Why these three get mixed up constantly
"Travel insurance," "visitor insurance," and "Super Visa insurance" all sound like the same thing — coverage for someone who isn't a Canadian resident — and in a general sense they are. But each term describes a specific product with its own rules, and using the wrong one can mean a declined application, a denied claim, or coverage that doesn't actually match the situation.
Visitor to Canada insurance
Visitor insurance is the broad category: emergency medical coverage for anyone visiting Canada who isn't covered by a provincial health plan — tourists, visiting family members, international students waiting on a provincial plan, or temporary workers before their coverage kicks in. It pays for emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and often prescription drugs and repatriation, for the length of the stay. See our full Visitor to Canada Insurance guide for coverage amounts and common mistakes.
Super Visa insurance
Super Visa insurance is a specific, government-mandated type of visitor insurance required only for parents and grandparents applying for a Super Visa — the long-stay visa (up to five years per entry) that lets them visit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident child or grandchild. IRCC sets hard minimums: at least $100,000 CAD in emergency medical coverage, valid for a minimum of one year from entry, purchased from a Canadian insurance company (or one on an approved list), and proof of payment is required as part of the visa application itself. Our Super Visa insurance guide covers the full requirements and how to compare eligible insurers.
General travel insurance
Travel insurance is the broadest term, and usually describes coverage for Canadian residents travelling outside the country — the opposite direction from the other two. It can include emergency medical, trip cancellation or interruption, lost baggage, and flight delay coverage. A Canadian heading to India for a family wedding needs travel insurance; their parent coming to Canada on a Super Visa needs Super Visa insurance — same family, two completely different policies.
| Product | Who it's for | Minimum coverage | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor to Canada insurance | Anyone visiting Canada without provincial coverage | No government minimum (choose based on need) | Not legally required, but essential — OHIP and provincial plans don't cover visitors |
| Super Visa insurance | Parents/grandparents on a Super Visa specifically | $100,000 CAD, 1+ year | Yes — required by IRCC for the visa itself |
| Travel insurance | Canadian residents travelling abroad | No government minimum | Not legally required, but often required by the destination or tour operator |
Not sure which one you actually need? Tell us who's travelling and where — we'll point you to the right one.
WhatsAppCommon mistakes we see
- Buying generic visitor insurance for a Super Visa application that doesn't meet the $100,000 minimum or the one-year duration — this can get the visa application itself rejected, not just the insurance claim.
- Assuming OHIP or another provincial plan covers visiting parents. It doesn't, regardless of how long they stay or whether they're related to a citizen or permanent resident.
- Buying travel insurance (for Canadians abroad) when visitor insurance (for someone visiting Canada) is what's actually needed — these are sold by the same companies and can look identical on a quote page.
- Letting coverage lapse mid-trip to save money, not realizing a new pre-existing condition exclusion period can apply if coverage is repurchased after a gap.
Quick way to tell which one you need
If the person travelling is coming to Canada and isn't eligible for provincial health coverage, it's visitor insurance — and if they're specifically a parent or grandparent on a Super Visa, it must meet the $100,000/one-year Super Visa minimums. If the person travelling is a Canadian resident going outside Canada, it's travel insurance. The direction of travel is the fastest way to tell them apart.
