What the Super Visa is
The Super Visa is a long-stay temporary resident visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows longer stays per entry than a standard visitor visa, without needing to renew status annually. The applicant must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the host in Canada typically needs to meet certain income requirements and provide a letter of invitation.
Insurance requirements, in full
Unlike general visitor insurance, mandatory private medical insurance is a hard requirement to qualify for a Super Visa — the application isn't approved without it.
| Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Coverage amount | $100,000 CAD in emergency medical coverage |
| Duration | At least 1 full year from the date of entry to Canada |
| Required benefits | Health care, hospitalization, and repatriation |
| Issuer | A Canadian insurance company, or one meeting IRCC's approval requirements |
The policy must be purchased for at least a full year even if the actual visit is shorter — though many insurers offer a partial refund for unused time if the visa holder returns home early, which is worth confirming with the specific insurer before buying.
Requirements can change — confirm before you buy
Specific income thresholds, approved-insurer lists, and program details can be updated. This article summarizes the general structure of the requirement, not a guarantee of current figures — always confirm current Super Visa requirements directly on the official IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) website, or with your advisor, before purchasing.
Which insurers qualify
The insurance generally must be purchased from a Canadian insurance company, or one that meets IRCC's specific approval requirements. Because the list of qualifying insurers and the exact rules can be updated, confirm that your chosen insurer currently meets IRCC's requirements before you buy — don't assume a policy qualifies just because it meets the $100,000/one-year minimums on paper.
Compare Super Visa-eligible policies from multiple insurers before you apply.
Compare Super Visa Insurance QuotesBuying tips: how to not overpay
- Compare multiple insurers — pricing for the same $100,000 minimum varies significantly by the applicant's age and health history.
- Consider the deductible — a higher deductible can meaningfully lower the premium; weigh that against the applicant's health and planned length of stay.
- Buy before the flight — the policy typically needs to be in effect from the date of entry.
- Ask about the refund policy upfront in case the visit ends earlier than planned.
Getting a refund if your parent leaves early
Most Super Visa insurance policies allow a prorated refund of unused premium if the insured person leaves Canada before the policy's term ends and no claim has been made — but the process and exact terms vary by insurer, and some charge a cancellation or administration fee. It's worth confirming the refund policy in writing before buying, especially for a full-year or multi-year policy, since the amounts involved can be significant.
Renewing or extending coverage
If your parent or grandparent's stay runs longer than planned, Super Visa insurance generally needs to be renewed or extended before the existing policy lapses — a gap in coverage, even briefly, can jeopardize their visa status, since IRCC requires valid insurance for the full duration of the stay. Renewal timing and whether a new medical declaration is required varies by insurer, so it's best to start that conversation well before the current policy's end date.
Stay running longer than planned, or policy coming up for renewal? Let's sort out the extension before it becomes a problem.
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