Super Visa Insurance Requirements 2026: Complete Checklist

Getting the medical insurance right is one of the most common reasons Super Visa applications are delayed or refused. The rules are short, but every word matters. This checklist walks through exactly what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks for in 2026, and the small details that trip families up.

The 2026 Super Visa insurance checklist

According to IRCC, the health insurance policy for a parent or grandparent must:

• Come from an eligible insurer – a Canadian insurance company, or a company outside Canada that is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada.
• Show the insurer's name – the company that actually issued (underwrote) the policy, not only the broker's name.
• Be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry to Canada.
• Be paid in full, or in instalments with a deposit. A quote alone is not accepted.
• Cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
• Provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage.
• Be valid for each entry to Canada, and be available to show a border officer on request.

Detail #1: "Canadian insurance company" means the insurer, not the seller

Brokers (like Life Advice) and claims administrators are not insurance companies. What IRCC looks at is the company that issued the policy. A plan sold by a Canadian broker but underwritten by an unapproved foreign company can be refused. When you compare plans, check the insurer named on the policy document.

Detail #2: One year from the date of entry

The policy must run for a full year from the day your parent lands in Canada. If the travel date changes after you buy, ask the insurer to move the start date so the 365 days still begin on arrival. Many families buy a plan with a flexible start date for this reason.

Detail #3: Paid in full or monthly with a deposit

Since 2023, IRCC accepts monthly payment plans, as long as a deposit has been paid and the policy has been issued. A printed quote is not proof of insurance. If you choose monthly payments, keep the payment schedule and the policy confirmation together with the application.

Detail #4: $100,000 is a minimum, not a recommendation

A hospital stay in Canada for a heart attack or stroke can cost tens of thousands of dollars in a few days. $100,000 is what IRCC requires; many families choose $150,000 or more for older parents, especially in their 70s and 80s. The extra coverage usually costs less than people expect.

Detail #5: Pre-existing conditions

IRCC does not require pre-existing conditions to be covered, but your family needs it to be. If your parent takes medication for blood pressure, diabetes or heart conditions, choose a plan that covers stable pre-existing conditions and answer the medical questions honestly. A wrong answer can void coverage when you need it most.

Documents to include with the application

• The policy confirmation or certificate showing the insurer's name, coverage amount, start and end dates and the insured person's name.
• Proof of payment (paid in full, or deposit plus instalment schedule).
• For foreign insurers: the statement that the policy was issued while doing insurance business in Canada.

How long can parents stay on a Super Visa?

For applications made on or after June 22, 2023, parents and grandparents can stay up to 5 years at a time. The insurance must be valid for each entry, so if your parent stays longer than a year, renew the policy before it ends to avoid any gap.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy Super Visa insurance before the visa is approved?

Yes. You need proof of insurance to apply, so you buy it first. Most insurers give a full refund if the visa is refused and you send them the refusal letter.

Is travel insurance from my parent's home country accepted?

Only if the company is authorized by OSFI and issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada. Most home-country travel plans do not meet this rule.

Does the deductible matter for IRCC?

No. IRCC does not set a deductible. A higher deductible lowers the premium, but your family pays that amount first on each claim.

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.