Travel Insurance for Canadian Backpackers and Expatriates

Expatriates who have left Canada for a lengthy period of time, and are no longer covered by their provincial health care plan, need to reapply for coverage. These 'repatriates' must wait for their application to be approved, and for the mandatory waiting period to pass, before they become covered under their provincial plan (usually 7-91 days depending on the province, but it can take longer). Three months is a long time to have no medical coverage in Canada, because accidents and illnesses happen. And Canadian hospitals can be expensive.

Fortunately, returning Canadians can purchase a Visitors to Canada policy to bridge the gap during their waiting period. Simply choose Global Expats and then Returning Expats in the quote tool at the top of this page. We recommend having a plan of no less than $100,000, although lower coverage options are available.

Many Canadians are taking longer trips that go beyond standard vacation timelines - whether that means backpacking across Asia, working remotely overseas, teaching abroad, or taking a gap year. If you're outside Canada for more than 183–212 days, most provinces will cancel your healthcare eligibility unless you’ve received special permission for an extended absence.

Once you lose provincial coverage, regular travel insurance policies no longer apply, because Canadian insurers require you to remain covered by your provincial health plan for the entire duration of your trip. In that situation, you’ll need to switch to an expatriate health insurance policy, which is designed to provide ongoing medical coverage outside of Canada, often with the option to renew annually.

Interestingly, for younger travellers and backpackers, expat insurance can sometimes be less expensive than traditional travel medical plans - even though it generally includes slightly lower maximum limits. It’s a practical way to protect yourself and your finances against unexpected illness or accidents abroad when you’re living outside the country for six months or longer.