How to Get Health Insurance for Expats Visiting Canada

Being an expatriate, or an expat, is an exciting opportunity if you are fortunate enough to have the chance. It comes with incredibly rewarding experiences, both personally and professionally. And while looking forward to the new sights and sounds might be top of mind, there are some necessary considerations you need to take as well. 

Specifically, making sure you have expat health insurance. 

Sometimes, people assume that the process of acquiring expat medical insurance is difficult or overly involved. We are here to set the record straight that this is not the case. Naturally, there are some steps that you need to take to ensure you are properly covered. But this does not have to be a difficult or stressful process. 

Let’s break this down a bit further.

Expat Health Insurance for Canada

Firstly, let’s be clear that an expat health insurance plan is not simply a tedious task. It is an important one. Medical expenses can be costly if you do not have the proper health insurance coverage. And let’s face it, an accident (or even a pre-existing condition) can lead to the need for health care whether you are in your home country or elsewhere.

And while healthcare systems are not the same in every country, the need for an international health insurance policy can alleviate any concern you have regarding the specifics of your location.

And you might be wondering if this is a requirement, or if it is simply for peace of mind. And the answer is: It depends. Just as there is no single reason for traveling and visiting Canada, there is no single answer for whether your scenario requires a travel insurance plan. 

But, there is no denying that it is a good idea. Regardless of how long your stay as an expat is going to be, being covered with expat medical insurance is going to make your trip more enjoyable, as it will remove the worry from your mind. '

How to Get Expat Health Insurance

Having your Canadian expat health insurance before arriving in Canada is the best play. It means planning ahead of time, but any time spent without proper health insurance coverage is risky, especially when in a foreign country.

This is the case even if you are a returning expat. Make sure your policy is still in effect, or verify that it doesn't need to be renewed (and renew it if this is the case). 

There are standard visitor insurance policies known as VTC Insurance (visitors to Canada). However, these tend to be for emergency-related scenarios only. If you need to schedule a doctor’s appointment, for example, then you are going to need a personal expat health insurance coverage policy.

Not to worry, there are simple applications that can be filled out. And while these applications don’t have to be overly complicated, it is important to give yourself enough time. There are questions affiliated with these forms, but there are other items you will likely need to produce as well.

For example, some common items that can be requested when seeking expat health insurance are:

• Medical exams
• A resume or CV
• Digital photo
• Passport
• Work authorization or visitor visa

These are only a few examples of common requests. If you have a pre-existing condition of one kind or another, there might be additional questions asked or items requested.

Additionally, the requirements might be slightly different depending on which country you are visiting from. This is why it is a best practice to give yourself plenty of time before your trip to make sure you have everything in order to secure the proper expat medical insurance that works for you. 

Unique to You

Just as your reason for visiting Canada is unique, your health situation is unique as well. Therefore, you want an expat medical insurance policy that is specific to your needs.

People often ask, “What is the best health insurance for expats?” The answer is simply, “The one that covers your needs.”

Reach out and let us help you establish a policy that will put you at ease, address your needs, and make sure your visit to Canada is smooth and healthy. There is no reason to let an accident hinder your experience, especially when you can have an expat health insurance policy in place to protect yourself. 

Learn more about insurance for expats today!