The super visa is a Canadian temporary resident visa designed specifically for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike a standard visitor visa (which permits stays of up to 6 months per visit), the super visa allows a parent or grandparent to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit and is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years. It is a temporary visa — it does not confer permanent residence and is separate from the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) sponsorship pathway.

For current super visa eligibility requirements and the most recent income calculation rules (updated March 2026), refer to the IRCC super visa page.

• Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and ministerial instructions — the super visa is issued under the temporary resident visa framework with special conditions
• IRCC: Super visa for parents and grandparents — canada.ca/super-visa
• IRCC: Super visa eligibility — canada.ca/super-visa-eligibility
• IRCC: Ministerial Instructions — Super Visa 2026 — canada.ca/super-visa-mi-2026

Who can apply

The parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can apply for the super visa. The sponsoring child or grandchild must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (not just a temporary resident)
• Meet the minimum necessary income threshold (see below)
• Provide a signed letter of invitation and evidence of income

The 5-year stay entitlement

The super visa permits the holder to remain in Canada for up to 5 years per entry. This is in contrast to the standard maximum 6-month stay allowed to most visitors. The holder can stay the full 5 years in one continuous period or make multiple visits — each entry resets the 5-year maximum stay period. The visa itself is issued as a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years (subject to passport validity).

Health insurance requirement

The super visa applicant must have private health insurance from a Canadian or non-Canadian insurer that:

• Is valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry to Canada
• Provides coverage for health care, hospitalisation, and repatriation
• Provides a minimum of CAD $100,000 in coverage

Super visa holders are not eligible for provincial or territorial health care plans (such as OHIP in Ontario or MSP in British Columbia) — private insurance is their only coverage for health costs during the stay. The recent policy change allowing insurance from non-Canadian insurers has made the program more accessible and potentially less expensive for applicants from countries with competitive insurance markets.

Host income requirement — updated March 31, 2026

The sponsoring Canadian citizen or permanent resident child or grandchild must demonstrate they meet a minimum income threshold to financially support the visiting parent or grandparent. Effective March 31, 2026, IRCC changed how family income is calculated for the super visa income requirement to make the program more equitable and accessible. Applications in processing as of that date, and all new applications submitted from that date, are assessed under the new calculation method.

For the current minimum income thresholds and the updated calculation method, refer to the IRCC super visa financial support page.

Super visa vs. PGP sponsorship — key differences

The super visa and the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) are fundamentally different pathways:

• Super visa: Temporary resident visa; allows long visits (up to 5 years per entry); parent/grandparent remains a citizen of their home country; must have health insurance; no pathway to PR; no intake cap (applications processed as submitted)
• PGP sponsorship: Permanent residence program; once granted, parent/grandparent becomes a Canadian PR; very limited annual intake (managed through an expression of interest system); long wait times; subject to sponsorship undertaking obligations

The super visa is often used by families while waiting for a PGP sponsorship to be processed, or by families who prefer a temporary arrangement that allows the parent/grandparent to maintain ties to their home country. The super visa can coexist with a pending PGP sponsorship application, taking into account the dual-intent principle — see the dual intent page for how IRCC assesses temporary vs. permanent intent.

Extension while in Canada

A super visa holder who has entered Canada and wishes to stay beyond the initial entry period can apply to extend their stay from within Canada. For current super visa extension procedures, refer to the IRCC super visa page.

The super visa is generally considered more accessible in the short term than the PGP sponsorship, which has very limited annual intake and significant wait times. For families with parents/grandparents who want to spend extended time in Canada without committing to permanent residence — or while the PGP sponsorship is being processed — the super visa is a practical pathway. For the most current income thresholds, insurance requirements, and processing times, refer to the IRCC super visa eligibility page. For the updated March 2026 income calculation, refer to the IRCC notice on income requirement changes.