By Pankaj Babbar, licensed advisor at SAI Insurances · 3 min read
1-minute read
The short answer
- 1. Coverage of at least $100,000 for emergency medical care.
- 2. It covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation — not just one of them.
- 3. Valid for at least one year from the date your parent enters Canada.
- 4. From a Canadian insurer, or an approved insurer outside Canada.
- 5. Paid, with proof — in full, or in instalments with a deposit. A quote is not accepted.
Detailed guide · 2 min read
Why the insurance matters so much
Medical insurance is one of the core Super Visa requirements, alongside the host's income, the invitation letter and the medical exam. If the insurance document doesn't clearly meet the rules, the officer can't approve the application on that point. The good news is that it's also the easiest requirement to get exactly right.
1. At least $100,000 of coverage
$100,000 is the minimum, per person. Some families choose more for extra peace of mind, especially for older parents. If both parents are applying, each needs their own $100,000.
2. Health care, hospitalization and repatriation
The policy has to cover all three. "Repatriation" means returning the person to their home country (or their remains) in the worst case. Policies sold as Super Visa insurance are built to include all three; a general travel policy may not.
3. Valid for at least one year from entry
The clock starts on the day your parent enters Canada, not the day you apply. That's why the start date on the policy should match the planned arrival. If travel plans change, the start date usually needs to change too — most insurers allow this before the policy begins.
4. From a Canadian or approved insurer
The policy must come from an insurance company in Canada, or from an insurer outside Canada that meets IRCC's approval rules. Buying from a Canadian insurer through a licensed Canadian advisor keeps this one simple.
5. Paid — and you can prove it
IRCC wants proof that the policy is paid, not a quote. Paying in instalments is fine as long as a deposit has been paid. Your proof should show the insured person's name, the coverage amount, and the start and end dates.
Small mistakes that cause problems
- Name doesn't match the passport. Spell it exactly as it appears in the passport.
- Uploading a quote instead of the paid policy confirmation.
- Start date that doesn't match travel, leaving the policy short of a full year after arrival.
- One policy for two people with $100,000 shared between them instead of each.
- Health questions answered too quickly. This won't show up in the application — but it can show up when a claim is made.
Your checklist before you submit
- ☐ $100,000 or more, per person
- ☐ Health care, hospitalization and repatriation covered
- ☐ One full year from the planned entry date
- ☐ Canadian or approved insurer
- ☐ Paid in full, or deposit paid on an instalment plan
- ☐ Names and dates match the passport and travel plans
How we help
Every policy we compare is built to meet these requirements. We check names and dates against your application, explain the deductible and payment options, and send you the paid confirmation ready to upload — in English, Hindi or Punjabi.
This article is general information, not insurance or immigration advice. IRCC requirements can change — check the official IRCC website before applying. Your licensed advisor confirms that your policy and documents meet the current rules.