Start with the details that matter
Age, medical history, and practical policy terms shape whether a Manulife plan fits the visit.
Plan fit
Coverage amount and the right Manulife plan tier.
Medical wording
How the 180-day rule fits the traveller's history.
Cost and timing
Premium, waiting period, payment, and refund terms.
Manulife Pre-Existing Conditions at a Glance
- Underwriter
- The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
- Plans
- Basic · Standard · Enhanced
- Standard pre-existing
- Flat 180-day exclusion (no stability test)
- Absolute carve-outs
- Heart (nitroglycerine), lung (home oxygen/prednisone)
- Enhanced
- May offer stable pre-existing coverage — confirm
- Coverage up to
- $200,000
How Manulife Handles Pre-Existing Conditions
Manulife's Visitors to Canada plans come in three tiers — Basic, Standard, and Enhanced. The Basic tier does not cover pre-existing conditions. On the Standard Plan, pre-existing conditions are handled by a flat 180-day exclusion: any condition that existed, showed symptoms, or required treatment or medication in the 180 days before the effective date is excluded. There is no stability test and no reduced-window option on Standard.
Two absolute carve-outs apply on top of the 180-day rule: heart conditions are not covered if nitroglycerine was required in the 180 days before the effective date, and lung conditions are not covered if home oxygen or prednisone was required in that window. Manulife's Enhanced plan may take a different approach to stable pre-existing conditions — confirm what is available for your parent's situation with our advisor.
What "Stable" Means
Most pre-existing coverage depends on a condition being "stable" for a set window before the trip — generally no new diagnosis, no medication or dosage change, no new or worsening symptoms, no pending tests, and no hospitalization. Our Pre-Existing Conditions Guide explains the full stability test; this page covers how Manulife specifically applies it.
What to Confirm With Manulife
- Which tier is being quoted — Standard (flat 180-day exclusion) or Enhanced (possible stable-condition coverage).
- Whether your parent's condition, symptoms, treatment, or medication fall within the 180 days before the effective date.
- Whether either absolute carve-out applies (nitroglycerine for a heart condition; home oxygen or prednisone for a lung condition).
- Whether the selected coverage amount and term meet the current Super Visa requirement.
FAQs
On Manulife's Standard Plan, pre-existing conditions are excluded under a flat 180-day rule with no stability test. The Enhanced plan may offer a different approach to stable conditions — confirm with our advisor for your parent's situation.
Information accurate as of October 2023
This page reflects the Manulife policy wording available to us as of October 2023 and is provided for general guidance only. Pre-existing condition rules, stability windows, eligibility, and plan wording can change. Confirm current terms with our advisor and review the policy wording before you buy.
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