Inviting a parent or relative to Kitchener-Waterloo this winter? Or looking at the Super Visa because IRCC confirmed on July 15, 2026 that the Parents and Grandparents Program is paused for new applications? The rules for insurance depend on which visa your visitor uses. This guide explains what is required, what is only wise, and the first steps for a host family in Ontario.
If you are inviting family to Canada, or travelling here yourself, you may be wondering whether health insurance is required for a visitor visa. The short answer: it depends on the type of visa. Here is what applies to you.
For a regular visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA), Canada does not make private health insurance a legal requirement. However:
For the Super Visa, insurance is mandatory. The policy must be from a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized insurer outside Canada, and can be paid in full or by instalments with a deposit. See the full Super Visa insurance checklist.
The visitor, or the family hosting them, pays the full bill. As an example, emergency treatment for a heart attack, including ambulance, tests and several days in hospital, can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. Hospitals may ask for payment or a deposit before non-urgent care.
Buy before the visitor leaves home. Plans bought after arrival usually have a waiting period of 48 hours to 8 days for illness. If the visitor is already in Canada, see insurance for visitors already in Canada.
Insurance is only one part of a Super Visa application. You will also need:
The insurance must give at least $100,000 of emergency coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation, and be valid at least one year from entry. You can pay in full or by instalments with a deposit. In return, your parent can stay up to 5 years per entry, on a visa valid for up to 10 years.
For a regular visitor visa or eTA, insurance is not a standard requirement. But the visitor is not covered by OHIP. Example: Imagine your aunt visits from overseas for six weeks in December and slips on ice in your driveway. Without a plan, your family pays the hospital and doctor bills directly.
A visitor plan for the exact dates protects your family from those bills. Some hosts also include the policy letter with the visa application, to show the visitor can pay for care. For older visitors, many families choose $100,000 or more of coverage.
Most families we help in Kitchener-Waterloo are inviting parents from India. Before they buy, they ask the same four questions:
Compare plans online on our Super Visa insurance or visitor insurance page, or call 1-855-500-5041. Help in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
Visitors are not covered by OHIP. Ontario hospitals, including Grand River Hospital, St. Mary's General Hospital, Cambridge Memorial Hospital and Guelph General Hospital, bill visitors at non-resident rates.
If your relative later becomes a permanent resident, they apply for OHIP in person at ServiceOntario. Ontario removed the 3-month waiting period, but they are not covered until approved.
Life Advice Insurance Inc. has helped Ontario families since 2015 and compares 20+ Canadian insurers. We serve Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and all of Ontario. Visit our office at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener (Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday) or call 1-855-500-5041.
Rarely for full costs. Most foreign plans don't pay Canadian hospitals directly and may cover only a small amount. Check carefully before relying on it.
It is not a standard requirement for a regular visitor visa, but it can help show you are prepared. It is required for the Super Visa.
Yes. The host in Canada can buy and pay for the visitor's plan.
Talk to a licensed Life Advice broker
We compare plans from many Canadian insurers and explain the fine print in plain language. Call +1 855-500-5041 (Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–9 p.m.), get a quote on our Visitor Insurance page, or visit us at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, ON N2E 0B6.
This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Coverage, prices and rules vary by insurer and can change. Always read your policy wording.
Most insurers give a full refund if the visa is refused. Check the refund rules in the policy before you buy.
You can, but any days without coverage are not protected. It is safer to match the policy to the full stay.
Many plans cover short side trips outside Canada, but the rules vary by insurer. Ask before booking a trip across the border.
Compare visitor insurance quotes from 20+ Canadian insurers on our visitor insurance page. You may also like our Super Visa insurance page. Or visit Life Advice Insurance Inc. at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, call 1-855-500-5041, Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Help in English, Hindi and Punjabi.