Super Visa Insurance Monthly Payment Plans: How They Work

October 15, 2026
Super Visa Insurance Monthly Payment Plans: How They Work

With new PGP applications paused since July 15, 2026, many Kitchener-Waterloo families are planning a Super Visa so a parent can spend the winter here. Paying a full year of insurance at once can be hard. IRCC accepts instalments with a deposit, so a monthly plan can help. Here is how to set it up so nothing lapses.

Paying a full year of Super Visa insurance up front can cost several thousand dollars, especially for parents over 70. Since 2023, IRCC accepts policies paid in instalments with a deposit, so many families now choose a monthly plan. Here is how it works.

What IRCC accepts

IRCC requires the policy to be "paid in full or in instalments with a deposit". A quote is not enough. In practice that means:

  • the policy is issued for at least 1 year from the date of entry,
  • the first payment (deposit) has been made, and
  • the remaining months are on a payment schedule with the insurer.

How a monthly Super Visa plan works

  1. Get quotes and choose a plan with the right coverage amount, deductible and pre-existing condition coverage.
  2. Pay the deposit – often the first month or first two months, depending on the insurer.
  3. Receive the policy documents showing a 12-month term. Include them with the visa application.
  4. Monthly payments are charged automatically, usually by credit card.
  5. Renew or cancel when your parent's stay ends.

Pros of paying monthly

  • Lower up-front cost, which helps cash flow during the application.
  • If the visa is refused, you have paid less, and the deposit is usually refundable with the refusal letter.
  • If your parent goes home early, you stop paying future months.

Cons and things to check

  • Total cost can be higher. Some insurers add a small monthly fee or charge more in total than the one-time price.
  • Missed payments can cancel coverage. If a credit card expires or a payment fails, the policy can lapse. A gap can be a problem at the border and for claims.
  • Paid months are usually not refundable.
  • Not every plan offers it. Fewer insurers offer monthly payments on plans that cover pre-existing conditions for older ages.

Monthly vs. paying in full

MonthlyPaid in full
Up-front costLow (deposit)High (full year)
Total yearly costSame or slightly higherSometimes lowest
Early returnStop future paymentsPro-rated refund if no claims
Risk of lapseYes, if a payment failsNo

Our advice

Monthly plans are a good fit when cash flow matters or the travel date is uncertain. If you can afford it, paying in full removes the risk of a missed payment. Either way, compare the total yearly cost, not just the first payment.

What to send to IRCC with a monthly plan

You apply for the Super Visa online through IRCC. With a monthly plan, upload:

  • The policy confirmation showing at least $100,000 coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation
  • Dates showing at least 1 year from the day of entry
  • Proof that the deposit was paid
  • The insurer's name, which must be a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized insurer outside Canada

A quote alone is not proof of insurance. Check that your parent's name, date of birth and the start date match the passport and travel plans. A small mistake can slow the application down. If the arrival date changes, ask the insurer to move the start date before it begins.

Paying monthly over a 5-year stay

Your parent can stay up to 5 years per entry, but each policy usually runs 1 year. Plan for renewals:

  • Put the renewal date in your calendar 30 days ahead.
  • Expect the price to change as your parent gets older.
  • Recheck the pre-existing condition questions at each renewal.
  • Keep coverage continuous, so there is no gap at the border or at home.

Some families start monthly and switch to paying in full later, once the visa is approved. Ask about this option when you buy.

Your first steps

  1. Decide on a monthly budget and a realistic arrival date.
  2. Get quotes for both monthly and paid-in-full, and compare the total for 12 months.
  3. Ask about the deposit amount, monthly fees and cancellation notice.
  4. Use a credit card that will not expire during the policy year.
  5. Pay the deposit and save the policy confirmation and receipt.
  6. Upload both to your IRCC online application.

What families ask us most

Most families we help in Kitchener-Waterloo are inviting parents from India. Before they buy, they ask the same four questions:

  • Refund policy: what happens if the visa is refused or the visitor goes home early. See how refunds work.
  • Monthly payments: which insurers allow them, and the full 12-month cost. See monthly payment plans.
  • Medical conditions: whether diabetes, blood pressure or heart conditions are covered, and the stability rules. See our pre-existing conditions guide.
  • Cost: how much it costs. Price depends on age, coverage amount, deductible and medical conditions. See Super Visa insurance cost by age.

Compare plans online on our Super Visa insurance or visitor insurance page, or call 1-855-500-5041. Help in English, Hindi and Punjabi.

For families in Kitchener-Waterloo and across Ontario

Visitors are not covered by OHIP. If a payment fails and the policy lapses, a visit to Grand River Hospital, St. Mary's General Hospital or Cambridge Memorial Hospital is billed at non-resident rates. A Super Visa parent cannot get a health card at ServiceOntario, so the private policy is the only coverage.

Our office is at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, ON N2E 0B6. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed Sunday). Call 1-855-500-5041. We have served families since 2015 and compare 20+ Canadian insurers, including Manulife, Sun Life, Canada Life, Desjardins, Allianz, TuGo and GMS.

Example: Imagine a Guelph family whose card expires in January, halfway through Dad's winter stay. They update the card with the insurer in December, so the January payment goes through and coverage continues.

Frequently asked questions

Is a monthly Super Visa plan accepted by IRCC?

Yes, if the policy is issued for at least one year from entry and a deposit has been paid.

Can I switch from monthly to paid in full?

Many insurers allow it. Ask whether there is a fee and whether any discount applies.

Can I pay monthly by debit?

Most insurers require a credit card for automatic payments. Some accept pre-authorized debit.

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 Super Visa 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.

What do I upload to IRCC if I pay monthly?

Upload the policy confirmation and proof that the deposit was paid. The policy must show at least $100,000 of coverage and run at least 1 year from entry.

What happens at renewal on a monthly plan?

Most policies run 1 year. At renewal, the price may change and you may need to answer medical questions again. Start the renewal about a month early.

Does the PGP pause change the Super Visa payment rules?

No. The PGP pause, confirmed by IRCC on July 15, 2026, affects new PGP applications. Super Visa insurance can still be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit.

Get a free quote

Compare Super Visa insurance quotes from 20+ Canadian insurers on our Super Visa insurance page. You may also like our visitor 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.