The Canadian Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Unlike a standard visitor visa, which typically allows stays of up to six months, the Super Visa permits the holder to remain in Canada for up to five years per entry without needing to renew their status. The visa itself is valid for up to ten years, allowing multiple visits throughout that period — making it the most flexible long-term visiting option currently available to parents and grandparents.

The Super Visa has taken on renewed importance in 2026 because the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — the permanent residency pathway for parents and grandparents — did not open for new applications in 2026. When PGP is unavailable or subject to long multi-year waits, the Super Visa is the primary legal mechanism allowing Canadian families to live together in Canada for extended periods. It does not confer permanent residency, but it gives families meaningful time together while long-term immigration options are pursued.

Eligibility Requirements

• For parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• Valid for up to 10 years (multiple entry); allows stays of up to 5 years per visit (as of 2023 update)
• Child/grandchild must meet minimum income requirement (same as PGP: LICO + 30%)
• Applicant must have Canadian private health insurance covering at least $100,000 for at least 1 year
• Must have a written commitment from child/grandchild to provide financial support
• PGP is not open in 2026 — Super Visa is the primary option for parents/grandparents

Eligibility Requirements in Depth

Super Visa eligibility has two distinct sides: the applicant (the parent or grandparent abroad) and the Canadian sponsor (the child or grandchild in Canada). Both must meet specific thresholds.

For the parent or grandparent applying: They must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. They must be otherwise admissible to Canada — no criminal inadmissibility, no serious medical conditions that would be deemed a burden on the health care system, and a genuine intent to leave Canada at the end of their authorised stay. A medical examination is required and must be performed by a panel physician approved by IRCC. Biometrics ($85 CAD) are required if not previously collected in the past ten years.

For the Canadian child or grandchild sponsoring the visit: They must demonstrate financial capacity at or above 30% more than the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size, including the visiting parent or grandparent. LICO thresholds are updated annually by Statistics Canada. The sponsor must provide a formal written commitment to financially support the parent or grandparent during their time in Canada. Proof of income is provided through Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency, employment letters, and T4s.

Health insurance: The applicant must have Canadian private health insurance from a Canadian insurance company, providing a minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage. The policy must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, must be valid in Canada, and proof of the policy must be submitted with the Super Visa application. This is a firm requirement — IRCC will not approve a Super Visa without it.

Processing Times and Government Fees

The government fee for a Super Visa application is $100 CAD — the same as a standard visitor visa. Biometrics add $85 CAD for an individual applicant.

Processing times are considerably longer than for a standard visitor visa, reflecting the additional documentation requirements. As of March 9, 2026, published processing times are: India approximately 208 days; Pakistan approximately 132 days; Nigeria approximately 44 days; United States approximately 207 days. IRCC’s service standard is 112 days, though most major source countries are exceeding this target.

Given these timelines, families should begin the Super Visa application process six to nine months before the intended travel date. This is especially important for applicants in India and the United States, where processing is currently exceeding seven months.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The Super Visa application is submitted by the parent or grandparent, typically from their home country:

1. Canadian child/grandchild gathers income proof: most recent NOA, T4 slips, employment letter with salary, and calculates whether their household income meets LICO + 30% threshold for the combined family size.
2. Sponsor drafts written commitment letter confirming they will provide financial support for the visiting parent/grandparent during the stay in Canada.
3. Purchase Canadian private health insurance: shop among Canadian insurers for emergency medical coverage of at least $100,000 with at least one year of validity from the expected entry date. Keep the policy documents and proof of purchase.
4. Parent/grandparent undergoes medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician; results are submitted electronically to IRCC.
5. Collect biometrics at a VAC (Visa Application Centre) or ASC in the home country.
6. Submit the online Super Visa application through IRCC’s portal, uploading all supporting documents including the sponsor’s income proof, health insurance certificate, medical exam confirmation, and relationship proof.
7. Pay the $100 CAD government fee and await a decision.
8. Upon approval, the Super Visa sticker is placed in the parent’s/grandparent’s passport; they may then travel to Canada and present themselves at the port of entry.

Health Insurance — The Critical Requirement

Canadian private health insurance is a non-negotiable requirement for the Super Visa. Unlike the standard visitor visa, where showing proof of travel insurance is advisable but not strictly mandated, the Super Visa expressly requires a $100,000 minimum emergency medical policy from a Canadian insurer.

When selecting a policy, verify the following: the insurer is a Canadian company with a Canadian insurance licence; coverage is explicitly for emergency medical and hospitalisation; the policy is valid for at least one full year from the anticipated Canadian entry date; pre-existing conditions are either covered or disclosed; and the policy can be extended if the stay is extended. Premiums vary widely by the applicant’s age and health history. Applicants over 70 or with pre-existing conditions may find some insurers reluctant to provide coverage — working with a Canadian insurance broker who specialises in visitor insurance is recommended.

Income Threshold and LICO Calculations

The LICO + 30% threshold is calculated based on the size of the Canadian sponsor’s household. The household size includes the sponsor’s existing family members in Canada plus the parent or grandparent who will be visiting. For example, if a sponsor has a spouse and two children (household of four) and will be hosting one parent (household of five during the visit), the income threshold is calculated based on five people.

LICO figures are updated annually. Sponsors who are close to the threshold should obtain the most current figures from IRCC’s website. If a single sponsor cannot meet the threshold on their own income, a co-signer can sometimes be added, though IRCC’s policy on co-signers for Super Visa purposes should be verified with a regulated consultant.

The Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency is the primary income document IRCC accepts. The most recent year’s NOA is required. If the NOA does not reflect current income (e.g., due to a recent job change or promotion), supporting documentation such as a current employment letter and recent pay stubs should accompany the application.

After Arrival — Staying, Extending, and Returning

Upon arrival in Canada, the border officer will stamp the Super Visa holder’s entry and confirm the authorised period of stay — up to five years from the entry date. The holder must depart Canada before that date unless they apply for a visitor record extension, which can extend a Super Visa holder’s stay by one year at a time (for a fee of $100 CAD). If the holder departs and re-enters Canada, a new five-year period begins, provided the Super Visa itself is still valid.

Super Visa holders cannot work or study in Canada without separate authorisations. They also cannot access provincial health insurance (such as OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia) — their emergency medical coverage through private insurance remains their sole health protection.

How VGIS Helps

The Super Visa involves more complexity than a standard visitor visa: income thresholds, mandatory health insurance, medical exams, and the relationship between a sponsor in Canada and an applicant abroad. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, guides Canadian families through every step — from calculating the correct LICO threshold and structuring income documentation, to advising on health insurance selection and completing the application package.

Given processing times of six months or more, beginning with a clear strategy is essential. Book a paid consultation at vgis.ca/book-consultation/ to discuss your family’s situation and timeline.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	$100 (same as visitor visa)
Biometrics	$85 individual

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• Letter from child/grandchild with financial support commitment
• Proof of Canadian child’s income (NOA, T4, employment letter)
• Canadian private health insurance (min. $100,000; 1-year validity from a Canadian insurer)
• Biometrics
• Passport
• Proof of parent/grandparent relationship

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can my parent or grandparent stay in Canada on a Super Visa?

A Super Visa allows the holder to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry. The visa itself is valid for up to ten years and allows multiple entries, so a parent or grandparent can travel to Canada, stay up to five years, return home, and then visit again. Each entry restarts the five-year clock.

What is the minimum income required for a Super Visa in 2026?

The Canadian child or grandchild must demonstrate household income of at least 30% above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size. LICO figures are updated annually by Statistics Canada. The household size for LICO calculation includes the sponsor’s Canadian family members plus the visiting parent or grandparent. The primary income document required is the most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA.

How long does a Super Visa take to process?

Processing times vary significantly by country. As of March 2026: India approximately 208 days; Pakistan approximately 132 days; Nigeria approximately 44 days; United States approximately 207 days. IRCC’s service standard target is 112 days, but many countries are exceeding it. Apply six to nine months before the intended travel date.

What happens if my parent’s Super Visa expires while they are in Canada?

If the Super Visa expiry date approaches while your parent is in Canada, they can apply for a visitor record extension from within Canada for $100 CAD. This extends their authorised stay by up to one year. They remain on implied status while the extension is being processed, provided they applied before the current stay expired.

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

No. The Super Visa is a temporary visitor status — it does not lead to permanent residency. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a permanent residency pathway that sponsors parents and grandparents to live in Canada permanently. The PGP did not open for new applications in 2026, making the Super Visa the primary option for extended family visits.

Can my parent or grandparent work in Canada on a Super Visa?

No. A Super Visa only authorises the holder to visit Canada as a temporary resident. Working or studying in Canada requires separate authorisations. If a parent or grandparent works without authorisation, it constitutes a violation of their status and can have serious consequences for future immigration applications.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/parent-grandparent-super-visa.html

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.