Mississauga Office
3715 Laird Rd, Unit 4,
Mississauga, ON L5L 0A3
3715 Laird Rd, Unit 4,
Mississauga, ON L5L 0A3
Mississauga Office: 3715 Laird Rd, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5L 0A3
- 3715 Laird Rd, Unit 4, Mississauga, ON L5L 0A3
Super Visa Canada for Parents and Grandparents
Guidance for parent and grandparent Super Visa files: host documents, income support, insurance and stay planning.
A Super Visa lets eligible parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian visit Canada for long stays. It is a visitor option, not permanent residence and not sponsorship. This page explains who qualifies, what the host must show, the income and insurance rules, how long your parents or grandparents can stay, and how a Super Visa compares to the Parents and Grandparents Program.
2026 update. IRCC changed how Super Visa income eligibility is assessed. Families should confirm the current income method, family-size calculation, and insurance requirements before applying.
Want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada on a Super Visa? Book a paid consultation for an eligibility and document review, or start with a Super Visa assessment if you are not sure where you stand.
Book a Super Visa ConsultationStart a Super Visa AssessmentOn this page
What is a Super Visa?
A Super Visa is a long-stay visitor visa for parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. It allows approved applicants to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time. It is visitor status. It is not permanent residence and it is not a sponsorship program. Families often use a Super Visa to spend extended time together, especially when the Parents and Grandparents Program is closed.
Super Visa is visitor status, not permanent residence. It does not by itself lead to PR.
Super Visa vs visitor visa
Both are visitor options, but they are used differently. IRCC notes that if you do not meet the Super Visa requirements, or you only want to stay 6 months or less, a regular visitor visa may fit better.
| Feature | Super Visa | Visitor visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Parents and grandparents of an eligible host | Most visitors |
| Length of stay | Up to 5 years per entry | Usually up to 6 months per entry |
| Host income requirement | Yes | Not required |
| Medical insurance | Required under Super Visa rules | Not a standard visitor visa requirement, but travel insurance may still be practical |
| Immigration medical exam | Yes | Sometimes, depending on the case |
Super Visa vs Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP)
A Super Visa is a visitor option. The Parents and Grandparents Program leads to permanent residence but runs on an intake and invitation basis and is not always open.
PGP status. As of June 26, 2026, IRCC has not opened a 2026 PGP interest-to-sponsor intake, and the 2025 intake closed on October 9, 2025. PGP is intake-based and may be closed, so check the current status before relying on it. For the latest PGP details, see our Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship page.
| Point | Super Visa | PGP |
|---|---|---|
| Status granted | Long-stay visitor | Permanent residence |
| Availability | Open to eligible applicants | Intake and invitation based |
| Stay | Up to 5 years per entry | Permanent, once PR is granted |
| Best when | You need family here now | Permanent residence is the goal |
Some families use both strategies: a Super Visa for visits now, and PGP later if an intake opens and they are invited. A Super Visa does not change or improve PGP selection.
Who can apply for a Super Visa?
Parents and grandparents of an eligible host can apply. The applicant must apply from outside Canada, be admissible to Canada, show valid private medical insurance, complete an immigration medical exam, and satisfy IRCC that the visit is genuine and temporary.
Who can be the host (child or grandchild)?
The host is the applicant’s child or grandchild in Canada. The host must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, be at least 18, live in Canada, meet the income requirement, and sign a letter of invitation.
| Applicant (parent or grandparent) | Host (child or grandchild) |
|---|---|
| Apply from outside Canada | Canadian citizen, PR, or registered Indian |
| Be admissible to Canada | At least 18 and living in Canada |
| Private medical insurance valid at least 1 year | Meets the income requirement |
| Immigration medical exam | Signs a letter of invitation |
| Genuine, temporary visit | Proves the parent or grandparent relationship |
Super Visa requirements
In short, a complete Super Visa application brings together an eligible host, proof of the host relationship and income, a signed letter of invitation, valid private medical insurance for the applicant, a completed immigration medical exam, and evidence that the visit is genuine and temporary. Missing or weak pieces are the most common cause of delay or refusal.
Host income and financial support
The host must show that there is enough financial support for the parent or grandparent during the stay in Canada. IRCC uses a minimum necessary income based on family size, and the way income is proven was updated in 2026. There are now two accepted ways to meet it.
Option 1: the host (including an eligible co-signer’s income, if there is one) meets or exceeds the required amount in either of the two tax years before the application is submitted.
Option 2: the host (including a co-signer, if applicable) earned at least 75% of the required amount in the year before the application, and the visiting parent or grandparent adds their own income to cover the rest, so the combined total meets the requirement. In that case, the applicant must show they will keep earning income while in Canada.
Only the host’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign, and they must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. Family size, dependent children, past sponsorships, and active Super Visa invitations all affect the calculation, so the income review should not be guessed. We confirm the current family-size count and the right proof-of-income method for your situation.
Super Visa income rules changed in 2026. Do not rely on an old income checklist. Confirm the current family-size calculation and proof-of-income method before applying.
Medical insurance requirement
The applicant must show proof of private health insurance that is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry. IRCC requires the policy to cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation, and to provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage. The policy must be paid, in full or by instalments, because a quote is not accepted.
The policy can be from a Canadian insurance company, or from a foreign insurance company that meets IRCC’s current requirements. Because the insurance rules were updated, the policy should be checked carefully before submission. See the official IRCC insurance details in the links below.
Medical exam and admissibility
The applicant must take an immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician and be admissible to Canada. IRCC also considers general visitor conditions, including ties to the home country, the purpose of the visit, family and finances, and whether the applicant is a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of the stay.
How long can parents or grandparents stay?
A Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry.
Extensions from inside Canada
Parents and grandparents visiting on a Super Visa may apply for 2-year extensions to their stay from inside Canada. Confirm the current rule before relying on it.
Common reasons Super Visa applications run into problems
Applications can be delayed or refused for reasons such as host income that does not meet the requirement, insurance that does not meet the minimum coverage or duration, weak proof of the host relationship, gaps in the invitation letter, a missed or incomplete medical exam, or concerns about whether the visit is genuine and temporary. These are common examples, not a diagnosis of your case. If your parents or grandparents have had a visitor refusal before, the next application should be prepared carefully.
How MAK helps with Super Visa applications
MAK Canadian Immigration is led by licensed RCICs. We confirm host eligibility and the right income option, review the insurance and medical requirements, help assemble a complete and well-documented application, and advise on stay strategy and prior refusals. We do not promise outcomes, because no one can, but we help you submit the strongest, most accurate application for your facts.
Official IRCC links
- Super visa for parents and grandparents (overview)
- Super visa: who can apply
- Super visa: forms and documents
- Super visa: proof of financial support (host income)
- Sponsor your parents and grandparents (PGP status)
Frequently asked questions
What is a Super Visa?
A Super Visa is a long-stay visitor visa for parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. It is visitor status, not permanent residence and not sponsorship.
Who can apply?
Parents and grandparents of an eligible host. The host must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, at least 18, living in Canada, meeting the income requirement, and providing a signed letter of invitation. The applicant must apply from outside Canada, be admissible, show valid private medical insurance, and complete an immigration medical exam.
How long can my parents stay?
A Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry.
Is a Super Visa permanent residence?
No. It is a long-stay visitor option. It is not permanent residence and not sponsorship.
How is a Super Visa different from PGP?
PGP leads to permanent residence but runs on an intake and invitation basis and is not always open. A Super Visa is a visitor option that does not depend on a PGP intake. Many families use a Super Visa when PGP is closed.
Does the host need to meet income requirements?
Yes. The host must meet IRCC’s income requirement for the family size, but the proof method changed in 2026. In some cases, the host and any eligible co-signer may qualify using income from either of the 2 tax years before the application. In some cases, the parent or grandparent’s income may also help cover the remaining amount if IRCC’s conditions are met. We confirm the current rule and family-size calculation before advising.
Is medical insurance required?
Yes. The applicant must show proof of private health insurance valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry. The policy must meet IRCC’s current Super Visa insurance rules, including coverage for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation, and at least $100,000 in emergency coverage.
Can a previous visitor visa refusal affect a Super Visa?
A past refusal does not automatically block a Super Visa, but it means the next application should address the earlier concerns carefully. We can help review what went wrong.
Can my parents extend their stay?
Parents and grandparents on a Super Visa may apply for 2-year extensions from inside Canada. Confirm the current rule before relying on it.
Should I apply for a Super Visa or wait for PGP?
It depends on your goal and timing. If you need your parents in Canada now and PGP is closed, a Super Visa can help. If permanent residence is the goal, you may also prepare for a future PGP intake. We can help you weigh both.
Talk to a licensed RCIC about a Super Visa
Help your parents or grandparents visit Canada with confidence. Book a Super Visa consultation with a licensed RCIC at MAK Canadian Immigration, or start a Super Visa assessment, and we will help you find the right path for your family.
