Key Points
- Effective January 28, 2025, super visa applicants can purchase private health insurance from foreign providers.
- The super visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay for up to five years per visit.
- Insurance must be from a foreign company authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
- The provider must be listed under OSFI’s federally regulated financial institutions.
- Super visa holders must maintain valid health insurance for their entire stay in Canada.
Overview
Canada has updated its Super Visa Health Insurance requirements, allowing applicants to purchase private insurance from select foreign providers. Effective January 28, 2025, this policy shift offers greater flexibility to visa holders while ensuring continued compliance with the super visa program’s conditions.
Previously, super visa applicants were restricted to Canadian-based health insurance providers. With this change, eligible foreign insurance companies—approved by OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions)—can now provide accident and sickness insurance for applicants.
Eligibility and Requirements
To meet Canada’s super visa requirements, applicants must:
- Purchase health insurance from a foreign provider listed under OSFI’s federally regulated financial institutions.
- Ensure the policy covers their entire stay in Canada.
- Provide valid proof of insurance before entering Canada.
- Renew their policy if it expires before departure.
This update provides more options for super visa applicants, potentially reducing insurance costs and making the process more accessible to families.
Looking Ahead
Super visa applicants and their sponsors should review the updated list of OSFI-approved foreign insurance providers before purchasing coverage. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website will offer additional guidance on compliance and eligibility requirements.
As Canada continues refining its visitor and family reunification policies, further adjustments to super visa conditions may be introduced. Applicants should stay updated on official IRCC announcements to ensure seamless application processing and compliance with health insurance mandates.
