Is GMS the right fit for your parents?

GMS has operated since 1949 and describes itself as a not-for-profit organization. Its Visitors to Canada Insurance is designed for Super Visa applicants and other visitors who need emergency medical coverage while in Canada.

GMS states that its Visitors to Canada plan can be purchased with $100,000 or more in coverage for one year and includes 24/7 travel assistance. It is available when the insured person is under age 80 on the policy effective date.

GMS Visitors to Canada insurance is offered by Group Medical Services (GMS Insurance Inc.) and, outside Saskatchewan, is governed under Saskatchewan insurance law. It is not currently available to residents of Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut.

GMS — Group Medical Services — is one of the Super Visa insurance options available to families through Super Visa Quote. GMS's Visitors to Canada plan is designed to meet the Government of Canada's Super Visa insurance requirement of at least $100,000 in coverage for one year, for visitors including parents and grandparents. GMS Visitors to Canada insurance is offered by Group Medical Services (GMS Insurance Inc.) and, outside Saskatchewan, is governed under Saskatchewan insurance law.

Availability note: GMS Visitors to Canada insurance is not currently available to residents of Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut. If your family lives in one of these provinces, ask our advisor about other Super Visa insurance providers that may be available to you.

For a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, IRCC requires private health insurance valid for at least one year from the date of entry, with a minimum coverage amount. GMS's Visitors to Canada plan can be purchased with $100,000 or more in coverage for up to 365 days, which can meet this requirement when the policy wording is reviewed and confirmed — families should confirm the current IRCC minimum and the selected coverage amount with our advisor, as requirements can change.

GMS's Visitors to Canada plan can be purchased with $100,000 or more in coverage, for up to 365 days, and includes 24/7 travel assistance. Eligibility for this plan generally applies to applicants under age 80 on the policy's effective date, and applicants aged 70 and older may need to confirm they can manage daily living activities independently.

Coverage depends on the selected amount, applicant age and eligibility, province of residence, policy wording, and exclusions.

GMS's pricing depends on the applicant's age, the coverage amount selected, the length of the policy, and the province of residence where the plan is offered.

A personalized quote using your parent's actual age, travel dates, coverage amount, and health information is the most accurate way to compare GMS's cost with other providers.

GMS's not-for-profit structure and straightforward $100,000-and-up coverage can make it a competitively priced option for some families, but the cheapest option isn't automatically the best fit — families should still review:

GMS's policy wording excludes pre-existing conditions that were not stable for 180 days before the policy's effective date. "Stable" is defined by an 8-part test covering things like no new diagnosis, no change in medication or dosage, no new or worsening symptoms, and no pending test results or recommended-but-not-yet-completed treatment, among other criteria, in the 180 days before coverage starts.

Reviewing your parent's medications, diagnoses, and any recent test results or specialist recommendations against this 180-day window before the policy's effective date can help indicate whether a condition may be considered stable.

Our Pre-Existing Conditions Guide explains what "stable" generally means for Super Visa insurance. Whether a specific condition counts as stable under GMS's 8-part test depends on the individual medical history — confirm with our advisor and review the full policy wording before purchasing.

GMS's Visitors to Canada plan structure is based on the coverage amount selected ($100,000 or more) rather than a published deductible ladder in the policy wording we've reviewed. If deductible options are available for your selected coverage amount, our advisor can confirm what's offered and how it may affect your premium.

Many families search for monthly Super Visa insurance to manage cash flow rather than paying the full premium upfront. If you're looking for monthly payment options for a GMS policy, our advisor can confirm what's currently available for your parent's quote and compare GMS with other providers offering monthly Super Visa insurance plans.

GMS's waiting period can depend on when the policy is purchased relative to arrival in Canada: a 0-day waiting period may apply if coverage is continuous or purchased before arrival, a 2-day waiting period if purchased within 30 days of arrival, and a 7-day waiting period if purchased 31 or more days after arrival.

If your parent is already in Canada and timing is tight, ask our advisor how GMS's waiting period compares with other providers, some of which use 48-hour or 72-hour rules.

If a medical emergency or hospitalization occurs, GMS's policy requires notification within 24 hours. Failure to notify within 24 hours can result in a reduction of eligible expenses by the lesser of 70% of the reasonable and customary cost or $50,000 — a significant penalty, so prompt notification matters.

The safest approach is always the same: call the assistance line — 1-800-459-6604 — as soon as possible in any emergency.

Refund rules matter because many families buy Super Visa insurance before the visa decision comes back.

Confirm your specific refund scenario with our advisor before cancelling.

GMS may be considered by families searching for visitor visa insurance for parents, visitor visa medical insurance, or medical insurance for a Super Visa — particularly families in provinces where GMS is available (not Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut), with applicants under age 80, and without a recent change in their medical history. As with any provider, the selected coverage amount and policy length should meet the current Super Visa insurance requirement.

Based on the Visitors to Canada policy wording we've reviewed, GMS does not include an Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. If AD&D coverage matters for your family, ask our advisor about other providers — Secure Travel (RIMI), Destination Canada, TuGo, and AwayCare's higher tiers can include AD&D benefits.

GMS may be a good fit for some families — particularly those in eligible provinces, under age 80, and without a recent change in medical history — but it should still be compared against other Super Visa insurance providers, especially since GMS does not offer AD&D and is not available in every province.

When you review only one provider, you see only one set of rates, plan details, and policy conditions. Comparing GMS alongside other providers lets you review: provincial availability (GMS isn't offered in Quebec, New Brunswick, or Nunavut), age eligibility (under 80 for GMS), coverage amount ($100,000 or more for GMS), pre-existing condition rules (180-day stability test for GMS), waiting period (0/2/7 days depending on timing), AD&D availability (not offered by GMS), and refund rules.

The best provider depends on the applicant's age, province of residence, health history, and travel dates — our advisor can help compare GMS against other options for your specific situation.

Looking for a GMS Super Visa insurance quote for your parent or grandparent? We can help you compare GMS with other Super Visa insurance providers and explain the important details — provincial availability, coverage amount, the 180-day pre-existing stability rule, waiting period, and refund rules — before you buy.