Super Visa & Visitor Insurance — Frequently Asked Questions

Super Visa insurance is private emergency medical insurance that parents and grandparents need to get a Canadian Super Visa. IRCC requires at least $100,000 of coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation, valid for at least one year from the date of entry, from a Canadian insurer or an approved foreign insurer authorized by OSFI.

The minimum is $100,000 of emergency medical coverage, valid for at least 365 days from the date of entry to Canada. Many families choose $150,000 to $300,000 for extra protection, and the price difference is often smaller than people expect.

The policy must come from a Canadian insurance company, or from a foreign insurer that is authorized by OSFI to provide accident and sickness insurance and issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada. Pankaj compares plans only from insurers that meet IRCC's rules.

A policy document that names the insurance company, shows at least $100,000 of coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation, is valid for at least one year from entry, and shows it is paid in full or paid by instalments with a deposit. Keep a copy handy for the border officer.

Typical benefits include hospital and doctor bills, emergency surgery, walk-in clinic visits, diagnostic tests (X-rays, ultrasound, lab work), prescription drugs for an emergency, ambulance, emergency dental for pain or accidents, return of remains (repatriation), and many plans include accidental death benefits. Coverage is for emergencies — routine check-ups are not covered.

Yes. IRCC accepts a policy that is paid in full or paid in instalments with a deposit — a quote alone is not accepted. Several insurers offer monthly payment plans; Pankaj can show you which ones and what the deposit and conditions are.

It can. Many plans offer an option that covers stable pre-existing conditions such as controlled blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol. 'Stable' means no change in treatment, medication or symptoms during a set period (often 90, 180 or 365 days) before coverage starts. You must answer every medical question honestly — a wrong answer can void a claim.

Most insurers cover travellers up to age 85 to 89, and a few go higher. Prices and pre-existing-condition options change with age bands, so the exact age of each traveller on the start date matters.

The deductible is the amount you pay on a claim before the insurer pays. Choosing a deductible (for example $1,000 or $2,500 instead of $0) lowers the premium. Check whether the deductible applies per person, per claim or per policy.

A Super Visa lets eligible parents and grandparents stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, and the visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years. They must carry valid insurance on each entry and keep it renewed during the stay.

Many Super Visa and visitor plans cover short side trips outside Canada (for example to the USA) as long as most of the trip is spent in Canada and the trip does not include the home country. Limits differ by insurer, so check before travelling.

If the visa is refused, insurers generally refund the full premium when you send proof of the refusal, as long as coverage has not started. Without proof, the insurer may charge a cancellation fee (rules vary by insurer).

Usually yes. If the travellers go home before the policy ends and there are no claims, most insurers refund the unused portion after you send proof of return, minus a small administration fee. Each insurer's rules differ, so ask Pankaj before you buy.

Yes. Contact Pankaj before the policy's effective date and the start date can usually be moved at no cost. After coverage starts, changes depend on the insurer.

You can cancel for a full refund any time before the effective date. After coverage starts, unused days are usually refundable if there are no claims, minus a small admin fee.

Yes, most policies can be extended before they expire if the visitor stays longer, provided no claim has been made or the insurer approves it. Contact Pankaj a few days before the end date.

Visitors to Canada insurance is emergency medical coverage for people who are not covered by a Canadian provincial health plan — tourists, visiting family, parents on a visitor visa and returning Canadians without provincial coverage. It pays for emergency hospital, doctor and ambulance costs during the stay.

For a regular visitor visa it is not legally required, but it is strongly recommended: a single hospital stay in Canada can cost thousands of dollars per day for someone without provincial coverage. For a Super Visa, insurance is mandatory.

Plans range from $10,000 up to $300,000 or more depending on the insurer. For older travellers or longer stays, $100,000 or higher is a sensible minimum. Pankaj can show the price of each level side by side.

Ideally before the visitor arrives in Canada. If you buy after arrival, most insurers apply a waiting period — commonly 48 hours for injuries and up to 7–8 days for illness — during which sickness is not covered.

Yes. Insurers can decline a traveller who is terminally ill, who has been advised by a doctor not to travel, or who has certain serious conditions. Answering the medical questions accurately is essential.

Yes. Every international student needs health coverage. Some provinces include students in the provincial plan, many universities enrol students automatically in a school plan (in Ontario, usually UHIP), and colleges or language schools often require private coverage. Pankaj can help if your school doesn't provide a plan or you need cover before it starts.

Sometimes. Some colleges allow you to opt out of their plan if you show equivalent private coverage; universities that use UHIP usually do not. Always check with your school's international office first.

Yes. If you arrive before your school plan begins, a short-term visitor or student plan can cover the gap so you are not uninsured in your first weeks.

New permanent residents and returning Canadians may face a waiting period before provincial health coverage begins. Ontario currently has no OHIP waiting period for eligible new residents, but some other provinces still do. A short-term private plan protects you until your health card is active.

Get an instant quote on this site, compare the plans, then call, WhatsApp or email Pankaj. He confirms the medical questions with you, completes the application and emails you the policy — usually the same day.

No. Insurance prices are set by the insurer, so you pay the same premium. Buying through a licensed advisor adds free help choosing the plan, answering medical questions correctly, and support if you ever need to make a claim.

Call 911 if it is life-threatening. Otherwise, call the insurer's 24/7 emergency assistance number on the policy card before treatment whenever possible — they will direct you to a clinic or hospital and can often pay the provider directly. Then contact Pankaj for help with the claim.

Yes. Pankaj and his team serve clients in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu, by phone, WhatsApp, email or in person in Mississauga and Cambridge.

Pankaj Bhatia is licensed to sell insurance in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Policies are arranged by phone, WhatsApp and email, so you don't need to visit an office.