If you’re moving to Canada on the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, getting the right insurance isn’t optional. It can decide how long your work permit is. We spent two years in Canada on our own IEC visas (Vancouver, plus a full winter season in Whistler), and it’s one of the most-asked questions in our IEC Facebook groups. Here’s our 2026 guide.
Quick Answer: Our IEC Insurance Picks
- True Traveller: for Irish, UK and European residents. It’s what we used. Up to 24 months, unlimited home visits.
- Fast Cover: for Australian residents. 12 months, extendable to 24.
- BestQuote: for all nationalities, before or after you arrive in Canada. A Canadian broker with IEC-specific policies.
What the Canadian Government Requires
According to IRCC, when you arrive at the port of entry you must have health insurance valid for your entire stay, covering:
- medical care
- hospitalisation
- repatriation (getting you home in case of severe illness, injury or death)
The part that catches people out: if your insurance is shorter than your planned stay, your work permit will be issued to expire on the same date as your insurance, and you won’t be able to extend it later. Buy one year of cover and you’ll likely get a one-year permit.
A provincial health card isn’t enough, because it doesn’t cover repatriation, and you won’t have one on arrival anyway. IRCC recommends buying your insurance after you receive your port of entry (POE) letter.
Is there a minimum amount of cover?
No. IRCC doesn’t set a dollar minimum for IEC insurance. It only says the policy must cover medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for your whole stay. Most IEC policies start at around CA$100,000 of medical cover, and some go much higher. Don’t confuse it with the CA$2,500 that IRCC asks you to show in funds, which is a separate rule.
Can you use two policies back to back?
Yes. IRCC’s own instructions to border officers say participants can present two consecutive policies if they couldn’t buy one policy for the full length of the permit. Make sure there is no gap between them, and carry both documents.
Our own experience: one couple, two different permits
Your nationality decides how long your IEC visa is. Steve got a two-year work permit on his Irish passport. Sabina’s Polish passport only allowed one year, but thankfully she has dual citizenship and was approved for a second IEC with her other passport, which meant she could stay the full two years with Steve. Whatever length you’re approved for, match your insurance to it exactly.
What to Check Before You Buy IEC Insurance
Two years is a long time, so it’s worth reading the small print. Ask:
- Does it meet the IEC requirements? Medical, hospital and repatriation, for the full length of your stay.
- What activities are covered? Skiing, snowboarding, hiking and kayaking often need an add-on. We didn’t plan to snowboard when we landed in Vancouver, ended up doing a whole season in Whistler, and were very glad we’d added winter sports cover.
- Can you go home for a visit? Some policies limit trips home. Others allow unlimited visits.
- Are trips outside Canada covered? Think long weekends in the US, or Mexico in winter.
- What’s the excess? That’s how much you pay yourself on each claim.
- Can you buy it if you’ve already left home? Many insurers only cover you if you buy before departure.
- Save the emergency number in your phone as soon as you buy.
And please don’t just buy the cheapest policy. We know people who went bare-minimum and ended up with a broken bone and a huge bill.
How Much Does IEC Insurance Cost?
To give you a feel for prices, here is what BestQuote’s MedEC policy for IEC participants costs, as listed on its website in October 2026 (CA$100,000 of cover, $0 deductible):
| Length | Age 18 to 35 | Age 18 to 35, with winter sports | Age 36 to 40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 months | CA$594.95 | CA$868.70 | CA$813.95 |
| 18 months | CA$894.87 | CA$1,306.62 | CA$1,224.27 |
| 24 months | CA$1,191.53 | CA$1,739.78 | CA$1,630.13 |
Moving2Canada’s 2026 comparison of IEC plans ranges from about CA$543 to CA$1,325, depending on the insurer and the plan. True Traveller and Fast Cover don’t publish set prices, so get a quote with your own dates. Your age, the length of cover, the deductible and add-ons like winter sports all change the price, so always compare live quotes before you buy.
The Best IEC Insurance in 2026
True Traveller: best for Ireland, the UK and Europe
This is who we used for our own two-year IEC cover, and who we’ve kept using as we travel. It’s the one we recommend most to European members of our groups.
- A dedicated IEC Canada policy for up to 24 months
- Unlimited home visits
- For the full 24 months, choose the Worldwide including USA & Canada option. True Traveller caps Canada-only trips at 18 months.
- A partial refund may be available if you come home within the first year of a 2-year policy (no claims, and conditions apply)
- Up to £10 million medical cover
- 92 activities as standard, with Adventure, Extreme and Ultimate packs for more
- Winter sports cover available. It covered us for our Whistler season.
- Available to UK and European residents only
Get a True Traveller IEC quote
Fast Cover: best for Australians
Most of our Australian friends and group members who moved to Canada went with Fast Cover.
- Buy a 12-month policy, then extend it by another 12 months (up to 24 months in total) by logging in or calling Fast Cover. Extensions are made within the 30 days before your departure date and are subject to Fast Cover’s approval.
- Extend before you fly, so the policy you show at the border covers your whole permit. If it only shows 12 months, you may get a 12-month permit that can’t be extended later.
- Covers overseas emergency medical and hospital costs, evacuation and repatriation, plus 24/7 emergency assistance
- Optional winter sports cover
- Can be started if you’ve already left Australia (check the conditions)
Australian? Our guide to the Canada working holiday visa for Australians also covers the new quota, the AFP police check and where to give biometrics.
BestQuote: for all nationalities (and if you’ve already arrived)
BestQuote is a Canadian insurance broker. Its site lets you compare IEC policies side by side, with prices, benefits and refund rules, so it’s a good option whatever passport you hold. Its own MedEC policy for IEC participants is underwritten by Lloyd’s.
- IEC policies for 12, 18 or 24 months
- Covers emergency medical and repatriation, as IEC requires
- Optional winter sports version
- Good for nationalities that True Traveller and Fast Cover don’t cover
To get a quote, enter your dates in Canada, any other countries you’ll visit, the number of travellers and their dates of birth.
Compare IEC policies on BestQuote
IEC insurance for New Zealanders
New Zealanders can get a working holiday permit of up to 23 months, so your insurance needs to cover all 23 months from the day you land. Many New Zealand travel insurers only sell policies of 12 or 18 months, so check the maximum length before you buy. Your options:
- BestQuote‘s IEC policies are open to all nationalities, for 12, 18 or 24 months.
- If your New Zealand insurer stops at 12 or 18 months, IRCC’s instructions to officers say you can present two consecutive policies, as long as there is no gap between them and you carry both.
- Whoever you choose, ask the insurer to confirm in writing that the policy covers medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for the full length of your stay.
Provincial Health Insurance: What IEC Participants Can Get
Once you are living and working in Canada, you may qualify for free provincial healthcare. It’s a nice extra, but it never replaces your IEC insurance: IRCC says a provincial health card is not enough at the border, and no provincial plan covers repatriation. Here are the rules for the most popular provinces as of October 2026:
| Province | Can IEC working holiday participants join? | Waiting period |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia (MSP) | Yes, if you live in BC for 6 months or more, your permit is valid for 6 months or more, and you are employed for 6 months or more, working at least 18 hours a week | About 3 months (the rest of your arrival month plus two months) |
| Alberta (AHCIP) | Yes with an open work permit, if you intend to stay in Alberta for 12 months or more and your permit has at least 6 months left | No fixed wait: cover starts from the later of your Alberta residency date or the date on your entry document |
| Ontario (OHIP) | Possibly, if you work full-time for an Ontario employer for at least 6 months. Confirm with ServiceOntario before relying on it | None for people who are eligible |
| Quebec (RAMQ) | Usually not: RAMQ lists open work permit holders as generally ineligible | Up to 3 months for people who do qualify |
| Nova Scotia (MSI) | Yes, if your work permit is for 12 months or more | Cover starts when you become a resident or on the issue date of your immigration document, whichever is later |
Rules change, so check the official provincial health website when you arrive, and keep your IEC insurance running for your whole stay either way.
IEC 2026 and 2027: Where Things Stand
- The 2026 season is closing. IRCC says profiles must be in the pool before 9am ET on 19 October 2026, with the final round of invitations the week of 19 October.
- IEC 2027 hasn’t been announced yet. Recent seasons have opened in mid-December, so expect news around then. We’ll update this guide when it opens.
- Your permit length decides how long your insurance needs to be: Ireland, the UK and Australia get up to 24 months, New Zealand up to 23 months and Poland up to 12 months. UK citizens can also take part a second time, for up to 12 months.
- 2026 fees: CA$184.75 IEC participation fee, plus the CA$100 open work permit holder fee and CA$85 for biometrics on the working holiday.
IEC Insurance FAQ
Do I need IEC insurance for the whole two years?
If you want a two-year work permit, yes. The permit is issued to match your insurance end date, and it can’t be extended later.
Will border officers actually check?
They can ask to see proof at the port of entry, so don’t risk it. Carry a printed and a digital copy of your policy showing the dates and cover.
Is my provincial health card enough once I’m working?
No. Provincial healthcare doesn’t cover repatriation, and there’s often a waiting period before you’re enrolled.
When should I buy it?
After you get your POE letter, and so the policy starts on or before the day you land in Canada.
How much does IEC insurance cost?
Roughly CA$600 to CA$870 for 12 months and CA$1,190 to CA$1,740 for 24 months for an 18 to 35-year-old, based on BestQuote’s MedEC prices in October 2026. The higher figures include winter sports. Your age, deductible and add-ons change the price, so get a live quote.
Is there a minimum coverage amount for IEC insurance?
No. IRCC only requires cover for medical care, hospitalisation and repatriation for your whole stay. Most policies start at around CA$100,000 of medical cover.
Can I buy a shorter policy and extend it once I’m in Canada?
You can usually extend the insurance, but not the permit. If your insurance is shorter than your stay, your permit can be issued to end on the same day, and IRCC says you won’t be able to extend it later. Buy cover for the full length before you land, or two back-to-back policies with no gap.
Other Useful Links for Your IEC Move
- Wise: our everyday money transfer service. Your first transfer is free.
- TorFX: for moving $5,000+. No transfer fees, and your own account manager.
- SendMyBag: usually cheaper than excess baggage.
- Hostelworld and Booking.com: for your first few nights.
More guides: 15 things to know about a working holiday in Canada, choosing a Canadian bank, the cheapest way to send money to Canada and moving to Vancouver.
Insurance details change, so always check the policy wording with the insurer before you buy. We’re not insurance advisers. This guide is based on our own experience and the insurers’ published information as of October 2026. Some links are affiliate links: if you use them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Steve and Sabina
Planning your trip? Pin this guide to your Pinterest board for later.
Sunset Travellers
Sunday 13th of October 2019
Thanks a lot for letting us know!
Gerphil Galleto
Sunday 13th of October 2019
Good day! I already found a travel insurance company they said that if something happens on me at work in canada they can't cover anything that happened to me because of my work. Is this reasonable from Insurance company?
Sunset Travellers
Sunday 13th of October 2019
Hi Gerphil,
Travel insurance is not a health insurance. It's designed for emergencies only. Once you are in Canada you most likely will be able to get health insurance via your employer. Best of luck!