If you're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and want your parents or grandparents to visit for more than a standard 6-month visitor visa allows, and if sponsoring them for permanent residence isn't the right path, the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa may be exactly what you need.
The Super Visa is a special multi-entry temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and PRs to visit Canada for up to 5 years per entry, with the visa itself valid for up to 10 years. It's the most flexible and long-term visitor option for family reunification short of permanent residence.
This guide explains who qualifies, what's required of the inviting child or grandchild, the insurance requirement, and how the Super Visa compares to regular sponsorship.
What Is the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa?
The Super Visa was introduced by IRCC specifically to give Canadian citizens and permanent residents an alternative to the lengthy Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) program, which is capped in intake each year and involves a multi-year wait.
Key features:
- Valid for up to 10 years (or until the holder's passport expires)
- Allows stays of up to 5 years per entry (this was increased from 2 years in 2022)
- Multi-entry, parents/grandparents can travel back and forth between Canada and their home country
- The holder can remain in Canada for extended periods while still returning home to visit
Who it's for: Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to spend significant time in Canada but are not seeking permanent residence.
Who Qualifies to Apply?
The Principal Applicant (Parent/Grandparent)
The person applying for the Super Visa must be:
- A parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Eligible as a temporary resident of Canada (not otherwise inadmissible)
- Not residing permanently in Canada at the time of application
Stepparents, adoptive parents, and in some cases parents-in-law may also qualify, confirm the specific relationship requirements with IRCC for your situation.
The Inviting Child/Grandchild (the "Inviter")
The Canadian citizen or PR who is inviting their parent/grandparent must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) threshold
- Provide a signed letter of invitation
Income Requirement: The Inviter's Minimum Necessary Income
This is the most commonly misunderstood requirement. The Canadian citizen or PR who is inviting their parent or grandparent must demonstrate income at or above the low-income cut-off (minimum income threshold) + 30% for their family size.
Why 30% above minimum income threshold: IRCC uses an enhanced income threshold for Super Visa (higher than the standard minimum income threshold) to ensure the inviting family can financially support the visitor during their stay.
Current minimum income threshold plus 30% thresholds (approximate, verify current amounts at IRCC):
| Family Size | Minimum Annual Income Required |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | ~$36,000 CAD |
| 3 persons | ~$45,000 CAD |
| 4 persons | ~$55,000 CAD |
| 5 persons | ~$63,000 CAD |
| 6 persons | ~$71,000 CAD |
| 7 persons | ~$79,000 CAD |
| Each additional | ~$8,000 CAD |
Important: The "family size" for income calculation includes the inviting person, their spouse/partner, dependent children, and the parent(s)/grandparent(s) being invited. If both parents are being invited, they count toward the family size.
Documents to prove income:
- Most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA
- T4 slips
- Letters from employers
- Pay stubs (for recent income not yet reflected in NOA)
- For self-employed: CRA tax assessment, financial statements
The Insurance Requirement
This is non-negotiable and one of the Super Visa's defining features. The parent or grandparent must have:
- Valid Canadian health insurance from a Canadian insurance company
- Coverage of at least $100,000 CAD
- Valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
- Coverage for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
Why this matters: Parents and grandparents are visiting, not residents, so they don't have provincial health coverage. The insurance requirement protects the Canadian healthcare system and ensures the visitor can receive care without cost to public programs.
Key things to check:
- Coverage amount (minimum $100,000)
- Does it cover pre-existing conditions? Many plans exclude them or have waiting periods, read the fine print carefully
- Is it renewable? If the parent plans to stay for multiple years, understand the renewal process
- Which Canadian company is underwriting it? IRCC accepts policies from Canadian-licensed insurers only, international policies are not accepted
Popular providers of Super Visa insurance: Manulife, Sun Life, Allianz, Tugo, Guard.me, Destination.
Cost: Varies significantly by age, coverage level, and pre-existing condition coverage. Expect $1,500–$4,000+ CAD per year for a parent in their 60s-70s. Higher for older parents or those with significant health history.
The Invitation Letter: What It Must Include
The inviting Canadian citizen or PR must write and sign a letter of invitation. The letter is not a form, it's a personal letter that must include:
- Your full name and status in Canada (citizen or PR, including your PR card number or citizenship certificate number)
- Your full address and contact information
- A list of your dependents (people living with you)
- Your relationship to the parent/grandparent applying
- The reason for the visit and how long they plan to stay
- A statement that you will financially support the visitor and are responsible for their costs
- Your signature and date
Include your NOA or proof of income with the letter.
Additional Required Documents
The applicant (parent/grandparent) must also provide:
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay |
| Proof of relationship | Birth certificate showing you are the parent of the inviting person |
| Proof of inviter's Canadian status | Copy of inviter's PR card or Canadian passport |
| Proof of inviter's income | NOA or equivalent |
| Proof of medical insurance | Policy documents showing coverage of $100K+, 1 year, from a Canadian insurer |
| Proof of ties to home country | Evidence you will return, property, employment, family, financial ties |
| Photographs | Per IRCC specifications |
| Application forms | IMM 5257 (visitor visa application) and IMM 5257E (if applicable) |
| Biometrics | Required for most nationalities |
Super Visa vs. Regular Visitor Visa: What's the Difference?
| Factor | Regular Visitor Visa | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum stay per entry | 6 months | 5 years |
| Visa validity | Typically up to 10 years | Up to 10 years |
| Insurance required | No (but recommended) | Yes, minimum $100K from a Canadian insurer |
| Income requirement for inviter | No | Yes. minimum income threshold plus 30% |
| Who can apply | Anyone eligible | Only parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens/PRs |
| Processing time | Standard | Super Visa may take 30+ days, plan ahead |
Super Visa vs. Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP): Which Is Right for Your Family?
If your parents want to live in Canada permanently, sponsorship (PGP) is the right path. PGP makes them permanent residents with full access to provincial health insurance, provincial benefits, and the eventual ability to apply for citizenship.
The tradeoff: PGP has very limited annual intake (IRCC releases applications in batches, sometimes 10,000-15,000 per year), so acceptance is not guaranteed and waiting periods can be 3-5+ years from the time the program opens.
The Super Visa is for families where:
- Parents/grandparents have lives and assets at home and don't want to immigrate permanently
- The family wants flexibility, extended visits, not permanent relocation
- Permanent sponsorship isn't appropriate due to health inadmissibility, age, or preference
- You want a solution now rather than waiting for PGP lottery/availability
Many families do both: use the Super Visa for long visits now while pursuing PGP sponsorship for the long term.
Extending the Stay or Changing Status
If the parent/grandparent is in Canada on a Super Visa and wants to stay beyond the authorized period, they must apply for an extension of authorized stay before the current period expires.
While in Canada, they can also apply to change to a different temporary status (e.g., student permit for language school), but they cannot apply for permanent residence from within Canada through most immigration pathways (as a parent/grandparent without an active sponsorship).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parent work in Canada on a Super Visa? No. A Super Visa authorizes a visit, it does not include work authorization. If your parent wants to work in Canada, they need a work permit, which is a separate application.
My parent has a pre-existing condition. Can they still get Super Visa insurance? Insurance for people with pre-existing conditions is available but costs more and may have waiting periods or exclusions. Some policies will cover stable pre-existing conditions after a waiting period (60 or 90 days). Read the policy carefully before purchasing.
What if my parent is already in Canada as a visitor and wants to get a Super Visa? They would need to apply for the Super Visa while outside Canada, or apply for a Super Visa from within Canada (possible but more limited). Generally, it's cleaner to apply from outside Canada.
Can both my parents apply for Super Visas at the same time? Yes, each parent applies separately but they can submit at the same time and include the same invitation letter and income documentation.
Does the inviting child need to live in Canada for the parent's visit? Yes. The inviter must be residing in Canada as a citizen or PR, not just hold status while living abroad.
Conclusion
The Super Visa is one of the most practical tools for keeping families connected across borders. It fills the gap between a short 6-month visitor stay and the permanent immigration pathway, giving parents and grandparents the flexibility to spend months at a time in Canada without disrupting their lives at home.
The key requirements, income threshold, Canadian medical insurance, and a signed invitation letter, are manageable with proper planning. Purchasing the insurance before applying (policies are typically purchased and then submitted with the application) is the step most people underestimate in terms of cost and complexity, especially for parents with health history.
If you're planning to invite your parents or grandparents and want to ensure your income documentation is complete and your letter of invitation covers everything IRCC is looking for, an immigration consultant can review the package before submission.
Book a consultation with Up Immigration →
Information current as of 2026. Super Visa requirements, income thresholds, and insurance requirements change. Verify current amounts at ircc.canada.ca. This article does not constitute legal advice.
Reviewer Fact-Check Checklist
Before publishing, verify:
- Maximum stay per entry, confirm still 5 years (was increased from 2 years in 2022)
- Insurance minimum, confirm still $100,000 CAD from a Canadian insurer
- Income thresholds (minimum income threshold plus 30%), verify current amounts on IRCC website
- PGP annual intake numbers, don't include specific numbers as they change yearly
- Whether stepparents/parents-in-law officially qualify, verify current IRCC guidance
- Insurance companies list, confirm those named still offer Super Visa plans
- Visa application form numbers (IMM 5257), confirm current form numbers
