What Is Super Visa Insurance?
Super Visa insurance is the private medical insurance that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires before it will approve a parent or grandparent Super Visa. The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada for up to five years per entry, with multiple entries over ten years — far longer than a regular visitor visa allows. Because visitors are not covered by provincial health plans like OHIP or MSP, IRCC insists that every Super Visa applicant carry proof of medical insurance so a hospital emergency never becomes a financial catastrophe for the family.
In practice, Super Visa insurance is a specialized form of visitor-to-Canada emergency medical insurance that meets IRCC's specific rules on coverage amount, duration, and insurer eligibility. If you are still deciding between a regular visitor visa and a Super Visa, our guide on visitor visa vs Super Visa walks through the differences.
What Are the IRCC Super Visa Insurance Requirements in 2026?
As of 2026, IRCC requires that Super Visa medical insurance meet all of the following conditions:
- Minimum $100,000 in coverage for emergency medical care.
- Valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada.
- Issued by a Canadian insurance company, or by a foreign insurer authorized by Canada's Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to sell accident and sickness insurance in Canada.
- Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation (the cost of returning the insured person to their home country for medical reasons or in the event of death).
- Proof that the policy is fully paid, or proof of an accepted monthly payment plan with the required deposit — a full year no longer has to be paid upfront in one lump sum.
A quote alone is not enough; IRCC wants to see an actual policy or confirmation of coverage. When Champp arranges a policy, the insurer issues a visa letter formatted for the Super Visa application, typically the same day. For a deeper breakdown, see our post on Super Visa insurance requirements for 2026.
How Much Does Super Visa Insurance Cost?
Premiums depend mainly on the applicant's age, the coverage amount, the deductible chosen, and whether stable pre-existing conditions are covered. As a general guide, typical annual premiums for $100,000 of coverage with a standard deductible look like this as of 2026:
| Age band | Typical annual premium ($100,000 coverage) |
|---|---|
| 40–54 | ~$1,100 – $1,800 |
| 55–64 | ~$1,600 – $2,600 |
| 65–69 | ~$2,100 – $3,400 |
| 70–74 | ~$2,900 – $4,800 |
These are ballpark ranges across the market, not quotes from any single insurer — actual pricing varies by insurer, health questionnaire answers, deductible, and coverage options. Choosing a higher deductible (for example $1,000 or $3,000 instead of $0) typically reduces the premium by a meaningful percentage, and couples applying together sometimes qualify for companion discounts. Our Super Visa insurance cost guide explains the levers that move your price up or down.
Should You Buy More Than $100,000 in Coverage?
The $100,000 minimum satisfies IRCC, but it is worth pausing on whether it satisfies your family. A serious cardiac event or a stroke followed by weeks in intensive care can push a hospital bill well past $100,000 — and anything above the policy limit comes out of the sponsoring family's pocket. Many families choose $150,000 or higher for older parents or anyone with meaningful medical history; the premium difference is often smaller than expected because the underlying risk pricing is driven mostly by age.
The deductible works in the opposite direction. A $0 deductible means the insurer pays from the first dollar; choosing $500, $1,000, or $3,000 lowers the premium in exchange for the family absorbing that amount per claim. For families who can comfortably self-insure a small emergency-room visit, a moderate deductible is often the most efficient way to bring the premium down without touching the coverage ceiling. The right combination depends on the parent's health, the length of stay, and the family's budget — exactly the trade-offs a free advisor conversation is for.
Can You Pay for Super Visa Insurance Monthly?
Yes. IRCC accepts proof of a monthly payment plan in place of full upfront payment, and several insurers now offer instalment options — typically an initial deposit (often two or three months' premium) followed by automatic monthly payments. This can turn a $3,000 lump sum into a far more manageable cash-flow commitment for sponsoring families. Not every insurer offers instalments, and terms differ, which is one more reason comparing the market matters. We cover the details, including what happens if a payment is missed, in our guide to Super Visa insurance monthly payments.
Does Super Visa Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Many plans can cover pre-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol — but only if the condition is stable for a defined period before the policy's effective date, commonly 90, 120, or 180 days depending on the insurer and the applicant's age. "Stable" generally means no new symptoms, no change in medication or dosage, no new treatment, and no pending tests or referrals during that window. Definitions vary by insurer, and a condition that qualifies as stable with one company may not with another.
This is where an advisor earns their keep: matching a parent's actual medical history to the insurer whose stability wording fits it. Getting this wrong is the single most common reason visitor and Super Visa claims are denied.
Can You Get a Refund on Super Visa Insurance?
Refund rules are more generous than many families expect, though they vary by insurer:
- Visa refused: most insurers provide a full refund when you supply proof of the IRCC refusal, typically minus a small administration fee at some companies.
- Early departure: if the visitor returns home before the policy ends and no claims have been made, most insurers refund the unused portion on a pro-rated basis, often subject to a minimum premium or admin fee.
- Never travelled: policies can usually be cancelled for a full refund before the effective date.
Keep boarding passes and refusal letters — insurers ask for documentation before releasing refunds.
What Happens After the First Year? Extensions and Renewals
The IRCC requirement is one year of coverage from entry, but a Super Visa stay can last up to five years per entry. If your parents stay beyond twelve months, the policy can typically be renewed or a new policy purchased from within Canada before the current one expires. Renewing before expiry matters: a gap in coverage can trigger new waiting periods for illness claims and fresh stability clock on pre-existing conditions. Extensions are also relevant if a visitor arrived on ordinary visitor insurance and the family later decides to apply for a Super Visa from within Canada.
How Does Champp's Super Visa Insurance Process Work?
- Share the details. Tell us the applicant's age, medical history, arrival plans, and budget — by phone, WhatsApp, or the contact form, in English, Hindi, or Punjabi.
- We compare 15+ insurers. We line up premiums, deductibles, stability periods, and instalment options across the Canadian market and explain the trade-offs in plain language.
- Same-day policy and visa letter. Once you choose, the policy is typically issued the same day, with the confirmation letter formatted for the IRCC application.
- Lifetime support. Claims help, extensions, refunds, date changes — we stay your advisor for as long as the policy runs, at no charge.
Why Do Families Use an Advisor Instead of Buying Online?
Because premiums are set by the insurers and regulated, buying through a licensed advisor costs exactly the same as buying direct — the advice is free. What changes is the outcome. An advisor who works with the whole market can steer you away from a plan whose stability clause would void a claim for your father's blood-pressure medication, find the insurer whose instalment plan actually fits your cash flow, and sit on your side of the table if a claim is ever questioned. Aniel Bharadwaj has guided hundreds of immigrant families through the Super Visa process and knows where the fine print bites. Advice in your own language, a policy the same day, and someone to call at 2 a.m. from the emergency room — that is why families choose an advisor.
Advice is always free: insurers set the premiums, so you pay $0 extra to have a licensed advisor compare the market and support your claims.