Super Visa Insurance for Parents & Grandparents (2025 Guide)

Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents began their lives in the country as immigrants. As they put down roots, buy their first home or start a family, they often wish to have their parents or grandparents visit them.

However, did you know that a single hospital stay in Canada can cost visitors over $10,000 without insurance? Super Visa insurance helps protect your parents or grandparents from these high medical costs during their stay.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Super Visa insurance and how it can help keep your loved ones safe while they visit.

What is Super Visa Insurance and why do you need it?

Super Visa insurance is a crucial requirement for parents and grandparents applying for the Canadian Super Visa, a special visa that allows them to visit Canada multiple times.

It’s valid for up to 10 years, and visitors can stay in Canada for up to 5 years each time they visit. Parents and grandparents can even request to extend their stay by 2 years at a time while in Canada. In comparison, a normal visitor to Canada visa only lets visitors stay up to 6 months.

This long-term visa offers an excellent opportunity to reunite families, but to qualify, applicants must show that they are covered by a valid travel medical insurance policy.

This coverage helps protect them from the high cost of emergency medical care in Canada, where a single hospital stay can cost over $10,000 without insurance.

How does medical insurance work for Super Visa?

Super Visa medical insurance provides emergency health coverage for 365 consecutive days in Canada for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

There is no expiry exclusion during the policy period, meaning your coverage remains valid for the full term unless cancelled. Another benefit is that you can temporarily return to your home country during the coverage period without needing to cancel your plan when you return to Canada, depending on your policy. 

Most insurers offer deductible options (e.g., $0, $500, $1,000), which can lower your premium by agreeing to pay a portion of the claim amount yourself. Coverage is available for individuals up to 89 years of age, although premiums increase with age and the presence of pre-existing conditions.

What does medical insurance for Super Visa cover?

A standard medical insurance for Super Visa holders covers a broad range of emergency medical services and hospital-related costs. Here are the typical benefits included in a comprehensive policy:

• Emergency hospitalization and medical care
  
• Prescription medications (usually limited to a 30-day supply per prescription)
  
• Emergency dental treatment
  
• Ambulance services, including air ambulance if medically necessary
  
• X-rays and diagnostic tests, including MRIs, CT scans, and bloodwork
  
• Follow-up treatment related to the initial emergency
  
• Medical appliances, such as crutches, braces, or wheelchairs
  
• Private-duty nursing and home care (if medically required)
  
• Repatriation of remains in case of death
  
• Companion accommodation if a family member needs to stay with the patient
  
• Emergency surgeries or procedures

What diseases are covered under Super Visa insurance?

Pre-existing condition coverage may be available under Super Visa insurance if declared and considered stable, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, GERD, osteoarthritis, asthma, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), stable angina, and controlled depression or anxiety.

Coverage applies only if these conditions have not shown any changes in symptoms, treatment, or medication for a specified period (usually 90 to 180 days) and any emergency arising from them is sudden and unexpected.

For example, suppose someone has controlled diabetes or high blood pressure and experiences a related complication during their visit. The treatment may be covered in such a case, provided the condition was stable before arrival and properly disclosed.

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)

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

Does Super Visa insurance cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, Super Visa insurance will cover pre-existing conditions or medical conditions that you already had before you applied if they are stable. Stable means your condition has not:

• Gotten worse
• Caused new symptoms
• Caused you to need new medication or treatment
• Cause a new diagnosis

Most Canadian providers say that your pre-existing health issue has to meet these conditions for at least 180 days (about 6 months) to be considered stable and included under your health insurance plan for the Canadian Super Visa.

But note that this can be different for different providers. The amount of time your condition has to be stable, also called a “minimum stability period”, can be anywhere from 90-180 days.

How much do medical expenses cost in Canada without Super Visa insurance?

A single medical emergency in Canada can cost over $10,000 for visitors without Super Visa insurance. Since parents and grandparents visiting under the Super Visa program are not covered by Canada’s public healthcare system.

Such expenses must be paid out-of-pocket for all medical care, including hospital stays, emergency treatment, diagnostics, and more.  

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

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?

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 premiums are 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

How to apply for Super Visa insurance?

Super Visa insurance is a mandatory requirement for parents and grandparents visiting Canada under the Super Visa program. It must provide at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage for a minimum of one year. Applying for the right plan ensures compliance with visa requirements and protects against unexpected medical costs.

Step-by-step process

• Determine coverage needs: Consider the applicant’s age, health status, and length of stay
• Speak to our licensed advisors: Our expert advisors will help you review policies from licensed Canadian insurance providers for coverage, exclusions, and cost
• Confirm eligibility: Ensure the applicant meets any medical or age-related underwriting requirements
• Purchase the policy: Buy a plan with $100,000+ coverage valid for at least 365 days in Canada
• Get proof of insurance: Obtain the official insurance certificate to include in the Super Visa application

Common application mistakes to avoid

• Purchasing insufficient coverage: Anything under $100,000 will not meet Super Visa requirements
• Overlooking exclusions: Failing to review exclusions for pre-existing conditions or age limits can result in denied claims
• Incorrect coverage dates: The policy must start on the date of arrival in Canada and last for one year

Missing the insurance certificate: You must include proof of insurance with your Super Visa application

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 Super Visa, 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.

Can I get Super Visa insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Yes, you can get Super Visa insurance with a pre-existing condition. Many Canadian insurance providers offer Super Visa insurance plans that include coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, as long as the condition has been medically stable for a specific period before the policy start date.

Key things to know about Super Visa pre-existing condition coverage

• Stability periods vary: Some insurers require your condition to be stable for 90 days, while others may require 6 to 12 months
• Premiums may be higher: Plans with pre-existing condition coverage often cost more
• Partial coverage options: Some plans offer limited coverage or higher deductibles
• Medical questionnaires required: You may need to complete a health declaration or screening
• Conditions that may be excluded: Cancer under active treatment, recent heart surgery or stroke, uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension, and conditions with recent hospitalizations
  

What does “medically stable” mean?

A medically stable condition means that:

• There have been no new symptoms or worsening of the condition
• No new medications or treatments were prescribed or changed
• No hospitalization, test referrals, or specialist consultations occurred for the condition

This stability must be maintained within a defined period, usually 90 to 180 days, depending on the insurance provider.

Can I get a refund on Super Visa insurance if the visa is rejected or unused?

Yes, you may be eligible for a full or partial refund on Super Visa insurance depending on your situation. Insurance providers in Canada offer flexible cancellation and refund options to help protect your investment in case plans change.

Full refund if the Super Visa is not approved

If your parents’ or grandparents’ Super Visa application is rejected by IRCC, most Canadian insurance companies will issue a full refund of the premiums paid. You will need to provide the visa refusal letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and submit a refund request before the insurance policy start date.

Partial refund for early departure from Canada

If your parents or grandparents leave Canada before the one-year coverage period ends, you may be entitled to a partial refund for the unused portion of the Super Visa insurance. To qualify:

• The visitor must have left Canada permanently
• No claims should have been made on the policy
• You must provide proof of departure, such as boarding passes or a stamped passport

Refund amounts vary by provider and are calculated based on the number of unused months, minus any cancellation fees (if applicable).

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:

• The 6-month standard visitor visa
• The electronic travel authorization (eTA) for travellers from eligible countries
• A passport for travellers from visa-exempt countries
• The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program (PGP). This program lets Canadian citizens and permanent residents sponsor their parents and/or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada.

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 a Super Visa, so they can save on costs by getting a regular plan instead.