Canada Super Visa: The Complete Guide for Parents and Grandparents

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants your parents or grandparents to visit for an extended stay, the Canada Super Visa is likely the pathway you’ve come across. It’s one of the most practical ways to reunite with family in Canada, especially with the permanent Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) facing limited and irregular intake windows.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Super Visa in 2026: eligibility, the income requirement your family needs to meet, the mandatory insurance rules, costs, documents, and the full application process.

What Is a Canada Super Visa?

A Super Visa is a special multiple-entry visitor visa designed specifically for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents (including those registered under the Canadian Indian Act). Unlike a standard visitor visa, which typically allows stays of up to six months at a time, the Super Visa allows eligible applicants to remain in Canada for up to five years per entry, with the option to apply for a two-year extension while inside the country.

The visa itself remains valid for multiple entries over a period of up to ten years, or until the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. It’s important to understand that the Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence. It’s a long-stay visitor status, not an immigration pathway, and it doesn’t place anyone in a queue for the PGP sponsorship program.

Super Visa vs. Regular Visitor Visa vs. PGP: What’s the Difference?

These three routes get confused often, so here’s a quick comparison:

Because the PGP sponsorship program has faced highly restricted intake in recent years, the Super Visa has become the primary practical option for many families wanting extended time together in Canada.

Canada Super Visa Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Super Visa, both the visiting applicant and their Canadian host need to meet specific conditions.

1. Relationship Requirement

The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of the Canadian host, who must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Canadian Indian Act.

2. Letter of Invitation

The Canadian host must provide a letter of invitation, which includes a commitment of financial support for the visiting parent or grandparent and a list of everyone living in the host’s household.

3. Minimum Income Requirement (LICO)

The Canadian host must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), also referred to as the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), based on their household size. This threshold is reviewed and updated periodically by IRCC. Since March 31, 2026, hosts have more flexibility in proving this income: they can show the full required amount from either of the two most recent tax years, or show at least 75% of it from the most recent year and count the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s own income toward the remaining balance. Income is typically documented using a Notice of Assessment, T4 slips, or an employment letter.

4. Mandatory Private Medical Insurance

The visiting applicant must purchase private medical insurance that:

• Provides at least CAD $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
• Is valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada
• Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
• Is prepaid before the application is submitted

As of January 28, 2025, this insurance no longer has to come exclusively from a Canadian company. It can also be purchased from a foreign insurer, provided that insurer is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance, appears on the OSFI registry, and issues the policy through its Canadian insurance business.

5. Admissibility and Medical Exam

The applicant must be admissible to Canada, meaning no criminal record or health condition that would pose a risk. A medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician is required as part of the process.

6. Ties to Home Country

As with a standard visitor visa, applicants must demonstrate sufficient ties to their home country to support the case that their visit is temporary in nature, even though the permitted stay itself can run for years at a time.

Documents Required for a Canada Super Visa

Prepare the following before applying:

• Valid passport
• Completed and signed Super Visa application forms
• Letter of invitation from the Canadian host, including proof of relationship
• Proof that the host meets the LICO/MNI income requirement (Notice of Assessment, T4s, or employment letter)
• Proof of private medical insurance meeting the $100,000 coverage and one-year validity requirements
• Medical exam results from an IRCC-approved panel physician
• Proof of ties to the home country
• Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
• Any additional documents requested based on the applicant’s specific circumstances

Canada Super Visa Fees

These figures reflect IRCC’s government fee schedule. Insurance and medical exam costs are paid to third-party providers and vary considerably depending on the applicant’s age, health, and chosen coverage length, so it’s worth comparing several insurers before committing to a policy. Applicants aged 14 to 79 are generally required to give biometrics, which remain valid for ten years and don’t need to be repeated for future temporary visa applications within that window.

How to Apply for a Canada Super Visa: Step-by-Step

1. Confirm eligibility for both the visiting parent or grandparent and the Canadian host.
2. Gather proof that the host meets the income (LICO/MNI) requirement, using recent tax documents.
3. Purchase private medical insurance meeting the $100,000 minimum coverage and one-year validity rules, and prepay the policy.
4. Prepare the letter of invitation from the Canadian host, along with proof of the relationship.
5. Complete the application forms and gather all supporting documents.
6. Submit the application and pay the government fees, including the $100 application fee.
7. Give biometrics, if required, at a designated Visa Application Centre.
8. Complete a medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
9. Wait for a decision. Processing times vary by country of application, though many applications are typically decided within a few months.
10. Receive your letter of introduction and travel to Canada, where your Super Visa status is confirmed at the border.

Benefits of the Canada Super Visa

The Super Visa offers several advantages that make it especially valuable for families:

• Extended stays of up to five years per entry, far beyond the six-month limit of a standard visitor visa
• Multiple entries over up to ten years, allowing repeated visits without reapplying for each trip
• No sponsorship queue, since it doesn’t rely on the limited and irregular PGP intake windows
• Flexibility to request a two-year extension while already in Canada, without needing to leave and reapply
• A practical bridge option for families waiting for a future PGP intake to reopen
• Meaningful family time, allowing parents and grandparents to be present for milestones like the birth of a grandchild, holidays, or extended caregiving periods

Common Reasons Super Visa Applications Are Refused

Being aware of frequent mistakes can help avoid unnecessary delays or refusals:

• Miscalculating household size when proving the host’s income against the LICO threshold, which is one of the most common errors applicants make
• Insufficient or improperly documented insurance, such as a policy that doesn’t clearly show the full one-year coverage period or the $100,000 minimum
• Weak or missing ties to the home country, leaving doubts about the temporary nature of the visit
• Incomplete or inconsistent documentation across the application forms, invitation letter, and financial proof
• Undisclosed medical conditions on the insurance application, which can also affect claims later if discovered

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long can I stay in Canada with a Super Visa?

A Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry, with the option to apply for a two-year extension from within Canada. The visa itself remains valid for multiple entries over a period of up to ten years, or until the applicant’s passport expires.

Does the Super Visa lead to permanent residency?

No. The Super Visa is a long-stay visitor status, not an immigration pathway. It does not lead to permanent residence and does not place the applicant in a queue for the Parents and Grandparents Program.

How much does a Canada Super Visa cost?

The government application fee is $100 CAD per applicant, plus an $85 CAD biometrics fee per person, capped at $170 CAD for two or more applicants applying together. Applicants also need to budget separately for private medical insurance and a medical exam, both of which are paid to third-party providers.

What income does my child or grandchild need to sponsor me for a Super Visa?

The Canadian host must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), also called the Minimum Necessary Income, based on their household size. Since March 31, 2026, hosts can prove this using either of the two most recent tax years, or by combining at least 75% of the required amount from their most recent year with the visiting applicant’s own income.

What insurance do I need for a Canada Super Visa?

You need private medical insurance providing at least CAD $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, valid for at least one year from your date of entry, and covering health care, hospitalization, and repatriation. The policy must be prepaid, and since January 2025, it can be purchased from a Canadian insurer or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI.

Can I use insurance from outside Canada for a Super Visa?

Yes, as of January 28, 2025. The insurer must be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance, appear on the OSFI registry, and issue the policy through its Canadian insurance business.

Is the Super Visa the same as the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)?

No. The PGP is a sponsorship stream that leads to permanent residence but has faced highly limited and irregular intake in recent years. The Super Visa is a long-stay visitor visa that doesn’t lead to PR but is available year-round and typically processes faster, making it a practical option while families wait for PGP intake to reopen.

Can I bring dependents with me on a Super Visa application?

No. Dependents cannot be included in a Super Visa application. If you want to stay in Canada for six months or less, you would instead apply for a regular visitor visa, which follows different rules.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Canada’s immigration rules, income thresholds, insurance requirements, and fees are updated periodically by IRCC, so always verify the latest details on the official canada.ca website before submitting your application.