SuperVisa now includes overseas medical coverage, making it even easier
5 Feb 2025
Immigration and Citizenship Canada has announced that effective January 28, 2025, it will relax the health insurance requirements for Super Visa applicants. Previously, to be approved for a Super Visa, applicants must have a minimum of one year of health insurance from a Canadian insurer. However, health insurance from a foreign insurer approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) will now be accepted. This will give Super Visa applicants more insurance options and is expected to reduce the cost of obtaining and paying for insurance.
The Super Visa is a visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada for an extended period of time, allowing them to stay in the country for up to five years once they enter the country, with subsequent extensions available for up to seven years. The program also allows for multiple entries for up to 10 years after approval, allowing families to spend more time together in Canada. However, because Super Visa holders are not eligible for provincial or territorial health benefits, they are required to purchase private health insurance, which was previously limited to Canadian insurers, resulting in high premiums and limited options. With this policy change, foreign insurers will now be recognized, allowing applicants to choose a more affordable policy. Applicants will also be able to keep any insurance they already have in their home country, making it more financially beneficial for them and making the visa extension process easier.
Here are some of the highlights of the policy changes: First, health insurance issued by an international insurer will be accepted, but the insurer must be approved by OSFI; second, the insurer must be on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions and legally operating in Canada; third, the health insurance must be valid for the duration of the stay and must be renewed before it expires; and fourth, the health insurance must be valid for the duration of the stay. This gives super visa applicants a wider range of health insurance options and reduces the burden of having to purchase insurance only from Canadian insurers.
A super visa requires applicants to meet certain requirements before the visa is approved. The application requirements are as follows The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Indian Act-registered Indian who is at least 18 years old. The sponsor must also meet the minimum income requirement (LICO) set by the family size and provide an official pledge to provide financial support for the duration of the applicant's stay. The applicant, i.e., the sponsor's parent or grandparent, must apply for the super visa from outside Canada. They must also pass an immigration medical examination prior to entry and maintain health insurance that is valid for at least one year.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has announced that it will not accept parent and grandparent sponsorship applications in 2025. The government says it plans to focus on processing existing applications this year to catch up on the backlog of parent and grandparent sponsorship applications, making the super visa an increasingly popular alternative for those looking to spend time with family. With a relatively short adjudication period and a relatively straightforward approval process, the Super Visa can be used as a temporary residency option while preparing to sponsor parents and grandparents.
This policy change is expected to make the Super Visa application process smoother and demonstrates the Canadian government's commitment to family-centered immigration. By making it easier for parents and grandparents to join their families in Canada, this change clearly demonstrates the importance the government places on family-based immigration.
So, for those planning to spend time with their families in Canada, a super visa will be one of the fastest and most effective ways to do so.
Immigration and Citizenship Canada has announced that effective January 28, 2025, it will relax the health insurance requirements for Super Visa applicants. Previously, to be approved for a Super Visa, applicants must have a minimum of one year of health insurance from a Canadian insurer. However, health insurance from a foreign insurer approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) will now be accepted. This will give Super Visa applicants more insurance options and is expected to reduce the cost of obtaining and paying for insurance.
The Super Visa is a visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada for an extended period of time, allowing them to stay in the country for up to five years once they enter the country, with subsequent extensions available for up to seven years. The program also allows for multiple entries for up to 10 years after approval, allowing families to spend more time together in Canada. However, because Super Visa holders are not eligible for provincial or territorial health benefits, they are required to purchase private health insurance, which was previously limited to Canadian insurers, resulting in high premiums and limited options. With this policy change, foreign insurers will now be recognized, allowing applicants to choose a more affordable policy. Applicants will also be able to keep any insurance they already have in their home country, making it more financially beneficial for them and making the visa extension process easier.
Here are some of the highlights of the policy changes: First, health insurance issued by an international insurer will be accepted, but the insurer must be approved by OSFI; second, the insurer must be on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions and legally operating in Canada; third, the health insurance must be valid for the duration of the stay and must be renewed before it expires; and fourth, the health insurance must be valid for the duration of the stay. This gives super visa applicants a wider range of health insurance options and reduces the burden of having to purchase insurance only from Canadian insurers.
A super visa requires applicants to meet certain requirements before the visa is approved. The application requirements are as follows The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Indian Act-registered Indian who is at least 18 years old. The sponsor must also meet the minimum income requirement (LICO) set by the family size and provide an official pledge to provide financial support for the duration of the applicant's stay. The applicant, i.e., the sponsor's parent or grandparent, must apply for the super visa from outside Canada. They must also pass an immigration medical examination prior to entry and maintain health insurance that is valid for at least one year.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government has announced that it will not accept parent and grandparent sponsorship applications in 2025. The government says it plans to focus on processing existing applications this year to catch up on the backlog of parent and grandparent sponsorship applications, making the super visa an increasingly popular alternative for those looking to spend time with family. With a relatively short adjudication period and a relatively straightforward approval process, the Super Visa can be used as a temporary residency option while preparing to sponsor parents and grandparents.
This policy change is expected to make the Super Visa application process smoother and demonstrates the Canadian government's commitment to family-centered immigration. By making it easier for parents and grandparents to join their families in Canada, this change clearly demonstrates the importance the government places on family-based immigration.
So, for those planning to spend time with their families in Canada, a super visa will be one of the fastest and most effective ways to do so.