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 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 attack and stroke increases with age. If something should happen, super visa insurance coverage helps with the cost so your family isn’t out of pocket.
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
- 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.
A note about emergency medical insurance for super visa applicants
When it comes to emergency medical insurance for super visa applicants, not just any policy will do. The following are the minimum requirements set by the Canadian government. The insurance coverage must:
- Be issued by either a Canadian insurer or an insurance company outside of Canada that’s approved by the IRCC minister
- Be valid for at least one year from the date your parents or grandparents enter Canada
- Be paid in full or in installments
- Cover healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation
- Provide a minimum of $100,000 emergency medical insurance
Looking for insurance for grandparent super visa? All of our CoverMe plans for visitors to Canada meet the requirements for medical insurance for super visa.
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.
Which plan is right for you?
Different people have different needs. That’s why we offer a range of plans for visitors to Canada.
| 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+ |
| Dental benefits included | No | Yes | Yes |
| Meets super visa requirements | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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 healthcare costs.
With travel insurance for super visa from Manulife CoverMe, you can enjoy more and worry less. We help to 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.
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
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.