A Canadian working holiday can look straightforward on paper: secure an IEC work permit, arrive, find work, and explore. In practice, the admin is where things tend to get complicated — and health cover is one of the areas where “nearly right” can turn into a real issue. If your policy doesn’t line up with what a border services officer expects to see at entry, if you assume provincial healthcare starts immediately, or if you choose a policy designed for short trips when you’re actually living in Canada, you can face claims friction, gaps in cover, or a work permit issued for a shorter period than you anticipated.
This guide explains how health insurance typically works for the International Experience Canada (IEC) / Working Holiday route: what official sources say about proof of insurance, how provincial public healthcare varies across Canada (including waiting periods and eligibility), and how to choose between travel insurance, local private plans and IPMI using a longer-term decision framework.
If you do nothing else this week, make sure you can answer these points clearly before you travel.
- You have a policy (or shortlist) that can be issued for your full planned IEC stay (not just the first few months).
- Your documents clearly show policy dates, territory (Canada vs worldwide) and the key benefits officers are looking for.
- You understand whether your destination province may have a waiting period, and whether IEC participants are eligible for public cover there.
- You have a plan for what happens if you extend your stay or move onto a different status in Canada.
- You are not cancelling your previous cover too early (especially if you have dependants, ongoing prescriptions, or planned treatment).
- IEC proof is practical, not theoretical: officers can ask to see your insurance at entry, and official guidance says it should be valid for your entire stay.[1]
- Cover must be the right “type”: IRCC says IEC health insurance must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.[2]
- Provincial healthcare is not uniform: each province/territory runs its own public plan, with different eligibility rules and registration steps.[10]
- Waiting periods matter: official newcomer guidance notes some provinces can take up to three months for public cover to start, so interim cover is important.[5]
- Travel vs local private vs IPMI is a design choice: travel policies are typically geared towards emergencies, while international health insurance is built for longer-term living and can include routine care depending on the benefits you select.[11]
- Your work permit length can be affected: IEC guidance says a permit may be issued to match your policy end date if your insurance is shorter than your expected stay.[1]
- Think beyond the visa: IEC is time-limited, but your life may not be — build a structure that still works if you change province, change status, or need ongoing treatment.
Overview of the International Experience Canada (IEC) programme
International Experience Canada (IEC) is a federal programme that allows eligible young people from partner countries to work and travel in Canada for a limited period. The “Working Holiday” category is the best-known route, but IEC also includes other categories (such as Young Professionals and International Co-op/Internship), depending on your citizenship and the agreement in place.[4]
Official programme information describes IEC as a way for international youth to travel and work in Canada for up to two years (depending on the agreement and category).[3] The maximum validity you can receive can vary by citizenship, category and quota season — and in practice, many people’s plans evolve once they arrive.
- IEC: International Experience Canada — a youth mobility programme with country-based eligibility.[3]
- IRCC: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — the department that runs IEC and publishes official guidance.
- Provincial health plan: the public health insurance plan run by your province/territory (rules vary across Canada).[10]
- Waiting period: the period between becoming resident/eligible and the start of provincial cover (in some provinces, up to around three months).[5]
- Proof of cover: documents showing you have active insurance (dates, benefits, territory, and sometimes repatriation wording) for IEC entry checks.[1]
- Repatriation: returning you to your home country (or another defined destination) in serious situations, as referenced in IEC insurance guidance.[2]
- Travel insurance vs IPMI: travel cover is typically designed for emergencies on trips; international health insurance (IPMI) is designed for longer-term living abroad and can include routine care depending on the benefits selected.[11]
Why insurance matters in the IEC context
IEC sits somewhere between a holiday and a full relocation. You may arrive without a job lined up, move provinces, take seasonal work, and travel within Canada — all while needing cover that works in real life (and is easy to evidence at the port of entry).
Two common ways people get caught out are (1) buying something that looks acceptable as “travel insurance” but doesn’t hold up for a longer stay or at claim stage, and (2) assuming provincial healthcare starts immediately (or that you’ll be eligible everywhere). This guide is designed to help you avoid both.
Health insurance requirements
IEC participants are expected to arrive with health insurance and be able to show proof. The safest approach is to treat this as an entry and continuity requirement: the paperwork should be easy for an officer to interpret, and the policy should remain workable once you’re actually living in Canada.
What official sources say (high-level)
IRCC’s Help Centre states that IEC participants must have health insurance for the entire time they are in Canada, and that it must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation.[2]
IEC’s “Prepare for arrival” page also says that, at the port of entry, you must have health insurance valid for your entire stay. It adds that a provincial health card is not enough, and that repatriation is not covered by provincial health insurance.[1]
How this can play out at entry
Processes can vary, but IEC guidance highlights a practical point: if your policy is valid for less than your expected stay, you may be issued a work permit that expires when your insurance expires.[1] The same page also states that, if this happens, you won’t be able to apply to extend your work permit later.[1]
This is not legal or immigration advice — it is a planning implication drawn from official IEC guidance. Entry decisions and individual eligibility can depend on your circumstances and the officer’s assessment. Always rely on official sources and your policy wording.
What “proof of cover” typically needs to show
Think of this as an evidence exercise. An officer may only have a short time to review documents. Your proof should be legible, specific and consistent. People often run into trouble not because they don’t have cover, but because the documentation is unclear.
- Your full name (matching your passport), and ideally your date of birth.
- Policy number and the insurer/administrator’s details.
- Period of insurance clearly showing start and end dates (aligned to your intended IEC stay).[1]
- Territorial limits (Canada-only vs worldwide) and any geographic exclusions.
- Benefit wording showing medical care + hospitalisation + repatriation (or equivalent), consistent with IEC guidance.[2]
- How to contact assistance (helpline) and key claims/assistance instructions (useful in an emergency).
- Language & format: if your documents are not in English/French, consider whether a translation may be helpful (requirements can vary by circumstance).
“Repatriation” can be described in different ways (for example, medical repatriation, return of mortal remains, or transport home). What matters is that the policy wording clearly aligns with what IRCC describes for IEC.[2]
Timing: when to buy
IRCC’s Help Centre recommends buying the insurance only after you receive your port of entry (POE) letter.[2] The practical point is that timelines can shift, and you’ll want your policy dates to match your actual travel and entry plans.
Why a “travel policy” can fall short for longer stays
Many travel policies are designed around short trips and emergency medical treatment — and they can be very suitable for that purpose. However, travel insurance is typically structured for emergencies during trips of limited duration, often with the aim of getting you well enough to return home; it may not operate like comprehensive day-to-day health cover.[11]
That doesn’t mean travel insurance is “wrong” for IEC. It means you need to read the policy terms carefully, understand any maximum trip length and exclusions, and design around those limitations if you are staying for many months or moving around Canada. The framework below shows how to assess this sensibly.
Access to provincial healthcare and waiting periods
Canada’s public healthcare is often described as “universal”, but it is delivered through provincial and territorial health insurance plans. Health Canada notes that each province and territory has its own publicly funded health insurance plan and manages its administration.[10]
For IEC participants, the key point is that eligibility is not uniform. It depends on where you live, how that province defines “resident”, and your immigration/work status. Even where you are eligible, registration steps — and waiting periods — can apply.
Waiting periods: the high-level point
Official newcomer guidance says that, in some provinces, you may wait up to three months for public health insurance to start, and recommends having private health insurance for that period.[5]
This is why “I’ll just rely on provincial healthcare” can be risky in your first few months — particularly if you haven’t confirmed eligibility and the start date.
Waiting periods by example (illustrative, not exhaustive)
These examples show how different the rules can be. Always check the official page for your province/territory, and don’t assume another province’s rules apply to you.
BC’s MSP enrolment page says you should apply as soon as you arrive, and that coverage may start three months after your arrival date — recommending private cover while you wait.[6]
Ontario’s OHIP page states there is no waiting period and you can apply as soon as you arrive — but eligibility still depends on meeting Ontario’s criteria (including immigration documentation and residency rules).[7]
eHealth Saskatchewan states coverage begins on the first day of the third month following the date you establish residency, with an example timeline.[8]
RAMQ information for people settling from outside Canada notes eligibility after a waiting period of up to three months following registration (with some exceptions, such as children under 18).[9]
Practical steps to confirm and access provincial cover
Even if you think you may qualify, treat provincial cover as a process: confirm eligibility first, apply early, and plan interim cover until you have confirmation of your start date.
- Confirm eligibility in your province/territory for your specific status (IEC category, work permit duration, any employment conditions, dependants).
- Check waiting periods and how the “start date” is calculated (arrival date, registration date, or a rule tied to the calendar month).
- Apply early — some provinces recommend applying as soon as you arrive to allow for processing time.[6]
- Budget for gaps (prescriptions, dental, physiotherapy, mental health, and anything not covered by the provincial plan).
- Keep documents to hand: your work permit, proof of address, and any other paperwork your province requires.
What provincial plans usually cover (and what they often don’t)
Public cover generally focuses on medically necessary hospital and physician services — but the detail varies. People are often surprised by what sits outside the provincial basket (for example, adult dental care, routine eye tests, many prescription costs, mental health services outside specific settings, and various paramedical services).
This matters because even if you become eligible for provincial cover, you may still need supplementary protection — or you may prefer a private structure that reduces out-of-pocket costs for routine and ongoing needs.
IEC’s “Prepare for arrival” guidance states that holding a provincial health card is not enough for IEC entry purposes, and that provincial plans do not cover repatriation.[1] Provincial cover can be valuable, but it is not designed to replace the IEC insurance requirement.
Choosing between travel insurance, local plans and IPMI
When you search for Canada working holiday health insurance, you’ll often see a mixed market: travel insurance products, visitor-to-Canada medical cover, local Canadian private plans, and international private medical insurance (IPMI). The right choice depends on what you need to achieve — proof for entry, real-life access to treatment, portability, or flexibility if your stay becomes longer-term.
A sensible way to decide is to compare these options across the areas that usually cause problems: eligibility, maximum duration, exclusions, portability, claims handling, and what you need to verify for IEC documentation.
The comparison table
| Category | Best for | Typical eligibility | Typical strengths | Typical limitations / risks | Portability | Claims / admin friction | What to verify (before you buy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travel insurance | Shorter stays; single-country travel; emergency-focused cover that fits a “trip” model. | Often available to non-residents; may have maximum trip lengths or assumptions about returning home. | Often includes emergency medical treatment and assistance services; may include repatriation-style benefits (wording varies by policy).[2] | May be designed around stabilisation and return home; may exclude routine care, chronic condition management, or longer-term treatment; maximum duration limits can create gaps for an “extended stay”.[11] | Usually tied to a specific trip period; not designed for multi-year, multi-country living. | Can involve reimbursement claims; pre-authorisation, documentation and exclusions can materially affect outcomes; definitions of “pre-existing conditions” vary. | Does it clearly cover medical care + hospitalisation + repatriation?[2] Is it valid for your entire IEC stay?[1] Any maximum duration limits? Any exclusions relevant to you? |
| Local Canadian private plans | People who become provincial residents and want to top up gaps (dental, prescriptions, paramedical). | Often expects you to be resident in a province and, in some cases, enrolled in the provincial plan first (varies by insurer and product). | Can dovetail well with local systems; may be cost-effective for “extended health” benefits once you are established. | Not typically designed to satisfy IEC proof requirements on its own; often province-centric; may not cover travel outside Canada; may not include repatriation wording. | Generally limited outside the issuing province/country; less portable than IPMI. | Often smoother once eligibility is established; still depends on benefit design, claims routes and any network arrangements. | Does it require provincial cover first? What are the waiting periods and benefit limits? Any exclusions/caps (e.g., annual maximums)? What happens if you move provinces? |
| International private medical insurance (IPMI) | Longer-term expats; families; people likely to relocate again; multi-country living. | Designed for people living outside their home country; underwriting may apply; pre-existing condition handling is critical. | Built for longer-term healthcare needs; can include inpatient and outpatient benefits and ongoing treatment depending on plan design; portability across borders is a core feature (within your area of cover).[11] | Can be more complex and premium-sensitive; underwriting outcomes affect your real cover; needs careful configuration (area of cover, excess/deductible, outpatient module, etc.). | Generally more portable than local plans; designed for cross-border living. | May offer provider networks/direct settlement in some cases, but still depends on the provider and policy terms; admin varies across insurers. | Will the certificate clearly show IEC-required items (medical/hospitalisation/repatriation) and dates? Is Canada included in the territory? Does it include the benefits you may need in practice? Any exclusions, waiting periods, sub-limits or underwriting restrictions? |
Travel insurance: when it can fit — and where it can catch you out
Travel insurance can be a sensible fit for many IEC participants, particularly if your stay is clearly defined and your health needs are straightforward. However, “extended stays” highlight the common pressure points: maximum duration caps, emergency-only structures, limited chronic care handling, exclusions that only become obvious at claim stage, and “residency” assumptions that don’t match how you are actually living.
The key is not to assume “travel insurance = IEC insurance”. Instead, confirm the policy can be issued for your full intended stay and that the wording clearly matches what IRCC describes (medical care, hospitalisation, repatriation).[2]
Local Canadian private plans: useful, but usually not a visa solution
Local Canadian private plans are typically designed to complement provincial cover once you are eligible and enrolled. They can help with costs that provincial plans often don’t fully cover (for example, dental, optical, prescriptions, physiotherapy and other “extended” benefits), but they are not usually built as a stand-alone alternative for IEC entry insurance.
If you plan to settle in one province, local private cover can become relevant later — but don’t assume you can buy it immediately, or that it will automatically solve your first 90-day gap.
IPMI: for longer horizons and mobility
IPMI (international private medical insurance) is designed for longer-term living abroad. Many credible explainers distinguish it from travel insurance in practical terms: travel insurance is designed for limited-duration trips and emergency treatment, whereas international health insurance is designed for longer stays and can include routine and ongoing care depending on the plan design.[11]
IPMI can make sense if you treat IEC as step one of a longer plan (potential transitions, longer-term status, or a life split across countries). It can also be relevant for families, people who want broader provider choice, or anyone who needs a structure that behaves more like day-to-day healthcare cover than a trip policy.
Decision framework (clean, long-term)
Use this as a disciplined way to decide — based on how you expect to live, not just the product label.
If you’re aiming for the maximum IEC validity for your citizenship, your policy term and certificate dates need to match that horizon.[1]
Prescriptions, chronic conditions, mental health, pregnancy planning, children, and seasonal/high-risk work can materially change what “works” at claim stage.
Public cover is province-based and varies; assume a waiting period until you have confirmed otherwise.[10]
If you may move provinces or countries, portability becomes a core requirement (often where IPMI is strongest).
Long-term planning for staying in Canada
IEC is time-limited, but many people use it as a stepping stone: you arrive for a year, then you extend (if eligible), change employers, move provinces, or explore longer-term pathways. This is where an insurance decision made “just for entry” can become expensive or restrictive later on.
A calm, practical approach is to plan in phases and make sure each phase has a clear answer — without leaving gaps in cover.
Phased timeline (what to do, when)
- Check your category and typical maximum duration for your citizenship.[4]
- Decide whether you are aiming for a single year or the maximum validity.
- Make an early call on travel insurance vs IPMI based on your medical profile and expected mobility.
- Apply for provincial cover as soon as you can if eligible (some provinces recommend applying immediately).[6]
- Keep receipts and paperwork in case you need to claim by reimbursement.
- Identify local clinics and urgent care options in your area.
- If provincial cover starts, consider whether you also need supplementary benefits.
- If you are travelling frequently or may move, reassess portability needs.
- Build a continuity plan if your immigration status or employment changes.
- If you extend or transition, confirm what needs to change (dates, certificates, territory, underwriting terms).
- Keep evidence of continuous cover where possible (useful for future planning and continuity).
- Don’t assume you can “sort it later” after a policy expires — plan overlap.
Common pitfalls (the expensive ones)
Buying insurance for less than your stay
IEC guidance notes that if your insurance is valid for less than your expected stay, your work permit may be issued to match your policy end date.[1] In many cases, this is avoidable: choose a policy period that matches your intended IEC horizon.
Assuming provincial healthcare starts immediately
Official newcomer guidance notes that some provinces may take up to three months for public cover to start, and recommends private cover for that period.[5] Even where there is no waiting period, eligibility rules still apply — check first.
Misunderstanding “emergency-only” cover
Many travel policies are designed around emergency treatment during short trips, often with an emphasis on stabilisation and (where relevant) getting you home — rather than supporting routine, long-term care.[11] If you need ongoing prescriptions or regular follow-up, check whether your policy is designed to support that.
Overlooking exclusions, limits and claims requirements
Claims friction often comes down to the detail: definitions of pre-existing conditions, activity exclusions, mental health sub-limits, waiting periods, and documentation requirements. The simple fix is unglamorous but effective: read the policy wording, and keep a single folder with your policy schedule/certificate, terms, receipts and relevant medical reports.
Losing your proof documents
IEC checks are document-driven. Keep digital back-ups (cloud + phone) and a printed copy. If you change phones or email accounts, make sure your documents move with you.
Checklist for visa and arrival
There isn’t one definitive checklist that fits every nationality, IEC category, or port-of-entry interaction. Treat the lists below as a “commonly requested” starting point — then adjust for your situation and the official guidance you have been given.
Visa and insurance proof checklist (generic)
- Passport (valid for your planned period in Canada).
- Port of Entry (POE) letter and any related IEC approvals.
- Proof of health insurance showing validity for your entire stay and the required benefits (medical care, hospitalisation, repatriation).[1][2]
- Insurer contact details (assistance number) and policy number.
- Evidence of funds (if relevant to your category / any questions asked at entry).
- Return ticket or funds to purchase one (practice can vary).
- Medical documentation you may need for continuity (prescriptions, specialist letters), particularly if you have ongoing treatment.
Always follow the official IEC instructions you have been given and your own circumstances. Officers may ask further questions depending on the case.
Arrival and administration checklist
- Store digital copies of key documents (passport, work permit, insurance certificate, policy wording).
- Confirm where you will be living (your province matters for public cover rules).[10]
- Check provincial health plan eligibility and registration steps; apply early if eligible.[6]
- Register with a family doctor if possible, and identify walk-in/urgent care options (availability varies by region).
- Set up banking and a reliable mailing address (health plan applications may require proof of address).
- Save emergency contacts and the insurer’s assistance number on your phone.
Don’t cancel existing cover too early
A common “hidden gap” happens before you even leave: people cancel home-country insurance to save money, then discover a waiting period, exclusions, or processing delays on the new arrangement.
If you have existing cover (especially for dependants, prescriptions, or ongoing treatment), consider keeping it until your Canada cover is live and confirmed — or at least until you have planned a short overlap. A brief overlap in premium can be far cheaper than an uninsured event or a claim complication caused by timing.
Broker’s role
Insurance for IEC is rarely about finding a single “perfect” product. It’s about building a structure that meets entry expectations and still works day-to-day. A specialist broker’s role is to reduce the gap between what you think you have bought and how the policy actually responds when you need to claim.
How a specialist broker adds value
We help you interpret exclusions, waiting periods and benefits so you can choose cover that matches your stay and likely needs.
We focus on whether your documentation clearly reflects what IEC guidance expects at entry (dates, benefits, territory).[1]
If you may extend or transition status, we help you avoid a plan that works for entry but becomes awkward at renewal or when you move.
If you need to claim, we can help you understand the process, paperwork, and escalation routes (while the insurer makes the decision).
When broker support is most useful
- You want the maximum IEC duration and need clear proof that matches it.[1]
- You have pre-existing conditions, regular prescriptions, or planned treatment (where underwriting/exclusions materially affect cover).
- You are moving with a partner or children, or you want to plan for maternity.
- You expect to move provinces, travel frequently, or transition to longer-term status (portability and continuity become core).
- You want to avoid buying cover twice because the first choice wasn’t built for an “extended stay”.
Get Started
If you would like help designing a compliant, workable health cover structure for IEC — and a plan that still makes sense if you stay longer — start here: our Individual & Families service page explains how we support individuals, couples and internationally mobile families.
If you are ready to compare options, you can request a quote and needs review via our Quote page.
Further reading (strategy frameworks): IPMI Abroad: The Guide to Getting Health Cover Right Before You Move and US Citizens Moving to Spain: Health Insurance, Visa Requirements & a 3–10 Year Strategy. (The Spain guide is a helpful example of a long-horizon planning framework; the specifics are country-specific.)
Points to verify
- IEC proof expectations for your nationality/stream: what officers typically look for at entry, and how they assess your documents (dates, benefits, territory).[1]
- Repatriation wording: whether your certificate clearly includes repatriation (or equivalent wording) in line with IRCC guidance.[2]
- Provincial/territorial eligibility: whether your destination province covers IEC participants, and what residency/employment rules apply.[10]
- Waiting periods and registration steps: whether your province has a waiting period and what date triggers cover (arrival vs registration vs a calendar-month rule).[5]
- Full policy term: whether your policy can be issued for your full intended stay, and what could happen if your insurance is shorter than your planned IEC period.[1]
- Extensions/transition planning: if you extend your stay or change status, whether your cover needs to be reissued, renewed, or redesigned.
- Territorial limits: Canada-only vs worldwide, any time limits back in your home country (if relevant), and whether side trips are included.
- Excess/deductible and co-insurance: what you pay out of pocket, and whether this affects your ability to access care quickly.
- Exclusions and definitions: pre-existing conditions, higher-risk activities, mental health, pregnancy/maternity, and any internal policy waiting periods.
- Claims requirements: invoices/medical reports required, any pre-authorisation rules, and how reimbursement works (portal/email/post).
- Travel policy limits for extended stays: maximum duration, “emergency-only” structure, and whether the policy assumes you will return home for ongoing treatment.[11]
