The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians. It can be valid for up to 10 years, and each entry allows a stay of up to five years. That makes it very different from an ordinary visitor visa, and IRCC asks for more in return. One of the biggest requirements is a year of private medical insurance from an approved insurer.
This guide explains that insurance in plain terms, so you can buy the right policy once and attach it to the application with confidence.
Why the insurance matters so much
Visitors aren't covered by OHIP or any other provincial health plan. A few days in a Canadian hospital after a fall or a heart episode can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. Without insurance, that bill goes to your parent, and in practice to you as their host. IRCC makes insurance a condition of the visa so that families aren't left facing those costs.
What the policy has to include
IRCC's instructions to officers list the requirements. The policy must:
- come from a Canadian insurance company, or from a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI that issued the policy as part of its Canadian business
- give at least $100,000 of emergency coverage for each person applying
- cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation
- be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, and on each entry to Canada
- be paid, either in full or in instalments with a deposit. A quote is not accepted.
- be available to show a border services officer on request
The name on the proof of insurance must be the insurer, not just the broker or claims administrator. IRCC checks the insurer against OSFI's list. Every plan Pankaj sells shows the underwriting insurer clearly.
The requirements guide goes through each condition, with the mistakes that most often lead to refusals.
How much coverage should you buy?
$100,000 is the minimum, not a recommendation. A serious cardiac event with surgery and an ICU stay can go beyond it. Many families choose $150,000 or $200,000 for parents over 70, because the extra coverage usually costs far less than the risk it removes. Larger limits are available from most insurers.
What it costs
Premiums are set mainly by the traveller's age, the coverage amount, the deductible, and whether pre-existing conditions are covered. A healthy 60-year-old and an 80-year-old with heart disease can be thousands of dollars apart for the same $100,000 policy. The cost guide shows how each factor moves the price, and how the deductible can bring it down.
Paying monthly
You don't have to pay the year up front. IRCC accepts a policy paid in instalments with a deposit, and several insurers offer monthly plans. Setup fees run from $50 to $120. Secure Travel (RIMI) and 2 Visit Canada both charge $120 flat per policy. See how monthly Super Visa plans work for the full fee and refund rules.
Pre-existing conditions: the part that decides claims
Most parents applying for a Super Visa are in their 60s or older, and many take medication for blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol. Whether a claim is paid often comes down to two things:
- Stability. Most plans only cover a pre-existing condition if it has been stable for a set period before the policy starts, commonly 90 or 180 days. That usually means no new symptoms, no new diagnosis, and no change in medication or dosage.
- The medical questionnaire. Older applicants usually have to answer health questions. An honest mistake can still void a claim, so go through the questions carefully with your parent and their medication list.
Read more in what counts as a pre-existing condition and coverage for heart conditions.
Choosing between insurers
The cheapest plan isn't always the best value. Before you choose, compare these:
- the stability period for pre-existing conditions, and the age at which pre-existing cover stops
- whether side trips outside Canada are covered, and for how long
- the refund rules if the visa is refused or your parent leaves early
- whether the plan offers monthly payments, and the fees that come with them
Pankaj compares plans from a range of Canadian insurers and will explain the trade-offs for your parents' ages and health.
Common questions
Who can buy Super Visa insurance?
It's bought for the parent or grandparent who is applying, usually by their child or grandchild in Canada. The policy names the traveller as the insured person, and you can pay on their behalf.
Can I buy Super Visa insurance from an insurer outside Canada?
Only if the foreign insurer is authorized by OSFI to sell accident and sickness insurance in Canada, and it issued the policy as part of its Canadian business. Policies from most insurers in India or elsewhere don't meet this rule.
Does the insurance need to be renewed each year?
Yes. IRCC expects valid coverage for each year of the stay and on each entry. If your parent stays longer than a year, renew before the policy ends so there's no gap.
Is Super Visa insurance the same as visitor insurance?
It's a visitor-to-Canada policy that meets the stricter Super Visa rules: at least $100,000 of coverage, a full year from entry, and an approved insurer. Ordinary visitor insurance can be shorter and have lower limits.
When should the policy start?
On the date your parent arrives in Canada. If the date isn't fixed yet, use your best estimate. You can usually move it before the policy starts, as long as no claim has been made.