If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with parents or grandparents in India, bringing them to Canada under the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa requires proof of private health insurance. One of the most common questions Indian-Canadian families ask is whether they can purchase Super Visa insurance from an Indian insurer - or whether they must buy it from a Canadian provider. This guide answers that question directly, explains what IRCC actually requires in 2026, and walks you through how to get the right coverage for your parents no matter where you or they are located.
Can You Buy Super Visa Insurance from India?
The short answer is: it depends on the insurer, and it is complicated. As of January 28, 2025, IRCC updated its Super Visa insurance rules to allow policies from foreign insurance companies - not just Canadian providers. However, the foreign insurer must meet strict criteria set by Canada's Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
To qualify, a foreign insurer must:
• Be authorized by OSFI under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance in Canada
• Appear on OSFI's publicly available list of federally regulated financial institutions
• Have issued the policy in the course of doing insurance business in Canada - not just through a broker or intermediary
This last requirement is the critical one. Indian insurance companies such as ICICI Lombard, Niva Bupa, Star Health, or similar domestic Indian insurers are generally not on the OSFI list because they are not registered to conduct insurance business in Canada. The OSFI list is a list of federally regulated financial institutions operating in Canada, not a list of international insurers that happen to offer policies for Canadians. To verify whether any specific foreign insurer qualifies, you can email OSFI directly at information@osfi-bsif.gc.ca with the company's name and policy details.
That being said, if you are located in India, you can absolutely buy from an insurer located in Canada.
Why Canadian Insurance Is the Safer Choice for Indian Families
For most Indian-Canadian families, buying Super Visa insurance from a Canadian broker like BestQuote is the simpler, safer, and more reliable option. Here is why:
• Certainty of IRCC compliance: All Super Visa insurance plans available through BestQuote are confirmed to meet IRCC's requirements. There is no ambiguity about whether the insurer qualifies.
•Claims handled in Canada: If your parent needs medical care in Canada, their insurer needs to coordinate coverage with Canadian hospitals, clinics, and emergency services. Canadian insurers and those operating in Canada are set up to do this efficiently.
• No exchange rate or currency risk: Premiums and claims are settled in Canadian dollars. There is no exposure to exchange rate movements or international payment complications.
• Customer service in Canada: BestQuote's advisors are available to support your family in Canada, during claims, and for policy changes - including from outside Canada if needed.
• Multilingual support: BestQuote's website is available in English, French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin. Our team can assist families communicating in these languages.
For Indian-Canadian families, the most practical approach is to purchase Super Visa insurance from a Canadian-regulated provider like BestQuote. It is straightforward, IRCC-compliant, and can be done entirely online from India - no Canadian address or credit card required.
What IRCC Requires for Super Visa Insurance (Regardless of Where You Buy)
Whether you purchase from a Canadian insurer or a foreign OSFI-approved insurer, all Super Visa insurance policies must meet the following IRCC requirements:
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
Minimum coverage | $100,000 CAD in emergency medical coverage per person - non-negotiable minimum set by IRCC |
Minimum term | Valid for at least one full year (365 days) from the date of entry into Canada |
Coverage scope | Must cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation (return of remains) |
Proof of Payment | Must be paid in full, or paid with an initial deposit for a monthly plan - a quote alone is not accepted |
Insurer eligibility | From a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer conducting insurance business in Canada |
Active on entry | Must be valid and active each time the Super Visa holder enters Canada - not just at initial entry |
Note: For the most current and authoritative version of these requirements: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/parent-grandparent-super-visa/forms-documents.html
How to Buy Canadian Super Visa Insurance from India: Step by Step Guide
Buying Super Visa insurance through BestQuote can be done entirely online from anywhere in the world, including India. You do not need to be in Canada, have a Canadian address, or use a Canadian credit card. Here is how:
1. Go to BestQuote's website (available in English, French, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and Mandarin). Navigate to the Super Visa insurance page or use the quote tool directly.
2. Enter your parent or grandparent's trip details: planned arrival date in Canada, return date (or estimated), date of birth, and select Canada as destination.
3. Select Super Visa as the insurance type. Choose Annual Payment or Monthly Payments under Category.
4. Click Get Quote. You will see all available plans ranked by price, with coverage details and deductible options shown for each.
5. Review the plans available. If your parent has pre-existing conditions, select 'All Policies' under the Pre-Existing filter to see plans that cover stable conditions. Click Info on any plan for full policy details.
6. Complete any required health information and purchase securely online. Non-Canadian credit cards are accepted.
7. Receive your policy documents by email immediately. Print or save these documents - they must be submitted with the Super Visa application and presented at the Canadian border on entry.
Super Visa Insurance for Indian Parents with Pre-Existing Conditions
Many parents and grandparents from India have managed health conditions - diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart conditions are among the most common. The good news is that several Canadian Super Visa insurance plans cover stable pre-existing conditions, provided the condition has not changed in the required stability period (typically 90–180 days) before the policy effective date.
If your parents have pre-existing conditions, it is essential to select a policy that covers them - not a standard emergency-only plan. Use the Pre-Existing filter in BestQuote's quote engine to see plans that include this coverage. If you are unsure whether a condition qualifies as stable under a specific policy's definition, call BestQuote at 1-888-888-0510 before purchasing. Our advisors review applications for free and will guide you to the right plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about our services.
Some plans allow monthly payments - please select “monthly payment” when getting a quote. Keep in mind that monthly payment plans usually include a set-up fee, while annual plans do not.
Yes, some Super Visa insurance policies cover pre-existing medical conditions, but only if the condition has been stable for a required period before travel. Stability periods vary by insurer, typically from 90 days up to 365 days, and eligibility is confirmed through medical questionnaires.
Yes, you can usually get a refund on a Super Visa policy if your parents return home early and no claims have been made. Refunds are issued on a pro-rata basis, though most insurers charge a small administration fee.
Yes, if the Super Visa application is denied, all policies will allow you to apply for a refund, as long as you provide proof of visa refusal.
The insurance company will review your request, and in most cases, the policy can be extended.