Canada
Reunite With Family
The Canada Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents
The super visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents visit their family in Canada for extended periods. It is a multiple-entry visa that can stay valid for up to 10 years, allowing stays of several years at a time — far longer than a standard visitor visa. The trade-off is a few specific conditions: an inviting host who meets an income threshold, qualifying private medical insurance, and an immigration medical exam.
01 What is the Super Visa
The super visa is a special multiple-entry temporary resident visa issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike a regular visitor visa, it is designed for long, repeated family visits and can remain valid for up to 10 years.
The super visa is not the same as sponsoring parents and grandparents for permanent residence. It is a long-stay visitor option — it does not grant permanent status or lead directly to it.
Because the super visa is meant for visiting rather than settling, applicants must satisfy an officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay, in addition to meeting the super-visa-specific conditions described below.
02 Who Can Apply
To be considered for a super visa, you generally must:
- be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act
- have a host in Canada (your child or grandchild) who provides a signed letter of invitation and meets the minimum income requirement
- have qualifying private medical insurance in place (see below)
- complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician
- be admissible to Canada and satisfy an officer that you will leave at the end of your stay
Dependants (such as a spouse or younger children) cannot be included on a super visa application — only parents and grandparents are eligible. Family members who wish to visit must apply for their own visitor status.
03 Minimum Income Your Host Needs
Your host in Canada must show they can financially support you during your stay by meeting a minimum necessary income, based on Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Offs (LICO) and their total family size. The figures below are the amounts published by IRCC:
- 1 person — $30,526
- 2 people — $38,002
- 3 people — $46,720
- 4 people — $56,724
- 5 people — $64,336
- 6 people — $72,560
- 7 people — $80,784
- each additional family member — add $8,224
As of June 2026, these income amounts are set by IRCC and change periodically (they are tied to LICO). Confirm the current figures on the official IRCC page before applying.
As of March 31, 2026, IRCC introduced added flexibility in how the income test can be met: the host (and any co-signer) may show they meet the threshold in either of the two tax years before applying, and, if the host meets a required minimum percentage of the threshold, the visiting parent's or grandparent's income can be added to cover the remaining amount. The host typically proves income with their CRA notice of assessment.
04 Mandatory Medical Insurance
Because super visa holders are not covered by provincial or territorial health plans, qualifying private medical insurance is a mandatory part of every application. Your policy must:
- provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
- be valid for at least 1 year from your date of entry to Canada
- cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
- be paid in full (or in instalments with a deposit) — a quote is not accepted
- be valid for each entry to Canada and available for review by a border officer
The insurer can be a Canadian insurance company or an insurance company outside Canada that is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) and issues the policy as part of its insurance business in Canada. If your coverage expires before you leave, you must renew it to keep coverage for your whole stay.
05 How to Apply
The super visa is generally applied for from outside Canada. The typical process is:
Get Your Letter of Invitation
Your host (your child or grandchild) prepares a signed letter inviting you, confirming they will support you and including details of their household and income.
Confirm the Income Requirement
Your host gathers proof they meet the minimum necessary income for their family size, such as their CRA notice of assessment.
Buy Qualifying Medical Insurance
Purchase a policy that meets all of IRCC's conditions and obtain proof of payment, since a quote is not enough.
Complete Your Medical Exam
Have an immigration medical exam done by an IRCC-approved panel physician and keep the proof of completion.
Submit Your Application
Apply online through the Government of Canada portal with all supporting documents, and pay the required fees.
Provide Biometrics & Await a Decision
Give biometrics if requested and respond to any further requests. If approved, you'll receive your visa to travel to Canada.
06 Documents You'll Need
While requirements vary by case and visa office, a super visa application commonly includes:
- a signed letter of invitation from your host in Canada
- proof your host is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
- proof of your relationship to the host (such as a birth certificate)
- proof your host meets the minimum necessary income (e.g. CRA notice of assessment)
- proof of qualifying medical insurance, paid in full or with a deposit
- proof of a completed immigration medical exam
- a valid passport and any local visa office documents requested
Additional documents may be required depending on your circumstances and the visa office responsible for your application. Always follow the document checklist for your specific situation.
07 Length of Stay and Extending
The super visa is designed for long family visits and offers more flexibility than a standard visitor visa. Here is how it compares and what your options are:
Long Stays Per Visit
The super visa allows stays of up to several years at a time, rather than the shorter periods typically granted on a regular visitor visa.
Multiple Entries
As a multiple-entry visa, it can remain valid for up to 10 years, letting you come and go for repeated visits.
Extending Your Stay
You may apply from within Canada to extend your authorized stay. Keep your medical insurance valid for the full period you remain in the country.
The exact length of each authorized stay is decided by the officer and noted on entry. The maximum stay per visit and the visa validity period are set by IRCC and can change — confirm the current rules on the official IRCC page.
08 Frequently Asked Questions
How is a super visa different from a regular visitor visa?+
A regular visitor visa usually allows shorter stays, while the super visa is built for long family visits — it can remain valid for up to 10 years and lets parents and grandparents stay for extended periods per visit. In return, the super visa has extra conditions: an inviting host who meets an income threshold, qualifying medical insurance, and a medical exam.
Do I really need to buy medical insurance before applying?+
Yes. Qualifying private medical insurance is mandatory and must be in place when you apply. It must provide at least $100,000 in emergency coverage, be valid for at least one year from your date of entry, and cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation. A quote is not accepted — you need proof the policy is paid (in full or with a deposit on an instalment plan).
What income does my child or grandchild need to host me?+
Your host must meet a minimum necessary income based on Statistics Canada's LICO and their family size. As of March 31, 2026, they can show they met the threshold in either of the two tax years before applying, and in some cases your own income can be added to make up a shortfall. Because the figures change periodically, confirm the current amounts on the official IRCC page.
Can I bring my spouse on my super visa application?+
No. Only parents and grandparents are eligible for the super visa, and dependants cannot be added to the application. A spouse who wishes to visit would need to apply separately for their own visitor status.
Does the super visa lead to permanent residence?+
No. The super visa is a long-stay visitor option and does not grant or directly lead to permanent status. Permanent residence for parents and grandparents is a separate sponsorship process with its own rules.
Can I extend my stay once I'm in Canada?+
In many cases you can apply from within Canada to extend your authorized stay as a visitor. If you do, make sure your medical insurance remains valid for the entire time you stay in the country, since coverage must not lapse.
This page is general information, not legal advice, and no outcome is guaranteed. Immigration rules and figures change — confirm details on the official IRCC pages, or speak with a licensed immigration consultant about your specific situation.
Talk to a Licensed Expert
Ready to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada?
Our regulated immigration consultants (RCICs regulated by the CICC) can help you confirm eligibility, meet the income and insurance requirements, and prepare a strong super visa application.
