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Easier Access to the Super Visa with New Health Insurance Rules

Canada’s Commitment to Reuniting Families
Canada believes that families are strongest when they’re together. To support this, they are dedicated to helping families reunite through their immigration programs, making it easier for loved ones to visit or stay together.
What is the Super Visa?
The Super Visa is a special type of visa that lets the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents visit their family for up to five years at a time. Even better, you can extend your stay while you’re in Canada, which means you get to enjoy longer visits with your loved ones.
Health Insurance Requirement for Super Visa Applicants
However, there’s a catch, super visa applicants need to show that they have private health insurance. This is because they’re not eligible for the regular healthcare plans that Canadians use. But, here’s the twist: health insurance coverage must meet specific standards. Previously, applicants had to get insurance from Canadian companies only.
What are the important changes made by the government for Super Visa holders?
Previously, applicants for a Canadian Super Visa could only purchase health insurance from Canadian providers. As of January 28, 2025, applicants can now obtain health insurance from international companies. This change gives applicants greater flexibility and potential cost savings, as they are no longer limited to Canadian insurance options, which can be expensive and difficult to obtain.
- Authorization: Be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance.
- Listing: Be listed on the OSFI website as a federally regulated financial institution
- Issuance: Issue the policy in the course of their insurance business in Canada. This must be stated on the policy document.
- Identification: The policy document must identify the underwriting insurer which means the company responsible for paying claim.
- Coverage:
- 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.
- Provide a minimum healthcare coverage of $100,000.
Important Note:
- OSFI lists insurance companies only, not insurance brokers or claims administrators.
- All Super Visa insurance plans (Canadian and non-Canadian) must also… (the original text cuts off here).
- Newcomers entering Canada on a Super Visa must be prepared to show proof of payment for their insurance plan to a border services officer upon arrival.
Criteria for Valid Foreign Health Insurance
If you’re choosing a foreign health insurance policy, it needs to meet certain conditions. For example, the company must be approved by Canada’s Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and must appear on a specific list of authorized insurers. This ensures that the insurance is reliable and meets Canadian standards for health coverage.
Keeping Your Health Insurance Valid
Once you have the Super Visa, it’s important to keep your health insurance active for the entire duration of your stay. If your insurance expires while you’re still in Canada, you’ll need to renew it. This ensures you’re covered for any accidents or health needs that arise during your visit.
How do I check if my non-Canadian health insurance is valid for a Super Visa?
Here’s a three-step process:
- Check the OSFI List: First, see if your insurance provider is on the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) list of federally regulated financial institutions. You can find this list online. This list includes banks and trust companies, and your provider must be on it.
- Confirm Authorization: Even if your provider is on the list, you need to confirm they’re authorized to provide health insurance coverage under Canada’s Insurance Companies Act. The best way to do this is to email OSFI directly.
- Email them at: information@osfi-bsif.gc.ca
- Include as much information as possible about your insurance provider.
- Explain that you’re checking for Super Visa eligibility.
OSFI aims to respond within 15 days. Remember, your provider must first be on the OSFI’s list before you check for authorization.
- Verify Canadian Business Operations: Make sure your insurance provider is issuing the policy while doing business in Canada. Tell them upfront that this is a requirement for a Super Visa. The policy itself must include a statement confirming it was made or issued in the course of the provider’s business in Canada.
Conclusion:
Canada is working hard to make family reunifications easier, and with these updated super visa rules, it’s now simpler to secure the right health insurance, whether it’s from a Canadian or foreign provider. It’s all about making sure families stay connected while keeping health and safety in mind.
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Receive professional advice on any of your questions regarding Canadian immigration. get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Canada. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).
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