Canada relaxes super visa insurance requirements
The Canadian immigration department has relaxed the health insurance eligibility requirements for super visas, making it easier for parents and grandparents to visit their families in Canada. Starting from January 28, 2025, parents and grandparents applying for Canadian super visas can purchase health insurance plans from non Canadian insurance companies to meet the health insurance certification requirements.
Prior to this change, health insurance for super visa holders must be purchased through Canadian suppliers. Super visa holders must have their own private health insurance every time they enter Canada.
Specific details
For non Canadian healthcare insurance providers, in order to provide healthcare insurance to meet the super visa requirements, the provider must
According to the Insurance Companies Law, authorized by the Office for the Regulation of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and illness insurance;
Appearing on the OSFI list of federally regulated financial institutions; and
Issuing or formulating insurance policies during the period of conducting insurance business in Canada*
*All policies issued by non Canadian insurance companies must include a statement stating that the document was issued or made in the course of their insurance business in Canada. The company issuing the policy (sometimes referred to as the policy insurer or insurer) must also indicate it in the insurance certificate document.
Please note that insurance brokers and insurance claims administrators will not appear in the OSFI list as they are not insurance companies.
All insurance plans (whether Canadian or non Canadian) must also
Valid for at least one year from the date of entry;
Full payment or installment payment with a deposit can be made;
Covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation; as well as
Provide medical insurance of at least CAD 100000.
New immigrants entering Canada on a super visa must be prepared to present proof of insurance plan payment to border service officials upon entry.
How to confirm
Step 1: Ensure that your insurance company is recognized by OSFI
New immigrants who wish to meet health insurance requirements through non Canadian health insurance providers can access OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions to ensure their providers are included. At present, the list includes 79 banks and 41 trust companies.
Step 2: Understand whether your health insurance provider is authorized to provide insurance under the Insurance Companies Act
To find out if your foreign health insurance provider is authorized to provide health insurance under the Canadian Insurance Companies Act, you can send an email to OSFI. Include as much information as possible in your email about the health insurance provider you are inquiring about, as well as the requirements you are attempting to meet when inquiring about the company's status.
Please note that the provider must first appear on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions.
You can contact OSFI using the following email address: information@osfi-bsif.gc.ca .
OSFI will respond to your inquiry within a maximum of 15 days.
Step 3: Ensure that your health insurance provider issues or formulates policies during the insurance business period in Canada
New immigrants who use non Canadian healthcare providers should clearly inform their providers in advance when applying for a super visa, as this is a core requirement for the insurance they have purchased. The policy itself must include a statement indicating that the policy was formulated or issued during the provider's business operations in Canada.
Super Visa
The Super Visa provides long-term temporary residency for parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents and citizens, allowing Super Visa holders to visit Canadian family for extended periods of time. Super visa holders can reside in Canada for up to five years at a time and have the option to extend their residency by two years.
The Super Visa provides an alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), allowing parents and grandparents to obtain legal authorization to reside with their families in Canada for extended periods of time.
Unlike super visas, PGP is a permanent residency (PR) pathway that allows parents and grandparents to obtain a Canadian PR upon successful completion, allowing them to stay in Canada indefinitely. The excessive demand for PGP has led to a lottery system, making the application process for many PGP candidates long and uncertain. Compared to PGP, the Super Visa provides a faster and more secure pathway for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada.
To obtain a super visa, you must have a sponsor
It is your grandson or child;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or a registered Indian;
At least 18 years old;
Meet or exceed the minimum necessary income requirement based on family size; and
We promise to provide you with financial support during your visit.
In addition, you must
When you submit a super visa application outside of Canada;
Print your visa at a visa office outside of Canada;
Can enter Canada;
Accept immigration medical examination; as well as
You must have health insurance during your stay in Canada.
If you plan to visit your family for six months or less, you can enter Canada as a visitor without applying for a super visa.
Source: Shunda Immigration