Super Visa Insurance Requirements

Super Visa Insurance: 2024's Best Coverage at the Best Price.

Canada's Super Visa insurance requirements were created in 2011, when the Canadian government announced that it was creating the “Parent and Grandparent Super Visa” - a temporary resident visa valid for up to ten years (depending on the time available in one's passport). When applying for a super visa for the first time, proof of emergency health insurance must be submitted with the application. To find the best insurance at the best price, you need to look through the widest selection of insurance companies you can - because prices vary by age, health and company. That's where BestQuote's quote engine adds value: by helping you quickly review all the available options and being here to answer your questions.

Not only do we host Canada's largest resource of super visa insurance policies, but we also provide advice about covering any pre-existing medical conditions, or which policy will work best for your situation - whether you are planning only a short visit, or one for a year or more. Just complete the quote request form to get a quick look at pricing options and contact us with any questions before proceeding to purchase online. The required documentation will be sent via email so that you can attach it to your super visa application and bring it to Canada as proof of insurance upon arrival.

Two grandparents looking at their granddaughter

Super Visa Application Requirements

As a multi-entry visa, the Super Visa allows visitors to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time without the need to renew their visa, making family reunification easier for travellers to come to Canada on short notice.

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for a super visa to come to Canada on a more permanent, longer duration basis while submitting their request for permanent residence. For the last ten years, the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa has been a popular visitors visa program, as it allows for up to a five year stay in Canada without the need to renew immigration status. Check out the Government of Canada Super Visa page to get up-to-date Super Visa details.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) bar with the CIC URL

The CIC announced on February 3, 2014, that they had changed the application fees for single and multiple-entry temporary visitor visas — both will now cost $100. The main differences between the Super Visa and the regular multiple-entry visitor visa are that the Super Visa allows the visitor to stay in Canada for up to five years or pay additional fees to apply for an extension.

One requirement for applying for the Super Visa is that the applicant must purchase one year of emergency health insurance from a Canadian insurance company (with a minimum of $100,000 coverage) and submit that with their application. The regular multiple-entry visa allows for a stay of up to 6 months at a time. No insurance is required. However, CIC has advised that no matter how long the visitvisitors to Canada should have health insurance to protect them from the high costs associated with the Canadian medical system. Over the last few years, we have been contacted numerous times by clients that have applied to extend their multiple-entry visa beyond the six months maximum stay from within Canada and have been asked by CIC to obtain one year of insurance.

The CIC views such a prolonged stay in Canada (at least for older travellers) the same way it views the Super Visa. For temporary visas issued on a longer-term basis, the CIC will ask to see proof of insurance. One advantage of Canadian insurance compared to using a plan from one's home country is that Canadian insurance companies will often include coverage for expenses related to pre-existing medical conditions. In contrast, lower-priced policies from overseas will not. For some people, the costs of obtaining Super Visa insurance will outweigh the additional hassle (and expenses) of having to ask for multiple visa extensions.

Regardless of whether you will be applying for the Super Visa or a regular temporary visitor visa, you'll find all the VTC policies from Canadian insurance companies listed here on BestQuote's online resource. Just complete the Quote Request Form to compare the policy options available.

Super Visa Health Insurance Requirements

Super Visa applicants are required to obtain private 'Visitor to Canada' (VTC) health insurance during their stay (a.k.a. 'Super Visa Insurance'). This requirement initially caught the Canadian travel insurance industry off guard in 2011, but increased competition has since lowered insurance costs. 

Specifically, (see Federal Government Super Visa webpageapplicants must submit proof that you have private medical insurance valid for a minimum of one year from a Canadian insurance company and that it:

  1. covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation;
  2. provides a minimum coverage of $100,000; (higher amounts are available); and
  3. is valid for each entry to Canada and available for review by a port of entry officer.

All of the insurance options displayed on BestQuote's quote presentation page (from Canada's top travel insurance companies) meets these super visa requirements. Coverage must be continuous during the entire length of stay in Canada, meaning that there can be no breaks or gaps in coverage while in Canada on a super visa.

BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency has compiled an exhaustive selection from all of Canada's Super Visa insurance providers — we currently have more policies to choose from than any other online broker in Canada! And, by regulation, we have the same prices that are offered by the insurance companies themselves, or other brokers for that matter. Canadian brokers can't compete on price (rebating commissions is illegal), but the insurance companies do. So, finding a reasonable price means looking at the broadest selection of companies, which is what we do for you. We compete for your business against other brokers — (most of whom are not travel insurance specialists) based on that wider policy selection, as well as our quality advice and customer service.

Get a Free Instant Super Visa Quote to Research Insurance Options

Most of the useful policy information (prices, benefits, important secondary benefits, refund policies, etc.) that you can review and compare are presented to you on the quote presentation page once you request an instant online quote by completing the (blue) quote request form at the top left of this page. If you came to this website to research your Super Visa insurance options, you can't do that without getting a quote!

Choose some dates (it's OK to estimate now and then change to exact arrival date after visa approval) and provide the traveller's date of birth. The quote will appear instantly - we'll also email you a link back to your quote for future reference. If you have any problems receiving a quote or have some specific questions you'd like to ask about coverage or policy details, please don't hesitate to call us (1-888-888-0510).

After purchasing online, confirmation of coverage and policy document(s) are emailed to you as soon as your purchase is processed, so you (or your parents/grandparents) will receive a copy to print and submit with their application and to bring with them to show the port of entry officer.

Purchasing Appropriate Health Insurance for Super Visa Holders

We've made it easy to quote, compare and buy online with our secure, Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant servers, encryption technology and simple online agency storefront system.

Buying insurance for the super visa requirements won't be inexpensive, but the price shouldn't be your only concern. One company won't offer exactly what another company does in the way of policy details. Key differences to compare include emergency expense benefits, policy exclusions, deductible options, refund policies and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. The instant online quote you receive from BestQuote allows you to quickly look at a 'summary' to see a breakdown of the policy basic features and benefits, while clicking 'policy' lets you view the exact policy wordings. 

You'll find that our site has the very lowest visitors to Canada insurance costs, that many of our plans can cover illnesses related to pre-existing medical conditions, and that the plans can be purchased easily online without lengthy medical questionnaires. We provide the widest policy choices and personalized advice. We don't always recommend the same company, and we don't sell policies without making all the details available first. Those details will matter at claim or refund time.

Our information page on available insurance rates for Super Visa applicants provides a general summary on super visa costs, but its better to just get a quick quote from us now to look at the exact pricing and policy options based on the age of the family members coming to Canada.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance for Canada's Super Visa Application

Q: Is the insurance premium refundable if my parents return home earlier than one year?

A: That depends. Buying a visitors to Canada policy for 365 days is a Super Visa application requirement and must be paid for in full at the time of purchase. If the visa is not issued, or for some other reason the parent(s) decide not to come to Canada, they can cancel the policy and get a refund. The insurance policy won't start until the departure date. If the departure dates end up being different from those stated on the insurance policy, you can contact us through email or over the phone to have the dates on the policy changed to the exact departure dates.

Provided there have been no claims against the policy the premium is refundable on a pro-rata basis when the travellers leave Canada. Simply send us a copy of the boarding pass(es) showing the travellers' full return trip home. Most policies apply a small admin fee on early return refunds.

Many parents will come to visit for less than a year on their first visit, so being able to obtain a refund for the unused portion of their policy is an important consideration. Typically, the lower the deductible, the better. However, if the 12-month policy costs $2000, and the visitor returns home after 6 months, then about $1000 will be refunded if no claim has been made on the policy. A policy with a $zero deductible (where the insurance immediately pays all eligible expenses), will cost more - but even if a small claim (i.e., visit to a medical clinic) could be filed in the first six months, you may not want to file because the $1000 refund would be lost. So, it may be better to use a higher deductible to lower policy costs (by 20% or more) and pay any small expenses to keep the expected refund valid. 

Q: When I buy a policy from BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency's website or over the phone with BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency, do I end up paying extra fees or incurring additional costs? Why wouldn't I call the insurance company directly?

A: We don't charge any extra fees. The prices on this website are the same that you would get directly from the insurance company or another broker for the same policy. Canadian insurance regulations don't allow the insurance companies to charge different rates than brokers, and brokers can't charge extra fees over and above the advertised rates. Nor can brokers rebate part of their commissions and compete against each other based on price. The regulators want to prevent that because 'cutting out the middleman' has proven to not be in the public's best interest.

We have had customers call us after they have tried dealing directly with insurance company representatives that didn't explain important options or 'didn't mention' important details that would affect coverage - usually dealing with pre-existing conditions coverage. The insurance company representatives are paid to sell what the company has to offer - even if it doesn't fit the customer's situation.

By using us as your broker, we work on your behalf to find you the best policy and to help you manage the decisions around your insurance choices. We offer many different policies from Canada's top insurance companies for you to have a wider range of coverage choices, you can conveniently compare prices and coverage details to help come to a good decision. And we'll help change dates, get extensions, and advise you during the refund or claim time if you need extra advice - something that the insurance claims adjuster won't do.

We've worked hard to build our website database, which hosts more Super Visa insurance options than any other online resource in Canada - earning your business by helping you during your purchase decision. If you find the website and our toll-free (1-888-888-0510) answers helpful, we'll appreciate you choosing us as your agent.

Q: Can I buy a policy from an insurance company in my parent's home country?

A border officer at a port of entry speaking to a man holding a passport

A: The Canadian government has indicated that applicants must show proof of private Canadian health insurance, so using insurance from a country not regulated by Canadian authorities would jeopardize the chances of getting the visa application approved. Don't take that risk!

Also, Canadian medical providers prefer to work with Canadian insurance companies. There is direct billing between hospitals and Canadian insurance companies. If you have to pay for expenses and then file a claim, Canadian insurance companies will have a faster claim procedure as they can verify Canadian medical expenses faster than providers in foreign countries (so you get reimbursed faster).

And, Canadian insurance companies are regulated by Canadian regulators, at some of the very highest standards around the world. They are also re-insured by Assuris - a Canadian government agency that will cover up to $60,000 of medical expenses in case a Canadian insurance company becomes insolvent. Not that that is likely, but it's more helpful to know that you are insured no matter what happens. For proof of insurance at immigration/entry time, paperwork is best shown in English or French.

Q: Who is eligible for Canada's Super Visa?

A: Here's the exact answer provided on the government of Canada website:

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have been found admissible to Canada and meet some other conditions are eligible for the Super Visa. Visa officers consider several factors before deciding if the person is admissible. This means they are a genuine visitor to Canada who will leave by choice at the end of their visit. Among the things that could be considered are:

  • your ties to your home country
  • the purpose of your visit
  • your family and finances
  • the overall economic and political stability of your home country

In addition to being found admissible to Canada, the parent/grandparent must also:

  1. provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold;
  2. prove that they have bought Canadian medical insurance for at least one year to cover the time that they will be in Canada (private health insurance must be valid for each entry to Canada); and
  3. complete an Immigration Medical Examination (IME).

Q: On the blue quote request form, BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency refers to visitor's insurance and Super Visa insurance as emergency medical insurance, so do these policies cover regular checkups or only emergencies?

A: Visitors to Canada insurance covers medical expenses and other expense benefits related to accidental injury and sudden 'unforeseeable' illness and does not cover discretionary (when you choose to go) medical expenses that are not urgent. For example, regular checkups are not included, nor are vaccinations, medications or professional services of a therapist, etc. If a person is defined as being covered for emergencies related to a pre-existing medical condition (i.e., high blood pressure), they will be covered in the event of an emergency - but not covered to go in and get the condition monitored.

Q: What amount of visitors travel medical insurance should I purchase?

A: Hospital costs for visitors to Canada can amount to well over $3,000 per day, and air ambulance charges to return you home could easily be in the tens of thousands of dollars. The minimum purchase for application purposes has been set at $100,000, although sometimes a $150,000 policy could be even lower cost (we have a discount policy available under age 60) or provide more peace of mind. 

Q: Can I purchase a policy for my family members who come for a visit?

A: Yes. Anyone can purchase a visitor's insurance policy on behalf of someone coming to Canada. You should know that if a person is coming to Canada and you have sponsored their stay, you will be responsible for their medical bills if they cannot pay for them. So even if they don't want to pay for higher coverage, you might want to buy it for them anyway. 

Q: Are there any discounts for two or more travellers buying at the same time?

A: Some companies do offer discounts for companion travel or group travel insurance policies. Your quote will determine if such a discount applies.

Q: If I have a pre-existing condition, can I get coverage for that with visitor's insurance?

A: It depends on the pre-existing condition and the terms and conditions of the policy. Some insurance companies offer plans with coverage for pre-existing conditions is they have been stable for a certain period (usually six months) before departure from your home country, and some don't offer any coverage at all. It is important to read your entire policy to make sure you are aware of the definitions affecting coverage and the possible exclusions that may apply.

Only some of the available plans will cover pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions, etc. Other policies, while they do cover stable pre-existing medical conditions, use strict eligibility questions to screen out applicants (for example, no coverage available if you use an ICD (pacemaker), oral steroids for lung conditions, diagnosis of stroke, blood clots, congestive heart failure or a heart murmur in past 12 months, etc.). For a direct comparison of the exclusions concerning pre-existing medical conditions, you can compare policy wording and stable periods. If you have any questions about your pre-existing conditions and obtaining coverage, please contact us.

Q: Is my father allowed to bring in a year's supply of his prescription medication?

A: There are some restrictions that the Canadian government sets out regarding importing prescription medications (whether you are a Canadian citizen or a visitor): Generally, you are limited to bringing two 90 days (total 180 day supply): Government website

So, trying to bring in a whole year's supply may cause some problems at the border.

Q: Do I have to take a medical test before I can buy Visitors to Canada insurance?

A: No. There is no medical exam required before purchase. There may be some medical questions asked as a part of your online application. You must answer all questions truthfully, as not doing so may void (cancel) your coverage. If you have to submit a claim, the insurance company will investigate to determine if your condition was a pre-existing one and whether you were truthful on your application. Separately, as part of the super visa application process, applicants are required to complete a medical assessment, but that is not a requirement for buying the insurance.

We have lots more information on our Q&A information for Visitors to Canada page.

Visitors to Canada or their Canadian friends or family can get a travel insurance quote, compare policies and purchase online. If you have any further questions, please call toll-free for assistance at 1-888-888-0510 in North America; 1-604-259-2544, 1-403-800-1582; or 1-647-799-203 (outside North America).

 

A bustling city scene during COVID-19

Super Visa Insurance for 2024: Coverage for COVID-19?

Canada's Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to visit and travel within Canada for up to five years at a time, as long as they have the required super visa insurance during their entire stay in Canada. 

BestQuote Travel Insurance Agency has helped thousands of new super visa applicants get their super visa insurance by offering free instant online quotes and helpful advice over the phone, since 2011. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused heightened concern around insurance coverage details, but BestQuote makes it easy to compare coverage details from your online quote.

As a successful travel insurance specialist with the largest selection of policies to choose from, our brokerage gives unbiased advice so travellers can choose the coverage that applies to both their travel situation and health circumstances — whether that's for visitors to Canada or Canadians travelling abroad.

Applicants are required to meet several Super Visa requirements. Depending on age, the required insurance can be fairly expensive. That's why it pays to get an instant quote and compare all the Canadian insurance providers to see what the lower-cost options may be. That's where we do the research for you. We offer the widest selection of policies — some of them only available to specialist travel insurance brokers like us — and we quote them all on a single page for you, in only a few seconds.

But we don't stop there. We make comparing the policies easy by summarizing the features and benefits for you on the quote page and by allowing you to change the deductible or coverage amounts on your quote to see how the price changes. New purchasers should call (1-888-888-0510 to get help with their questions. Call with questions about deductibles, refund policies, administrative fees or which policies offer the best protection. For those buying their super visa insurance a second or third time, you'll quickly be able to find the information you are looking for. Just complete the quote request form, and easily navigate through the quoted options.

If you want to get a cost breakdown, click to view 2024 Super Visa Insurance Rates.

So that we can be extremely competitive and unbiased, we have compiled a wide selection from all of Canada's Super Visa insurance providers. We currently have more policies to choose from than any other online broker in Canada! By regulation, we have the same prices offered by the insurance companies themselves, or other brokers for that matter. Canadian brokers can't compete on price (rebating commissions is illegal), but the insurance companies do. We compete for your business against other brokers — (most of whom are not travel insurance specialists) based on our wide policy selection, as well as our quality advice and customer service.


Get a Free Instant Super Visa Quote to Research Insurance Options:

On the left side of this screen, choose 'Super Visa Insurance'; enter the dates (it's OK to estimate now and then change to exact arrival date after visa approval) and provide the traveller's date of birth. The quote will appear instantly, and we'll also email you a link for future reference. If you have any problems receiving a quote or have some specific questions you'd like to ask about coverage or policy details, please don't hesitate to call us (1-888-888-0510). After purchasing online, you will receive your confirmation of coverage and policy document(s) by email to submit with your application and to bring with you to show the port of entry officer. 

Visitors to Canada or their Canadian friends or family can get a travel insurance quote, compare policies and purchase online. If you have any further questions, please call toll-free for assistance at 1-888-888-0510 in North America; 1-604-259-2544, 1-403-800-1582; or 647-799-2032 (outside North America).

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