Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents
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Canada Super Visa: stays of up to five years per entry
Income, insurance and medical requirements explained by an RCIC (R534491)
What is the Super Visa?
The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without renewing their status. The visa allows multiple entries for up to 10 years. It is a temporary visa: it does not allow work, does not give provincial health coverage and does not lead to permanent residence.
IRCC paused new intake for parent and grandparent sponsorship on 15 July 2026, so the Super Visa is currently the main route for long family stays.
Requirements for the host in Canada
- Be the applicant’s child or grandchild, aged 18 or over, living in Canada as a citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
- Provide a signed invitation letter promising financial support and listing the people in the household.
- Meet the minimum income for the household size. Since 31 March 2026 the host can use either of the two previous tax years, and in some cases the visitor’s own income can count toward the total.
Requirements for the parent or grandparent
- Private medical insurance of at least CAD $100,000, valid for at least one year from the date of entry, from a Canadian insurer or an approved foreign insurer.
- An immigration medical exam.
- The usual visitor requirements: valid passport, admissibility and ties to the home country.
Super Visa or visitor visa?
A regular visitor visa has no income or insurance test, but stays are usually limited to six months. The Super Visa takes more preparation and suits parents who plan long or repeated stays.
Sources: IRCC, Super visa for parents and grandparents (canada.ca); IRCC notice of 15 July 2026 on the Parents and Grandparents Program. Income thresholds change every year. Last reviewed November 2026 by Vikesh Ramroop, RCIC R534491.
Super Visa, visitor visa or sponsorship?
| Super Visa | Visitor visa | Parent and grandparent sponsorship | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of stay | Up to 5 years per entry | Usually up to 6 months per entry | Permanent |
| Status | Temporary visitor | Temporary visitor | Permanent resident |
| Income test for the host | Yes | No | Yes, for three consecutive tax years |
| Private medical insurance | Required: at least CAD $100,000 for one year | Not required, but strongly advised | Not required; provincial coverage applies after landing |
| Medical exam | Required | Only in some cases | Required |
| Can they work? | No | No | Yes |
| Open to new applications? | Yes, all year | Yes, all year | No. Intake paused since 15 July 2026 |
Who counts in the host’s household size
The minimum income depends on the number of people the host supports. Count:
- the host and the host’s spouse or common-law partner;
- their dependent children;
- the parents or grandparents being invited, and their spouse or partner;
- anyone the host has previously sponsored and is still financially responsible for.
IRCC publishes the income table and updates it each year. We check your figure against the current table before you buy insurance.
What the application must prove
A Super Visa application has two sides. The host in Canada must prove their status, their relationship to the parent or grandparent and an income that meets the minimum for the household. The parent or grandparent must prove valid medical insurance, a completed medical exam and their ties to home. We tell each side exactly what to provide and review everything before it is submitted.
Points families often miss
- Only parents and grandparents qualify. A spouse or partner can be included; brothers, sisters and other dependants cannot.
- Parents on a Super Visa are not covered by provincial health insurance, so keep the private policy active for the whole stay.
- The border officer confirms the length of stay at each entry. Carry the insurance policy and invitation letter when travelling.
- A Super Visa holder who wants to stay longer must apply to extend before their status expires.
Not sure which one to choose? For a short first visit, a regular visitor visa is quicker to prepare. For long or repeated stays, the Super Visa avoids renewing status every six months.
What a Super Visa costs
| Cost | Amount (CAD) | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Super Visa application | $100 per person | IRCC |
| Biometrics | $85 per person, $170 per family | IRCC |
| Immigration medical exam | Varies by clinic | The panel physician |
| Private medical insurance, at least $100,000 of cover for one year | Varies with age, health and the deductible chosen | The insurer |
| Extending the stay from inside Canada | $100 per person | IRCC |
Insurance is usually the largest cost and rises with age. Compare several quotes for the same level of cover, and check the insurer’s refund policy before you pay.
How long a Super Visa takes
Processing time depends on the visa office handling the application and on how quickly the medical exam is completed. IRCC publishes a current estimate for each country in its processing-time tool.
Government fees are taken from IRCC’s fee list on canada.ca, checked on 11 November 2026, and are in Canadian dollars. Fees and processing times change, and we confirm both before you apply.
More questions about the Super Visa
Can both of my parents apply together?
Yes. One invitation letter can cover both parents, and both count in the host’s household size. Each parent needs their own application, insurance cover and medical exam.
Can my spouse’s income be added to mine?
Yes. A host’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the invitation so that both incomes count toward the minimum. The co-signer must also be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Can the insurance be paid monthly?
Yes. A policy paid by instalments is accepted if a deposit has been paid. A quote alone is not accepted. The policy must be valid for at least one year from the planned date of entry.
Is the insurance premium refunded if the visa is refused?
That depends on the insurer. Many refund the premium when a visa is refused before the policy starts, sometimes less an administration fee. Ask for the refund terms in writing before you buy.
Does my parent have to buy new insurance for each trip?
A border officer can ask for proof of valid insurance at every entry. For a later trip, your parent should carry a policy that is valid on the day they arrive.
How we help with your Super Visa
We check the income and insurance requirements before you pay for anything. We cannot guarantee approval.
1. Income check
We calculate the host’s household size and confirm the income requirement is met.
2. Insurance guidance
We explain what a compliant medical insurance policy must contain before you buy one.
3. Invitation letter and forms
We draft the invitation letter, prepare the forms and review every supporting document.
4. Submission and follow-up
We submit the application, guide the medical exam step and keep you informed until a decision is made.
Super Visa questions and answers
Answers to the questions families ask us most.
Speak to us: Mauritius office (Port Louis) +230 5509 2429 · Canada office +1 647 612 2429 · canada@vikeshimmigration.com
No. The Super Visa is a visitor document and does not allow work.
There may be options. A spouse or partner can co-sign, the other eligible tax year may qualify, or the visitor’s own recurring income may be counted. We review the figures with you.
They can apply from inside Canada to extend their stay, for up to two more years. An extension is not automatic.
No. The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence. New parent and grandparent sponsorship applications have been paused since 15 July 2026.
Processing times vary by country and month. Check the processing-time tool on canada.ca for the current estimate.
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