Super Visa Insurance in Canada: Requirements, Cost & How to Get Covered (2026)

Bringing a parent or grandparent to Canada for a long visit is one of the most meaningful things a family can do. It also comes with one requirement that causes more stress than it should: Super Visa insurance. The rules are strict, the wrong policy can delay or sink an application, and the advice online is often out of date.

At Aeva, we help families get this part right. This guide walks you through exactly what Super Visa insurance is, the current 2026 requirements, what it costs, how pre-existing conditions are handled, and how to avoid the mistakes that cause problems. When you are ready for help choosing coverage, we are here.

Who is the Super Visa for?

The Super Visa is available only to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. If your parents or grandparents want to spend long, uninterrupted stretches of time with family in Canada, this is usually the route, because it allows stays of up to five years per entry on a multiple-entry visa that can remain valid for years, far longer than an ordinary visitor visa. It is a popular alternative to the heavily backlogged sponsorship stream because it keeps families together without a permanent move.

To act as the host, you generally need to meet a minimum income level and provide a letter of invitation, among other requirements. Those are immigration steps rather than insurance ones, so we keep the focus here on the coverage you need. The one insurance condition is universal: every Super Visa applicant must have qualifying medical insurance in place before applying.

Why is Super Visa insurance mandatory?

Super Visa holders are visitors, not residents, so they are not covered by any provincial or territorial health plan. If you want to understand how public coverage works and who qualifies, our guide to government health insurance plans in Canada explains the system. Because a visiting parent has no public coverage, a single emergency could mean tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills. That is why the federal government requires private medical insurance as a condition of the visa. The insurance protects your family financially and protects the public system, and proof of it must be part of the visa application.

Super Visa insurance vs. regular visitor or travel insurance

Before we get to cost, it helps to understand why you cannot simply buy a cheap, standard travel policy. They are not the same thing. A regular visitor to Canada policy can be shorter and carry lower coverage limits, and it is optional. Super Visa insurance is mandatory for the visa, must provide at least $100,000 CAD in coverage, and must be valid for at least one year, which is part of why it costs more than an ordinary travel plan. If you are bringing a parent on a Super Visa, a short-term visitor or travel policy will not meet the requirement. For visitors who are not on a Super Visa, our guide to emergency travel medical benefits is a better starting point.

Super Visa insurance requirements (2026 IRCC rules)

To qualify, the policy must meet a specific set of conditions set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As of 2026, a compliant Super Visa policy must:

• Provide at least $100,000 CAD in emergency medical coverage.
• Be valid for at least one year (365 days) from the date the visitor enters Canada.
• Cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
• Be issued by a Canadian insurance company, or by a foreign insurer approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and authorized to do business in Canada.
• Be a purchased, active policy. A quote is not accepted as proof.

A few of these rules have changed recently, and a lot of older content has not caught up:

• Longer stays. Since 2022, the Super Visa allows stays of up to five years per entry, rather than the previous two years.
• Foreign insurers now allowed. As of early 2025, IRCC accepts policies from certain foreign insurers approved by OSFI, not only Canadian companies, provided the insurer is authorized to operate in Canada. Most families still choose a Canadian insurer because claims are simpler to handle from within Canada, but the option now exists.
• Monthly payments now allowed. IRCC now accepts policies paid through a monthly installment plan, as long as an initial deposit is paid and the policy is active. Previously, the full year often had to be paid up front.

Meeting these requirements is not optional. A policy with coverage below $100,000 CAD, a term shorter than a year, or proof that is only a quote rather than a purchased policy can lead to a refusal. We cover the full checklist and the documents IRCC looks for in our dedicated requirements guide.

How much does Super Visa insurance cost?

Super Visa insurance is a meaningful expense, and the single biggest factor is the age of the parent or grandparent being insured. The coverage amount, the deductible you choose, and whether you add coverage for pre-existing conditions also move the price.

A quick word on deductibles, since they come up often: a deductible is the amount the insured person pays toward a claim before the insurer starts to contribute. Choosing a higher deductible usually lowers the premium, in exchange for paying more out of pocket if a claim happens.

The figures below are representative market ranges for $100,000 CAD of coverage, the required minimum, and they assume a standard low deductible and no pre-existing condition rider. They are estimates to set expectations, not quotes. Your actual cost depends on the individual's age and health, the deductible you choose, and the coverage amount, since selecting $150,000 or $300,000 CAD instead of the minimum raises the premium.

Approximate premium (in $CAD)

As a general guide, here are typical annual premium ranges for $100,000 CAD of coverage, the required minimum. These examples assume a standard low deductible and no pre-existing condition rider:

• Age 50 to 59: approximately $930 to $1,200 per year.
• Age 60 to 69: approximately $1,300 to $1,700 per year.
• Age 70 to 79: approximately $2,200 to $2,800 per year.
• Age 80 and over: approximately $3,500 to $5,000 or more per year.

A few ways families manage the cost: choosing a higher deductible to lower the premium, selecting only the coverage amount you actually need, and comparing options rather than buying the first plan you find, since insurers price the same person differently. We break down each of these in our guide to Super Visa insurance cost by age.

Can you pay monthly for Super Visa insurance?

Yes. Since the 2025 rule change, IRCC accepts policies paid through a monthly installment plan, which makes a large annual premium far easier to manage. The key conditions are that an initial deposit is paid, the policy is active and in effect from day one, and your proof shows a real policy rather than a pending quote. Many insurers now offer no-fee monthly plans where the total cost is the same as paying annually.

There is an operational trap worth knowing about. Some insurers advertise a low monthly price but, until you pay an initial deposit, sometimes the first few months, they issue only a payment schedule rather than the full certificate of insurance that IRCC requires, and a payment schedule on its own can be rejected as a quote. This is one of the places we help: if you choose a monthly plan, we make sure the paperwork is structured the way IRCC expects, so the application is not held up over a technicality.

Pre-existing conditions and Super Visa insurance

This is the question we hear most from families, because many visiting parents manage conditions like controlled blood pressure or diabetes. Here is the honest picture.

Standard Super Visa policies exclude pre-existing conditions. Many insurers, though, offer optional coverage for conditions that have been stable for a set period before the policy starts. Stable generally means no new symptoms, no new diagnosis, no change in medication or treatment, and no hospitalization during that window. The required stability period varies by insurer and by age, and commonly ranges from 90 to 180 days, though some insurers require longer for older applicants.

The trade-off is straightforward: coverage that includes stable pre-existing conditions costs more, but it protects against exactly the kind of expensive event a parent with a known condition is most likely to face. If your parent has a health history, it is usually worth the added premium, and it is essential to answer every medical question honestly, since a misrepresentation can void a claim. Our explainer on how pre-existing condition exclusions work goes deeper on the mechanics.

What does Super Visa insurance cover?

Super Visa insurance is emergency medical coverage for new, unforeseen problems that arise during the visit, not a substitute for a full health plan. A typical policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, physician fees, diagnostic tests, prescription drugs during an emergency, and ambulance services, along with repatriation. Many plans also include some emergency dental and limited additional benefits, often with sub-limits.

What it does not cover is routine or preventive care, or the ongoing management of a condition the visitor already had: regular checkups, maintenance prescriptions for a stable condition, elective procedures, or anything that is not a sudden emergency. It is there to protect your family from the cost of an unexpected, serious medical event during the visit.

Which option fits your parent's situation?

There is no single best plan, but your parent's age and health point clearly toward what to prioritize:

• A healthy parent, roughly 55 to 65. Focus on value. Compare the lowest-cost compliant plans and consider a higher deductible to bring the premium down, since the premium savings can outweigh the added out-of-pocket exposure.
• A parent with a controlled, stable condition. Make stable pre-existing condition coverage the priority, even at a higher premium, and check each insurer's stability period carefully so the condition actually qualifies.
• A parent aged 75 or older. Compare stability periods and any age-related limits closely, and weigh a higher coverage amount, since the cost of a serious event at this age can be substantial. This is the group where comparing carefully tends to save the most.

If you are not sure which of these fits, that is exactly the kind of thing we can talk through with you.

Choosing a provider, and how Aeva helps

While every compliant Super Visa policy must meet the same IRCC requirements, insurers can differ meaningfully in price, how they handle pre-existing conditions, the deductible options, the refund terms, and the quality of claims service. That is genuinely hard to sort through on your own, especially when each insurer's page only talks about its own product.

This is where an independent perspective helps. Aeva is not tied to any single insurer, so our job is to help you find the plan that fits your parent's age, health, and your budget, rather than to sell you one company's policy. We can walk you through the options, explain the fine print in plain language, and help you avoid a non-compliant plan that could delay the visa.

How to get Super Visa insurance, step by step

1. Confirm the travel dates. The policy's start date should line up with when your parent expects to arrive, and it must run for at least one year from entry.
2. Decide on coverage. Choose the coverage amount ($100,000 CAD minimum), a deductible, and whether you need a pre-existing condition rider.
3. Buy the policy before you apply for the visa. This is the step families most often get wrong. You need a purchased, active policy, not a quote, to include with the application.
4. Get the policy certificate. Make sure the document shows the insured person's name exactly as on the passport, the coverage dates, the coverage amount, and that it is paid and active.
5. Submit it with the Super Visa application. Keep a copy accessible for the visitor to carry, since a border officer can ask to see it on arrival.

The most common mistakes that cause trouble are submitting a quote instead of a purchased policy, buying coverage that does not meet the requirements, purchasing insurance only after submitting the application, and letting coverage lapse during the stay. Each is avoidable with a little planning.

Refunds and cancelling your policy

Because you buy the insurance before you know the visa outcome, refunds matter, and the rules are generally reassuring. If the Super Visa is refused, most insurers refund the full premium, provided you send them the refusal letter, usually before the policy's start date. If your parent comes to Canada but returns home early, you can typically cancel the unused portion for a pro-rated refund, often minus a small administration fee.

One caveat worth knowing: if a claim has already been made on the policy, a refund for the remaining term may be reduced or unavailable. We cover the full refund and cancellation rules in a dedicated guide.

Renewals and staying longer than a year

Super Visa insurance is bought in one-year blocks, but a visit can last much longer. If your parent stays beyond the first year, you will need to renew the policy or buy a new one before the existing coverage expires, so there is never a gap.

Two things to plan for. First, premiums rise with age, so if your parent crosses into a higher age band, the renewal can cost noticeably more. Second, any condition that first appeared during the first year may be treated as pre-existing at renewal, and could be excluded unless it meets the insurer's stability rules. It is worth reviewing options before renewing if there has been any change in health.

One more situation worth knowing: if a visiting parent later becomes a permanent resident, most provinces apply a waiting period, often around three months, before public health coverage begins. Families often keep private coverage in place to bridge that gap.

Frequently asked questions

Is Super Visa insurance mandatory, and when should I buy it?

Yes. It is required for the visa, and you must purchase it before you apply, not after.

Can I pay monthly?

Yes. IRCC accepts monthly installment plans as long as an initial deposit is paid and the policy is active from day one. A pending quote is not accepted, so make sure your insurer issues a real certificate of insurance, not just a payment schedule.

Does it cover pre-existing conditions?

Only if you buy a plan that specifically includes them and the condition has been stable for the insurer's required period, commonly 90 to 180 days. Standard plans exclude pre-existing conditions.

What if the Super Visa is refused? Can I get a refund?

In most cases, yes. Insurers typically provide a full refund if you supply the refusal letter before the policy start date.

What if my parents leave Canada early?

You can usually cancel unused coverage for a pro-rated refund, often minus a small administration fee.

Which insurance is best for a Super Visa?

There is no single best plan for everyone. The right choice depends on the parent's age, health, and your budget, which is exactly what we help families work through.

Can I use insurance from our home country?

Possibly. Since 2025, IRCC accepts certain foreign insurers approved by OSFI, but the insurer must be authorized to operate in Canada. Many families still choose a Canadian insurer for simpler claims.

Do the requirements differ by province?

No. The insurance requirements are federal and the same across Canada, and coverage applies anywhere in the country. If your parent later becomes a permanent resident, note the provincial waiting period mentioned above.

Is Super Visa insurance tax-deductible?

In general, the sponsor cannot claim the premium as a medical expense. The rules around the Medical Expense Tax Credit are specific, so confirm your situation with a tax professional.

Get help from Aeva

Super Visa insurance is one of those things that feels far more complicated than it should, especially when the visa, your parent's health, and a real deadline are all on the line. You do not have to figure it out alone. Contact Aeva and tell us about your family's situation, and we will help you find compliant coverage that fits, and make sure the paperwork is right the first time.