Should Super Visa Holders Get More Than Minimum Emergency Travel Insurance?
You need a minimum of $100,000 in private emergency medical insurance as a Canada super visa holder. Should you consider more than the minimum health insurance required?
Yes, you should consider more than $100,000 in private healthcare insurance to financially protect yourself, your sponsor children or grandchildren in case your medical costs surpass this limit. Evaluate your health and protect yourself accordingly with travel medical insurance as a super visa holder.
Western Financial Group, a 100% Canadian company, can help you navigate your insurance needs as a newcomer to Canada on a super visa.
Did you know? TuGo is Western Financial Group's trusted travel insurance provider. TuGo offers emergency medical insurance for Canada super visa applicants.
Why you should consider more than $100,000 in emergency private medical insurance coverage
If a Canada super visa holder has medical expenses that go above the $100,000 minimum coverage provided by their private medical insurance, any additional costs must be paid out-of-pocket. The minimum is $100,000 in private health coverage for each year of their stay of up to 5 years per visit.
Who pays for medical expenses above $100,000?
The responsibility for paying the excess costs of medical coverage beyond the minimum $100,000 limit in private coverage falls on the super visa holder and/or their sponsor, either child or grandchild.
The sponsoring child or grandchild is required to support the visitor during their stay in Canada and is legally responsible for medical expenses that exceed the insurance coverage. This is why super visa applicants should consider buying a medical travel insurance policy with a higher coverage limit.
Will Canada’s public healthcare system pick up any additional medical expenses for super visa holders?
No, Canada’s public healthcare system will not cover any medical expenses for super visa holders.
How much does it cost for private medical insurance per year for Canada super visa holders?
The yearly cost of private medical insurance for Canada super visa holders in 2025 ranges from about $1,700 to $4,600 for $100,000 in coverage, depending on age, health status, coverage limits, and deductible choices.
If you increase your coverage to $250,000 as a super visa holder, you can expect your premiums to be roughly 20% to 50% higher than the $100,000 coverage range. You could end up paying about $2,000 to $6,000 annually, depending on individual factors.
Did you know? Deductible options can also affect your premiums: higher deductibles mean lower monthly payments but they increase out-of-pocket costs if you make a claim.
Top reasons to consider private emergency medical coverage in excess of $100,000
- Medical emergencies, surgeries, or long-term hospitalization can be very expensive and may exceed $100,000.
- Higher limits for private medical coverage lowers financial risk for super visa holders and their family sponsors.
- Advanced age
- Pre-existing health conditions
- Peace of mind
As of January 2025, you can buy private medical insurance for the Canada super visa from non-Canadian insurance providers, but foreign insurers must be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) in Canada.
Remind me of the basics: What is a super visa?
A super visa is a temporary visa for parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident. Super visa holders are permitted to come to Canada as visitors and stay five years at a time. A condition of their stay of up to 5 years per visit is private health coverage for the duration of their stay. There are no country restrictions.
What does the Government of Canada say about emergency medical coverage for super visa applicants?
A requirement for super visa applicants is that they must have a minimum $100,000 coverage in private medical insurance that’s valid for at least one year from their date of entry into Canada. If your health insurance will expire before you leave Canada, you will need to renew or maintain your health insurance during your stay.
The emergency medical travel insurance policy must be active when you arrive in Canada.
What stable, pre-existing conditions could be covered under private medical travel insurance for super visa holders?
Pre-existing condition coverage may be available under super visa private health insurance if declared and considered stable, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, GERD, osteoarthritis, asthma, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), stable angina, and controlled depression or anxiety.
Coverage applies only if these conditions have not shown any changes in symptoms, treatment, or medication for a specified period, which is usually 90 to 180 days, and any emergency arising from these conditions is sudden and unexpected.
Did you know? Your age as a Canada super visa applicant plays a significant role in determining your super visa private health insurance quote.
What medical costs are solely the responsibility of super visa holders in Canada?
- Routine doctor visits
- Dental hygiene visits
- Vision care
- Cosmetic surgery
- Medical services related to pre-existing conditions that are not declared, not stable, or excluded by your private medical insurance policy
- Healthcare services not covered by the specific terms of your private medical insurance policy
- Western is a national insurance broker partnering with Canada’s leading insurance companies to get your car, tenant insurance, or travel insurance.
- Western puts you, the customer, first.
- Western has been in the insurance business for over 100 years!
- We are 100% Canadian and we know the Canadian market.
What about your other insurance needs as a Canada super visa holder? Top tip: Western Financial Group has got you covered and can help you save!
Advantages of buying car, tenant insurance, or travel insurance with Western Financial Group as a Canada super visa holder
How to reach us at Western Financial Group
You can reach a licensed Western Financial Group insurance expert by phone, text, or email. Fill out our form and get a quote for your insurance needs as a Canada super visa holder.
Speak to one of our insurance experts now: 1-866-860-1958.
Where are most of Canada’s new citizens from in 2025?
Most newcomers to Canada in 2025 are coming from countries in Asia and Africa, with India remaining the top source, followed by the Philippines and China (People’s Republic of China). Other significant source countries include Nigeria, Cameroon, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Eritrea, and the United States.
To sum it all up
Super visa holders are not required to have more than the $100,000 minimum in emergency medical travel insurance. Note that it is a solid idea to consider a higher coverage limit based on personal health, age, expected activities, and risk tolerance while you are in Canada.
Why Western?
100% Canadian!
Get the best home, car, business insurance
We’ll help you save
Insuring Canadians for over 100 years!
5 FAQs
Can the required private medical insurance be purchased from non-Canadian insurance providers?
Yes, since January 2025, super visa applicants may buy insurance from foreign providers authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). They can also buy this insurance from Canadian insurance companies.
Does super visa medical insurance need to be renewed yearly?
Yes, super visa medical insurance must be valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry to Canada. If the insurance coverage expires before the super visa holder leaves Canada, they need to renew their health insurance during their stay to maintain valid coverage. Super visa holders must have continuous medical protection. TuGo is Western Financial Group's trusted travel insurance provider. TuGo offers emergency medical insurance for Canada super visa applicants.
What happens if a super visa insurance policy lapses before the visit ends?
The Canada super visa visitor is no longer meeting a key condition of their super visa, which requires valid private medical insurance for the entire stay. This can jeopardize their current visa status and negatively impact future travel or visa applications to Canada. Without active insurance, any medical emergencies or treatments will have to be paid out-of-pocket.
Can you reinstate expired super visa insurance or get a new policy without any penalty?
If a super visa medical insurance policy expires, typically, you can’t get the same policy reinstated to cover the gap period because most insurance providers do not backdate coverage. This means any medical incidents that happen during the uninsured gap will not be covered. Instead, you usually will need to buy a new policy to regain coverage. Note that a new policy might come with a higher premium and possibly exclusions for any new or pre-existing conditions not covered before. Some insurance providers may offer a grace period or limited options for reinstatement. Check your policy’s details and act quickly to get coverage if your policy has lapsed.
Will my super visa medical insurance increase during my 5-year stay in Canada?
Yes, you can expect that during your 5-year stay in Canada under a super visa that your private medical insurance premiums will increase over time. Factors that may cause an increase in premiums include your age and health condition, inflation, healthcare costs, coverage changes, and exchange rate changes.
