1. What IRCC Requires for Super Visa Insurance
A Super Visa applicant must provide proof of qualifying private health insurance. The insurance rules are about the policy's coverage, duration, insurer and payment structure; IRCC does not prescribe a universal premium, deposit amount or deductible.
Critical Regulatory NoteIRCC does not prescribe a universal 2-month deposit, monthly premium, deductible, administration fee or refund percentage. Those are insurer-specific.
Requirements
- Minimum emergency medical coverage: $100,000 CAD.
- The policy must be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry to Canada.
- The policy must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
- The policy must be valid for each entry to Canada.
- The policy can be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit.
- A quote alone is not accepted as proof of insurance.
- The policy must identify the insurance company that issued it.
- Proof of the policy may need to be shown to a border services officer on request.
Insurer Rules
- A Canadian insurance company can issue qualifying coverage.
- A foreign insurer can qualify only where it meets IRCC's current requirements, including the applicable OSFI authorization/Canadian insurance-business conditions.
- Insurance brokers and claims administrators are not themselves insurance companies for this purpose.
2. Monthly Instalment Calculator
Use your actual insurer quote or policy figures. Do not substitute an assumed industry-wide deposit or monthly surcharge.
3. Monthly vs Full-Payment Plans
Both payment structures can satisfy IRCC's payment-format rule when the underlying policy itself meets all Super Visa insurance conditions.
| Feature | Instalment Plan | Full-Payment Plan |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC payment format | Permitted when paid in instalments with a deposit | Permitted |
| Upfront cash requirement | Lower or higher depending on the insurer's deposit | Usually the full premium |
| Deposit amount | Set by the insurer | Normally not applicable as a payment-plan deposit |
| Monthly billing | According to insurer schedule | No recurring instalment |
| Cancellation/refund | Controlled by the policy terms | Controlled by the policy terms |
| IRCC proof | Need evidence of the qualifying policy; a quote alone is insufficient | Need evidence of the qualifying policy; a quote alone is insufficient |
Decision Guide
- Choose instalments when preserving upfront cash flow matters and the insurer's deposit and billing terms are acceptable.
- Choose full payment when the insurer provides better pricing or you prefer to avoid recurring payments.
- Compare the total payable amount, not just the initial deposit or monthly payment.
4. Deductibles, Pre-Existing Conditions and Refunds
These are insurer-specific policy features rather than fixed IRCC Super Visa rules.
Critical Regulatory NoteNever publish an insurer-specific stability period, deductible saving percentage or refund percentage as if it were an IRCC rule.
Points
- Deductibles vary by insurer and policy. A higher deductible may reduce the premium, but the actual amount and savings must come from the insurer's quote.
- Pre-existing-condition coverage depends on the policy wording and medical underwriting. Do not assume that a universal 90-day, 120-day or 180-day stability period applies to every insurer.
- Coverage for prescriptions, ambulance, specialist treatment, emergency dental care and other services depends on the selected policy and exclusions.
- Refunds for early departure or visa refusal are controlled by the insurer's cancellation and refund provisions. Some products may provide refunds under specific conditions, while others may not.
- A visa refusal or early return does not create a universal IRCC refund entitlement.
Comparison Checklist
- Check the deductible amount.
- Read the pre-existing-condition definition and stability clause.
- Check exclusions and maximum benefit limits.
- Check cancellation and early-departure refund terms.
- Confirm how missed instalment payments affect coverage.
5. Buying and Using the Policy
The safest approach is to choose the policy only after checking both the insurer's commercial terms and IRCC's eligibility requirements.
Practical WarningA policy can be commercially attractive but still unsuitable if it fails an IRCC requirement. Check both sets of conditions before purchase.
Mandatory Action Checklist
✓Confirm the policy provides at least $100,000 emergency coverage.
✓Confirm coverage lasts at least 1 year from the intended date of entry.
✓Confirm health care, hospitalization and repatriation are covered.
✓Confirm the policy is valid for each entry to Canada.
✓Confirm the insurer meets IRCC's Canadian or qualifying foreign-insurer rules.
✓If using instalments, confirm the deposit and the full payment schedule.
✓Obtain the policy certificate or other official proof of purchased coverage; do not rely on a quote.
✓Save the insurer's exclusions, deductible and refund terms.
✓Carry proof of valid insurance when travelling to Canada.
✓Renew coverage when necessary so the policy does not expire during the Super Visa stay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. IRCC allows a qualifying Super Visa health-insurance policy to be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit. The policy must still meet all coverage and validity requirements.
No. IRCC does not prescribe a universal deposit amount. The insurer determines the deposit and instalment schedule, provided the policy is paid in full or in instalments with a deposit and otherwise meets the IRCC rules.
At least $100,000 CAD in emergency medical coverage, with the policy valid for at least 1 year from entry and covering health care, hospitalization and repatriation. It must also be valid for each entry.
No. Deductible amounts and premium savings are insurer- and product-specific. Compare the actual quoted premium, deductible and total payable amount rather than relying on a universal percentage.
They may be covered depending on the policy's underwriting, stability clause, exclusions and medical disclosures. There is no single IRCC-wide 90- or 180-day stability rule for every policy.
Possibly, but refund rights are determined by the insurer's contract. IRCC does not guarantee a refund after refusal or early departure. Check cancellation, administrative-fee and no-claims conditions before purchasing.
2026 Insurance Metrics
Minimum Emergency Coverage$100,000 CAD
Minimum Policy Period1 year from date of entry
Payment MethodFull payment or instalments with a deposit
QuotesNot accepted as proof of insurance
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