GMS super visa insurance costs about $1,602 a year at 55, $2,405 at 65 and $5,533 at 75 at $100,000 coverage, and the price is the same whether or not the parent has stable pre-existing conditions (rates seen October 2026). It qualifies for the super visa, is issued by a direct Canadian insurer, and asks no medical questions under 55. The limits are a maximum age of 79, a $5,000 repatriation cap, annual payment only, and no sales in Quebec, New Brunswick or Nunavut.
Who is GMS, and who underwrites the policy?
Group Medical Services is a Regina-based health insurer founded in Saskatchewan, with GMS Insurance Inc. as its operating company in other provinces. It underwrites the visitor plan itself, so the certificate names GMS at 2055 Albert Street, Regina as the insurer with no separate carrier.
That matters for the IRCC insurer test, which needs a Canadian insurer rather than a broker or administrator. Claims and assistance run through the GMS Travel Assistance team, 24/7, with telephone interpretation in most languages.
SuperVisaDirect does not sell this plan. It is reviewed here for comparison; the plan sold on SuperVisaDirect is TuGo’s Visitors to Canada plan, underwritten by iA Financial Group, bought in three steps on the super visa page. The 2026 comparison shows both side by side.
Which GMS plan do super visa parents need?
GMS sells one visitor plan with selectable limits; super visa applicants choose $100,000 or $150,000 and a 365-day term is pre-selected online. There are no Basic or Enhanced tiers. Stable pre-existing conditions are included at no extra premium, which is why the with and without columns match.
| Feature | GMS Visitors to Canada |
|---|---|
| Coverage options for super visa ($ CAD) | $100,000 or $150,000 |
| Term | 365 days, pre-selected |
| Maximum age | Under 80 on effective date |
| Pre-existing conditions | Covered if stable 180 days, all ages |
| Medical questions | None under 55; eligibility list from 55 |
| Deductibles per claim ($ CAD) | $0, $100, $500, $1,000 |
| Emergency dental | $2,000 injury / $300 pain |
| Repatriation (with or without attendant) | Up to $5,000, pre-approval required |
| Hospital allowance | Up to $1,000 |
| Side trips | Up to 30 days or 49% of coverage days, not to home country |
Sources: GMS super visa page, GMS brochure and PolicyAdvisor. The $150,000 ceiling is the lowest maximum among the carriers we track.
What are the stability and eligibility rules?
Every age needs 180 days of stability before the effective date: no new or changed treatment, no medication changes, no worsening symptoms, no pending tests or referrals. Under 55 there are no medical questions. From 55 the application lists disqualifying conditions, and from 70 needing help with daily living makes the parent ineligible.
| Age | Rule |
|---|---|
| Under 55 | No medical questions; 180-day stability for pre-existing cover |
| 55 to 79 | Ineligible with listed heart, vascular, lung, cancer, valve, dialysis or transplant history, or stroke/TIA, CHF, GI bleed in past 12 months |
| 70 to 79 | Also ineligible if assistance with daily living is needed |
| 80 and over | Not eligible |
Other disqualifiers at any age: currently needing treatment (routine chronic care and visa exams excepted), a prior denial of similar coverage in Canada, or more than $5,000 of medical expenses in Canada in the past 12 months. The eligibility list is strict, which is the trade-off for no questionnaire under 55. Our pre-existing conditions guide explains how to check stability with the parent’s doctor.
What does GMS cost?
GMS was the second-lowest of eight carriers at 55 and 60 in October 2026 and remained competitive at 65, but it became the second-most expensive at 70 and 75. A $100 deductible keeps the rate close to $0.
Annual premium, $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible, rates seen Oct 2026 — verify at quote time.
| Age | With stable pre-existing ($/yr) | Without pre-existing ($/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | $1,602 | $1,602 |
| 60 | $1,799 | $1,799 |
| 65 | $2,405 | $2,405 |
| 70 | $4,296 | $4,296 |
| 75 | $5,533 | $5,533 |
Sources: PolicyAdvisor and BestQuote. Compare all carriers on the cost page.
Does GMS offer monthly payments?
No. The premium is paid in full at purchase. IRCC accepts annual payment or instalments with a deposit, so GMS meets the rule, but families who need to spread $2,400 over the year should compare monthly plans from 21st Century, Secure Travel, Destination and Travelance.
What are the refund and cancellation rules?
A visa refusal is refunded in full less an administration fee on proof of the refusal letter. Cancelling before the effective date with no travel is a full refund. Partial refunds apply for early return, provincial coverage or death, each with proof and a fee. GMS does not publish the fee amount on the pages we checked.
| Situation | Refund |
|---|---|
| Cancel before effective date, no travel | Full |
| Visa refused, refusal letter supplied | Full, less administration fee |
| Never travelled, coverage started | Partial, less fee |
| Left Canada early, proof of departure | Partial from departure date, less fee |
| Provincial health coverage begins | Partial, less fee |
| Claim reported, paid or pending | None |
Source: PolicyAdvisor. Extensions need 48 hours’ notice, no treatment in the current period, total cover under 365 days and age under 80.
What are the waiting-period, repatriation and coverage-area rules?
There is no waiting period when the policy is bought before arrival or replaces another Canadian plan without a gap. Repatriation is capped at $5,000 with or without an attendant, which is far below an air ambulance to South Asia. GMS does not sell in Quebec, New Brunswick or Nunavut.
| Rule | GMS term |
|---|---|
| Waiting period, bought before arrival | None |
| Waiting period, bought within 30 days of arrival | 2 days (illness) |
| Waiting period, bought after 30 days | 7 days (illness) |
| Repatriation | Up to $5,000, pre-approved |
| Side trips | 30 days or 49% of days, start and end in Canada, not home country |
| Provinces and territories not served | Quebec, New Brunswick, Nunavut |
| Assistance penalty | Call within 24 hours or benefits drop to 70% / $50,000 |
Sources: GMS brochure and PolicyAdvisor. The $5,000 repatriation cap is the lowest among the carriers we track; Allianz and Destination pay $10,000 for remains and Travelance Premier $16,000.
What do reviews say about claims?
GMS has no reviews on Trustpilot as of October 2026, so there is no public pattern to report. PolicyAdvisor notes the plan auto-extends if the policy expires during a hospital stay, plus 72 hours after discharge. Written notice is due within 30 days and proof within 90 days.
Who is GMS best for, and what should you watch for?
GMS fits a parent under 55 with no questions to answer, or a parent 55 to 69 with stable conditions who wants a single all-in price. It is the wrong plan for parents 70 and over, for anyone likely to need repatriation, and for monthly payers.
| Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|
| Parents under 55 (no medical questions) | Maximum age 79; no renewal at 80 |
| Parents 55 to 65 with stable conditions, same price either way | Second-most expensive at 70 and 75 |
| Families buying before arrival (no waiting period) | $5,000 repatriation cap |
| Hosts who want a direct insurer on the certificate | Annual pay only; $150,000 ceiling; not in Quebec, NB, Nunavut |
GMS is not sold on SuperVisaDirect; see how it sits against the TuGo plan we sell in the 2026 comparison, or compare Secure Travel and Destination for parents over 69.
Questions people ask
Is GMS a real insurer for super visa purposes?
Yes. Group Medical Services is a Saskatchewan not-for-profit health insurer headquartered at 2055 Albert Street, Regina, and GMS Insurance Inc. is its operating company outside Saskatchewan. There is no separate underwriter, so the certificate names GMS itself, which satisfies IRCC's requirement for a Canadian insurer issuing in the course of its business.
What is the maximum age for GMS super visa insurance?
The applicant must be under 80 on the effective date, and extensions also require being under 80. A parent who turns 80 during the year keeps cover to expiry but cannot renew with GMS. Families with parents over 79 should look at TuGo Comprehensive, Secure Travel or 21st Century Basic instead.
Does GMS ask medical questions for super visa insurance?
Not under 55. From 55 the application lists disqualifying conditions such as congestive heart failure, stroke or TIA in the past 12 months, dialysis, transplant or active cancer treatment, and from 70 anyone needing help with daily living is ineligible. Pre-existing conditions are covered only if stable for 180 days at every age.
Does GMS refund the premium if the super visa is refused?
Yes, a full refund less an administration fee when you send a copy of the refusal letter. Cancelling before the effective date with no travel is a full refund. Early return, provincial coverage or death of the insured earn partial refunds with proof and a fee. No refund is available once a claim is reported, paid or pending.
What is the GMS waiting period, and how do I avoid it?
There is no waiting period for illness if the policy is bought before the parent arrives in Canada, or if it replaces another Canadian plan with no gap. Buying within 30 days of arrival imposes a 2-day wait; after 30 days, 7 days. Accidents have no waiting period. Buy before the flight.
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Sources
- GMS, Super Visa Insurance for Visitors to Canada
- GMS, Visitors to Canada brochure (April 2025)
- PolicyAdvisor, GMS Visitor to Canada Insurance Review
- PolicyAdvisor, Cheapest Super Visa Insurance in Canada (rate tables)
- BestQuote, Super Visa Insurance rates
- Trustpilot, GMS
- IRCC, Super visa: documents and insurance requirement