.

Choosing the coverage amount

Policies are usually offered at several coverage limits, commonly from $25,000 up to $150,000 or more. For a short, low-risk visit a modest limit may be enough, but Canadian hospital bills add up fast, so a higher limit buys real peace of mind. If the visit is tied to a Super Visa, the amount must be at least $100,000 to satisfy IRCC. Weigh the visitor’s age and health against the cost of a serious emergency rather than defaulting to the lowest limit.

Pre-existing conditions

Visitors to Canada plans cover sudden, unexpected events, so read how yours treats pre-existing conditions. Many require a condition to be stable for a defined period before the coverage start date, with no new symptoms, treatment changes or medication adjustments in that window. For an older visitor managing an ongoing condition, confirm the stability rule before buying so a claim is not unexpectedly denied later.

Hosting a visitor or sponsoring a parent in Ottawa? Get a quote and compare your options before they arrive.