Expert guides and insights on travel insurance for Canadians
Planning your IEC Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op in 2025? Here's the current, step-by-step guide, including; eligibility, fees, biometrics, and the exact insurance requirements so your work-permit isn't cut short.
Backpacking across Canada on a budget? Start with these stand-out hostels in Toronto, Vancouver, and Québec City—plus answers to common questions (age limits, long-term stays, what to expect from hostel life) and smart tips for a safe, affordable trip.
Coming to Canada to study, work, or visit? 4 essentials: prepare for winter, plan for big-country distances and regional differences, know English/French basics, and get visitor health insurance.
New to Canada on an IEC Working Holiday? Use this guide to find safe, affordable first-month housing (hostels, Airbnbs, sublets and short-term rentals) with city tips for Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary, average costs, transit access, and rental-scam safeguards.
Use our neighborhood guide to pick the best area to stay in Toronto. Compare Downtown/Entertainment District (sights & nightlife), Yorkville (luxury), Queen West & The Annex (arts/indie), Distillery District & Old Town (heritage), Harbourfront (family-friendly), and Leslieville (local vibe)—with TTC access, safety, and hotel vs Airbnb tips.
Use our neighborhood guide to choose the best base in Vancouver—Downtown/Coal Harbour for views, Yaletown for dining/nightlife, Gastown for heritage charm, West End for beaches/Stanley Park, Kitsilano for a local vibe, and the North Shore for mountain access—plus hotel vs. Airbnb tips, SkyTrain/SeaBus access, and budget advice.
Coming to Canada on an IEC or Super Visa? This guide shows you exactly how to find care—when to use your insurer’s assistance line, book virtual or in-person visits, handle emergencies, and understand how provincial health plans fit in.
From Newfoundland & Labrador and Québec City to British Columbia and Calgary, discover the top summer spots in Canada—plus essentials like border requirements and visitors-to-Canada insurance.
Considering immigration to Canada? This guide distills the basics into four steps: understand the path to permanent residency, check key eligibility factors (age, language, education, work history), learn how Express Entry points and job offers influence selection, and budget for proof-of-funds and government fees - so you can pick the right program and prepare a stronger application.
New to Canada without residency? This guide explains who can join provincial healthcare (GHIP), the three-month waiting period in some provinces, and why visitors must rely on private travel insurance for emergencies. It also covers where to go for care (clinic, ER or telehealth), out-of-pocket risks, and how MedEC adds Maple virtual visits and a 25% premium refund if you later enroll in GHIP.
Headed south for the winter? This guide compares the best cell phone options for Canadian snowbirds—roaming add-ons from Canadian carriers vs affordable U.S. prepaid and eSIM choices. Learn how coverage differs in the U.S. and Mexico, what to know about hotspot limits, voicemail/Wi-Fi calling, suspending service at home, and simple ways to cut your monthly costs.
Confused about tax residency vs health coverage? This guide explains how CRA tax status differs from provincial plan eligibility, how time-away limits and temporary-absence applications work, and why you can be a tax non-resident yet still (or not) keep MSP/OHIP/AHCIP. It also covers gaps, waiting periods on return, and when emergency travel insurance is recommended.
