GMS Visitors Insurance

GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Insurance provides emergency medical coverage for non-residents who are not enrolled in a provincial health care plan. Whether you are applying for a Super Visa, visiting family for an extended stay, or immigrating to Canada and waiting for provincial coverage to begin, GMS will cover the cost of sudden and unexpected emergency medical treatment. Policies can be purchased for up to 365 days and may be renewed.

Who Is GMS Visitors Insurance For?

GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Insurance is for people who are in Canada but not eligible for provincial or territorial health care coverage, including:

• Parents and grandparents visiting on a Super Visa
• Tourists and family visitors from abroad
• New immigrants awaiting provincial health plan eligibility
• Returning Canadians who have lost provincial coverage
• International workers and permit holders
• Refugees and asylum seekers without federal coverage

Coverage Options

Benefits — Eligible Expenses Within Canada

• In-hospital care — semi-private room, hospital services and supplies
• Medical services — physician and surgeon fees
• Diagnostic services — X-rays and other standard tests (MRI/CT require GMS pre-authorization)
• Out-patient medical treatment — emergency room expenses
• Prescription medication — up to a 30-day supply
• Ambulance — road and air ambulance (air ambulance requires GMS pre-approval)
• Health practitioners — up to $500 aggregate for osteopath, optometrist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, chiropodist, and/or podiatrist
• Accidental dental — up to $2,000 for repair of natural or permanently attached teeth; up to $300 for dental pain relief
• Return of remains — up to $10,000, or cremation/burial at place of death up to $4,000
• Child care — up to $500 with GMS pre-approval if hospitalized
• Out-of-pocket expenses — up to $150/day, maximum $1,000 for accommodations, meals, calls, and transportation for an accompanying family member if you are hospitalized on your return date
• Repatriation (without medical attendant) — up to $5,000 for transport to country of origin for further treatment (includes 1 accompanying family member)
• Repatriation (with medical attendant or air ambulance) — economy airfare, medical escort, and stretcher upgrade if medically necessary (must be pre-approved and arranged by GMS)

Benefits — Side Trips Outside Canada

Coverage extends to side trips of up to 30 days in duration, outside of Canada, as long as those trips originate and end in Canada and do not exceed 50% of your total coverage period. Expenses in your country of origin are not covered. Additional eligible expenses outside Canada include:

• Air ambulance — to transport you to Canada or your country of origin for further in-hospital treatment (requires prior GMS approval)
• Special attendant — 1 round-trip economy airfare for a medical attendant (must be pre-approved by GMS and not be someone travelling with you)
• Escort of insured dependant — one-way economy airfare to return an accompanying child (under 18) to the original point of departure, including escort cost if required

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must not be enrolled in a government health plan in Canada. Additional eligibility requirements differ by age:

Under 55 years of age — You are not eligible if you:

• Have any reason to seek medical treatment (other than routine care of a chronic condition or a medical evaluation required for a travel visa)
• Are in Canada and have ever been denied similar coverage by a Canadian insurer
• Are in Canada and had more than $5,000 in medical treatment in the last 12 months

55 years of age and older — Additional requirements apply. You are not eligible if you are 80 or older, or if you have certain conditions including: congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, stroke/TIA, AIDS, terminal illness, blood clots, renal dialysis, organ transplant, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), metastatic cancer, or vascular aneurysm. You must also not use home oxygen, oral steroids for a lung condition, or require assistance with activities of daily living (if 70+). See the policy wording for the complete list.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

When Coverage Begins

Key Exclusions

GMS Visitors Insurance does not cover:

• Expenses in your country of origin
• Pre-existing conditions not stable for 180 days
• Routine or elective medical treatment
• Regular care of a chronic condition
• Treatment that is a continuation of a prior condition
• Pregnancy, childbirth, and related complications
• Travel against the advice of a physician
• Travel to destinations under a Government of Canada "Avoid All Travel" advisory
• Experimental drugs or treatments
• Motor vehicle accidents (unless not covered by any other vehicle insurance)
• Professional sports or extreme sports (scuba excepted if NAUI/PADI/ACUC/SSI certified)

Claims & Emergency Assistance

Contact GMS Travel Assistance before seeking non-emergency treatment, and within 24 hours of being admitted to hospital. Failure to notify GMS may limit your benefits. Written notice of claim must be submitted within 30 days; proof of claim within 90 days. Many health providers in Canada can bill GMS directly — ask at time of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does GMS Visitors Insurance qualify for the Super Visa?

Yes. A GMS policy with at least $100,000 in coverage meets the IRCC Super Visa requirement for emergency medical insurance from a Canadian insurer. Coverage must be valid for the duration of each stay.

Is there an age limit?

Applicants must be under 80 years of age on the policy effective date. Visitors aged 55 and over must answer additional health eligibility questions before coverage can be issued.

Are there medical questions for visitors under 55?

Visitors under 55 are not required to answer detailed medical history questions. They must only meet basic eligibility criteria (no reason to seek medical treatment, not previously denied Canadian coverage, and no more than $5,000 in medical treatment in Canada in the last 12 months).

What happens if I apply after I've already been in Canada for a while?

If you apply within the first 30 days, a 2-day waiting period applies for medical conditions. If you apply after 30 days, a 7-day waiting period applies. Injury coverage begins on the effective date in both cases. Apply before arriving or without a gap from another Canadian insurer for coverage starting immediately.

How long can I be covered?

The maximum policy length is 365 days. You may reapply and purchase a new policy if you meet all eligibility conditions at the time of renewal.

What is the pre-existing stability period?

180 days of stability is required for all ages. A condition is stable when there have been no new symptoms, no changes in treatment, and no pending diagnostic tests for 180 days before your coverage effective date.