When your parents or grandparents live outside Canada, family visits are especially precious. The time always seems to go too quickly. Wouldn’t it be great if your loved ones could stay longer than just a few weeks or months? With a super visa, they can!
What is a super visa?
A super visa allows parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit their family for up to five consecutive years. It also allows multiple entries into Canada for up to 10 years.
There are certain requirements, however. One of the most important is travel insurance that includes emergency medical coverage.
Super visa travel insurance in Canada
Emergency medical travel insurance for visitors to Canada is a good idea no matter how long your visitors plan to stay. It can even be more important for longer stays.
With comprehensive emergency medical insurance for super visa applicants, you can enjoy your family time together without stressing about unexpected medical costs.
Emergency medical insurance for super visa applicants typically covers things like doctors’ visits, emergency care in a hospital, prescription drugs, ambulance and more.
Accidents can happen to anyone at any time. And even if your parents or grandparents are healthy and active, the likelihood of slips and falls, heart attacks and strokes increase with age. If something should happen, super visa insurance coverage helps with the cost, ensuring your family isn’t out of pocket.
How much does super visa insurance cost?
The cost of emergency medical insurance coverage for super visa applicants depends on a number of factors, including age, health, length of stay and amount of coverage. As a rough estimate, you can expect the cost to be the equivalent of $100 to $200 per month per person ($3 to $6 a day).
With some plans, you have the option of choosing a deductible. While this reduces the emergency medical insurance cost, it means you’ll have to cover some of the expenses yourself in the event of a claim.
The best way to estimate cost? Get a super visa insurance quote. Shopping around and comparing quotes may help you find the best price.
Applying for the parent and grandparent super visa
If you’re planning to host your parents or grandparents on their super visa, you’ll need to:
- Send them a signed letter inviting them to Canada
- Meet the minimum income requirements
- Promise to support them financially while they’re here
It’s your parents or grandparents who must submit the actual application, however, and they must do this from outside Canada. They’ll also need to:
- Be allowed to enter Canada (individuals who present a security or health risk may be considered inadmissible)
- Get a medical exam from an authorized Panel Physician (fees may apply)
- Provide proof of health insurance
Only Panel Physicians approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can do medical exams for the parent and grandparent super visa.
Health insurance requirements for super visa applicants
In January 2025, the government changed the requirements for super visa travel insurance to help improve access. Previously, only health insurance from a Canadian provider was acceptable. Now, health insurance from companies outside of Canada is also acceptable provided the company meets specific criteria.
In addition, the insurance must:
- Be valid for at least one year from the date your parents or grandparents enter Canada
- Be paid in full or in installments with a deposit
- Provide a minimum $100,000 emergency medical coverage
- Cover healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation
Why it may be best to choose a Canadian provider
While it’s good to have more choice and flexibility, keep in mind there can be advantages to choosing a Canadian health insurance provider like Manulife:
- Local presence. Because we’re in Canada, it’s easy to get in touch with us if you or your loved one has questions or needs support.
- Local knowledge. We can help you navigate the Canadian healthcare system, from finding local providers to understanding regulations.
- Experience and reliability. We’ve been helping traveling Canadians, visitors to Canada and students get access to emergency medical care for more than 135 years.
- 24/7 travel assistance. Manulife’s Travel Assistance Centre operates 24/7, so we’re always there for you in case of medical emergency.
- Flexible, comprehensive coverage. With a range of plans to choose from, you can select the coverage that meets your needs and budget.
Which plan is right for you?
Different people have different needs. That’s why we offer a range of plans for visitors to Canada. We’d be happy to provide you with a super visa insurance quote anytime.
| CoverMe Plan | Basic | Standard | Enhanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage up to | $200,000 | $200,000 | $200,000 |
| Apply up to | Any age | Age 85 | Age 85 |
| Medical questionnaire required | No | No | For age 55+ |
| Emergency Dental benefits included | No | Yes | Yes |
| Meets super visa requirements | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Parents (or grandparents) travelling together? They save 5% with the travel companion discount!
Make the most of family together time
Getting the parent and grandparent super visa may take some time and energy, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ll be able to spend five years or more together. And with emergency medical insurance, you can enjoy your time together without the worry of unexpected emergency medical costs.
With super visa travel insurance from Manulife CoverMe, you can enjoy more and worry less. We help protect thousands of visitors to Canada every year!
Frequently asked questions
To apply for a super visa, the applicant must be outside Canada. You can help by sending your parents a signed letter of invitation that shows you’ll support them financially while they’re here. You might also offer to cover some of the associated fees.
Unfortunately, the super visa doesn’t authorize work or study in Canada. If your parents are interested in working here, they’ll need to apply for a separate work permit.
Disclaimers
All rates are displayed in Canadian dollars.
The information in this article is not to be relied upon as legal, tax, financial or investment advice for specific situations.
Individual circumstances may vary. You may wish to contact one of Manulife's licensed insurance advisors or your licensed insurance agent if you need advice about your insurance needs.
Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See policy for details.