Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents)
A super visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay for up to five years at a time, on a visa valid up to ten years. With the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship intake paused, it is currently the main way to have parents here for extended periods.
Medical insurance — the requirement that changed
- ● Minimum $100,000 in emergency coverage, covering health care, hospitalisation and repatriation.
- ● Valid for at least one year from the date of entry — not one year from purchase — and valid for each entry.
- ● It must be paid, in full or by instalments with a deposit. A quote is not accepted.
- ● Foreign insurers have been accepted since 28 January 2025, provided the company is authorised by OSFI to provide accident and sickness insurance and the policy is issued through its Canadian insurance business.
The foreign-insurer change matters practically: it opened up cheaper options for many families. It does not mean any overseas policy qualifies — the OSFI authorisation and Canadian issuance are the test.
The income test, and the March 2026 change
The child or grandchild in Canada must meet a minimum necessary income based on family size. The current figures are $30,526 for one person, $38,002 for two, $46,720 for three, $56,724 for four, $64,336 for five, $72,560 for six and $80,784 for seven, with $8,224 for each additional person.
Two changes took effect on 31 March 2026 and both help. The host may now use either of the two tax years before the application. And if the host's income was at least 75% of the required amount in the year before submission, the visiting parent's or grandparent's own income can be counted to make up the difference. This applies to applications in processing as well as new ones.
Everything else you need
- ● A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild, with a commitment to provide financial support.
- ● Proof of the relationship, and proof of the host's Canadian citizenship or permanent residence.
- ● An immigration medical exam by a panel physician.
- ● Fee: the ordinary $100 visitor visa fee — there is no separate super visa charge — plus $85 biometrics.
- ● Dependants cannot be included in a super visa application.
Super visa or sponsorship?
They answer different questions. Sponsorship makes a parent a permanent resident; a super visa lets them visit for long periods without changing status. Right now the choice is partly made for you: IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents intake on 15 July 2026, and there was no new intake in 2025 either — only invitations from the 2020 pool. Processing for those already in the queue is around 29 months.
For most families asking us this question in 2026, the super visa is the available answer, with sponsorship kept in view for whenever intake reopens.
Reviewed by a licensed RCIC · Last updated 13 August 2026. Immigration rules change often — confirm anything time-sensitive with us or on canada.ca.
Looking for related services? See our full Temporary Residency overview or all services.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I buy super visa insurance from an insurer in my home country?
Since 28 January 2025, yes — provided the company is authorised by OSFI to provide accident and sickness insurance in Canada and the policy is issued through its Canadian insurance business. That is a narrower test than "any foreign insurer", so check the specific policy rather than assuming.
How long does the insurance have to be valid?
At least one year from the date of entry, and it must be valid for each entry. A policy that runs a year from the date you bought it, and expires shortly after arrival, does not meet the requirement. It also has to be paid — a quote will not be accepted.
What if my income is slightly below the requirement?
Since 31 March 2026 there are two ways through. You can use either of the two tax years before the application, so a stronger earlier year can be used. And if your income was at least 75% of the requirement in the year before submission, your parent's or grandparent's own income can be counted to close the gap.
How long can my parents stay?
Up to five years per entry, on a visa that can be valid for up to ten years or until the passport or biometrics expire. That is the main advantage over a standard visitor visa, which normally permits six months per entry.
Should I apply for a super visa or sponsor my parents?
At the moment the super visa is usually the practical answer, because IRCC paused new Parents and Grandparents sponsorship intake on 15 July 2026 and did not open a new intake in 2025 either. If permanent residence for your parents is the goal, the super visa is a way to have them here while you wait for intake to reopen.
Still unsure how this applies to your case? Book an appointment with a licensed RCIC.
More Temporary Residency services
Other pathways we handle in this area — or talk to a licensed RCIC about which fits your case.
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