Super Visa Approved — Now What?
Super Visa Approved — Now What?
Getting the approval letter is a huge milestone, but there are still a few things to get right before your parents board their flight and after they land. Here's the complete post-approval checklist.
✓ Quick Answer
- Before travel: confirm the insurance policy dates line up with the actual travel dates, and print (don't just save on a phone) the insurance certificate and the approval letter
- At the border: the officer can ask to see proof of insurance again, even though it was already reviewed during the application — have it ready
- After landing: your parents do not get provincial health coverage, so the private insurance is their only medical safety net for the length of the stay
A Super Visa approval means IRCC has confirmed your parent or grandparent meets the income, relationship, and insurance requirements — but approval is not the end of the process. A few practical steps between approval and departure, and a few things to know once they're in Canada, make the difference between a smooth stay and unnecessary stress.
Before They Fly: The Pre-Departure Checklist
- Double-check the insurance start date. The policy needs to be active from the day of entry into Canada, not the day it was purchased — confirm the effective date matches the actual flight date, especially if the trip got rescheduled after the insurance was bought.
- Print physical copies. Print the visa approval letter, the passport bio page, and the insurance certificate. Airport and border wifi is not guaranteed, and a border officer may prefer a paper copy.
- Confirm the coverage amount is still $100,000 CAD or more. If the policy was purchased months before travel, verify it wasn't downgraded or altered.
- Set a renewal reminder. Mark the policy's expiry date now, 60 days out, so renewal isn't a scramble later in the stay.
What Happens at the Port of Entry
Even with an approved visa, entry into Canada is decided by a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at the port of entry, not automatically granted by the visa itself. The officer typically reviews the passport, the visa, and may ask about the purpose and length of the visit. Having the insurance certificate on hand — even though it was already assessed during the application — avoids any delay if it's requested again.
Once They're in Canada: What's Different From a Regular Visitor
🏥 No provincial health coverage
Super Visa holders are visitors, not residents — they are not eligible for provincial health insurance (like OHIP or MSP), which is exactly why the private insurance requirement exists.
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📅 Up to 5 years per visit
Current Super Visas allow stays of up to five years at a time without needing to renew visitor status, though the insurance itself still needs annual renewal in most cases.
✈️ Multiple entries allowed
The visa is typically valid for multiple entries over up to 10 years, so your parent can travel home and back without reapplying for a new visa each time.
🪪 No SIN or health card
Super Visa holders don't receive a Social Insurance Number or provincial health card — they remain covered exclusively through the private insurance policy.
Keep the Documentation Organized for the Whole Stay
Keep a folder — physical or digital — with the visa approval letter, passport copies, insurance certificate and renewal history, and proof of the sponsor's income used in the original application. If your parent ever needs to demonstrate continuous insurance coverage, extend their visitor status, or re-enter Canada after a trip home, having this organized in one place saves significant time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my parent need to carry the insurance certificate at all times during the stay?
It's not legally required to carry it at all times, but it's strongly recommended to keep a copy accessible in case of a medical emergency, since hospitals will ask for proof of coverage before non-emergency treatment.
Can my parent work or study while on a Super Visa?
No — a Super Visa is strictly a visitor visa. It doesn't authorize work or study in Canada.
What if my parent wants to leave and re-enter Canada during the 5-year stay?
As long as the Super Visa is still valid and insurance remains active, they can travel outside Canada and re-enter without a new visa application, subject to the border officer's review at each entry.
Do I need to notify IRCC when the insurance is renewed?
No — IRCC doesn't need to be notified of routine renewals. Just keep proof of continuous coverage in case it's requested at a future border crossing or status extension.
Get the First Year's Coverage Sorted
Compare OSFI-approved Super Visa insurance plans before your parents' departure date.
Compare Quotes →See also our guides on renewing insurance mid-stay and Super Visa insurance requirements.
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