The champion your family needs for Super Visa insurance.

What is Super Visa insurance?

Super Visa insurance is private medical insurance that parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents must purchase to qualify for Canada's Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. Because visitors are not covered by provincial health plans like OHIP, this insurance protects your family from emergency medical bills that can easily exceed $5,000 per day of hospitalization in Canada.

Super Visa insurance requirements for 2026

To satisfy Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the policy must meet every one of these conditions:

• Minimum $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada
• Issued by a Canadian insurance company or an OSFI-authorized foreign provider
• Covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation
• Proof of full payment or an approved monthly payment plan — a quote alone is not accepted

How much does Super Visa insurance cost in 2026?

Premiums depend primarily on age, coverage amount, deductible and whether pre-existing conditions are covered. As a realistic guide for $100,000 coverage: applicants aged 40–54 typically pay about $1,100–$1,800 per year; ages 55–64 around $1,600–$2,600; ages 65–69 around $2,100–$3,400; and ages 70–74 around $2,900–$4,800. Choosing a higher deductible ($500–$3,000) can reduce the premium by 5–25%. Because each insurer prices age bands differently, comparing the whole market routinely saves families several hundred dollars — that comparison is exactly what Champp Insurance does free of charge.

Can I pay for Super Visa insurance monthly?

Yes. Since IRCC began accepting proof of monthly payment plans, several Canadian insurers offer instalment options, typically with a deposit equal to two or three months of premium. This makes the Super Visa dramatically more affordable upfront. Not every insurer offers instalments and terms differ, so tell your advisor early if monthly payments matter to you.

Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?

Many plans cover pre-existing conditions that are stable — commonly defined as no new symptoms, treatments, medications or dosage changes for 90 to 180 days before the effective date. The stability period and definition vary significantly between insurers, and this is the single most common reason visitor insurance claims are denied. If your parents take any regular medication, have their advisor confirm in writing how their conditions are treated under the chosen policy.

Visitor insurance vs Super Visa insurance — what's the difference?

They are built from the same product family, but Super Visa insurance must meet the IRCC minimums above ($100,000, one year, approved insurer), while ordinary visitor insurance can be purchased for any amount and duration — for example $50,000 of coverage for a six-week stay. If your family member is visiting on a regular visitor visa or eTA, you have more flexibility; on a Super Visa application, the requirements are strict.

Refunds and extensions

Most insurers offer a full refund if the Super Visa application is refused (with proof of refusal) and partial refunds if the visitor leaves Canada early with no claims made. Policies can usually be extended from within Canada before expiry, provided no claim has occurred. Keep departure documents — boarding passes and passport stamps — as insurers request them for early-return refunds.

The five mistakes families make (and how to avoid them)

• Buying on price alone — the cheapest plan often has a strict stability clause that quietly excludes a parent's medication change.
• Wrong effective date — coverage should begin the day of arrival in Canada, not the purchase date.
• Under-declaring health details — inaccurate answers are the fastest route to a denied claim; answer carefully with your advisor.
• Missing the visa letter — IRCC needs proper proof of coverage; a checkout receipt is not enough.
• Letting the policy lapse — extensions must be arranged before expiry; calendar it or let your advisor track it for you.

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