Frequently Asked Questions aboutImmigrants & Visitors Insurance

It depends. You'll have coverage as long as:

  • Your trip is for 30 days or less;
  • There is no “avoid all travel” advisory for your destination and there is no “avoid non-essential travel” advisory for your destination.
  • Your trip originates and terminates in Canada;
  • Your total days outside of Canada are not greater than 50% of your total period of coverage;
  • You are not travelling to your country of origin.

You can check the Government of Canada travel advisories page to see if your destination has any advisories. Also, it's important to note there's still an "avoid all travel" advisory for all cruise ship travel. 

Absolutely! Our plan can cover you until your provincial health coverage kicks in.

No. Our Immigrants & Visitors to Canada plans only cover unexpected emergency medical treatment.

Yes, in most cases we will provide a full or partial refund. You will need to ask for a refund by contacting our Customer Care Team at 1.800.667.3699 or info@gms.ca.

No longer coming to Canada? We will provide a full refund if no travel has taken place. Just make sure you contact us before the effective date shown on your confirmation document.

Becoming a Canadian? Congratulations! We’ll calculate your refund from the date your government health plan begins.

Returning home early? As long as you haven't made a claim, we’ll calculate your refund from the date you leave Canada. Please include proof of departure (ex. travel itinerary) when you ask for your refund.

Visa application denied? Please attach a copy of the visa decline letter when you ask for a refund. We’ll calculate your refund from the date we hear from you, and an administration fee will be deducted from the refund.

It all depends on how the plan was paid for.

  • Credit card? It will be credited back to the card on file.  
  • Cash or cheque? We’ll send you a cheque, unless you’ve designated someone else to receive your refund.
  • If your policy is older than 18 months any eligible refunds will be issued by cheque.

We don’t cover expenses related to pregnancy, an abortion, miscarriage, childbirth or complications of any of these conditions.

Yes. The person covered under the plan must be under the age of 80 on the effective date of the plan.

Claim payments will go directly to you unless you’re under 18, then they will go to who is listed as a guardian on the application.

You bet. You'll just need to complete Section F. on our Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Claim Form. And if your claim form has already been submitted, please fill out our Assignment of Payment Form.

Coverage for emergency medical expenses related to COVID-19 is available. You'll have coverage as long as you haven't experienced COVID-19 symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19 during your 180-day stability period or waiting period.

  • You're not covered for COVID-19 emergency medical expenses when:
  • You've tested positive or had symptoms of COVID-19 during your 180-day stability period.
  • You experienced COVID-19 symptoms and/or tested positive for COVID-19 during the waiting period.

It depends. You'll have coverage as long as:

  • Your trip is for 30 days or less;
  • There is no “avoid all travel” advisory for your destination and there is no “avoid non-essential travel” advisory for your destination.
  • Your trip originates and terminates in Canada;
  • Your total days outside of Canada are not greater than 50% of your total period of coverage;
  • You are not travelling to your country of origin.

You can check the Government of Canada travel advisories page to see if your destination has any advisories. 

You are covered up to the amount of insurance you purchased. Applicable benefit maximums and policy terms and conditions will apply. Please review your confirmation email to locate your policy's maximum amount.

No. The costs for tests or documentation to enter or re-enter a country are not covered.

No. Vaccinations are not covered.

Yes, there are some conditions and things to know.

  • You need to contact us 48-hours before your plan expires.
  • During your time in Canada, you must not have needed any medical treatment. In some cases, if you received medical treatment, you might be able to purchase a plan. Contact us to find out.
  • Your plan can't be extended beyond one year from your effective date.
  • You must not have turned 80 years old since arriving in Canada.

Yes. There are a few things you should know.

There is a waiting period for medical conditions not related to an injury when: 

  • You applied within 30 days of arriving in Canada and were without insurance; the earliest your coverage can go into effect is 2 days after your effective date.
  • It has been more than 30 days since you've arrived in Canada and you were without insurance; the earliest your coverage can go into effect is 7 days after your effective date.

Your coverage for injuries that result in emergency care start on your effective date.