Health insurance glossary
OSFI-authorized insurer (Super Visa)
Plain-English definition
For Super Visa medical insurance, IRCC accepts a policy from a Canadian insurance company, or from an insurer outside Canada that is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance, appears on OSFI's public list and issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada. A policy from such an insurer must include a statement saying so.
By the HealthRate editorial desk
Where this applies: Super Visa medical insurance requirement (federal).
How it works
Look up the company that underwrites the policy, not the broker or agency selling it, on OSFI's public list of federally regulated financial institutions. IRCC notes that brokers and claims administrators do not appear on that list (IRCC).
Before January 28, 2025, only policies from Canadian insurance companies qualified. IRCC began accepting insurers outside Canada that meet these conditions on that date (IRCC notice, January 28, 2025).
The policy itself must still meet the other Super Visa insurance requirements, which are set out on IRCC's forms and documents page.
Why it matters
A policy from an insurer that does not meet these conditions can sink a Super Visa application, however good the coverage looks. Check the insurer before anyone pays.