Visitor insurance vs. Super Visa insurance: what's the difference?

Why families mix these two up

If you're bringing a parent to Canada, you'll see both terms everywhere. Both policies pay for emergency medical care while your visitor is here — a hospital stay, a doctor's visit, an ambulance — because visitors aren't covered by provincial health plans like OHIP. The difference is why you're buying it: one is a legal requirement for a specific visa, the other is protection you choose for a trip.

What Super Visa insurance is for

The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay for long periods — up to 5 years per entry, on a multiple-entry visa. In exchange, IRCC requires proof of private medical insurance as part of the application. The policy must:

• provide at least $100,000 of emergency medical coverage,
• cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation,
• be valid for at least one year from the date of entry,
• come from a Canadian insurer (or an approved insurer outside Canada), and
• be paid — in full, or in instalments with a deposit. A quote isn't enough.

We cover each of these in 5 things IRCC checks on your Super Visa insurance.

What visitor insurance is for

Visitor insurance (often called "visitors to Canada" insurance) is for anyone visiting on a regular visitor visa or eTA — parents coming for a few months, a sibling visiting for a wedding, friends on holiday. IRCC doesn't require it, but going without it means paying every medical bill yourself. You choose:

• How long — priced by the day, so a 3-week trip costs far less than a year,
• How much coverage — commonly $25,000 to $150,000 or more,
• A deductible — a higher one lowers the price.

Side by side

*Age 60–64, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, Travelance Essential plan, January 2026 rates. The Essential plan does not cover pre-existing conditions; plans that cover stable conditions cost more.

Can a visitor policy be used for a Super Visa?

Only if it meets every IRCC requirement above — and most short visitor policies don't, because they're bought for a few weeks or months, not a full year. The safer route is to buy a policy designed for the Super Visa so the paperwork matches what the officer is looking for.

Pre-existing conditions: same question for both

Diabetes, high blood pressure, a past heart condition — these are common for visiting parents, and both types of policy have plans that can cover stable pre-existing conditions. What "stable" means (how long without a change in medication or symptoms) differs by insurer, so answer the health questions fully and honestly. An inaccurate answer is one of the most common reasons a claim gets refused.

Already in Canada?

Visitor insurance can usually still be bought after arrival, but expect a waiting period — illnesses that start in the first few days of the policy are typically not covered. The exact waiting period varies by insurer, which is one more reason to buy before the flight.

How we help

Tell us who's visiting, for how long, and on which visa. We'll tell you which type of policy fits, compare insurers side by side, and explain the deductible and pre-existing-condition options in English, Hindi or Punjabi — so the right policy is in place before your family travels. Visitor quotes are here.