Insurance during the Immigration Application Waiting Period: Complete Guide and Checklist

The Scenario

While an immigration application is pending, the applicant may hold a work or visitor visa and needs insurance.

For "insurance during the immigration application waiting period", here are the detailed preparation steps and insurance advice.

Choosing Insurance

The coverage amount is the maximum the insurance company will pay. Common levels for visitors to Canada are $10,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, $150,000, $250,000, and $500,000. When choosing, consider Canadian medical costs: an ER visit runs about $500-$1,000, a hospital day $3,000-$5,000, and surgery can cost tens of thousands of dollars. At least $100,000 in coverage is recommended. Super Visa insurance requires a minimum of $100,000 (an IRCC requirement).

Pre-existing conditions are health issues that existed before the policy was purchased, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. Coverage for pre-existing conditions depends on the "stability period" definition — if the condition has been stable (no worsening, no medication changes, no hospitalization) for a set time before the policy start date, typically 90 to 180 days, related claims are covered. Stability requirements and definitions differ between insurers, and pre-existing conditions must be declared honestly when applying. Some insurers offer no-medical-questionnaire plans (pre-existing conditions not covered) alongside medical-questionnaire plans (pre-existing conditions covered if stable).

See the plan comparison overview to check all 6 insurers' terms and prices in one place.

Preparation Checklist

• Buy insurance early (buying before arrival avoids waiting periods)
• Declare pre-existing conditions honestly
• Save the insurer's assistance centre phone number
• Understand the care process and direct billing arrangements
• Keep copies of the passport and policy

Things to Watch Out For

1. Buying before arrival earns a no-waiting-period advantage

2. Declare pre-existing conditions honestly to avoid denials

3. Contact the assistance centre before treatment for authorization

4. Keep all medical receipts and records

5. Submit complete documents within the claims deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

See the plan comparison overview for what this site covers, or open the full comparison table (page in Chinese) with terms and prices from all 6 insurers.