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A guide to super visa insurance for visiting parents and grandparents

SUMMARY

Super visa insurance is a special type of travel insurance that’s only available to the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or residents who are staying in the country for a long period of time. It will cover any medical emergencies that may happen to your relatives during their stay.

Originally published: May 20, 2022
Last updated: June 5, 2023

By Jiten Puri
CEO & Founder, Insurance Advisor, LLQP
15 min read
IN THIS ARTICLE

Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents started their life in the country as immigrants. They may put down roots to build their new life, like buying their first house or starting families. But they also often want their parents or grandparents to come visit them.

Thankfully, the Canadian government has special programs to help families stay together for long periods of time. One of those programs is the Canadian super visa.

In this article, we’ll go into detail about the super visa insurance that’s required as part of that program.

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What is a super visa?

A super visa is a special kind of visa that lets the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents come to visit them.

Normally, a visitor to Canada can only stay for 6 months with a visitor’s visa. A super visa is different. It’s a multi-entry visa that lets visitors stay as long as 5 years, and allows them to re-enter multiple times within those years.

A super visa holder can also apply for a 2-year extension. Once someone is approved for a super visa, it is valid for 10 years.

What are the super visa eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for a super visa, the person applying must:

  1. Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident
  2. Have a letter written by their child or grandchild stating that they will provide financial support to the visa-holder during their stay
  3. Provide proof that their child or grandchild meets the minimum income requirement
  4. Provide a copy of their child or grandchild’s Canadian passport or Permanent Resident Card (PR Card)
  5. Take a medical exam and show they are healthy enough to enter the country
  6. Provide proof that they have adequate insurance coverage from a Canadian insurance company (super visa insurance)

What is super visa insurance?

Super visa insurance is a specific type of travel medical insurance. It helps to pay for emergency medical attention if the visa-holder gets sick or hurt while they are in Canada.

This kind of insurance is designed to meet the needs of the super visa. Having enough insurance is an important part of having a super visa. This kind of insurance makes sure visa-holders tick the box.

What are the super visa insurance requirements? 

The minimum requirements a super visa insurance policy has to meet are:

  • Must be valid for at least one year from the date the visa-holder arrives in Canada
  • Must have at least $100,000 CAD in coverage
  • Must cover emergency medical care, possible hospitalization, and repatriation
  • Must be active and available for review by an immigration official each time the visa-holder enters Canada
  • Must have been bought from a Canadian insurance company
There are many different types of Travel Insurance for students, foreign workers, snowbirds, super visa holders, and others travellers to/from/within Canada.

Do you need super visa insurance?

Yes, visitors who come to Canada on a super visa need super visa insurance. A major part of the super visa program is making sure that visitors aren’t a financial burden on public healthcare. Or on the family member sponsoring them. You need this insurance to prove that you have enough coverage in case a health emergency happens during the years-long visit.

Is super visa insurance mandatory?

Yes, you need to have super visa insurance for your visa application to be approved. The insurance policy must also be active when the visa-holder arrives in Canada.

What is the least amount of coverage needed for super visa insurance?

The minimum coverage level for super visa insurance is $100,000 CAD. But keep in mind that you might need more than this. The insurance policy has to at least cover the cost of health care, hospitalization, and travel if your visiting family has to return home while still getting medical help.

How much super visa insurance coverage do you need?

While the minimum requirement for super visa insurance is $100,000 CAD, many choose to go above those minimum requirements. It is possible to purchase up to $1 million in super visa insurance coverage. Given the high cost of medical treatment without public healthcare coverage and the advanced age of the typical super visa insurance applicant, opting for a higher medical coverage amount is common.

How much does super visa insurance cost?

Super visa insurance can cost between $100 to $200 per month for each parent or grandparent visiting Canada. But the exact cost of Canadian super visa insurance fees can vary, depending on factors like:

  • Age
  • Health & medical history
  • Policy length
  • Amount of coverage
  • Deductible

Originally, super visa insurance had to be paid in full at the time of purchase. But as of December 2022, there are options to pay in monthly installments instead. Someone can also sponsor their parents or grandparents and buy the super visa insurance on their behalf. Read more about super visa insurance payment options.

The below table shows how much Canadian super visa insurance might cost at different ages.

Super Visa Insurance Premiums Based On Age

Age Premium
55 $1,110
60 $1,241
65 $1,588
70 $2,187
75 $2,713

*Quotes based on a 365-day super visa insurance policy with $100,000 in coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

What is the deductible for super visa insurance?

The deductible of your super visa insurance policy is the amount of money you decide to pay for medical care before your coverage kicks in. Different insurance companies offer different deductible amounts. Some deductibles can be zero, which means you don’t have to pay anything. Others can be thousands of dollars.

You can save money on your insurance costs based on the deductible options you choose. The chart below shows how choosing a higher deductible can make your insurance premiums lower.

How Much Can You Save On Super Visa Insurance With Deductibles?

Deductible Savings
$0 No savings
$100 5% savings
$250 10% savings
$1,000 20% savings
$3,000 30% savings

*Based on premiums for a 30-year-old, non-smoker female.

One of the pros of choosing a higher deductible is that you will pay less monthly or annual costs for your insurance coverage. On the other hand, choosing a lower deductible is the opposite.

When you have a zero-dollar deductible, you don’t have to pay anything upfront for medical expenses. But you’ll have to pay a higher premium each month. Some people decide to pay a deductible, so their premium is lower. They then pay for smaller medical expenses, like prescription drugs, when they need to.

Here’s how different deductibles affect super visa insurance premiums with some of Canada’s top insurers.

Super Visa Insurance Premiums Based On Deductible

Company $1,000 Deductible $5,000 Deductible
Company A $1,501 annual premium $1,219 annual premium
Company B $1,518 annual premium $1,234 annual premium
Company C $1,110 annual premium $902 annual premium

*Based on premiums for a 365-day super visa insurance policy for 55-year-old with $100,000 in coverage.

Several factors can affect how much your travel insurance plan will cost.

What does super visa insurance cover?

Most super visa insurance policies typically cover:

  • Emergency medical treatment for illness or injury
  • Prescription medications
  • Emergency dental services
  • Essential medical equipment (crutches, wheelchairs, slings, braces, etc.)
  • X-rays and other diagnostic laboratory procedures (bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc)
  • Required ground, air or sea ambulance services
  • Follow-up post-medical appointments
  • Ambulance travel to the nearest hospital

While most policies cover these basic areas, each super visa medical insurance policy is unique. Travellers have multiple options when applying for this kind of coverage.

What does super visa insurance NOT cover?

Most super visa insurance policies do not cover:

  • Routine doctor visits
  • Planned vision or dental care (like cosmetic surgeries)
  • Pre-existing medical conditions

Remember, this is a type of medical travel insurance. It’s meant to help if something unexpected happens and you need medical assistance.

When buying travel insurance for parents, you need to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions they may have.

Does super visa insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

No, supervisa insurance does not usually cover pre-existing conditions or medical conditions that you already had before you applied. Some conditions may get excluded from your super visa insurance coverage during the underwriting process.

Although, in some cases, a health condition may not be considered pre-existing if you haven’t had any symptoms, taken any treatment, or been diagnosed with it for 180 days before the policy starts.

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Can I buy super visa insurance on behalf of my visiting family?

Yes, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can purchase a super visa insurance policy on behalf of their parent(s) or grandparent(s). In fact, most do!

With a supervisa, the person who sponsors their family’s stay in Canada is responsible for their expenses during their visit. This includes any medical expenses that may not be covered by insurance. Since sponsors are already responsible for the costs of their guests, many of them decide to buy their super visa insurance too. This helps them make sure they have the right coverage and get additional coverage if they need to.

Someone can sponsor their parents or grandparents and buy super visa insurance on their behalf. All they need is their family's members details to apply. Contact us to find out how and to compare the best rates!
- Jiten Puri, CEO, PolicyAdvisor.com

Are there alternatives to super visa insurance?

No, there are no alternatives to super visa insurance. A hard rule for the visa to be approved is having proof of medical insurance coverage. A super visa medical insurance policy is the only option to meet this requirement.

But there are other visitor’s visas and immigration programs that do not need super visa insurance. They include:

Canadians can also consider regular travel insurance for parents or grandparents if they plan on visiting for a shorter period of time. They may not need as much coverage as insurance for super visa, so they can save on costs by getting a regular plan instead.

How to find the best super visa insurance quotes

Use our free online quoting tool to get the best super visa insurance quotes instantly. Or, connect with our friendly insurance agents if you want personal help. We have years of experience helping Canadian families get travel insurance policies for their relatives. Our advisors would be happy to walk you through the steps and go over multiple coverage options so your family can get the best plan for your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to purchase a super visa insurance policy in Canada?

No, you do not have to physically be in Canada to buy super visa insurance. You just have to buy it from a Canadian insurance provider. But you can buy the policy whether you are in Canada or elsewhere. You can only apply for the visa itself from outside of Canada, though.

Can you get a discount if you buy several super visa insurance policies?

Yes, most insurance companies will give you a discount if you buy more than one super visa insurance policy at once. Each company has its own special offers and deals. Ask about the multi-policy discount to find out how you can save!

Do you need to take a medical test for super visa insurance?

No, you don’t need to go through a medical exam or do labwork to get super visa insurance. You will only be asked some questions about your health when you apply.

Be sure to only give honest and accurate answers to each question during the application process. If you give false information, your policy could be cancelled. And if that happens, you risk losing your visa on the whole.

Can you get a refund for super visa insurance?

Yes, you can get a refund for super visa insurance. But only in some circumstances. For example, if you apply for a policy and get approved but your super visa application is denied. In this case, you can get a full refund for your supervisa insurance policy.

Can you cancel super visa insurance?

Yes, you are allowed to cancel super visa insurance. But it doesn’t happen often because this kind of insurance is mandatory for the visa itself.

Let’s say your super visa application was accepted and you’re now using that visa to stay in Canada. You wouldn’t be able to cancel the insurance because that would also cancel your visa.

But let’s say you have to leave Canada earlier than expected, and you haven’t used your insurance plan. In that case, you can cancel your insurance policy and get some money back. But you might have to pay a cancellation fee.

Can foreign workers in Canada get super visa insurance for their families?

No, the parents and grandparents of foreign workers in Canada cannot get a super visa or insurance for super visa. It’s only available to the relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Foreign workers, like international students, are considered temporary residents in Canada. But their visiting relatives can still get standard travel insurance.

Does super visa insurance cover dental treatment or dental emergencies?

Yes, supervisa insurance covers emergency dental expenses. Depending on your policy, super visa insurance can provide thousands of dollars in coverage for dental emergencies and expenses. Note that it does not cover planned dental treatment, like cosmetic surgery.

Can I get supervisa insurance for my parents and/or grandparents during the COVID pandemic?

Yes, you can still buy super visa medical insurance for visiting family even if there are COVID-related concerns. There are no restrictions about this right now. The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer considers COVID a global health emergency. So, many insurance companies have removed their rules about it.

But one thing to note is that the insurance plan usually does not start until the insured person arrives in Canada. If a traveller tests positive for COVID-19, or if they’re coming from a country with travel restrictions, it could delay their arrival. This could delay their medical coverage until they formally arrive and are accepted by Canadian customs.

Read more about COVID-19 and travel insurance.

How long does super visa insurance coverage last?

Super visa insurance coverage lasts for 1 year and is purchased in 1-year increments. While a super visa can be valid for 10 years, each visit using the visa can only last a maximum of 2 years. If you stay in Canada for the full 2 years, you will need to purchase additional super visa medical insurance. As well, if you leave Canada and return again, you will need to make sure you have new, valid super visa insurance coverage.

Which providers offer super visa insurance?

You can get a parent/grandparent super visa insurance policy from some of the best insurance companies in Canada, like:

  • Manulife
  • Tugo
  • Group Medical Services (GMS)
  • Allianz
  • 21st Century Travel Insurance Limited
  • Destination Canada
  • and more!

The different providers each have different packages. Connect with one of our agents to find out which would be best for you and your family today!

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Call us at 1-888-601-9980 or book time with our licensed experts.
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The information above is intended for informational purposes only and is based on PolicyAdvisor’s own views, which are subject to change without notice. This content is not intended and should not be construed to constitute financial or legal advice. PolicyAdvisor accepts no responsibility for the outcome of people choosing to act on the information contained on this website. PolicyAdvisor makes every effort to include updated, accurate information. The above content may not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, termination, and other provisions of the policies described, some of which may be material to the policy selection. Please refer to the actual policy documents for complete details. In case of any discrepancy, the language in the actual policy documents will prevail. All rights reserved.

If something in this article needs to be corrected, updated, or removed, let us know. Email content@policyadvisor.com.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Super visa insurance is mandatory for those wishing to enter and remain in Canada with a super visa
  • Your policy must have $100,000 in coverage secured for at least 365 days
  • The policy must be purchased from a Canadian insurance company

By Jiten Puri
CEO & Founder, Insurance Advisor, LLQP
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