Super Visa & Visitors Insurance FAQ

IRCC requires private medical insurance of at least $100,000 per person, valid for at least one year from the date of entry, covering health care, hospitalization and repatriation. Many families choose $100,000 because it meets the rule at the lowest cost; higher limits such as $150,000 or $200,000 add protection for a higher premium.

IRCC now accepts policies from certain insurers outside Canada as well as Canadian insurers, but the foreign company has to meet IRCC's conditions. Buying from a Canadian insurer through a licensed Canadian advisor is the simplest way to be sure the policy, the certificate and any claim are handled in Canada.

A Super Visa can allow parents and grandparents to stay up to five years at a time, and the visa itself can be valid for up to ten years. The insurance must be valid for at least one year from entry, and you renew it while they remain in Canada.

Buy it before applying, because proof of insurance is part of the Super Visa application. Choose a start date that matches the expected travel date; many insurers let you change the start date if the visa takes longer, and refund the premium if the visa is refused.

Some plans offer coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, usually as an option that raises the premium. 'Stable' means no new symptoms, treatment or medication changes during a set period before the policy starts (often 90, 180 or 365 days, depending on the plan and age). Conditions that are not stable are generally excluded. Answer the medical questions honestly — a wrong answer can void a claim.

There is no single price. The premium depends mainly on the age of each parent or grandparent, the coverage amount (minimum $100,000), the deductible, whether stable pre-existing conditions are covered, and the insurer. Rates rise sharply with age, so a 55-year-old and an 80-year-old can pay very different amounts for the same plan. The fastest way to see real prices is to run a quote, which shows each insurer's annual and monthly cost side by side.

Usually yes. A deductible is the amount you pay on each claim before the insurer pays. Choosing $500, $1,000 or more can reduce the premium noticeably, especially for older applicants. It only makes sense if the family could comfortably pay that amount if a claim happens.

Some insurers offer a couple or family discount, while others simply add the two individual premiums. Each parent's age and health still sets their own price. Comparing 'couple' quotes lets you see which insurer gives the lowest combined cost.

Yes. IRCC accepts a policy paid in instalments with a deposit, and several insurers offer monthly plans. Monthly plans usually ask for a first payment up front, may charge a one-time setup fee, and have their own cancellation rules, so compare the total yearly cost, not only the monthly figure. See our monthly payment guide.

Most insurers refund the premium in full if the visa is refused, as long as you send the refusal letter before the policy start date and no claim has been made. If the visitor goes home early, many plans refund the unused months when there are no claims, minus a cancellation or administration fee. Monthly plans can have different rules, so check them before you buy.

Call the insurer's emergency assistance line on the policy card as soon as possible — ideally before treatment. They can direct the visitor to a clinic or hospital and often pay the provider directly. Keep every receipt and report. We help our clients with the paperwork if a claim gets complicated.

Ordinary visitors are not required to buy insurance to enter Canada, but provincial health plans do not cover them, so a hospital stay can cost thousands of dollars per day. Visitors to Canada insurance pays for emergency medical care during the trip. It is mandatory only for Super Visa applicants.

It depends on age, trip length, coverage amount ($10,000 up to $300,000 or more), deductible and pre-existing condition coverage. A short trip for a younger visitor costs far less than a year-long policy for someone in their 70s. Run a quote to compare live prices.

Yes, many insurers sell coverage after arrival, but they usually apply a waiting period (for example 48 hours to 15 days) before sickness is covered, while accidents may be covered right away. Buying before the trip avoids that gap.

The premium is set by the insurer, so you generally do not pay more through an advisor. What you get is help choosing the right plan, checking the medical questions, matching the dates to the visa, and support with changes, refunds and claims later.

Yes. We work with families across Canada by phone, WhatsApp and email, from our offices in Mississauga and Cambridge, Ontario. We are not licensed in Quebec, so the person buying the policy needs to live in another province.