Starting January 28, parents and grandparents applying for a Canadian Super Visa can meet the health insurance requirement by purchasing coverage from non-Canadian providers. Previously, insurance had to be from a Canadian company. This change makes it easier for them to visit their families in Canada. The article will explain which foreign insurers are eligible and how to check if a provider meets Super Visa requirements, along with an overview of Super Visa eligibility.
To be eligible for a Super Visa, you need a host who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, meets income requirements, and agrees to support you financially. You must apply from outside Canada, pass a medical exam, and have health insurance for your stay. For visits of six months or less, a regular visitor visa may be sufficient.
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit and stay in Canada for extended periods (up to five years at a time) with a potential two-year extension. It provides an alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for long-term stays with family. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a permanent residency pathway, allowing parents and grandparents to stay in Canada indefinitely, but it involves a lengthy and uncertain process. In contrast, the Super Visa offers a quicker and more predictable option for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their parents and grandparents.
To meet Super Visa requirements, a foreign health insurance provider must be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to offer accident and sickness insurance, be listed among federally regulated financial institutions, and issue policies as part of its operations in Canada.
Non-Canadian insurance policies must state they were issued as part of the insurer's operations in Canada, and the insurer must be identified on the proof of insurance. Remember, insurance brokers and claims administrators are not listed by OSFI, as they are not insurance companies.
All insurance plans for the Super Visa must be valid for at least one year, cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation, and provide a minimum of $100,000 in coverage. Proof of payment must be shown to a border services officer upon entry to Canada.
To meet the health insurance requirement, newcomers should check the OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions to ensure their foreign insurer is included, which currently lists 79 banks and 41 trust companies.
To check if your foreign health insurance provider is authorized under Canada’s Insurance Companies Act, email the OSFI at information@osfi-bsif.gc.ca. Include detailed information about the insurance provider and the specific requirements you're seeking to meet. The provider must already be listed on the OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions. OSFI typically responds within 15 days to confirm whether the provider is authorized to offer coverage for the Super Visa.
When applying for a Super Visa with a non-Canadian health insurance provider, inform the provider that the policy must include a statement confirming it was issued as part of the provider’s insurance business in Canada. This is a key requirement for meeting the Super Visa health insurance criteria.
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