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Find the best health insurance providers for your 2024 IEC Working Holiday in Canada.
Updated on October 22, 2024
Getting appropriate IEC health insurance is a crucial step in your pre-arrival journey, but knowing exactly what type of insurance you need and what your options are can be a headache. This guide will help you understand exactly what IEC health insurance is, and which providers can cover you so you can get on with the fun stuff — living and working in Canada!
You have heard or read that you need travel insurance before arriving in Canada under the IEC program. This is confusing. Once upon a time, the Government of Canada actually used the term ‘travel insurance’ in some communications to IEC candidates. Insurance providers and publishers hopped on this and marketed policies or developed guides specifying the need for travel insurance.
More recently, the Government has been clearer in its messaging, specifying that IEC health insurance is what you should be looking for. This makes sense, because the minimum coverage you need is related to healthcare, not travel. More on that in the next section.
Insurance providers, however, may continue to market insurance policies under the banner of IEC travel insurance, rather than IEC health insurance, even though the coverage may be health-related (confusing, eh?). So, it’s essential to look at what you’re potentially buying, as it needs to cover certain health-related eventualities.
Your IEC health insurance must cover:
Don’t purchase a policy that does not clearly cover all of the above.
Thankfully, the Government of Canada is clear on what your IEC health insurance needs to cover at a minimum.
In addition, many IEC participants may choose to purchase additional coverage for certain possible outcomes. One example is additional winter sports coverage.
Pro tip: make sure sports coverage covers health outcomes specifically, as some insurance providers may market such additional coverage that only covers outcomes such as lost, stolen, or damaged property. (Don’t be that person who racked up a mega-hospital bill but had “winter sports” coverage that covered only property).
And, while winter sports coverage may be advised for those hitting the slopes, note that it is not a requirement.
The Government of Canada has put this task squarely on you to figure out, with the Immigration Department (known as IRCC) stating on its website :
‘We can’t recommend specific insurance companies or plans, but you can search online for something that meets your needs.’
That’s where Moving2Canada helps. For more than 10 years we have worked with a selection of great IEC health insurance providers that offer competitive policies underwritten by reputable brands. When you come knocking asking for IEC insurance, they know exactly what you’re looking for and will be able to sort you out. Plus, these providers generally offer excellent customer service, a key attribute if you need to make a claim at a later date.
Best Quote Travel Insurance is a full-service Canadian travel insurance broker offering the widest selection of travel insurance plans for visitors to Canada. Available plans may include health coverage, coverage for up to 24 months, and coverage related to pre-existing medical conditions. Plans are available before or after leaving home. Get your quote from BestQuote today!
Best Quote Travel Insurance is available to travellers currently in:
True Traveller is a popular option for Europeans seeking mandatory insurance for International Experience Canada (IEC), including the Working Holiday program. True Traveller’s IEC insurance covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, and it exceeds IRCC’s mandatory requirements. Get your quote from True Traveller today!
True Traveller policies are available to people currently in:
One company of choice for Australian IEC participants seeking travel insurance for Canada. Options for 12 and 24 months, and a range of products from medical only to comprehensive, snow sports, and adventure activities. Duo policies, for couples or two friends travelling together, get 5% off. Get a quote from Fast Cover, only available for individuals currently in Australia.
We act as a referrer only, we don’t act for or endorse or give any advice on the service provider/product and whether they are right for you generally or personally. Read the relevant provider/product information before deciding. We may receive a commission for any product issued.
The Government of Canada recommends that you buy this insurance only after you receive your port of entry (POE) letter, which is a key document you need in order to travel to Canada and obtain your work permit.
If your IEC health insurance policy is valid for less than the maximum potential validity of your work permit, you will be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. If this happens, you will not be able to apply to change the conditions of your work permit at a later date.
Wait a moment, doesn’t Canada have a world-renowned, publicly-funded healthcare system? Yes, indeed it does. But, like many other temporary residents in Canada, IEC participants don’t get access to publicly-funded healthcare. Access to the public healthcare system is reserved for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and some temporary residents (not including IEC participants).
Compare prices for IEC health insurance options with a free quote comparison from BestQuote.
Now, there is anecdotal evidence that some IEC participants have in fact obtained publicly-funded healthcare after arriving in Canada. Each Canadian province and territory has its own healthcare system and rules for eligibility. Generally, temporary workers with a work permit of more than six months can be eligible for provincial health insurance. This, however, does not negate the need for IEC participants to have private IEC health insurance before arriving in Canada.
If you decide to settle in Ontario, you may be eligible for OHIP if you respect the following criteria:
While in BC, you may be eligible for the Medical Services Plan (MSP). To qualify, you must:
Alberta will also allow you to apply for local health coverage if you :
The same goes for Quebec. To be eligible for RAMQ you will need to prove that you:
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
While previously referred to as travel insurance, IEC health insurance is specifically geared towards healthcare needs rather than general travel aspects. It must cover medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, which are not typically the focus of standard travel insurance policies.
Yes, repatriation coverage is a mandatory component of IEC health insurance. It covers expenses for returning you to your country in cases of severe illness, injury, or death.
You must purchase IEC health insurance before arriving in Canada.
Your IEC health insurance policy should be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. If the policy is valid for less than your work permit’s potential validity, your work permit will be issued to match the insurance coverage period.
No, IEC participants do not generally have access to Canada’s publicly-funded healthcare system. Access is typically reserved for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and some temporary residents, excluding those on IEC.
The possibility of extending IEC health insurance depends on the policy terms and the insurance provider. Participants should consult their insurance provider to understand the options for extension.
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