How Much Is Visitor Insurance for Canada? 2026 Cost Guide

If your parents are flying into Kitchener-Waterloo for the winter, or you are planning a longer visit now that IRCC confirmed on July 15, 2026 that the Parents and Grandparents Program is paused for new applications, the first question is usually cost. Below we explain what really sets the price, a simple example, and the exact first steps to get an accurate quote before they board.

"How much will it cost?" is the first question most families ask when a parent or relative is coming to Canada. The honest answer is: it depends mostly on the visitor's age. This guide shows typical price ranges and how to lower the cost without losing important coverage.

Typical visitor insurance prices in 2026

Industry comparison sites report that visitor insurance in Canada typically ranges from about $50 to $400 per month, and more for older ages and high coverage. As a rough guide for $100,000 of coverage:

Ranges are estimates as of October 2026 for healthy visitors, not quotes, and change by insurer, deductible and plan. Short visitor plans are priced by the day, so one month usually costs more than one-twelfth of a full-year plan; for yearly prices, see our Super Visa insurance cost guide. Get a quote for an exact price.

What changes the price

• Age – the biggest factor. Prices rise sharply after 60 and again after 70 and 80.
• Coverage amount – $50,000 costs less than $150,000.
• Deductible – a $1,000 or higher deductible can lower the premium noticeably.
• Pre-existing condition coverage – plans that cover stable conditions cost more, but they are what most older visitors need.
• Length of stay – priced by the day; a 2-week visit costs far less than a year.
• Health answers – some insurers use medical questions to set the rate.

6 ways to pay less (safely)

1. Compare several insurers. Prices for the same age and coverage can differ a lot.
2. Choose a sensible deductible. $500 or $1,000 often saves more than it costs.
3. Buy before arrival to avoid waiting periods and get more plan choices.
4. Match the dates exactly to the stay. You can usually extend later.
5. Ask about couple or family rates when two parents travel together.
6. Don't cut the wrong corner. Dropping pre-existing coverage to save money only makes sense if the visitor truly has no medical conditions.

Is the cheapest plan worth it?

A low price is only good value if the plan pays when something happens. These plans often exclude heart, lung and diabetes conditions, which are common in older visitors. Read more in our guide to the cheapest visitor insurance for seniors.

How the price is built: a simple example

Example: Imagine your mother is 66 and your father is 71. They plan to land at Pearson on December 1 and fly home on March 31. That is 121 days.

• Each person is priced on their own age. Your father's price will be higher because he is in an older age band.
• Days count, not months. Pick the real flight dates. Adding extra weeks "just in case" raises the price.
• Health answers matter. If your father takes blood pressure pills, a plan that covers stable pre-existing conditions is usually the safer choice.
• The deductible is your share. A higher deductible lowers the price, but you pay that amount first if they need care.

Two parents with the same coverage can have very different prices. That is normal.

Your first steps

1. Write down each visitor's full name, date of birth and exact arrival and departure dates.
2. Make a list of their medical conditions and current medicines, including any dose changes in the last 6 to 12 months.
3. Decide on a coverage amount. Many families choose $100,000 or more for older parents.
4. Pick a deductible you could pay without stress.
5. Ask a broker to compare several insurers for the same dates and health answers.
6. Buy before they leave home, so the illness waiting period does not apply.

What families ask us most

Most families we help in Kitchener-Waterloo are inviting parents from India. Before they buy, they ask the same four questions:

• Refund policy: what happens if the visa is refused or the visitor goes home early. See how refunds work.
• Monthly payments: which insurers allow them, and the full 12-month cost. See monthly payment plans.
• Medical conditions: whether diabetes, blood pressure or heart conditions are covered, and the stability rules. See our pre-existing conditions guide.
• Cost: how much it costs. Price depends on age, coverage amount, deductible and medical conditions. See Super Visa insurance cost by age.

Compare plans online on our Super Visa insurance or visitor insurance page, or call 1-855-500-5041. Help in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

For families in Kitchener-Waterloo and across Ontario

Visitors are not covered by OHIP. If your parent needs care at Grand River Hospital or St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener, Cambridge Memorial Hospital or Guelph General Hospital, the hospital bills them at non-resident rates. Doctor, test and ambulance bills come separately.

If your parents plan to stay a year or longer, look at Super Visa insurance instead. It must give at least $100,000 of emergency coverage for at least one year from entry. It can be paid in full or by instalments with a deposit.

Life Advice Insurance Inc. has served Ontario families since 2015 and compares plans from 20+ Canadian insurers, such as Manulife, Desjardins, Allianz, TuGo and GMS. You can visit our office at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener (Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday) or call 1-855-500-5041.

Questions to ask before you pay

• Is there a refund if my parents go home early?
• Can the policy be extended online if they stay longer?
• Are short side trips to the U.S. covered?
• What is the stability period for pre-existing conditions?
• Can I pay monthly, and what happens if a payment is missed?

Frequently asked questions

How much is visitor insurance for 1 month?

For a healthy adult under 60 with $100,000 of coverage, often around $100 to $250 for a month. Older visitors pay more.

How much does Super Visa insurance cost?

It is visitor insurance for a full year with at least $100,000 of coverage, so the yearly price is higher. See our Super Visa insurance cost guide.

Is visitor insurance cheaper if bought online?

The price for the same plan is usually the same through a licensed broker or the insurer. A broker can compare many insurers at once.

This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Coverage, prices and rules vary by insurer and can change. Always read your policy wording.

Does visitor insurance cost more over the winter holidays?

Usually no. The price is mostly based on age, number of days, coverage amount, deductible and health answers, not the season.

Can I get a refund if my parents leave Canada early?

Many insurers refund unused days if no claim was made, and some charge a small admin fee. Ask about the refund rules before you buy.

Is the price different if my parents are already in Ontario?

The price is often similar, but a waiting period for illness usually applies when you buy after arrival. Buying before the flight avoids this.

Get a free quote

Compare visitor insurance quotes from 20+ Canadian insurers on our visitor insurance page. You may also like our Super Visa insurance page. Or visit Life Advice Insurance Inc. at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, call 1-855-500-5041, Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Help in English, Hindi and Punjabi.