The 6 Super Visa Insurance Requirements
- $100,000 minimumAt least $100,000 of emergency medical coverage.
- 1 year from entryValid for at least one year from the date the parent or grandparent enters Canada, and valid for each entry.
- Health care, hospital and repatriationThe policy must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation (returning home, or remains, for medical reasons).
- Approved insurerA Canadian insurance company, or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI and doing insurance business in Canada. A broker or claims administrator is not an insurer.
- Paid, not quotedPaid in full, or in instalments with a deposit already paid. A quote is not accepted.
- Ready at the borderProof of the policy must be available for the border officer to review on request.
From IRCC's Super Visa document requirements, updated July 30, 2026.
What IRCC Doesn't Require
- A $0 deductibleIRCC doesn't set the deductible. You can choose one to lower the price, but you pay it at claim time.
- Pre-existing condition coverNot required by IRCC, but strongly recommended for parents with any health condition.
- Paying for the whole year up frontMonthly plans are accepted if the deposit is paid.
- More than $100,000Higher limits like $150,000 or $200,000 are optional extra protection.
In 2022 the policy had to be from a Canadian insurer and paid in full. Today IRCC also accepts OSFI-authorized foreign insurers and monthly plans with a deposit. Old pages that say "monthly plans aren't accepted" are out of date.
Does My Policy Meet IRCC Requirements?
Answer 5 questions from your policy or quote. We'll show what passes and what to fix before you apply.
A guide only, based on IRCC's published requirements. The visa officer makes the final decision.
Common Insurance Mistakes in Super Visa Applications
- Sending a quote instead of a paid policy or proof of the deposit.
- A policy that ends less than one year after the arrival date, often because the start date was set too early.
- Buying from a foreign insurer that isn't OSFI-authorized.
- Coverage below $100,000, or a travel plan that doesn't include repatriation.
- Wrong medical answers on the application, which can lead to a refused claim later.
Invitation letter, income, proof of relationship, medical exam and more, with a 2026 income checker.
Super Visa checklistReal prices from 13 plans, and what a monthly deposit costs up front.
Super Visa insurance costVisitors aren't covered by provincial health plans such as OHIP, so hospital bills go to the family without insurance.
Super Visa Insurance Requirements: FAQs
What are the Super Visa insurance requirements in 2026?
IRCC requires private medical insurance that gives at least $100,000 of emergency coverage, covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation, is valid for at least one year from the date of entry (and for each entry), comes from a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer, and is paid in full or in instalments with a deposit. A quote is not accepted.
Can I pay Super Visa insurance monthly?
Yes. IRCC accepts a policy paid in instalments as long as a deposit has been paid. This replaced the older rule that the policy had to be paid in full.
Can I buy Super Visa insurance from an insurer outside Canada?
Only if the foreign insurer is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and listed as a federally regulated institution, and the policy says it was issued while the company was doing insurance business in Canada. Policies from other foreign insurers don't qualify.
Does Super Visa insurance need to cover pre-existing conditions?
No, IRCC doesn't require it. But if your parent has a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, a plan that covers stable pre-existing conditions protects you from large bills for flare-ups.
Is a deductible allowed on Super Visa insurance?
Yes. IRCC doesn't set the deductible. A deductible lowers the price but you pay that amount first when you claim.
When does the one year of coverage start?
From the date your parent or grandparent enters Canada. Set the policy start date to the planned arrival date; if the date changes, the insurer can usually move it before the policy starts.
What if the visa is refused after I've bought the policy?
Most Super Visa insurers refund the full premium if you send the refusal letter before the policy starts.
What else do I need besides insurance?
A letter of invitation, proof of the host's income and status, proof of relationship and an immigration medical exam. Use our Super Visa checklist.
Sources
- IRCC: Super visa – documents you need, including medical insurance (updated July 30, 2026)
- OSFI: Who we regulate (list of federally regulated institutions)
- Ontario.ca: Apply for OHIP (visitors don't qualify)
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 by Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHS. Insure In Canada is a licensed insurance brokerage, not an immigration consultant; for visa questions use IRCC's website or a licensed immigration professional.
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