Super Visa insurance in Canada, made simple
Parents and grandparents need private medical coverage to qualify for a Super Visa: at least $100,000, valid for one year from entry, covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. Since 28 January 2025, OSFI-authorized foreign insurers count too. Compare quotes from licensed brokers in 60 seconds.
TL;DR
Super Visa insurance is mandatory emergency medical coverage required for parents and grandparents visiting Canada on a Super Visa. It must provide at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, be valid for at least one year, and be issued by a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer (since January 2025). Comparison shopping across multiple carriers saves hundreds — premiums vary significantly.
What Super Visa insurance is, in plain English
The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents visit for up to five years at a time, with the visa valid for up to ten years. Its one non-negotiable condition: the visitor must arrive with private medical insurance in place.
That insurance is a one-year, prepaid emergency medical policy from an approved insurer. If a parent slips on an icy sidewalk and needs surgery, this policy is what stops a six-figure hospital bill. It is not casual travel insurance (see our travel & Super Visa insurance hub for the full range) — it is a specific IRCC-compliant product. Buying the wrong policy, or the right one with the wrong term, is one of the most common reasons applications are refused.
What IRCC requires (the four boxes the policy must check)
- Minimum coverage of $100,000 CAD. Most licensed brokers recommend $150,000–$200,000 for visitors over 65 — Canadian hospital care runs roughly $3,000–$5,000 per day, and a single cardiac event can erode the $100K minimum in under a month.
- Valid for at least one year from the date of entry. The policy must be in force for 365 consecutive days starting the day the visitor lands — from the arrival date, not the purchase date.
- Covers healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. Repatriation means the cost of returning the insured home if they die or need medical evacuation. Policies that exclude it are not compliant.
- Issued by an approved insurer. A Canadian-licensed insurer, or — as of 28 January 2025 — an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer.
Bring the policy certificate (showing the insured's name, coverage amount, dates, and the four required benefits) to the port of entry. CBSA officers can — and do — ask for it.
The January 2025 OSFI rule change, explained
For over a decade, only Canadian-licensed insurers could underwrite Super Visa policies. On 28 January 2025, IRCC expanded the eligible list to include foreign insurers authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to operate in Canada.
- More carrier options — applicants now reach international insurers like Allianz Global Assistance that previously sat outside the market.
- Sharper pricing on certain age bands — competition has compressed premiums for healthy 60–69-year-olds in particular. Quotes across our marketplace have dropped 8–15% on like-for-like coverage since the change.
- The certificate still has to prove compliance. A foreign insurer's policy must still show the $100K / 1-year / repatriation language and name an OSFI-authorized entity. Not every international travel policy now qualifies.
If your parent was quoted before January 2025, it is worth re-shopping — the new market structure can save several hundred dollars over the 12-month term.
A 7-step framework for picking a policy
Most buyers pick the cheapest premium and discover the gap at claim time. Here is the framework partner brokers in our network use with their clients.
- 1Step 1
Determine the visitor's eligibility profile
Collect date of birth, country of origin, destination province, anticipated arrival date, and a list of current medications and any conditions diagnosed in the past five years. This drives every quote — guessing or omitting medical history is the top reason claims are denied later.
- 2Step 2
Compare quotes from at least three carriers
Compare like for like — same coverage amount, same deductible, same pre-existing terms. A $1,200 premium with no pre-existing coverage is not cheaper than a $1,500 premium that covers stable conditions.
- 3Step 3
Select the policy and nominate a start date
The start date should be the visitor's planned arrival date in Canada, not the purchase date. Most carriers let you nominate a date up to 12 months in advance.
- 4Step 4
Pay and receive the policy certificate
You'll get a certificate by email, usually within minutes. It must show the insured's name, coverage amount (min $100,000), effective and expiry dates spanning 365 days, confirmation of healthcare/hospitalization/repatriation, and the insurer's OSFI authorization.
- 5Step 5
Submit the policy with the Super Visa application
The certificate goes into the visitor's Super Visa application package on the IRCC portal. Without it, the application is automatically refused.
- 6Step 6
Activate on arrival
The policy activates on the nominated start date or actual arrival date. Keep a digital and printed copy with the visitor — CBSA officers can request to see it on landing.
- 7Step 7
Know the claim process before you need it
Save the carrier's 24/7 assistance number in the visitor's phone. Before any non-emergency care, call the assistance line first. For emergencies, get treated first and call within 24 hours.
Super Visa insurance cost in Canada (2026)
Typical annual premiums for $100,000 coverage with standard pre-existing coverage and a $250 deductible.
| Age band | Annual ($100K, $250 ded.) | Monthly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 40–54 | $850 – $1,250 | $71 – $104 |
| 55–59 | $1,100 – $1,650 | $92 – $138 |
| 60–64 | $1,450 – $2,100 | $121 – $175 |
| 65–69 | $1,850 – $2,700 | $154 – $225 |
| 70–74 | $2,400 – $3,500 | $200 – $292 |
| 75–79 | $3,200 – $4,800 | $267 – $400 |
| 80+ | $4,500 – $7,200 | $375 – $600 |
Illustrative pricing. Actual premiums depend on the insurer's underwriting, the applicant's medical disclosure, coverage amount, deductible, destination province, and any pre-existing condition riders. Get a personalized quote to see exact pricing.
Canadian Super Visa carrier comparison
The seven carriers below cover roughly 85% of Super Visa policies written in Canada. Partner brokers in our network quote across all of them.
Manulife
Strengths: Largest direct-pay hospital network. Covers stable pre-existing after 180 days. Strong multilingual claims team.
Watch-outs: Premiums in the 70+ band can run 10–15% above market.
Best for: Visitors 65–75 with managed conditions.
Sun Life
Strengths: Broadest age eligibility (up to 89). Flexible deductibles. Solid Canadian reputation.
Watch-outs: Pre-existing rules stricter — up to 365 days of stability for some conditions.
Best for: Visitors 80+ where most carriers decline.
GMS
Strengths: Saskatchewan-based, very competitive on the 60–69 band. Family-owned and responsive.
Watch-outs: Smaller direct-pay network — some rural hospitals require upfront payment.
Best for: Healthy visitors 55–69 looking for value.
Tugo
Strengths: Strong broker reputation. Clear pre-existing definitions. Generous cancellation terms.
Watch-outs: Premiums sit mid-pack, not the cheapest.
Best for: Buyers who prioritise claims clarity over headline price.
21st Century
Strengths: Often the lowest premium for the 70–79 band. Pre-existing coverage available.
Watch-outs: Smaller assistance team — longer call waits in Q4.
Best for: Price-sensitive families with healthy visitors over 70.
Allianz Global Assistance
Strengths: New to the Super Visa market post-Jan 2025. Global infrastructure, multilingual claims.
Watch-outs: Underwriting still settling — premium volatility quarter to quarter.
Best for: Visitors whose travel transits through Europe or Asia.
Travelance
Strengths: Strong family-package pricing when both grandparents are insured.
Watch-outs: Pre-existing coverage costs more than peers.
Best for: Couples travelling together.
Super Visa insurance questions, answered
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Free, private, and quick. We'll connect you with a licensed broker in your province for the right policy — especially for visitors over 70 or with a managed condition.
Lowest Rates Hub connects consumers with licensed insurance brokers across Canada. Quotes are provided by partner brokers and the carriers they represent; LRH does not bind coverage or hold an insurance licence. Estimates are not bound coverage. Final premiums depend on the insurer's underwriting and the information disclosed in the application. Policies underwritten by IDC Worldsource and partner insurers. Privacy policy.