Canada is allowing super visa applicants to purchase health insurance policies from companies outside Canada. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa also known as the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their family in Canada.

Super visa applicants must prove they have a minimum level of private health coverage to be granted a super visa, as they are not eligible for provincial or territorial health care plans. Previously, proof of health insurance could only be from Canadian health insurance providers.

From January 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is allowing super visa applicants to purchase a private health insurance policy from companies outside Canada.

To be eligible for valid health insurance coverage, the policy from a company outside Canada must

  • Be issued by a foreign insurance company authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance
  • Appear on OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions
  • Be issued under the company’s insurance business in Canada

You can find out if a foreign insurance company is authorized to provide accident and sickness insurance by visiting the OSFI website.

Super visa holders should have a valid health insurance policy for the duration of their stay in Canada. If coverage expires before they leave Canada, super visa holders may need to renew their health insurance during their stay. Private health insurance must be valid for each entry to Canada.

These changes make it easier for families to reunite on a super visa, while also ensuring parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents have adequate health insurance when entering Canada.

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa (TRV), issued with a validity of up to 10 years. The period of authorized stay is 5 years for each entry. An applicant is eligible for a Super Visa if they apply from outside Canada, and meet the requirements for temporary residence in Canada as a visitor.

A super visa is different from a visitor visa. With a super visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit family in Canada for 5 years at a time. A visitor visa only allows for a stay of up to 6 months at a time. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension and pay a new fee.