Expatriate Insurance and Backpacker Travel Insurance Canada
Planning to live, work, or backpack overseas for an extended period? Whether you’re leaving Canada without plans to return right away or coming home after time abroad without provincial coverage, it’s important to understand how expatriate health insurance and long-term travel insurance work.
This page explains the difference between regular travel insurance, expat medical insurance, and coverage options for returning Canadians so you can stay protected no matter where you are in the world.
Insurance for Returning Canadians Without Provincial Coverage
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.
Need Help?
Not sure if you still have provincial coverage? Call us toll-free at 1-888-888-0510 and we'll help you figure out your coverage status and the right plan before you land.
Long-Term Travellers & Departing Canadians
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.
If you're unsure whether you still qualify for provincial coverage, or whether long-stay travel insurance or expatriate coverage is the better fit, give us a quick call at 1-888-888-0510 and we’ll help you determine the right approach based on your departure timeline.
Which Plan is Right For You?
Not sure which type of coverage fits your situation? Use this quick guide:
| Your Situation | Recommended Plan Type |
|---|---|
Returning to Canada, waiting for provincial coverage | Visitors to Canada — Returning Expat |
Leaving Canada for 6+ months, still have provincial coverage | Long-Stay / Backpacker Travel Insurance |
Lost provincial coverage, living abroad | Expatriate Health Insurance (Atlas or IMG GMI) |
Short–mid term expat (under 1 year), digital nomad | Atlas Series |
Long-term expat, want annual renewable coverage | IMG – Global Medical Insurance (GMI) |
Non-Canadian living/working internationally | IMG – Patriot America |
Not sure which category applies to you? Call us at 1-888-888-0510 - we'll help you figure it out in minutes.
International Expats
Not all expats are Canadians - many international travellers living abroad also need comprehensive medical coverage while outside their home country. If you’re relocating, backpacking long-term, or working remotely across borders, we offer global health insurance plans from top providers. You can request a quote online or call 1-888-888-0510 for guidance in choosing the right plan.
Important Eligibility Note: Some plans, like the Atlas Series, are not available for purchase if you are physically in New York, Maryland, Washington, Canada, or Australia at the time of application. Others, like IMG plans, must be purchased outside of Canada. If you're unsure, contact us and we'll confirm eligibility before you buy.
Atlas Series
Flexible coverage from 5 days to 1 year. Includes emergency evacuation, terrorism, and pregnancy complications.
IMG - Patriot Medical
Emergency medical and political evacuation, repatriation, and up to $2,000,000 in benefits for temporary stays abroad.
IMG – Global Medical Insurance
Annual renewable global health coverage with multiple tiers and optional add-ons like maternity and outpatient care.
Interested in Learning More?
Want to learn more about travel insurance for expatriates and backpackers? Check out our blog for travel guides, comparisons, and money-saving tips to help you make the right decision.
How to Buy Expatriate and Backpacker Travel Insurance
Buying travel insurance through BestQuote is quick and easy:
Fill in our online quote form with your trip details -departure date, return date, destination, province of residence, and traveller date of birth.
Instantly compare prices and coverage from Canada's top insurance companies. Review real prices, deductible options, coverage details, and key benefits side by side.
Purchase online in minutes - your policy documents are delivered immediately by email. We recommend saving a copy for your records and bringing a printed copy with your travel documents.
Prefer to speak with an advisor? Call us toll-free at 1-888-888-0510 and we will help you find the best policy at the best price for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our services.
If your travel plans aren’t finalized, you don’t need to list every country you might visit - except for the U.S. Whether you go there can affect your premium. For other countries, the number of destinations generally doesn’t change your rate.
Yes, most Canadian travel insurance policies include emergency medical evacuation back to Canada if it is medically necessary and approved by the insurer.
Yes, many insurers allow you to extend your policy while abroad if you apply before your coverage expires and no claims have been made.
Yes, some Canadian insurers allow you to buy emergency travel insurance after leaving Canada, but options are limited and waiting periods may apply. It’s always best to purchase coverage before you travel.
A single-trip plan is cheaper if you are only taking one journey, but an annual multi-trip plan is often the better value if you travel several times a year. Comparing both options helps you choose the most cost-effective coverage.