Canada Super Visa 2025–2026: Complete Guide for Parents & Grandparents

If your parents or grandparents live abroad and you want them to spend meaningful time with you in Canada, the Super Visa is the most practical option available today. Unlike a standard visitor visa that typically limits stays to six months, the Super Visa allows your loved ones to remain in Canada for up to five years per entry — without renewing status — on a visa valid for up to 10 years.

There is no annual quota and no lottery. Applications are accepted year-round. Here is everything you need to know.

What is the Canada Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa issued exclusively to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It was created by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as a complement to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) sponsorship stream, which carries strict annual quotas and long wait times.

• Valid for up to 10 years (or until passport expiry, whichever is sooner)
• Authorized stay of up to 5 years per entry
• Multi-entry — travel in and out of Canada freely while the visa is valid
• No quota — accepted and processed year-round

Who is eligible?

The applicant (parent or grandparent) must:

• Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be admissible to Canada (no serious criminality or health condition causing excessive demand)
• Hold valid Canadian medical insurance meeting IRCC requirements
• Complete an immigration medical exam (IME) by an IRCC-designated physician
• Demonstrate intent to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay

The Canadian host (child or grandchild) must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) for their household size
• Provide a signed letter of invitation and commitment to financially support the visitor

Step-parents and legally adopted parents also qualify — the relationship must be documented.

Income requirements (2025–2026)

The Canadian host must demonstrate household income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) set by Statistics Canada. IRCC updates these thresholds annually. The 2025 figures are:

Important: Count the visiting parent or grandparent as part of your household when determining which threshold applies. A host with a spouse and one child sponsoring one parent uses the 4-person threshold ($51,128).

Acceptable proof includes your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA, T4 slips, employment letters, and pay stubs. Self-employment and rental income count if reflected in your NOA.

Insurance requirements

Valid Canadian medical insurance is mandatory — not optional — and must meet all of the following:

• Issued by a Canadian insurance company (foreign providers accepted since 2023 but Canadian is safest)
• Minimum coverage of $100,000
• Valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry
• Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation

Premiums typically range from CAD $1,500 to $3,500 per yeardepending on the applicant's age and any pre-existing conditions. Many policies offer a refund if the visa is refused — always verify the refund terms before purchasing.

Documents required

From the visitor (parent/grandparent)

• Valid passport (valid for the intended stay)
• Completed IMM 5257 application form
• Two passport-sized photos
• Canadian medical insurance certificate
• Immigration Medical Exam (IME) results from a designated panel physician
• Biometrics (if required for the applicant's country of citizenship)

From the Canadian host (child/grandchild)

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status (passport copy, PR card, citizenship certificate)
• Signed invitation letter stating relationship, intended visit dates, and financial support commitment
• Proof of income: Notice of Assessment (NOA), T4 slips, or employment letter
• Proof of household size: tax returns listing dependants, or birth/marriage certificates

How to apply step by step

The Super Visa application is submitted by the visitor from outside Canada. The process:

1. Gather all documents — both visitor and host prepare their respective document packages (listed above).
2. Complete the immigration medical exam — the applicant visits an IRCC-designated physician in their home country. Results are submitted directly to IRCC by the clinic.
3. Purchase Canadian medical insurance — obtain a compliant policy before submitting the application. Keep the policy certificate ready to upload.
4. Apply online — submit through the IRCC online portal (My IRCC Account). Paper applications are accepted at certain visa application centres.
5. Pay the application fee — CAD $100 per person. A separate biometric fee of CAD $85 applies if biometrics are required and not yet on file.
6. Submit biometrics — the applicant visits a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in their country if biometrics are required.
7. Await a decision — IRCC may request additional documents. Interviews are rare but possible for higher-risk profiles.

Processing times by country

Processing times vary significantly by the applicant's country of residence. Typical 2025 ranges:

Apply at least 3–4 months before the intended travel date, especially for applicants from India, Nigeria, or Pakistan. IRCC publishes live processing time estimates on their website.

Super Visa vs. Visitor Visa

Common refusal reasons — and how to avoid them

1. Income below the LICO threshold— the host's NOA shows income below the required amount. Fix: include all household income sources and ensure you're using the correct household size.
2. Insufficient ties to home country — the officer is not convinced the applicant will leave Canada when required. Fix: include evidence of property, employment, bank accounts, or dependants remaining in the home country.
3. Insurance policy issues — coverage below $100,000, policy shorter than 12 months, or issued by an unrecognized provider. Fix: use a reputable Canadian insurer and carefully verify the policy terms.
4. Medical exam not received by IRCC — the clinic submitted results late or to the wrong IRCC queue. Fix: complete the IME early and confirm submission through the clinic or IRCC portal.
5. Weak invitation letter— the letter is vague, missing the host's PR/citizenship number, financial commitment, or intended dates. Fix: have your RCIC review the letter before submission.

A pre-submission review by an RCIC catches most of these issues before they reach a visa officer. Book a free Super Visa consultation →

If your parents are looking for a path to permanent residency rather than an extended visit, read our guide on the Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) — or speak with one of our RCICs to determine which route fits your family's timeline.