Short answer: if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada for a long stay, the Super Visa is usually the most practical option. It is a temporary-resident (visitor) document, not permanent residence, but it generally lets eligible parents and grandparents stay for up to 5 years at a time and can be valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which is the permanent-residence route, has not opened a new interest-to-sponsor intake in 2026 and is invitation-based, so most families turn to the Super Visa in the meantime. To qualify, your parent or grandparent generally needs a medical exam, private medical insurance with at least $100,000 in coverage valid for at least one year, and a letter of invitation, while you (the host) must show income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for your family size. Note an important 2026 change: as of March 31, 2026, IRCC generally assesses the host’s income using either of the two most recent tax years (the higher of the two can be used), which makes the requirement easier to meet for many families. Confirm the current rule and figures on canada.ca, since an officer decides each case. This guide explains each requirement with examples, walks through the application step by step, and tells you exactly what to confirm on IRCC before you apply. It is educational information, not legal advice; an IRCC or visa officer decides each case.
PGP vs Super Visa: What's the Difference?
| Feature | PGP (PR Sponsorship) | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Permanent residence (PR card) | Temporary status, extended visit |
| Intake in 2026? | Invitation-based, no new form open in 2026 | Yes, applications accepted year-round |
| Income test | Minimum Necessary Income = LICO + 30% | LICO (no +30%) |
| Undertaking | 20-year financial undertaking (10 in Quebec) | None (visitor) |
| Max stay per entry | Permanent (live in Canada) | Generally up to 5 years |
| Medical insurance required? | No (PR gives access to provincial health) | Yes, generally minimum $100,000 CAD |
PGP 2026 status: IRCC has not opened a new interest-to-sponsor form for the PGP in 2026. The PGP is invitation-based, recent rounds have invited people from forms submitted in earlier years rather than opening a new form, so you generally cannot simply apply. The income test for the PGP is the Minimum Necessary Income (LICO plus 30%) for each of the 3 most recent tax years, which is stricter than the Super Visa LICO test. Confirm the current PGP status and whether any form is open on canada.ca. The Super Visa remains available year-round and is not subject to a lottery.
Super Visa Eligibility Requirements
For the Applicant (Parent or Grandparent)
- ✓ Must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- ✓ Must be admissible to Canada (no criminal inadmissibility, no health inadmissibility for non-excessive-demand conditions)
- ✓ Must pass a medical examination by a designated panel physician
- ✓ Must purchase Canadian medical insurance meeting minimum requirements (see below)
- ✓ Must intend to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay
- ✓ Must have a signed letter of invitation from the sponsoring child/grandchild
For the Canadian Host (Son/Daughter/Grandchild)
- ✓ Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada
- ✓ Must meet the minimum income for their family size, which for the Super Visa is the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), not the higher LICO + 30% used for the PGP
- ✓ Must provide proof of income (for example, the Notice of Assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency, T4 slips, an employment letter, or recent pay stubs)
- ✓ May combine income with a co-signer who is the spouse or common-law partner living with them, if needed to reach the threshold
Income Requirement: the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
The host's income must be at least the LICO for their family size, measured for an urban area of 500,000 people or more. Important 2026 change: as of March 31, 2026, IRCC generally assesses income using either of the two tax years immediately before you apply (the higher of the two can be used), instead of only the most recent year. Family size includes you, your dependants, the parents/grandparents being invited, and anyone you have sponsored or co-signed for. LICO figures change every year, so always confirm the current LICO table and the exact rule for your situation on canada.ca before applying; an officer decides each case.
| Family Size (including the visitors) | LICO minimum (before tax) |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | See current table on canada.ca |
| 3 persons | See current table on canada.ca |
| 4 persons | See current table on canada.ca |
| 5 persons | See current table on canada.ca |
| 6 persons | See current table on canada.ca |
| 7 persons | See current table on canada.ca |
LICO figures are published annually by Statistics Canada and adopted by IRCC, so the exact amounts change each year. We do not list specific dollar amounts here because they go out of date quickly; look up the current LICO table for the Super Visa on canada.ca for your family size before relying on any number.
Medical Insurance Requirements
Medical insurance is a mandatory Super Visa requirement. The insurance must:
- ✓ Provide at least $100,000 CAD in emergency medical coverage
- ✓ Be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry to Canada
- ✓ Cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
- ✓ Be issued by a Canadian insurance company, or by an eligible foreign insurer authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance in Canada
- ✓ Be valid on each day the parent or grandparent will be in Canada (proof is shown at the port of entry)
Foreign insurers: IRCC now accepts policies from eligible insurers outside Canada, not only Canadian companies. The foreign insurer must be authorized by OSFI and appear on its list of federally regulated financial institutions, brokers and claims administrators do not count. Verify the minimum coverage amount and your insurer’s eligibility on canada.ca before buying, and ask whether the policy covers any pre-existing conditions.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- 1
Gather host (sponsor) documents
Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status. Proof of income to show you meet LICO; since March 31, 2026 IRCC can generally use either of your two most recent tax years (the higher of the two), so gather the Notice of Assessment and T4 for both years. Add an employment letter and recent pay stubs. Write a signed letter of invitation that states the relationship, the planned length of the visit, your family size, and confirmation that you meet the income requirement.
- 2
Schedule and complete a medical exam
The parent/grandparent must visit a IRCC-designated panel physician for a medical exam. Results are submitted directly to IRCC by the physician. Arrange the exam in the applicant's home country before submitting the visa application, or the visa process may be paused pending medical results.
- 3
Purchase medical insurance
Purchase minimum $100,000 CAD medical insurance from a Canadian insurer (or eligible foreign insurer). Ensure the policy start date aligns with the intended entry date and covers at least 1 year.
- 4
Submit the Super Visa application
Apply online through an IRCC secure account, or on paper through the visa application centre in the applicant's country. The Super Visa is issued as a multiple-entry visitor visa (temporary resident visa), the visitor-visa government fee is $100 CAD per person and biometrics are $85 CAD per person ($170 family maximum). Confirm current fees on canada.ca, as IRCC updated its fee list on April 30, 2026.
- 5
Provide biometrics if required
Most nationalities must provide biometrics. This is done at a designated Visa Application Centre (VAC) in the applicant's country of residence.
- 6
Wait for a decision
IRCC processes Super Visa applications as multiple-entry visitor visas. Processing times vary by visa office and change often, check the current estimate with IRCC’s processing-times tool on canada.ca rather than relying on a fixed figure. Track progress through your IRCC account.
- 7
Travel to Canada and present documentation at CBSA
Upon arrival, present the Super Visa, medical insurance proof, and invitation letter to the CBSA officer. The officer determines the authorized period of stay, up to 5 years per entry.
Super Visa Stay Rules
- ✓ Generally up to 5 years per entry for holders entering Canada after June 22, 2023, the officer at the port of entry sets the exact authorized period
- ✓ The Super Visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years and allows multiple entries
- ✓ To stay longer than the authorized period, you can apply from inside Canada for a visitor record, the officer decides the length granted at their discretion, apply at least 30 days before your status expires
- ✓ Parents and grandparents may travel in and out during the validity period, the per-entry clock generally restarts on each new entry rather than being cumulative
- ✓ Medical insurance must remain valid for the whole time the person is in Canada
Estimate your fees and checklist
Use the fee calculator to estimate government fees, and the document checklist to make sure you have everything required before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can my parents stay in Canada with a Super Visa?+
Up to 5 years per entry. The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years, so parents can leave and re-enter Canada multiple times, each time for up to 5 years. Compare this to the standard visitor visa, which is limited to 6 months per entry.
Can I apply for the Super Visa for my in-laws?+
The Super Visa is specifically for parents and grandparents of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In-laws (parents of your spouse) are not eligible unless your spouse is also a Canadian citizen or PR and sponsors their own parents.
What if my parents have a pre-existing medical condition?+
Pre-existing conditions may affect the cost and availability of medical insurance, insurers may exclude pre-existing conditions or charge higher premiums. Some Canadian insurers offer coverage that includes stable pre-existing conditions (defined by stability periods). Ensure the policy you purchase meets the Super Visa minimum requirements. The medical exam by a panel physician is separate from the insurance requirement and assesses health inadmissibility for 'excessive demand' on Canadian health services.
Is the PGP open again, and how is it different from the Super Visa?+
IRCC has not opened a new interest-to-sponsor form for the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026, recent invitation rounds have drawn from forms submitted in earlier years, so you generally cannot just apply. The PGP leads to permanent residence but requires meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (LICO plus 30%) for each of the 3 most recent tax years and signing a 20-year undertaking (10 years in Quebec). The Super Visa is a long-stay visitor option that only requires meeting LICO and is open year-round, which is why most families use it while waiting. Check canada.ca for the current PGP status before relying on either route.
Can my parents work or access provincial health care on a Super Visa?+
Generally no. A Super Visa does not authorize work in Canada and does not give access to provincial health care (such as OHIP, RAMQ, MSP, or AHCIP). Private medical insurance is mandatory precisely because provincial coverage is usually not available to Super Visa holders.
What income do I need to host a Super Visa, and did it change in 2026?+
Your family income must be at least the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for your family size, the Super Visa does not use the higher LICO + 30% that applies to the permanent-residence PGP. As of March 31, 2026, IRCC generally assesses your income using either of your two most recent tax years (the higher of the two) rather than only the most recent year. A spouse or common-law partner living with you can co-sign to combine income. Always confirm the current LICO figures and the exact rule for your situation on canada.ca; an officer decides each case.
Can a foreign insurance company cover the Super Visa medical insurance?+
Yes. IRCC accepts policies from eligible insurers outside Canada, not only Canadian companies. To qualify, the foreign insurer must be authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance and appear on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions, brokers and claims administrators do not count. The policy must still provide at least $100,000 in coverage and be valid for a minimum of one year. Verify your insurer's eligibility on canada.ca before buying.
How can my parents stay longer than the period stamped at the border?+
If the officer authorizes less time than you hoped, or you simply want to extend, your parent or grandparent can apply from inside Canada for a visitor record; the length granted is at the officer's discretion. Apply at least 30 days before the current authorized stay expires and keep medical insurance valid for the full period. Leaving and re-entering Canada is another option, since a new entry generally starts a fresh authorized period.
Does a Super Visa lead to permanent residence?+
No. The Super Visa is a temporary-resident (visitor) document and does not by itself grant or guarantee permanent residence. Permanent residence for parents and grandparents comes through the PGP (when an intake is open and you are invited) or another applicable PR program. Time spent in Canada as a visitor does not convert into PR automatically, and an officer decides each application. For a long-term PR plan, many families choose to get advice from a licensed immigration lawyer or a CICC-regulated consultant. This is educational information, not legal advice.
Your Next Step
Use the fee calculator to estimate your total Super Visa government fees, and the document checklist to ensure you have everything ready before applying.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.