Canada loosens health insurance requirements for Super Visa applicants

Canada’s immigration department has broadened health insurance eligibility requirements the Super Visa, making it easier for parents and grandparents to visit their families in Canada.

Effective 28 January 2025, parents and grandparents applying for a Canadian Super Visa may purchase health insurance plans from non-Canadian insurers to fulfill the proof of health insurance requirement.

Prior to this change, health insurance for Super Visa eligibility had to be purchased through a Canadian provider. Super Visa holders must have their own private health insurance in force upon every entry to Canada.

This article will cover

Which non-Canadian health insurers are now eligible to provide coverage; and
How to check whether a foreign provider will satisfy the Super Visa requirements.

We will also provide a general overview of Super Visa eligibility.

Get a Free Super Visa Telephone Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm

Which non-Canadian health insurance providers are now eligible for the Super Visa?

For a non-Canadian health insurance provider to provide health insurance coverage to satisfy the Super Visa requirements, that provider must

Be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance;
Appear on the OSFI list of federally regulated financial institutions; and
Be issuing or making the policy during the course of its insurance business in Canada.*

*All policies issued by a non-Canadian insurance company must include a statement that the document was issued or made in the course of its insurance business in Canada. The company that issues the policy, sometimes known as the policy underwriter or insurer, must also be identified on the proof of insurance document.

Note that insurance brokers and insurance claims administrators will not appear on the OSFI list, as they are not insurance companies.

All insurance plans (whether Canadian or non-Canadian) must also

Be valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry;
Be paid in full or in installments with a deposit;
Cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation; and
Provide a minimum healthcare coverage of $100,000.

Newcomers entering Canada on a Super Visa must be prepared to show proof of payment of an insurance plan to a border services officer when entering Canada.

How can I tell if my non-Canadian health insurance provider is authorized to provide coverage for Super Visa eligibility?

Step One: Ensure that your insurer is recognized by the OSFI

Newcomers looking to fulfill their health insurance requirement through a non-Canadian health insurance provider can visit the OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions to make sure that their provider is included. At the time of writing, the list consists of 79 banks and 41 trust companies.

Step Two: Find out if your health insurance provider is authorized under the Insurance Companies Act to provide coverage

To find out if your foreign health insurance provider is authorized under Canada’s Insurance Companies Act to provide health insurance coverage, you can email the OSFI.

In your email, include as much information as possible about the health insurance provider that you are enquiring about, as well as what requirements you are trying to meet in enquiring about this company’s status.

Remember that this provider must first be present on the OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions.

You can use the following email address to contact the OSFI: information@osfi-bsif.gc.ca.

The OSFI will aim to respond to your inquiry within a maximum of 15 days.

Step Three: Ensure that your health insurance provider is issuing or making the policy during the course of its insurance business in Canada

Newcomers using a non-Canadian healthcare provider when applying for a Super Visa should make clear to their provider upfront that this is a central requirement of the policy that they are purchasing.

The policy itself must include a statement that it was made or issued during the course of the provider’s business in Canada.

Super Visa general eligibility and benefits

The Super Visa provides long-term temporary resident status for the parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents and citizens, allowing Super Visa holders to visit their family in Canada for extended periods.

Super Visa holders can reside in Canada for up to five years at a time, with the option to extend their stay by an additional two years.

The Super Visa provides an alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), in allowing parents and grandparents legal authorization to live with their family in Canada for extended periods.

Unlike the Super Visa, the PGP is a permanent residence (PR) pathway, allowing parents and grandparents to gain Canadian PR if successful, which could allow them to stay in Canada indefinitely. Excess demand for the PGP has resulted in a lottery system, making it a lengthly and uncertain process for many PGP candidates.

In contrast to the PGP, the Super Visa provides Canadian citizens and permanent residents a quicker and more certain route to reunite with parents and grandparents in Canada.

To be eligible for the Super Visa you must have a host who

Is your grandchild or child;
Is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or registered Indian;
Is at least 18 years of age;
Meets or exceeds the minimum necessary income requirements based on the size of their family; and
Promises to support you financially for the duration of your visit.

In addition, you must be