Super Visa Health Insurance Rule Change January 2025: What Changed and How It Works (Official IRCC Notice)
Summary of the January 28, 2025 IRCC official notice allowing Super Visa applicants to purchase health insurance from qualifying foreign insurance companies. Direct citation from canada.ca.
Super Visa Health Insurance Rule Change January 2025: What Changed and How It Works (Official IRCC Notice)
On January 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued an official notice announcing a change to the Super Visa health insurance requirement. Below is a plain-language summary drawn directly from IRCC's official notice, with every fact cited to the source.
Official IRCC notice: Change to health insurance requirement makes the super visa more accessible (canada.ca, dated January 28, 2025)
What Changed
Direct from the IRCC notice:
"Previously, proof of health insurance could only be from Canadian health insurance providers. As of today, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is allowing super visa applicants to purchase a private health insurance policy from companies outside Canada."
Prior to January 28, 2025, Super Visa applicants had to buy health insurance exclusively from Canadian insurance companies. As of January 28, 2025, applicants may also purchase insurance from qualifying foreign insurance companies.
Which Foreign Insurance Companies Qualify
The IRCC notice specifies exact requirements for a foreign insurance policy to be considered valid Super Visa health insurance coverage. Quoting directly:
"To be eligible as valid health insurance coverage, the policy from a company outside Canada must:
be issued by a foreign insurance company authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance
appear on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions
be issued under the company's insurance business in Canada"
The notice further directs applicants to verify a foreign company's authorization on the OSFI website.
Why This Matters for Applicants
The IRCC notice states that the change is intended to make the Super Visa program more accessible. Direct from the notice:
"These changes make it easier for families to reunite on a super visa, while also ensuring parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents have adequate health insurance when entering Canada."
What Has Not Changed
The January 28, 2025 IRCC notice modifies only the source of the health insurance policy. The rest of the health insurance requirement remains in effect. The notice specifically confirms:
"Super visa holders should have a valid health insurance policy for the duration of their stay in Canada. If coverage expires before they leave Canada, super visa holders may need to renew their health insurance during their stay. Private health insurance must be valid for each entry to Canada."
Key requirements that remain unchanged and are covered on the IRCC Super Visa eligibility page:
Applicants are not eligible for provincial or territorial health care plans
Private health insurance is required
Coverage must be valid for the duration of the stay
Insurance must be valid for each entry to Canada (for multiple-entry stays)
Super Visa: Basic Facts From the IRCC Notice
The January 28, 2025 notice restates the following basic Super Visa facts:
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
It allows stays of five years per visit
Stays can be extended while in Canada
How Canadian Insurance Options Compare
The IRCC notice makes clear that both Canadian and qualifying foreign insurance policies are now accepted. For families comparing options, Canadian insurers remain a widely used option and offer specialized Super Visa products. To compare Super Visa insurance quotes from major Canadian insurers, visit daddysafe.ca/supervisa.
Verify Directly at IRCC and OSFI
Official IRCC notice: Change to health insurance requirement makes the super visa more accessible
Super Visa eligibility page: IRCC Super Visa eligibility
OSFI regulated companies list: OSFI - Who we regulate
About This Content
This resource summarizes an official notice issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). All facts and figures are drawn directly from the official IRCC notice cited above. For the complete, current, and legally binding version of this information, always consult the official IRCC page linked in this resource.
DaddySafe.ca is a Canadian insurance comparison platform operated by Immunis Financial Brokers Inc. This resource is informational only and does not constitute immigration advice. For personalized immigration advice, consult a licensed Canadian immigration lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Super Visa health insurance rule change?
According to the IRCC official notice, the change took effect on January 28, 2025. As of that date, Super Visa applicants may purchase a private health insurance policy from qualifying foreign insurance companies, not only Canadian insurers.
What was the previous rule?
The IRCC notice states: 'Previously, proof of health insurance could only be from Canadian health insurance providers.' Foreign insurance policies were not accepted.
What are the requirements for a foreign insurance policy to qualify?
The IRCC notice specifies three requirements. The policy must: (1) be issued by a foreign insurance company authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance; (2) appear on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions; and (3) be issued under the company's insurance business in Canada.
How can I check if a foreign insurance company qualifies?
The IRCC notice directs applicants to the OSFI website. Visit https://www.osfi-bsif.gc.ca/en/supervision/who-we-regulate to check if a foreign insurance company is authorized to provide accident and sickness insurance.
Can I still use a Canadian insurance company?
Yes. The IRCC notice adds foreign insurance options — it does not remove Canadian insurance options. Both remain valid. Canadian insurers continue to offer specialized Super Visa products designed for the program requirements.
Do I need insurance for each entry into Canada?
Yes. The IRCC notice states: 'Private health insurance must be valid for each entry to Canada.' Because the Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa, applicants must have valid coverage at every entry.
What happens if my insurance expires during my stay?
The IRCC notice states: 'If coverage expires before they leave Canada, super visa holders may need to renew their health insurance during their stay.' Coverage must be valid for the duration of the stay.
Why did IRCC make this change?
The IRCC notice states: 'These changes make it easier for families to reunite on a super visa, while also ensuring parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents have adequate health insurance when entering Canada.'
Does this change affect the minimum coverage amount required?
The January 28, 2025 IRCC notice does not modify coverage amount requirements. The general Super Visa health insurance requirement (typically minimum $100,000 CAD in coverage per IRCC eligibility guidelines) remains in effect. Always verify the current requirement on the IRCC Super Visa eligibility page linked above.
Where can I read the complete official notice?
The full official IRCC notice is at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/change-health-insurance-requirement-makes-super-visa-more-accessible.html