Canada has eased health insurance requirements for Super Visa applicants. Recently, IRCC announced that Super Visa applicants will be allowed to purchase private health insurance from companies outside Canada. Previously, proof of health insurance had to be obtained from Canadian providers.
Good news for Indians living in Canada and their parents living in India. Canada has made it easier for parents and grandparents of immigrants to visit their families. People applying for Canada's Super Visa from January 28, 2025 can use health insurance from non-Canadian providers to meet visa requirements.
Recently, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that Super Visa applicants will be allowed to purchase private health insurance from companies outside Canada. Previously, proof of health insurance had to be obtained from Canadian providers. This change provides applicants with more options and financial flexibility, as they no longer need to settle for Canadian insurance which can be expensive and not easily obtained.
What is a Super Visa?
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their family in Canada for up to five years at a time, but they are not required to stay there for the entire time. Applicants can extend their stay if they meet the required qualifications. One of the major requirements to obtain a Super Visa is that the applicant must show proof of health insurance, as applicants are not automatically covered under Canada's public healthcare system.
Insurance requirements
There are certain rules that must be followed for a non-Canadian health insurance provider to provide health insurance coverage to meet super visa requirements, CIC News reports. The non-Canadian health insurance provider must be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance.
The provider must be included in the OSFI list of federally regulated financial institutions. The provider must issue or make the policy in the course of its insurance business in Canada. The OSFI website can be used to find out if a foreign insurance company is authorized to provide accident and sickness insurance.
All policies issued by a non-Canadian insurance company must include a statement that the document was issued or made in the course of its insurance business in Canada. The company that issued the policy, sometimes known as the policy underwriter or insurer, must also be identified on the proof of insurance document.
Insurance plans must be valid for at least one year
Note that insurance brokers and insurance claims administrators will not appear on the OSFI list, as they are not insurance companies. All insurance plans (whether Canadian or non-Canadian) must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Insurance plans must also be paid in full or in installments with a deposit. They must cover health care, hospitalization and arrival to the home country and provide a minimum of $100,000 in health care coverage.
Newcomers on Super visas should be prepared to show proof of payment for the insurance plan to the border services officer when entering Canada. Super visa holders may need to renew their health insurance during their stay if the coverage expires before leaving Canada. Private health insurance must be valid for each entry into Canada. More information on these changes to Super visas can be obtained from the IRCC website.