New Health Insurance Rules Make Super Visa More Accessible

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have broadened the health insurance eligibility requirements for the Super Visa. This will positively impact family reunification, and allow parents and grandparents to have adequate health insurance coverage.

The new change will be effective from 28 January 2025. Before this change, to be eligible for the Super Visa, an applicant had to purchase health insurance from a Canadian insurance provider. The Super Visa applicant must have health insurance to immigrate to Canada.

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Requirements of the Super Visa Insurance

A non-Canadian health insurance provider must meet the following requirements:

• Be licensed by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act to offer accident and sickness insurance.
• Be listed on the OSFI’s roster of federally regulated financial institutions.
• Be issuing or arranging the policy as part of its insurance activities in Canada.

It is important to note that all policies issued by a non-Canadian insurer must include a statement indicating that they were issued as part of the company’s insurance operations in Canada.

Insurance brokers and claims administrators are not listed on the OSFI roster, as they are not classified as insurance companies. In addition, all insurance plans must:

• Be valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada.
• Be fully paid or have a deposit with installment payments.
• Provide coverage for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.
• Offer a minimum of $100,000 in healthcare coverage.

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Steps to Verify Your Health Insurance Provider for Super Visa Applicants

One must follow these three steps to check if my non-Canadian health insurance provider is authorized to provide coverage for Super Visa eligibility are as follows:

Step 1: Confirm OSFI Recognition

Before selecting a health insurance provider outside Canada, verify that it is recognized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). You can do this by checking OSFI’s official list of federally regulated financial institutions. You must ensure your provider is on this list.

Step 2: Check Authorization Under the Insurance Companies Act

Your next step is to confirm whether your health insurance provider is authorized under Canada’s Insurance Companies Act to offer health coverage. To do this, you can directly contact OSFI via email.

When reaching out, provide detailed information about the insurance company, including its name, coverage details, and your reason for inquiry. OSFI generally responds within 15 days.

Step 3: Ensure the Policy is Issued as Part of the Provider’s Business in Canada

If you are using a non-Canadian insurance provider for your Super Visa application, confirm that the policy is being issued as part of the provider’s insurance business within Canada.

Before purchasing, inform your provider that this requirement must be met. The insurance policy should clearly state that it has been issued in the course of the provider’s business operations in Canada.

An Overview of Super Visa

The Super Visa is a special long-term visa designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents and is a pathway to immigrate to Canada. It allows a stay of up to six months and extended stays of up to five years per visit.

To qualify, applicants must meet certain requirements:

• Proof of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada
• A minimum income threshold met by the sponsor
• A valid medical insurance policy from a Canadian or OSFI-approved insurer, covering at least $100,000 for one year
• A medical examination to ensure admissibility

The Super Visa provides a convenient way for families to reunite while ensuring visitors have adequate financial and medical support during their stay in Canada. This new update will promote family reunification in Canada.

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