The super visa medical insurance requirements are short but strict. IRCC’s super visa instructions, last updated August 25, 2026, list them. Your parent or grandparent needs a paid policy from an approved insurer. It must last at least 1 year from entry and give at least $100,000 in emergency cover per applicant for care, hospital stays and the trip home.
Most refusals we see on this point are not about the amount. They are about who issued the policy and whether it was paid. This guide walks through each rule so you can check a policy before you send it.
What are the super visa medical insurance requirements in 2026?
The policy must name the insurer and last at least 1 year from the date of entry. It must be paid in full, or in instalments with a deposit. It must cover health care, hospital stays and the trip home, with at least $100,000 for emergencies. It must be valid for each entry and shown to a border officer if asked.
Here is the full list from IRCC, in plain words:
- The insurance company that issued the policy is named on it.
- Coverage lasts at least 1 year from the day your parent enters Canada.
- It is paid in full, or paid in instalments with a deposit. A quote does not count.
- It covers health care, hospital care and repatriation.
- Emergency coverage is at least $100,000.
- It is valid for every entry, and your parent can show it to a border officer on request.
Which insurance companies can issue a super visa policy?
IRCC accepts two kinds of insurer. One is a Canadian insurance company. The other is a company outside Canada that OSFI, the federal regulator of insurers, allows to sell accident and sickness cover. That company must be on OSFI’s public list. It must also have issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada.
That last rule trips people up. A foreign policy must say, in writing, that it was issued while the company was doing insurance business in Canada. If that line is missing, the policy can fail even when the cover looks fine.
A big, well known insurer back home may still not qualify, so check the OSFI list of regulated insurers before you buy.
Does a broker count as the insurer?
No. IRCC says brokers and claims administrators are not insurance companies. They will not appear on the OSFI list. The super visa medical insurance requirements look at the company that carries the risk. So the policy has to name that company, called the underwriter, and not only the broker who sold it to you.
Many policies are sold by a broker but issued by another company. Look for the word “insurer” or “underwriter” on the certificate. If you only see the broker’s name, ask for a page that names the insurer.
Can you pay super visa insurance monthly?
Yes, but only with a deposit. IRCC takes a policy paid in full, or one paid in instalments after a deposit. It will not take a quote. A quote shows a price, not a policy, so it does not prove your parent is covered on the day they land in Canada.
If you pay monthly, send proof of the deposit with the policy. Keep paying on time. A lapsed policy can cause trouble at the border, or later when your parent asks to stay longer.
What happens if the policy runs out while your parent is in Canada?
Your parent needs proof of insurance on each entry, and IRCC’s instructions say the officer should be satisfied of a full year of cover at each one.
If the policy will end before they leave, renew it so they stay covered. A super visa can allow a stay of up to 5 years at a time. So a 1 year policy will often need to be renewed at least once during a long visit.
Set a reminder about 30 days before the end date. Renew with a company that still meets the rules above. Keep the new certificate with your parent’s travel papers.
Common mistakes with super visa medical insurance requirements
The most common mistakes are simple ones. A family sends a quote, not a paid policy. Or they send a broker’s summary with no insurer named, or a foreign plan without the line about doing business in Canada. Any of these can lead to a refusal, even when the host’s income and invitation letter are strong.
Watch for two more. Cover that starts on the day you buy it, not the day your parent lands, can fall short of 1 year. A plan with no cover for the trip home fails too, however cheap it is.
Insurance is only one part of the file. Your host also has to meet the income test, which we explain in our guide to super visa income requirements for 2026.
If a sponsorship file is already in progress, read whether you can apply for a super visa while your PGP file is pending. With the parents program paused, our post on alternatives while the PGP is suspended covers the other routes.
Frequently asked questions
Does the $100,000 have to be emergency coverage?
Yes. IRCC asks for at least $100,000 in emergency cover per applicant. A policy with a bigger total limit but less than $100,000 for emergencies does not meet the rule. Read the benefits table, not just the big number on page one. Check that hospital care and the trip home are both covered.
Do I need new insurance every time my parent re-enters Canada?
Your parent needs proof of a valid policy on each entry. IRCC’s instructions say the officer should be satisfied of a full year of cover at each entry, however you paid. So an old policy with only a few months left may be questioned. If it will end before they plan to leave, renew it first so they are never without cover in Canada.
Can we use insurance from my parent’s home country?
Only if OSFI allows the company to sell accident and sickness cover and it is on OSFI’s public list. It must also have issued the policy while doing business in Canada, and the policy must say so in writing. Most plans sold only abroad will not pass, so check the OSFI list before you pay.
Where to get help with a super visa file
We review super visa files before they go in. That includes the insurance certificate, the host’s income proof and the invitation letter. A second look costs far less than a refusal and a new fee. You can read more on our super visa service page, or check the official rules on the IRCC website.
Ready to check your parent’s policy with Amir Ismail, RCIC #R412319? Book Your Strategy Consultation.
