If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident hoping to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada for an extended stay, the Super Visa program is the most practical route. But the insurance requirement — at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage from a Canadian insurer — can feel like a hurdle. This guide breaks down exactly what the rules say, what the coverage actually costs, and how to find a plan that works for your family’s budget.

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Minimum coverage required: $100,000 ·
Policy duration: 365 days ·
Average monthly premium: $100–$300 ·
Number of major providers: 4+ ·
Maximum coverage available: $500,000

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact monthly premiums without personal details vary by age, health, and deductible
  • Which provider is best for pre-existing conditions depends on medical history review
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Compare plans from Manulife, GMS, Allianz, and Travel Guard
  • Use a cost calculator to estimate monthly premiums

The table below summarizes the five essential facts drawn from official IRCC requirements and provider data.

Five key facts about Super Visa insurance, drawn from official requirements and provider data.
Label Value
Minimum Coverage $100,000
Policy Duration At least 365 days
Major Providers Manulife, GMS, Allianz, Travel Guard
Monthly Cost Range $80–$300
Eligibility Parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents

What are the health insurance requirements for a Super Visa?

What is the minimum coverage amount?

The Super Visa program requires a minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, as stated by IRCC (Canada’s immigration authority). This is not a recommendation — it is a hard eligibility condition. The policy must cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, according to The Planet Insurance (third-party guide).

How long must the policy be valid?

The insurance must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada, per Sun Life (Canadian financial services firm). GMS (Canadian insurance provider) confirms the policy must be active for the entire duration of the visitor’s stay. Since a Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry, according to IRCC, you’ll need to renew or purchase multi-year coverage.

Do I need a medical exam?

A medical exam is not automatically required for Super Visa insurance, but providers may review medical history. Co-operators (Canadian insurance cooperative) offers plans for visitors up to age 89, and rates depend on health profile. Some providers require a medical questionnaire for applicants with pre-existing conditions.

The catch

The $100,000 minimum is the floor, not a ceiling. A parent in their 70s with a chronic condition may find that the cheapest compliant plan still costs $200–$300 per month because the insurer is pricing real risk, not just meeting a visa checkbox.

The implication: meeting the minimum coverage is straightforward, but the real work is matching the policy duration to the intended stay length. A 365-day policy that expires mid-visit could jeopardize the visa status.

How much does Super Visa insurance cost?

What factors affect the monthly payment?

Monthly premiums vary by age, health, and provider. Co-operators offers four deductible options — $100 to $3,000 — with savings of 5% to 30% on the premium. A higher deductible lowers the monthly cost but increases out-of-pocket risk if a claim occurs.

Are there deductible options?

Yes. Deductibles are a key lever for controlling premium costs. Co-operators structures its plans so that choosing a $3,000 deductible can cut the premium by up to 30% compared to a $100 deductible. This is a standard trade-off across all major providers.

How to use a Super Visa insurance cost calculator?

Online cost calculators from providers like Sun Life and GMS let you input age, coverage amount, and deductible to get an instant quote. These tools are the fastest way to compare plans without a sales call.

Why this matters

A 60-year-old parent in good health might pay $80–$120 per month with a $1,000 deductible. A 75-year-old with a managed condition could pay $250–$300. The difference is not arbitrary — it reflects the insurer’s actuarial model for emergency medical risk in Canada’s healthcare system.

The trade-off: a lower deductible gives peace of mind but a higher monthly bill. For a healthy parent visiting for a few months, a higher deductible often makes financial sense. For a longer stay, the lower deductible may be worth the predictable cost.

Which insurance companies provide Super Visa insurance?

Manulife Super Visa insurance

Manulife offers $100,000+ coverage with annual renewal options. Their plans are designed for parents and grandparents and are widely accepted by visa officers. Manulife is one of Canada’s largest insurers, which adds credibility at the port of entry.

GMS Super Visa insurance

GMS (Canadian insurance provider) provides 365 days of uninterrupted coverage, which aligns exactly with the IRCC requirement. Their plans are structured for the Super Visa specifically, with clear policy wording about visa compliance.

Allianz Super Visa insurance

Allianz offers up to $500,000 in coverage, giving families the option to exceed the minimum by a wide margin. This can be useful for parents with higher medical risk profiles or those who want extra protection during a multi-year stay.

The pattern: each provider meets the $100,000 minimum, but they differentiate on maximum coverage, deductible flexibility, and age limits. The right choice depends on the parent’s age and health, not just the price.

How to choose Super Visa insurance for parents?

Do my parents need a medical exam?

Not always, but medical history is reviewed. Co-operators offers coverage up to age 89 without a mandatory exam, but pre-existing conditions may require a stability period or a medical questionnaire. Some providers decline coverage for unstable conditions.

Can I buy insurance for multiple years?

Yes. Some providers offer multi-year policies that cover the entire Super Visa validity period. GMS and Sun Life both offer renewable annual plans. Buying two years upfront can lock in a rate and avoid mid-stay renewal hassles.

What documents are needed?

The host — a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old — must provide a signed invitation letter and meet the minimum necessary income, per IRCC. The insurance policy document must be submitted with the visa application as proof of coverage.

What this means: the insurance purchase is only one part of the application. The host’s financial eligibility is equally critical. If the host’s income falls below IRCC’s minimum threshold, even the best insurance plan won’t secure the visa.

What is the cheapest Super Visa insurance?

How to compare Super Visa insurance plans?

Compare deductibles, coverage limits, and exclusions. A plan with a $3,000 deductible from Co-operators can be significantly cheaper than a $0 deductible plan from another provider. But the trade-off is higher out-of-pocket costs if a claim occurs.

What is the average monthly premium for the cheapest plan?

Monthly premiums can start as low as $80 for a young, healthy traveler with a high deductible, according to industry data. For a 60-year-old parent in good health, $80–$120 per month is realistic. For older applicants or those with conditions, $200–$300 is more common.

What are the trade-offs of a cheaper plan?

Cheaper plans typically have higher deductibles, lower coverage limits, or more exclusions for pre-existing conditions. A $80/month plan may not cover a heart condition that flares up during the visit. The cheapest option is not always the best value if it leaves the family exposed to a large medical bill.

What to watch

A plan that costs $80/month but excludes repatriation or has a $3,000 deductible could leave a family with a $10,000+ bill for a single emergency room visit. The cheapest premium is not the cheapest total cost of risk.

The catch: the cheapest plan is only cheap until a claim happens. For a parent visiting for a short period with no health issues, a high-deductible plan makes sense. For a longer stay or a parent with any medical history, paying more for broader coverage is usually the smarter financial decision.

Additional sources

parentsupervisa.ca

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Frequently asked questions

Can I get Super Visa insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

Yes, but coverage depends on the provider’s definition of “stable.” Most insurers require a stability period — typically 90 to 180 days without a change in medication or treatment. Some providers may decline coverage for unstable conditions.

How do I file a claim with my Super Visa insurance?

Contact the insurer’s 24/7 emergency line as soon as possible. Keep all receipts, medical reports, and the policy number handy. Most providers have a claims portal or mobile app for submitting documents.

Is travel insurance for Super Visa the same as visitor insurance?

Not exactly. Super Visa insurance must meet specific IRCC requirements — $100,000 minimum, 365-day validity, Canadian insurer. Standard visitor insurance may have lower limits or shorter durations that don’t satisfy the visa rules.

Do I need to buy Super Visa insurance before or after visa approval?

You must buy it before submitting the visa application. Proof of insurance is a required document. However, some providers offer a refund if the visa is denied, so check the cancellation policy before purchasing.

Can I cancel Super Visa insurance and get a refund?

Yes, most providers offer a full refund within a cooling-off period — typically 10 to 30 days — if no claims have been made. After that, refunds are prorated. Always read the cancellation terms before buying.

What happens if my parents stay longer than the insurance coverage?

The insurance must be valid for the entire stay. If the policy expires before the visitor leaves Canada, they are uninsured and may be out of compliance with the Super Visa conditions. Renew the policy before it lapses.

Are there any age limits for Super Visa insurance?

Co-operators offers coverage up to age 89. Other providers may have lower age caps, typically 85. Always check the age limit before applying, especially for older parents.

For Canadian families sponsoring parents or grandparents, the choice is clear: buy a compliant policy that matches the intended stay duration and the parent’s health profile, or risk a visa denial or a catastrophic medical bill. The $100,000 minimum is the starting line, not the finish line.