Super Visa insurance requirements are set by IRCC: at least $100,000 of private medical coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation, valid for one year or more from entry. The price depends mostly on the visitor's age, the coverage amount, the deductible and pre-existing condition options. Rules change, so confirm them on the IRCC Super Visa page before you buy.
What are the Super Visa insurance requirements?
The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents visit for up to five years per entry. Medical insurance is a core part of the application. As of our last review, IRCC requires a policy that:
- Comes from a Canadian insurance company, or from a foreign insurer that IRCC has approved.
- Covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
- Provides at least $100,000 of emergency coverage.
- Is valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
You will need proof of the policy for the application. IRCC has accepted policies paid in full and policies on a monthly payment plan. Check the canada.ca page for the current proof requirements.
The foreign insurer option is a newer rule change. Only insurers IRCC has approved qualify, and a policy from any other foreign company won't meet the requirement.
Insurance is only one part of the application. The child or grandchild usually needs to provide a letter of invitation and proof that they meet the minimum income. The visitor usually needs an immigration medical exam. IRCC sets these rules, not insurers.
Tip: Provincial health plans don't cover visitors. Plan to keep coverage in place for the whole stay, not only the first year.
How much does Super Visa insurance cost?
Age drives the price more than anything else. The table shows yearly ranges from the Instasure pricing model.
| Visitor's age | Estimated yearly premium |
|---|---|
| 55 | About $1,100 to $1,650 |
| 60 | About $1,300 to $2,050 |
| 65 | About $1,600 to $2,500 |
| 70 | About $2,250 to $3,450 |
| 75 | About $3,100 to $4,850 |
| 80 | About $4,650 to $7,200 |
| 85 | About $6,900 to $10,650 |
Instasure model, example profile: $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, no pre-existing condition coverage, 12 months. These are illustrative ranges, not quotes. Real prices vary by insurer, health questions and plan wording.
Notice how fast the price climbs. In this model, an 80-year-old pays roughly three times what a 65-year-old pays for the same coverage.
Many families choose more than the $100,000 minimum. In the same model, raising coverage to $150,000 for a 65-year-old adds about 12% to the premium. Hospital bills for an uninsured visitor can be large, so weigh the extra cost against the risk.
How deductibles change the price
The deductible is the amount you pay on a claim before the insurer pays. Plans often offer choices from $0 up to several thousand dollars.
A higher deductible lowers the premium. In the Instasure model, a $1,000 deductible cuts the price for a 65-year-old by about 18%, to roughly $1,300 to $2,050 a year.
Check how the deductible applies. Some plans charge it once per policy. Others charge it per claim or per illness. Choose an amount your family could pay quickly in an emergency.
Pre-existing conditions: the clause that matters most
The pre-existing condition clause deserves your closest reading. A pre-existing condition is a health problem that existed before coverage started, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
Many basic plans exclude pre-existing conditions entirely. Other plans cover them only if they are "stable." Stable usually means no new symptoms, no new treatment and no change in medication for a set period before the policy starts. The period varies by plan and age.
Covering stable pre-existing conditions typically adds about 25% to 40% to the premium. In the Instasure model, a 65-year-old's range rises to about $2,150 to $3,350 a year with this option.
Medical questionnaires must be answered accurately. A wrong answer can lead to a denied claim, even if it was an honest mistake.
Tip: Before you apply, list every medication and dosage change from the past year. Have the visitor's doctor confirm diagnoses and dates if you are unsure.
What does Super Visa insurance not cover?
Super Visa insurance is emergency coverage. It is not a replacement for a provincial health plan. Typical exclusions include:
- Routine check-ups and ongoing care for chronic conditions.
- Elective or non-emergency treatment, even if a doctor recommends it.
- Pre-existing conditions, unless your plan covers stable ones.
- Treatment the visitor travelled to Canada to receive.
- Trips outside Canada, unless the plan includes side trips.
Some plans also limit dental emergencies, eye care or prescription drugs. Read the exclusions section before you choose a plan, not after a claim.
Refunds, cancellations and monthly payments
Refund rules differ by insurer, but these patterns are common:
- Visa refused: Most insurers refund the premium with proof of the refusal. Some keep an administration fee.
- Early return home: Many insurers refund unused months if there were no claims, minus a fee.
- Never travelled: You can usually cancel for a refund before the start date.
Monthly payment plans make the cost easier to manage. Ask whether a deposit is required and whether the total cost is higher. A missed payment can cancel the coverage, so automatic payments help.
If your parents buy or renew coverage after they arrive in Canada, a waiting period may apply to illnesses. Buy before arrival whenever possible.
If you can't resolve a claim dispute with the insurer, the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance handles many travel medical complaints.
How to buy Super Visa insurance, step by step
- Confirm the rules on the IRCC Super Visa page.
- Choose a coverage amount of at least $100,000.
- Answer the medical questions and decide on pre-existing condition coverage.
- Pick a deductible and a payment plan.
- Set the start date to the planned arrival date.
- Buy the policy and save the confirmation documents for the application.
- Renew before it expires so coverage never lapses during the stay.
Next steps
Super Visa prices vary widely between insurers for the same visitor. Get an instant estimate for Super Visa insurance with your parent's age, coverage amount and deductible. A licensed advisor can then compare plan wording, especially the pre-existing condition and refund terms. Families in the GTA can start with our Brampton Super Visa page, and families in BC with our Surrey page. If your parents are settling in Canada long term, our guide on life insurance for newcomers explains the next layer of protection.