Is Medical Insurance Mandatory for a Super Visa?
Yes. Every Super Visa applicant must show proof of qualifying private health insurance. The policy must be valid for at least one year from the planned date of entry and available for review each time the visitor enters Canada.
Insurance is one part of eligibility. The applicant must also meet the relationship, host, income, medical examination, temporary-resident, and admissibility requirements.
Super Visa Insurance Requirements Checklist
Under current IRCC requirements, the policy should:
- Identify the insurance company that issued or underwrote the policy.
- Be valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
- Be paid in full or through instalments with a deposit.
- Cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Provide at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage.
- Be valid for each entry to Canada.
- Be available for a border services officer to review on request.
An insurance quote is not accepted as proof. The applicant needs an issued policy or insurance certificate.
Which Insurance Companies Are Eligible?
A policy may be issued by a Canadian insurance company. A company outside Canada may also qualify, but only when it meets IRCC’s conditions.
A foreign insurer must be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance, appear on OSFI’s public list of federally regulated financial institutions, and issue or make the policy while carrying on insurance business in Canada.
A foreign-issued policy must state that it was issued or made while the company was doing insurance business in Canada. Brokers and claims administrators are not insurers and do not qualify merely because they arrange or administer coverage.
How Much Coverage Is Required?
The policy must provide at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage. A family may select a higher limit based on the visitor’s age, health history, travel duration, budget, and risk tolerance.
The minimum amount does not mean every expense is covered. Deductibles, exclusions, benefit limits, and pre-existing-condition provisions determine what the insurer will pay.
Can Super Visa Insurance Be Paid Monthly?
IRCC accepts a policy paid in full or through instalments with a deposit. An unpaid quotation is not enough. The issued documents should clearly show the payment arrangement and confirm that the policy is in force.
Before choosing instalments, review financing charges, missed-payment consequences, cancellation rules, refund conditions, and whether coverage remains valid throughout the required period.
What Does a Policy Usually Cover?
A qualifying policy must cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation. Depending on its wording, eligible emergency benefits may include:
- Emergency physician and hospital services.
- Ambulance transportation, diagnostic testing, and emergency surgery.
- Medication required during a covered emergency.
- Limited emergency dental care.
- Medically necessary return to the home country.
- Repatriation of remains, subject to the policy.
Planned care, routine treatment, and conditions that do not meet the policy’s stability requirements may be excluded.
Pre-Existing Conditions and Stability Periods
Many policies cover certain pre-existing conditions only when they have remained stable for a specified period before coverage begins. Stability may require no new symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, medication change, dosage adjustment, test, or referral during that period.
The definition varies by insurer, plan, age, and condition. Applicants should answer medical questions truthfully and read the definition in the actual policy.
Choosing a Deductible
A deductible is an amount the insured person may need to pay toward a covered claim. A higher deductible can lower the premium but increases potential out-of-pocket costs.
Confirm whether the deductible applies once per policy, once per condition, or to every claim, and whether it is stated in Canadian or another currency.
When Should Coverage Begin?
Coverage should begin on the planned date of entry. Because travel dates can change, applicants should understand how the insurer handles an effective-date change before departure. A visitor should not arrive before coverage starts.
Proof to Submit and Carry When Travelling
The policy certificate should clearly show:
- The insured person’s correct legal name.
- The insurer or underwriter’s name.
- The policy number, effective date, and expiry date.
- The coverage amount and required benefits.
- Payment in full or an accepted instalment arrangement.
- For a foreign insurer, the required Canadian-business statement.
The visitor should carry accessible proof of insurance on every entry to Canada.
Renewing Insurance During a Long Stay
If insurance will expire before the visitor leaves Canada, IRCC advises renewing it to maintain coverage. Arrange renewal before the existing policy ends to prevent a gap.
A renewal may have different premiums, stability rules, or benefits. Review the replacement documents rather than assuming the original terms continue.
Refunds After Refusal or Cancelled Travel
Refund eligibility is controlled by the policy. Some insurers may provide a refund after a visa refusal or cancellation before coverage begins, but documentation and administrative fees may apply.
After the effective date, refunds may depend on early return, whether a claim occurred, and other conditions. Read the cancellation provisions before purchasing.
Common Insurance Mistakes
- Submitting a quotation instead of an issued policy.
- Buying less than CAD $100,000 of emergency coverage.
- Selecting a term shorter than one year from entry.
- Using a company that does not meet IRCC’s insurer rules.
- Omitting the required statement from a foreign insurer’s policy.
- Allowing names, dates, or coverage details to conflict with the application.
- Ignoring pre-existing-condition stability provisions.
- Letting coverage expire while the visitor remains in Canada.
Super Visa Insurance FAQ
Is Super Visa insurance mandatory?
Yes. Proof of qualifying private medical insurance is required.
Is an insurance quote enough?
No. IRCC states that quotes are not accepted. The applicant needs proof of an issued policy.
What is the minimum coverage?
The policy must provide at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage.
How long must the policy remain valid?
It must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
Can the policy be paid monthly?
IRCC permits payment in full or through instalments with a deposit. The policy must be issued and valid.
Can insurance come from outside Canada?
Yes, but the foreign insurer must satisfy IRCC’s OSFI authorization, listing, and Canadian-business requirements.
Does insurance guarantee approval?
No. Insurance satisfies one requirement; IRCC separately assesses every other requirement.
Must coverage be renewed during the visit?
If it will expire before departure from Canada, it should be renewed to maintain coverage throughout the stay.
Get Help Reviewing Your Super Visa Documents
Simmi Immigration can review whether insurance evidence aligns with the immigration application, identify missing policy information, and help organize the complete document package. We do not decide insurance claims or replace an insurer’s policy wording.
This guide provides general information, not legal, medical, or insurance advice. Requirements and policy terms can change.
Complete the Super Visa Intake Form