Super Visa Insurance Requirements (2026)
The Canadian super visa requires private medical insurance that meets strict IRCC criteria. Here is exactly what your policy must include to avoid application delays or rejection.
Mandatory IRCC Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Coverage | $100,000 CAD (see why $150K–$300K is often recommended) |
| Policy Duration | Minimum 1 Year (365 Days) — valid at each entry into Canada |
| Provider Type | Canadian or OSFI-authorized insurer (since Jan 28, 2025 — details) |
| Payment Status | Paid in Full (Quotes not accepted) |
| Scope of Coverage | Health care, hospitalization, and repatriation |
Why Many Advisors Recommend More Than $100,000
| Ontario Hospital | Ward / Day | ICU / Day | $100K covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarborough Health Network | $3,058 | $7,814 | ~32 ward days |
| Sunnybrook Health Sciences | $4,100–$4,400 | $6,400–$6,600 | ~23 ward days |
The $100,000 minimum was set at the program's launch in 2011. For a brief ER visit and discharge, it is well above what you need. For a prolonged hospitalization or a serious cardiac event, it may not be enough. The premium difference between $100K and $150K coverage is typically $50–150 per year, depending on the applicant's age.
See the full hospital cost analysisWhat Must Be Included in the Policy?
The insurance policy must cover the visitor for the entire duration of their stay in Canada. It must specifically include:
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Hospitalization Costs
- Repatriation of Remains
- Emergency Air Ambulance
- Prescription Drugs (Emergency)
- Diagnostic Services
March 2026 Changes to Super Visa Requirements
Starting March 31, 2026, IRCC introduced two changes to income qualification. Both work in sponsors' favour:
- Two-year lookback window: Sponsors can qualify using income from either of the two most recent tax years — not just the most recent. If 2025 was a low year, 2024 can be used instead.
- Parent income supplementation: If the host's income covers at least 75% of the MNI threshold, the visiting parent or grandparent's own Canadian income can fill the remaining gap.
Use our free eligibility checker to see if you meet the updated requirements.
Source: canada.ca — IRCC: Changes to income requirement for super visa (March 20, 2026) — checked June 24, 2026
Insurer Note (Updated Jan 2025)
Since January 28, 2025, IRCC also accepts insurance from OSFI-authorized foreign insurers. In practice, only insurers with licensed Canadian branch operations qualify. Most domestic insurers from India, China, and the Philippines do not meet this standard. Canadian-licensed insurers remain the simplest and most reliable option.
Read: Which foreign insurers qualifySource: canada.ca — IRCC: Change to health insurance requirement (January 28, 2025) — checked June 24, 2026
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