Can I get life insurance in Canada if I'm new or on a work permit?
By Reynolds Edokpayi, Zenith Advisory Inc., Saskatoon · Updated October 2026 · 4 min read
Who qualifies
- Permanent residents and citizens: full access to every insurer and product.
- Work-permit holders: most major insurers will cover you, often with conditions such as a minimum time already in Canada, a permit valid for a certain period, or having applied for permanent residence. Some have no waiting period at all.
- Students and visitors: harder. Some insurers offer limited coverage; visitors generally need visitor medical insurance rather than life insurance.
What insurers will ask
Your status and permit dates, how long you've been in Canada, your income and occupation, your health history, and whether you plan to stay. Honest answers matter more than perfect ones; a problem disclosed now is covered, a problem hidden can void the policy.
Why newcomers need it more, not less
You likely have no Canadian estate, little savings here yet, and family in two countries who depend on you. If your income stopped, there is no cushion. Term life insurance for a healthy 35-year-old is usually less than a phone bill.
What about the coverage from work?
Group coverage is a start, but it's typically one or two times salary, ends when you leave the job, and can't be increased. For a family with a mortgage it usually isn't enough. Is employer coverage enough? →
How to do it
Don't apply to one company and accept their answer. Zenith Advisory represents several Canadian insurers and knows which ones accept which permit types. We compare them for you, at no cost.
Want this worked out for your numbers? We'll build a plan for your family that covers the risks, the savings and the goals, and show you what to do first.