Super Visa
Overview
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to 5 consecutive years per entry — significantly longer than the maximum 6-month stay on a regular visitor record. The Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years. To be eligible, the host child or grandchild must meet a minimum income threshold, and the visiting parent or grandparent must have Canadian medical insurance with at least $100,000 in coverage.
The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence — it is purely a temporary visitor status. It is commonly used while a permanent residence application under the Parents and Grandparents Program is in process, or by families who prefer a long-stay visitor arrangement over the PGP undertaking commitment.
Eligibility
Who can apply for a Super Visa?
- A parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- The host (child or grandchild) must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and residing in Canada
Requirements
- Host income: the host child/grandchild must meet or exceed the LICO for their family size for the year before applying (not the LICO+30% required for PGP — just the base LICO). The host provides proof of income via their most recent NOA from CRA.
- Canadian medical insurance: the visitor must have Canadian medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company with: minimum $100,000 in coverage; valid for at least 1 year from entry; covering health care, hospitalisation, and repatriation
- Visitor admissibility: the applicant must be otherwise admissible as a visitor — i.e., not inadmissible for health, security, or criminality grounds
Stay authorisation
A Super Visa holder may stay in Canada for up to 5 years on each entry. If the holder wishes to remain in Canada beyond 5 years, they must apply for an extension of their visitor status from within Canada (before the current stay expires). Each extension may be granted for up to 2 years at a time, up to a maximum of 7 years per stay from the most recent entry (as per 2023 policy changes that increased this from 2 years).
Insurance requirement detail
The insurance must be from a Canadian insurance provider — not a foreign insurer or travel insurance product that does not specify Canadian coverage. The policy must cover:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalisation and surgery
- Repatriation to the country of origin
The minimum coverage is $100,000. Higher coverage is advisable given the cost of Canadian healthcare for non-residents. Some provinces exclude non-residents from provincial health insurance for the first months after arrival.
Selection criteria
Application process
Application process
- The host provides proof of income (most recent NOA showing income at or above LICO for family size)
- The visitor purchases a qualifying Canadian medical insurance policy ($100,000+, 1-year minimum)
- The visitor submits a visitor visa application (online or at a visa application centre) with the Super Visa supporting documents
- If approved, the Super Visa is issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years
- On arrival in Canada, the border services officer grants a stay of up to 5 years