Health insurance for Canadians in USA

Given their geographical proximity and long border, travel between the US and Canada has been going since the 19th century. The United States with its multi-cultures, famous monuments and natural wonders make it among the most desired tourist destinations. The US remains the most significant destination for work and leisure for Canadian emigrants. There are over 750, 0000 Canadians who live in the United States according to the 2016 U.S census data with 47% Canadians becoming naturalized US citizens in 2016.

Given this strong and long standing relationship between the citizens of both countries, we often have family members of naturalized Canadian–Americans visiting the United States. Along with reuniting with family members millions of tourists also travel to the United Sates from Canada.

In 2010, there were about 20.72 million visits to the US from Canada. In 2013 the number increased to a total of 23.41 million and in 2019 Canada was on the top of the list of countries from where most visitors arrive to the US.

Meet family, friends and relatives for those travelling to the US is always thrilling and pleasing. However one must note that the US health care system is not government supported and is very expensive and traveling to the US with long travel hours and in different weather conditions, food and culture is often risky. This is particularly true for older travellers as it increases the risk for unforeseen medical emergencies.

During the winters the US welcomes many Canadian snowbirds to travel to the US to enjoy the summer months and many of these live in the US. According to the Statistics of Canada there are at least 375K Snowbirds who go to the US each year. Often these family members of these Canadian–Americans visit the United States to meet their closed ones. Along with reuniting with family members millions of tourists arrive in the US from Canada.

An good international travel insurance plan provide one with the coverage required for any unexpected medical and travel emergencies. It is therefore of vital importance for Canadian travelers to buy good travel insurance USA from Canada offered by some of the finest US insurance providers offered by American Visitor Insurance. For any assistance travelers can call the customer service or email us and we will be glad to help you.

There are many Canadians who travel to the US and elsewhere outside Canada regularly. These travelers can be businessmen or corporate travelers or those who live close to the US border and travel overseas often.

While there are many top rated travel health insurance plans for multiple trips worldwide, the Patriot Annual Multi trip insurance is an ideal plan for Canadian travelers. Every trip duration can be limited to either 30 days or 45 days with a medical coverage maximum of $1 million. Travelers up to the age of 76 years can buy this plan. The plan is renewable up to 3 years and also offers coverage for pre-existing conditions.

INF offers visitors from Canada excellent travel medical insurance in the United States which includes adequate coverage for dental, loss of checked luggage, medical emergencies and accidents incurred while traveling. Buying health insurance for Canadians in the United States works ideally for Canadian Snowbirds during their travel to the USA. Following are the best US travel insurance for Canadian Snowbirds.

A pre-existing condition is a medical ailment that existed before the start of the visitors insurance cover. One of the biggest concerns for travelers is to buy travel health insurance for pre-existing conditions. Good visitor insurance with Pre-existing conditions coverage is particularly important for older travelers and parents. Only some visitors insurance offer coverage for pre-existing ailments and even there the coverage is mainly for acute onset of pre-existing ailments. Some other international travel insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage will pay for medical expenses after the first year of coverage or a waiting period.

Some travel health insurance plans like Atlas America, Patriot America Plus offer coverage for the acute onset of a pre-existing conditions, ie, when there is a sudden medical emergency without any prior symptom that needs to be treated immediately. The coverage typically includes emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and evacuation expenses related to the acute onset of the pre-existing condition. INF insurance however has the INF Elite insurance plans which cover pre-existing conditions going beyond the acute onset coverage. It is important to compare visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions both for the price as well as the specific details for pre-existing conditions coverage as well as review the policy brochures for exclusions and coverage limits before making a decision.

There are more than 35 million annual visitors to Canada either as tourists, students, temporary workers, visitors or businessmen... While US citizens and residents do not need a visa to visit Canada, foreign visitors visiting Canada from many other nations need to apply for a temporary Resident Visa.

Recently a new visa known as Parents and Grand Parents Super Visa has been announced by the Canadian government.

This helps Canadian citizens whose parents and grandparents (who are not Canadian citizens) want to visit Canada and stay for up to 2 years without any need to renew the status.

• A valid travel document such as passport.
• 2 passport size photos (recently taken).
• Application fee (Fee is non refundable even if the visa application is rejected).
• Proof of financial support, accommodation and duration of stay.
• Other documents such as identification cards, proof of employment, letter of invitation, proposed itinerary...

These travel insurance to USA from Canada plans have limitations for travelers or students located in Canada:

Mexico is a beautiful vibrant country with warm weather and a great deal of diversity in cultures, landscapes and activities available for tourists. The Yucatan peninsula, made famous by Cancun also has the Tulum beach which is a place to have fun in the sun. Then there is the Yellow city of Izamal, the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, these are just some of the popular places in Mexico to experience wonderful diverse landscapes.

While this is the fun aspect of international travel, one should pay attention to make sure that they are insured in case of unexpected incidents like sickness and injuries or trip delays and loss of luggage.

While the Mexican Government does not mandate travel health insurance for tourists visiting Mexico, things have however changed dramatically due to Covid pandemic. Given the fluid situation, it is prudent to buy international travel insurance for Mexico from Canada, and this is reflected in the number of international travelers buying travel health insurance which has increased three times when compared to the period before the pandemic.

Schengen visa information for Canadian citizens

Canadians Citizens with a valid Canadians passport can travel to the Schengen states up to a maximum of 90 days without the need of a Schengen visa.

1. A valid Canada passport with a minimum of three months validity beyond the departure date from the Schengen area.
2. Valid reason for travel.
3. Proof of adequate financial resources to support oneself during the entire stay in the Schengen region.
4. Any compliance or entry requirements specific to the country of travel or transit.

Canadians residents but non Canadian citizens visiting Europe (Schengen region)

Most Non Canadians citizens need to apply for the Schengen visa. Please check Nationalities who need Schengen visa. Canadians residents but Non Canadians citizens need to provide the proof of resident status in the Canadians to apply for a Schengen/short stay visa. The visa and the Canadians resident status must be valid for at least 3 months after the last day of stay in the Schengen area.

Long Term Europe visa - Long stay in the Schengen Region (More than 90 days)

If you want to stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days you must apply for a residence permit and not a Schengen visa. One of the requirements for Long Term Europe stay visa is the mandated Schengen visa insurance. Specific instructions for residence permit is available on the respective embassy/consulate's website.

Please note that it is prudent to give adequate processing time while applying for the Schengen visa. This is particularly true during the peak travel months in Summer and in Winter.