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Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate Apr. 28, 2025
American Global Growth Trust  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:24pt;">American Global Growth Trust</span>
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Investment objective</span>
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock To seek to provide long-term growth of capital.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Fees and expenses</span>
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the fund. The fees and expenses do not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance or variable annuities contract that may use the fund as its underlying investment option and would be higher if they did.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Annual fund operating expenses (%) </span><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;margin-left:0.0pt;">(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)</span>
Fee Waiver or Reimbursement over Assets, Date of Termination rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssetsDateOfTermination <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;">July 31, 2026</span>
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Portfolio turnover</span>
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The fund, which operates as a feeder fund, does not pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells shares of the master fund (or “turns over” its portfolio). A master fund does pay transaction costs when it turns over its portfolio, and a higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the performance of the master fund and of the fund. During its most recent fiscal year, the master fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 41% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 41.00%
Expenses Represent Both Master and Feeder [Text] rr_ExpensesRepresentBothMasterAndFeeder <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;">The table reflects the combined fees of the feeder fund and the master fund.</span>
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Expense example</span>
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock The examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that $10,000 is invested in the fund for the periods indicated and then all shares are redeemed at the end of those periods. The examples also assume that the investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The expense example does not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance contract that may use the fund as its underlying investment option and would be higher if they did. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Principal investment strategies</span>
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The fund invests all of its assets in Class 1 shares of its master fund, the Global Growth Fund, a series of American Funds Insurance Series. The Global Growth Fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies  around the world that the advisor believes have potential for growth. As a fund that seeks to invest globally, the Global Growth Fund will allocate its assets among securities of companies in various countries, including the United States and countries with emerging markets (but in no fewer than three countries). Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest a percentage of its net assets outside the United States. That percentage will represent at least (a) 40% of the fund’s net assets, unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by the fund’s investment adviser, in which case 30%, or (b) the percentage of the MSCI All Country World Index represented by companies outside the United States minus 5%, whichever is lower. Use of Hedging and Other Strategic Transactions. The fund is authorized to use all of the various investment strategies referred to under “Additional Information About the Funds’ Principal Risks — Hedging, derivatives and other strategic transactions risk.” The master fund may invest in other funds managed by the investment advisor or its affiliates to more effectively invest in a diversified set of securities in a specific asset class such as money market instruments, bonds and other securities (“Central Funds”). Shares of Central Funds are only offered for purchase to the master fund’s investment advisor and its affiliates and other funds, investment vehicles and accounts managed by the master fund’s investment advisor and its affiliates. When investing in Central Funds, the master fund bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the Central Funds in which it invests but does not bear additional management fees through its investment in such Central Funds. The investment results of the portion of the master fund’s assets invested in the Central Funds will be based upon the investment results of the Central Funds. The manager considers environmental, social, and/or governance (ESG) factors, alongside other relevant factors, as part of its investment process. ESG factors may include, but are not limited to, matters regarding board diversity, climate change policies, and supply chain and human rights policies. The ESG characteristics utilized in the fund’s investment process may change over time and one or more characteristics may not be relevant with respect to all issuers that are eligible fund investments. Because ESG factors are considered alongside other relevant factors, the manager may determine that an investment is appropriate notwithstanding its relative ESG characteristics.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Principal risks</span>
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Past performance</span>
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The following information illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compared with a broad-based securities market index.Past performance does not indicate future results.All figures assume dividend reinvestment. The performance information below does not reflect fees and expenses of any variable insurance contract which may use JHVIT as its underlying investment option. If such fees and expenses had been reflected, performance would be lower.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:9pt;">The following information illustrates the variability of the fund’s returns and provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compared with a broad-based securities market index.</span>
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:9pt;">Past performance does not indicate future results.</span>
Bar Chart [Heading] rr_BarChartHeading <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;">Calendar year total returns (%)—Series II</span>
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock Best quarter:Q2 202024.15%Worst quarter:Q2 2022-16.69%
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading <span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Average annual total returns (%)—as of 12/31/2024</span>
American Global Growth Trust | Risk Lose Money [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Many factors affect performance, and fund shares will fluctuate in price, meaning you could lose money.
American Global Growth Trust | Risk Not Insured Depository Institution [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock An investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
American Global Growth Trust | Credit And Counterparty Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Credit and counterparty risk.  The counterparty to an over-the-counter derivatives contract or a borrower of fund securities may not make timely payments or otherwise honor its obligations.
American Global Growth Trust | Economic And Market Events Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Economic and market events risk.  Events in the U.S. and global financial markets, including actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, may at times result in unusually high market volatility, which could negatively impact performance. Reduced liquidity in credit and fixed-income markets could adversely affect issuers worldwide. Banks and financial services companies could suffer losses if interest rates rise or economic conditions deteriorate.
American Global Growth Trust | Equity Securities Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Equity securities risk.  The price of equity securities may decline due to changes in a company’s financial condition or overall market conditions. Growth company securities may fluctuate more in price than other securities because of the greater emphasis on earnings expectations.
American Global Growth Trust | ESG Integration Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock ESG integration risk.  The manager considers ESG factors that it deems relevant or additive, along with other material factors and analysis, when managing the fund. ESG factors may include, but are not limited to, matters regarding board diversity, climate change policies, and supply chain and human rights policies. The manager may consider these ESG factors on all or a meaningful portion of the fund’s investments. Incorporating ESG criteria and making investment decisions based on certain ESG characteristics, as determined by the manager, carries the risk that the fund may perform differently, including underperforming, funds that do not utilize ESG criteria, or funds that utilize different ESG criteria.
American Global Growth Trust | Foreign Securities Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Foreign securities risk.  Less information may be publicly available regarding foreign issuers, including foreign government issuers. Foreign securities may be subject to foreign taxes and may be more volatile than U.S. securities. Currency fluctuations and political and economic developments may adversely impact the value of foreign securities. The risks of investing in foreign securities are magnified in emerging markets.
American Global Growth Trust | Hedging Derivatives And Other Strategic Transactions Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions risk.  Hedging, derivatives, and other strategic transactions may increase a fund’s volatility and could produce disproportionate losses, potentially more than the fund’s principal investment. Risks of these transactions are different from and possibly greater than risks of investing directly in securities and other traditional instruments. Under certain market conditions, derivatives could become harder to value or sell and may become subject to liquidity risk (i.e., the inability to enter into closing transactions). Derivatives and other strategic transactions that the fund intends to utilize include: credit default swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency swaps, futures contracts, options on futures, swaptions, interest-rate swaps, options, swaps, equity-linked notes (equity-linked notes generally reflect the risks associates with their underlying securities, depends on the credit of the note's issuer, may be privately placed, and may have a limited secondary market), inverse floating-rate securities, reverse repurchase agreements, and total return swaps. Foreign currency forward contracts, futures contracts, options, and swaps generally are subject to counterparty risk. In addition, swaps may be subject to interest-rate and settlement risk, and the risk of default of the underlying reference instrument. Derivatives associated with foreign currency transactions are subject to currency risk. An event of default or insolvency of the counterparty to a reverse repurchase agreement could result in delays or restrictions with respect to the fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities, in addition, a reverse repurchase agreement may be considered a form of leverage and may, therefore, increase fluctuations in the fund's net asset value per share (NAV).
American Global Growth Trust | Information Technology Companies Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Information technology companies risk.  Information technology companies can be significantly affected by rapid obsolescence, short product cycles, competition from new market entrants, and heightened cybersecurity risk, among other factors.
American Global Growth Trust | Investment Company Securities Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Investment company securities risk.  Fund shareholders indirectly bear their proportionate share of the expenses of any investment company in which the fund invests. The total return on such investments will be reduced by the operating expenses and fees of such other investment companies, including advisory fees.
American Global Growth Trust | Large Company Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Large company risk.  Larger companies may grow more slowly than smaller companies or be slower to respond to business developments. Large-capitalization securities may underperform the market as a whole.
American Global Growth Trust | Liquidity Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Liquidity risk.  The extent (if at all) to which a security may be sold or a derivative position closed without negatively impacting its market value may be impaired by reduced market activity or participation, legal restrictions, or other economic and market impediments.
American Global Growth Trust | Operational And Cybersecurity Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Operational and cybersecurity risk.  Cybersecurity breaches may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data, or proprietary information, or cause a fund or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality. Similar incidents affecting issuers of a fund’s securities may negatively impact performance. Operational risk may arise from human error, error by third parties, communication errors, or technology failures, among other causes.
American Global Growth Trust | Sector Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Sector risk.  When a fund focuses its investments in certain sectors of the economy, its performance may be driven largely by sector performance and could fluctuate more widely than if the fund were invested more evenly across sectors.
American Global Growth Trust | Small And Mid Sized Company Risk [Member]  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk [Text Block] rr_RiskTextBlock Small and mid-sized company risk.  Small and mid-sized companies are generally less established and may be more volatile than larger companies. Small and/or mid-capitalization securities may underperform the market as a whole.
American Global Growth Trust | Series I  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.47% [1]
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.60%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.10% [1]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.17% [1]
Contractual expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.11%) [2],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.06% [1]
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 108
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 361
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 633
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,411
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.20%
5 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.33%
10 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.32%
American Global Growth Trust | Series II  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.47% [1]
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.75%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.10% [1]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 1.32% [1]
Contractual expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.11%) [2],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 1.21% [1]
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 123
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 407
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 713
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,581
2015 rr_AnnualReturn2015 6.50%
2016 rr_AnnualReturn2016 0.10%
2017 rr_AnnualReturn2017 30.92%
2018 rr_AnnualReturn2018 (9.46%)
2019 rr_AnnualReturn2019 34.66%
2020 rr_AnnualReturn2020 29.80%
2021 rr_AnnualReturn2021 15.92%
2022 rr_AnnualReturn2022 (25.08%)
2023 rr_AnnualReturn2023 22.02%
2024 rr_AnnualReturn2024 13.15%
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Best quarter:</span>
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2020
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 24.15%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel <span style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial Narrow;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;margin-left:0.0pt;">Worst quarter:</span>
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Jun. 30, 2022
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.69%)
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.15%
5 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.25%
10 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.23%
American Global Growth Trust | Series III  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Management fee rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.47% [1]
Distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets 0.25%
Other expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.10% [1]
Total annual fund operating expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.82% [1]
Contractual expense reimbursement rr_FeeWaiverOrReimbursementOverAssets (0.11%) [2],[3]
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursements rr_NetExpensesOverAssets 0.71% [1]
1 year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 $ 73
3 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 251
5 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 444
10 years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 $ 1,003
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 13.58%
5 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 9.72%
10 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 10.71%
American Global Growth Trust | MSCI ACWI (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes, except foreign withholding taxes on dividends)  
Risk Return Abstract rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 17.49%
5 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05 10.06%
10 year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10 9.23%
[1] The table reflects the combined fees of the feeder fund and the master fund.
[2] The advisor contractually agrees to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse expenses for the fund and certain other John Hancock funds according to an asset level breakpoint schedule that is based on the aggregate net assets of all the funds participating in the waiver or reimbursement, including the fund (the participating portfolios). This waiver equals, on an annualized basis, 0.0100% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $75 billion but is less than or equal to $125 billion; 0.0125% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $125 billion but is less than or equal to $150 billion; 0.0150% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $150 billion but is less than or equal to $175 billion; 0.0175% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $175 billion but is less than or equal to $200 billion; 0.0200% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $200 billion but is less than or equal to $225 billion; and 0.0225% of that portion of the aggregate net assets of all the participating portfolios that exceeds $225 billion. The amount of the reimbursement is calculated daily and allocated among all the participating portfolios in proportion to the daily net assets of each participating portfolio. During its most recent fiscal year, the fund’s reimbursement amounted to 0.01% of the fund’s average daily net assets. This agreement expires on July 31, 2026, unless renewed by mutual agreement of the fund and the advisor based upon a determination that this is appropriate under the circumstances at that time.
[3] The investment advisor of the master fund, Capital Research and Management Company, contractually agrees to waive a portion of its management fee. The waiver will be in effect through at least May 1, 2026, and the waiver may only be modified or terminated with the approval of the master fund’s Board of Trustees.