What is Super Visa insurance?
The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada for up to five years on each entry. Visitors are not covered by provincial health plans such as OHIP, so Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks for proof of private medical insurance with the application.
The policy is emergency medical insurance. It pays for sudden illness or injury during the stay: hospital care, doctors, tests, ambulance, prescription drugs tied to the emergency, and the cost of returning the traveller home if that becomes necessary. It is not a plan for check-ups or ongoing treatment.
What does IRCC require from the policy?
IRCC lists the conditions the insurance must meet. The policy must:
- provide at least $100,000 of emergency coverage
- be valid for at least one year from the date of entry to Canada
- cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation
- be valid for each entry to Canada
- be paid in full, or paid in instalments with a deposit
- be available to show a border services officer on request
The insurer must be a Canadian insurance company, or an insurance company outside Canada that has been approved by the minister. The full list is on the requirements page.
What decides the price?
Four things move the premium more than anything else:
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Age of each traveller | Older travellers pay more. Prices rise in age bands. |
| Coverage amount | $100,000 is the minimum. $150,000 or more costs more. |
| Deductible | A higher deductible lowers the premium. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Covering stable conditions costs more than excluding them. |
Prices differ between insurers for the same traveller, sometimes by a wide margin. That is the reason to compare before buying. See what Super Visa insurance costs for how each factor works.
How do I get the insurance for the application?
- Send me each traveller's date of birth, the planned arrival date, and any medical conditions, using the quote form.
- I email the options that fit, with the price for one payment and for monthly instalments where the insurer offers them.
- You choose a plan and pay the premium or the deposit.
- The insurer issues the policy and the confirmation of coverage, which goes in with the Super Visa application.
The policy starts on the arrival date you give. If the travel date moves, the start date can usually be changed before the policy begins.
What happens if the visa is refused?
Most insurers refund the premium when a Super Visa is refused, as long as you ask before the policy start date and send the refusal letter. Some keep a small administration fee. I confirm the refund terms of each plan in the quote, so you know them before you pay.
Common questions
How much Super Visa insurance do my parents need?
At least $100,000 of emergency coverage each. That is the minimum IRCC accepts. A higher limit such as $150,000 costs more and gives more room if there is a serious hospital stay.
Can I pay for Super Visa insurance monthly?
Yes. IRCC accepts a policy paid in instalments with a deposit. Not every insurer offers a monthly plan, and those that do usually ask for a deposit up front. I show the monthly option beside the one-payment price in your quote.
Does Super Visa insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
It can, if the condition is stable. Each insurer defines stable in its policy, usually as no change in medication, treatment or symptoms for a set period before the start date. The period commonly runs from 90 to 180 days and depends on the insurer and the traveller's age. Plans that cover stable conditions cost more.
When should I buy the insurance?
Before you submit the Super Visa application, because IRCC wants proof that the policy is paid for. You set the start date to the planned arrival date, so the coverage year does not begin while your parents are still at home.
Can my parents use the insurance for regular doctor visits?
No. Super Visa insurance is for medical emergencies. Routine check-ups, ongoing care for a known condition, and elective treatment are not covered.
Is the insurance refunded if my parents go home early?
Many policies refund the unused part of the premium if the traveller leaves Canada early and no claim has been made. The terms differ between insurers, and some charge a fee. I include the early-return terms in your quote.
Sources
Written and reviewed by Sandeep Singh Pawar, licensed life insurance agent in Ontario. Last reviewed .