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The Ins and Outs of the Canadian Super Visa and Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance

About the Canadian Super Visa

What is a super visa?
The super visa, introduced in December 2011, allows parents and grandparents of Canadian Citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents to enter Canada for up to two years at a time (without having to renew their status). The super visa is a multiple entry visa and is valid for up to 10 years. Since the introduction of this new initiative, it has gained great momentum with over 17,000 applications processed each year.

How does the parent and grandparent super visa differ from a visitor visa?
With a regular visitor visa, the visitor must apply for a visa each time they plan to travel to Canada. In most circumstances, the visitor visa is valid for up to six months. For trips longer than 6 months, the visitor must apply (and pay) for a visa extension. Even travellers from visa-exempt countries are limited to visiting Canada for only six months before they are required to apply to extend their stay as a visitor in Canada.

A super visa saves visitors time and money that would otherwise be spent on applying for visas and extensions. Super visa holders and their families benefit from travel flexibility giving them the opportunity to travel to Canada on short notice to attend family events or assist during emergencies as required, for example.

What resources are available to applicants during the super visa application process?
Information about the super visa application process, processing times, and other relevant resources are available on the Government of Canada’s website.

Immigration and citizenship representatives, while not required, can help advise applicants throughout the super visa application process. Contact a representative in your area to find more information about the services they offer.

What steps are involved in applying for a super visa?
In addition to being a parent or grandparent of a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident, there are several other criteria you must meet in order to qualify for a super visa. To be eligible for the super visa, as per the Canadian government, applicants must satisfy several requirements including the following:

• provide proof that your child/grandchild in Canada meets minimum income thresholds
• provide a written statement from your Canadian child/grandchild indicating that they are willing to provide you financial support during your stay
• undergo a medical examination by a Canadian approved doctor
• have Canadian emergency medical insurance with at least $100,000 of coverage for at least one year
• Meet any other requirements as per the IRCC

What are the insurance requirements for the super visa application?
Super visa applicants must provide proof of Canadian medical insurance, that:

• Is valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry into Canada;
• Provides a minimum of $100,000 coverage; and
• Covers healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation

Coverage must be purchased, according to Canadian Government requirements, for each entry into Canada.

Health Care for Visitors to Canada
Canadian citizens are fortunate to have a provincial health care system that covers them when an unexpected accident, sickness or injury occurs. However, if you’re visiting the country, Canada’s health care system does not provide free medical coverage for non-citizens.

Are your parents or grandparents planning to apply for the super visa for an extended stay? Then super visa insurance policies are designed for them! A super visa policy is a type of visitor to Canada policy and provides the coverage required under super visa rules. Super visa applicants are required to have travel health insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year, and a minimum sum insured of $100,000. Super visa policies are required to provide coverage for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation and be valid for every entry into Canada.

Benefits of Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance
No one expects to have an accident or get sick while travelling. Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance (super visa insurance) offer benefits for losses arising from sudden and unforeseen circumstances. With the high cost of medical services in Canada, a serious illness or accident could pose a financial crisis to the family.

Example Medical Costs in Canada

• A 70 year old visiting Toronto was diagnosed with pancreatitis and gallstones.
  Emergency treatment was required.
  Approximate cost: $25,000
• A 75 year old visiting British Columbia came down with pneumonia and was hospitalized.
  Approximate cost: $27,000

Emergency Medical Insurance for Visitors to Canada

Things to Consider When Purchasing Emergency Medical Insurance for Visitors to Canada
When shopping around for a plan to fit your needs, pay attention to the policy wording and confirmation of coverage – any other marketing materials are extra tools and do not make up part of the insurance contract.

Many marketing materials will be available to you through your licensed insurance broker. There may be comparison charts, brochures, videos, and more, in addition to the policy wording that describes your policy in depth. Make sure you read your policy wording and review your confirmation of coverage – it is these two pieces that form the insurance contract. Your broker may use other tools to help you compare products or understand policies, however those are extras.

Don’t believe that there are not enough options available, or that they are all overpriced! A skilled insurance broker stays on top of the travel insurance market and knows where to find the best products, at the best prices. They can also break down the benefits a plan offers and explain how these benefits may help offset expensive emergency scenarios.

Discuss your budget and your medical concerns honestly with your broker – they are there to help and will be able to show you a variety of plans. Don’t trust the misconception that all Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance Plans are pricey or only offer certain benefits.

Plan Options by Travelance
Travelance offers two competitive options for emergency health insurance for the super visa (and visitors to Canada) through the Essential and Premier plans. Both plans are super visa eligible when purchased according to Canadian government requirements.

Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance Essential Plan
A cost effective plan providing essential benefits for those in good health.

• Emergency medical up to the plan limit purchased
• Emergency prescription medications: 30 day supply, up to $1,000 per occurrence
• Emergency dental
  • Injury up to $2,000
  • Non-injury pain up to $300
• One follow up visit, up to $1,000
• Repatriation of remains up to $10,000
• Cremation/Burial at destination up to $5,000
• Coverage for side-trips
• Sum insured options: $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 & $150,000*
• $0 base deductible
  • 5 additional deductibles available to reduce the premium
  • Deductibles are paid per claim

Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance Premier Plan
Our most comprehensive and recommended VTC plan with additional and upgraded benefits, as well as some coverage for pre-existing conditions. In addition to the Essential plan, the Premier plan provides:

• Accidental death & dismemberment up to $100,000
• Emergency prescription medications: 30 day supply, up to $10,000 per occurrence
• Emergency dental
  • Injury up to $4,000
  • Non-injury pain up to $500
• Repatriation of remains up to $16,000
• Cremation/Burial at destination up to $6,000
• Three follow-up visits, up to $3,000
• First $1,000 of any deductible is waived if policyholder is hospitalized for more than 72 consecutive hours

View a comparison of our plans here.

Would you like more information or to obtain a quote?
To learn more about our Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance Plans, visit our website.

• Call 1-855-566-8555 to speak with an experienced licensed representative
• Quote and purchase online
• Visit our website and chat with us using the live chat

For more information on applying for a super visa visit: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/supervisa-how.asp.

*$150,000 sum insured available up to the age of 69

This blog is intended as an overview. For further information and clarification on the super visa application process, please contact the Government of Canada or visit their website. Please review the Travelance Visitors to Canada Emergency Medical Insurance (VTC) policy wordings for complete details of the benefits, exclusions, conditions and limitations.