Super Visa insurance is the mandatory emergency medical coverage that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires for parents and grandparents visiting on a Super Visa. It works like private travel medical insurance bought for a visitor to Canada, but with a set minimum and a one-year minimum term, and proof of payment for it goes in with the application. This page covers the requirements, what drives the cost, and how to compare policies. Travel insurance for Canadians going abroad is compared separately in our guide to the best travel insurance in Canada, and other specialty coverage is listed in the travel, pet and other insurance hub.
Super Visa Insurance Requirements (IRCC)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum coverage | $100,000 |
| Minimum validity | 1 year from the date of entry, and valid for each entry to Canada |
| Coverage must include | Health care, hospitalization and repatriation |
| Provider | A Canadian insurance company, or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI to provide accident and sickness insurance (permitted since January 28, 2025) |
| Payment | Must be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren't accepted) |
| Proof | Proof of payment for the insurance goes with the application, and the documents must be available for a border services officer on request |
A foreign insurer only qualifies if it appears on OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions and issues the policy under its insurance business in Canada. Brokers and claims administrators are not insurers, so the company named on the policy is the one to check.
What drives the cost
Super visa policies are priced mainly on:
| Factor | Effect on the premium |
|---|---|
| Age of the visitor | Premiums rise with age |
| Pre-existing conditions | Covering them costs more than a policy that excludes them |
| Deductible | A higher deductible lowers the premium but raises the out-of-pocket cost of a claim |
| Coverage amount | Coverage above the $100,000 minimum costs more |
Because each insurer weighs these factors differently, quotes for the same visitor, coverage amount and deductible are the fair comparison. The trade-off between premium and out-of-pocket risk is explained in insurance deductibles explained.
What Super Visa Insurance Covers
IRCC sets the floor: the policy must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation. Beyond that, what a policy pays for and excludes is set by its wording. These policies are built around emergency treatment of a sudden illness or injury, and exclusions (pre-existing conditions, routine care, pregnancy, high-risk activities) vary between insurers. The certificate of insurance lists the covered services and the exclusions.
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Policies that cover pre-existing conditions usually include a stability clause: the condition must have been stable for a set period before coverage starts, meaning no new symptoms, no change in medication, and no new treatment related to the condition. The length of that period differs between insurers and plans, and some plans exclude pre-existing conditions altogether in exchange for a lower premium. The same rule drives long-stay coverage for Canadian retirees; worked pass and fail examples are in our guide to snowbird travel insurance. If a claim is refused on stability grounds, the appeal steps are in what to do when an insurance claim is denied.
Super Visa Application: Insurance Checklist
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Record the parent or grandparent’s health status | List all medications and conditions |
| 2. Get quotes from several insurers | Compare with and without pre-existing condition coverage |
| 3. Choose a coverage amount | At least $100,000 |
| 4. Select a deductible | Balance premium savings against out-of-pocket risk |
| 5. Pay | The policy must be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren't accepted) |
| 6. Keep proof of payment and the policy documents | Include proof of payment with the IRCC application |
| 7. Keep policy details accessible | A border services officer can ask to see them |
Super Visa vs Regular Visitor Visa Insurance
| Feature | Super Visa Insurance | Regular Visitor Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Required by IRCC | Yes | No |
| Minimum coverage | $100,000 | No minimum |
| Minimum validity | 1 year from entry | None |
| Length of stay | Up to 5 years at a time | IRCC points visitors staying 6 months or less to the regular visitor visa |
| Insurer | Canadian insurer, or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer | Any insurer |
Ways to Lower the Cost
| Strategy | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Choose a higher deductible | Lowers the premium, at the cost of a larger out-of-pocket amount per claim |
| Compare several insurers | Prices for the same coverage differ between insurers |
| Keep medications stable before travel | Helps meet a stability clause |
| Match the coverage amount to the need | The $100,000 minimum meets IRCC’s requirement |