If you’re applying for a Super Visa for Canada, one key requirement is Super Visa insurance. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Super Visa health insurance, including requirements, costs, coverage options, and how to find the best policy at the lowest price. We’ll also discuss monthly payment plans, tips to save money, and how to choose the right provider for your needs.
What is super visa insurance?
One of the requirements of being approved for a Super Visa is that you have medical insurance that covers you for at least one year from the date of entry to Canada.
The medical insurance can be from any Canadian insurance company or a prescribed non-Canadian insurer (more on this later).
Basically Canada wants to make sure that you’re not going to be a financial burden on the publicly funded heath system when you visit. So you need to prove that you’ve got insurance that will cover you for any medical needs you have when you’re in Canada. You can read more about Canada’s healthcare system here.
If you are planning on visiting Canada for less than 6 months at a time then you don’t need a Super Visa or Super Visa insurance. All you would need is a standard visitor visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and standard visitor to Canada health insurance.
If you need more details on what a super visa is, then our full guide is here.
Super visa insurance requirements
To be approved for a Canada Super Visa, you must have medical insurance that:
- Covers you for at least one year from the date you enter Canada.
- Is purchased from a Canadian insurance company or an authorised non-Canadian company (see more details in the section below).
- Provides coverage of at least $100,000.
- Includes healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Has been fully purchased (quotes are not accepted, but installment payments are allowed).
These are just the super visa insurance requirements; not the requirements for the actual super visa itself. The full requirements to be approved for a super visa are listed here.
Who can you buy Super Visa insurance from?
As of January 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has expanded the list of approved insurance providers for the Super Visa program.
Previously, applicants were required to purchase health insurance exclusively from Canadian insurance companies. With the policy change, you can now obtain Super Visa insurance from both Canadian and certain international insurers, provided they meet specific criteria.
Approved Super Visa insurance providers:
- Canadian insurance companies: All Canadian insurers authorized to sell health insurance are eligible to provide Super Visa insurance policies.
- International insurance companies: Non-Canadian insurers must
- be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act to offer accident and sickness insurance in Canada.
- be on the OSFI list of federally regulated financial institutions
- have issued the policy as part of their insurance business in Canada
It’s crucial that if you do get your insurance from a non-Canadian insurer that it complies with the Canadian requirements.
The policy documents from foreign insurers must show the name of the company issuing the insurance and state that the policy was issued or made in the course of its insurance business in Canada.
Super visa insurance cost
To get an accurate quote, use a Super Visa insurance comparison website like BestQuote, which allows you to compare rates from different providers.
But if you want an idea of how much you might expect to pay I’ve outlined that below.
The cost of Super Visa medical insurance varies based on:
- Age
- Pre-existing health conditions
- Deductible amount (higher deductible = lower premium)
- Length of coverage
- Insurance provider
Here’s an estimate for a one-year policy with $100,000 coverage:
- Ages 40-54: $800 – $1,300
- Ages 55-64: $1,300 – $1,500
- Ages 65-74: $1,500 – $3,000
- Ages 75+: $3,000+
Note: These are rough estimates. Actual prices will depend on your specific situation.
Those ranges go up markedly if you have pre-existing medical conditions, with the cheapest for someone in their early 70s with a stable pre-existing medical condition starting at around $2,300.
If you really want to know how much the insurance is going to cost you then you’ll need to get a quote for your situation. The easiest way to do this is through a comparison websites such as BestQuote * which will give you a range of quotes from different providers based on your situation and then you can purchase the best fit for you through their website. Check out the best super visa insurance Canada section below for more information.
Super visa insurance monthly
Clearly the premium for any super visa health insurance is not insubstantial. So you might be looking at the best way to finance the Canadian medical insurance for super visa.
Some insurers allow monthly payments, but this almost always comes at a higher overall cost. In fact, monthly payment plans can be up to 30% more expensive than paying in full.
The price compassion website mentioned above will include policies for pay monthly so you can compare for yourself.
Use a credit card to pay your insurance premium
If you need to spread out payments, consider using a low interest credit card or line of credit, as these often have lower interest rates than monthly insurance premiums.
As I said above, you could find yourself effectively being charged up to 30% interest from the insurer if you go for pay monthly. But there’s a whole bunch of credit cards out there that charge much lower rates of interest – around 13% being fairly average.
So do your research and find the option that’s going to be the best for your situation.
Check out our articles on newcomer credit cards and building your credit score in Canada for more information on your options.
Best super visa insurance for Canada
I generally think the best way of finding super visa insurance is through a price comparison website.
The best policy will vary depending on your circumstances. Which is why I can’t really recommend a specific product or insurance company – what would be the cheapest for one person might not be for the next.
What I can recommend however is that I think BestQuote is a good comparison website to use to search for super visa insurance. When I’ve been looking for insurance they’ve most often had the best deals. *
It’s pretty straight forward – you just enter some basic details about the cover you want (dates, age of people to be covered etc.) and the site will search across a whole range of providers to find the best deals for your circumstances. Once you’ve found the best option you can purchase the policy online through the BestQuote website.
Although price is a driving factor you should also consider the following when deciding on your insurance provider:
- Reputation – Look for providers with positive customer reviews and a strong reputation.
- Coverage Options – Ensure that the policy covers all necessary medical expenses, including pre-existing conditions if needed.
- Claim Process – Choose an insurer with an easy and efficient claims process.
- Customer Support – A responsive support team can be crucial in case of emergencies.
Click here to compare Super Visa insurance quotes with BestQuote.
* All of the products and services I recommend on Canada for Newbies are independently selected based upon what I’ve personally found to be useful. If you buy insurance through BestQuote using one of the links in this article, I might earn a small affiliate commission. It won’t cost you anything at all and I would never recommend something I don’t believe in or use myself.
Final tips for getting the best deal
- Compare multiple insurers to get the best rate.
- Check for pre-existing condition coverage if applicable.
- Consider the total cost (not just the monthly premium).
- Pay annually if possible to avoid extra fees.
- Look for discounts – Some insurers offer deals for couples or family policies.
- Understand policy exclusions – Read the fine print to know what’s covered and what’s not.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to secure the best Super Visa insurance for your needs – without overpaying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I cancel my Super Visa insurance policy if my visa is denied?
Yes, most insurance providers will refund your premium if your Super Visa application is denied, but check the policy terms before purchasing.
Is there an age limit for Super Visa insurance?
While there is no official age limit for the Super Visa, some insurance companies may have restrictions on applicants over a certain age. It’s best to compare multiple providers to find coverage that fits your needs.
Does Super Visa insurance cover COVID-19?
Most Super Visa insurance policies now include COVID-19 coverage, but always check the fine print to confirm what’s covered.
How long does it take to get a Super Visa insurance policy?
You can typically get a policy within 24-48 hours after purchasing, though processing times may vary depending on the insurer.
I hope you’ve found this guide useful and feel ready to get the best possible deal.
Please do drop me a comment with anything you think I’ve missed or would like more information on.