Planning a long visit with your parents or grandparents in Canada? Learn how the Super Visa works, who may qualify, how the host income requirement is assessed, and what to prepare for the application.
Free initial Super Visa assessmentThe Super Visa is a temporary resident visa for eligible parents and grandparents. It does not grant permanent residence or work authorization. See the official IRCC overview.
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that may let eligible family members stay in Canada for extended visits.
A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian who is at least 18 and lives in Canada may host an eligible parent or grandparent. The host provides an invitation and proof of financial support. The applicant applies from outside Canada, completes an immigration medical exam, and provides qualifying private health insurance. Under current rules, eligible visitors may stay for up to five years per entry; the exact conditions and authorized stay must be confirmed with IRCC.
Eligibility is assessed for both the visiting parent or grandparent and the child or grandchild hosting them in Canada.
The host must be the applicant’s child or grandchild and meet the applicable status, age, residence and income rules.
The applicant must apply from outside Canada and meet the rules for a temporary resident visa and visitor entry.
Important: A Super Visa is for visiting a child or grandchild in Canada. It is not a general family visitor visa, a work permit or a permanent residence program.
Review IRCC eligibility →The host’s minimum necessary income depends on the number of people included in the family size. IRCC’s income assessment rules changed on March 31, 2026. The host should use the current IRCC table and the right calculation option for their situation.
The host and eligible co-signer may meet the required income level in either of the two taxation years immediately before the application.
In the alternative calculation, the host and co-signer must meet the required minimum share of the income threshold. The visiting parent or grandparent’s income may help make up the remainder.
Family-size calculation: the host must count the people specified by IRCC, including the host, eligible co-signer, dependent children, the Super Visa applicant and others the host is financially supporting where applicable. A Notice of Assessment, pay information and other accepted evidence may be relevant depending on the chosen option.
Income thresholds and acceptable evidence can change. Check the current IRCC Super Visa financial support and income instructions before applying.
The income figure is only one part of the host’s evidence. Family size, income documents and the invitation letter should tell a consistent story.
Identify everyone IRCC says must be included in the host’s family-size calculation. The number of people affects the minimum necessary income threshold.
Check whether the host’s income in either of the two prior tax years qualifies, or whether the alternative host-plus-visitor income calculation may apply.
Use the income documents accepted by IRCC for the chosen option and ensure the invitation letter and family composition details are consistent.
Super Visa travel medical insurance must meet specific requirements. Check the policy, insurer and proof of payment before submitting the application.
The policy must be valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry and valid for each entry to Canada.
Current IRCC instructions require at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage for healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation.
The policy must be from a Canadian insurance company or an eligible foreign insurer that meets IRCC’s requirements.
Policy and payment details: IRCC currently says the policy must be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit; a quote is not accepted as proof of insurance.
See insurance details →Under current IRCC rules, eligible applicants who applied on or after June 22, 2023 may stay for up to five years at a time after entry. The date of application and, in some cases, the date of entry can affect the applicable stay period.
Before authorized visitor status expires, the visitor must leave Canada or apply to extend their stay if eligible. Maintaining valid status and medical insurance is important throughout the visit.
The Super Visa allows multiple entries and may be valid for up to 10 years, depending on the passport and visa decision. Visa validity is different from the length of stay allowed on each entry.
Check IRCC stay and extension rules →A Super Visa is a visitor visa. It does not itself authorize the holder to work in Canada. A person who wants to work needs the appropriate work authorization. Study rules depend on the course and the applicable permit requirements.
Do not assume that a visa’s expiry date is the same as the date the visitor must leave Canada. Check the period authorized at entry and current IRCC instructions.
A practical sequence for parents, grandparents and their Canadian host.
Confirm the host is an eligible child or grandchild living in Canada and review status, age and income requirements.
Use the applicable 2026 income calculation and collect evidence for the selected option.
Include the visit details, family composition, financial support information and proof of relationship.
Check the coverage amount, policy period, insurer eligibility and proof-of-payment requirements.
Apply from outside Canada and follow IRCC instructions for the medical exam, biometrics and supporting documents.
Carry key application and insurance documents. A valid visa does not guarantee entry; the border officer assesses admissibility.
Use this as a planning guide. The exact document checklist depends on the applicant’s country and circumstances.
This is not an official or exhaustive checklist. Follow the personalized IRCC checklist and any instructions issued for your application.
The officer reviews the full application. A strong package should be complete, consistent and supported by evidence.
Missing, inconsistent or insufficient host income evidence can make the financial support assessment harder to verify.
Check coverage, validity dates, insurer eligibility and proof of payment against current IRCC instructions.
IRCC may consider the purpose of travel, home-country ties, family and finances, admissibility and whether the applicant will leave at the end of the authorized stay.
The right option depends on whether the goal is a temporary visit or permanent residence.
| Topic | Super Visa | Visitor Visa | Parent and Grandparent Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Extended temporary visits with an eligible child or grandchild | Temporary visits to Canada, including family visits | Permanent residence through a separate family sponsorship program |
| Who may apply | Eligible parents and grandparents of a qualifying Canadian host | Applicants who meet the visitor visa requirements | Parents and grandparents invited under the program’s current intake rules |
| Key requirements | Host income, invitation, relationship proof, medical exam and qualifying insurance | Visitor eligibility, travel purpose and admissibility | Program-specific invitation, sponsor eligibility and permanent residence documents |
| Immigration status | Temporary resident; no work authorization from the Super Visa itself | Temporary resident; no work authorization from the visa itself | Permanent residence if approved |
Program intake, eligibility and processing details may change. Review current IRCC information before choosing a pathway.
Answers to common questions about Super Visa eligibility, income, insurance and the application process.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa for eligible parents and grandparents visiting their child or grandchild in Canada for an extended stay.
The applicant must be a parent or grandparent of an eligible host in Canada, apply from outside Canada, meet visitor and admissibility requirements, complete a medical exam and provide qualifying insurance and supporting documents.
The host must be the applicant’s child or grandchild, be at least 18, live in Canada, have an eligible Canadian status, meet the income requirement and provide a signed invitation letter.
The minimum necessary income depends on family size. Rules effective March 31, 2026 provide two ways to assess income. Check the current IRCC table and instructions for the exact amount and acceptable proof.
Under one of the current income assessment options, the applicant’s income may help cover the remaining amount if the host and eligible co-signer meet the required minimum share. Check IRCC’s current financial support guidance.
Count the people specified in IRCC’s current host financial support instructions. The family-size total determines which minimum income threshold applies.
No. Current IRCC instructions allow an eligible spouse or common-law partner of the host to co-sign. Other relatives, such as siblings, cannot co-sign under this rule.
The policy must meet current IRCC rules, including at least one year of validity from entry, at least CAD $100,000 emergency coverage, and coverage for healthcare, hospitalization and repatriation. Confirm the insurer and payment requirements before purchasing.
Some foreign insurers may qualify if they meet the Canadian authorization and insurance-business requirements. Check the current IRCC instructions for the insurer and policy documents.
Under current rules, eligible applicants who applied on or after June 22, 2023 may stay up to five years at a time. Application and entry dates can affect the rule, so confirm the applicable period with IRCC.
A Super Visa is visitor status and does not itself authorize work. A separate work authorization would be needed to work if the person qualifies.
The Super Visa is specifically for eligible parents and grandparents visiting their child or grandchild and has separate host-income and insurance requirements. A visitor visa is a broader temporary travel option.
The Super Visa supports temporary visits. The Parent and Grandparent Program is a separate pathway to permanent residence with its own sponsor, intake and application rules.
Processing times vary by country and by application circumstances. Check IRCC’s live processing-time tool instead of relying on an older fixed estimate.
No. A visa allows the holder to travel to a Canadian port of entry. The border services officer determines whether the person may enter and the authorized stay.
You may apply to extend your stay before your current visitor status expires if eligible. Review the current visitor record instructions and maintain valid status while the application is processed.
Useful official guidance and related VisaLine assessment pages.
Share the host’s situation and the visitor’s plans through the assessment form below. For guidance about your specific options, book a consultation with VisaLine.
General information only; this page is not legal advice and does not guarantee eligibility, visa approval or admission to Canada. Super Visa requirements, income thresholds, fees and processing times may change. Check the current IRCC Super Visa instructions before applying. Information checked in November 2026.
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