PGP Status: Closed for 2026
IRCC did not open the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for new sponsorship applications in 2026 as part of the government's broader immigration levels reduction. The Super Visa is currently the primary legal pathway to bring parents and grandparents to Canada for extended visits.
For Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada, 2026 presents a limited set of options. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) — which provides full Canadian permanent residence — is closed for new applications this year. The Super Visa is the practical alternative, allowing parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 consecutive years per entry on a 10-year multiple-entry visa. This guide compares both options, explains Super Visa eligibility and the application process, and covers what to expect from the PGP when it eventually reopens.
PGP vs Super Visa: Key Differences
| Feature | Super Visa | PGP Sponsorship |
|---|---|---|
| Status granted | Temporary resident (visitor) | Permanent resident (PR) |
| Available in 2026 | ✅ Yes — open for applications | ❌ No — closed for 2026 |
| Length of stay | Up to 5 years per entry | Permanent — can stay indefinitely |
| Visa validity | Up to 10 years (multiple entry) | N/A — PR card issued |
| Medical insurance | $100,000 CAD minimum required | Not required |
| Income requirement | MNI (Minimum Necessary Income) for child/grandchild in Canada | MNI + 30% for sponsor |
| Work authorization | None — visitor status only | Full work authorization as PR |
| Healthcare access | Private insurance only — not eligible for provincial health coverage | Eligible for provincial health coverage as PR |
| Processing time | ~8 weeks (varies by country) | 24+ months when open |
| Citizenship pathway | None | Yes — PR leads to citizenship eligibility after 3 years |
| IRPA reference | IRPR r.215.1 | IRPA s.13(1) / IRPR Part 5 |
Super Visa: Full Eligibility Requirements
The Super Visa is available to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike the standard visitor visa, the Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry(extended from 2 years in 2022) on a visa valid for up to 10 years. Requirements:
For the Parent/Grandparent (Applicant)
- ✓ Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or PR
- ✓ Pass a medical exam (immigration medical examination with IRCC-designated physician)
- ✓ Be admissible to Canada (no criminal inadmissibility under IRPA s.36, security grounds, etc.)
- ✓ Demonstrate intent to leave Canada when the visa expires
- ✓ Have valid Canadian medical insurance of at least $100,000 CAD from a Canadian provider
For the Child/Grandchild in Canada (Host)
- ✓ Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- ✓ Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold for your household size
- ✓ Provide a written invitation letter confirming support
- ✓ Provide proof of your Canadian citizenship or PR status
MNI Income Threshold — Do You Qualify?
The Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) is based on Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) tables and varies by household size. For the Super Visa, your household income must meet the MNI for your family size including the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s). IRCC updates LICO tables annually.
How to calculate: Count the number of people in your Canadian household, then add the number of parents/grandparents who will visit under the Super Visa. Look up the current LICO table for that total household size on the IRCC website. Your household's total income (all sources, pre-tax) must meet or exceed that LICO figure. Use our Fee Calculator for estimated MNI thresholds.
Acceptable income proof: T4 slips, Notice of Assessment (CRA), letter from employer confirming salary, recent pay stubs. All income proofs should be current (usually last 12 months).
Medical Insurance Requirement
One of the Super Visa's key requirements — and a common point of confusion — is mandatory private Canadian medical insurance. This is not optional.
- ✓ Minimum coverage: $100,000 CAD for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation
- ✓ Policy must be from a Canadian insurance company
- ✓ Valid for the entire period of stay
- ✓ Must be valid for a minimum of 1 year from entry date
- ✓ Must be purchased before the Super Visa is issued
As of 2022, IRCC also allows coverage from foreign insurance companies that operate in Canada — verify this remains in force at the time of your application and that your policy is accepted by the visa officer. Confirm with the insurance provider that their policy meets IRCC Super Visa requirements.
How to Apply for the Super Visa
Gather documents from the host (child/grandchild in Canada)
Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR, invitation letter, MNI income proof (T4s, NOA, pay stubs), proof of your relationship (birth certificate, legal documents).
Parent/grandparent arranges medical exam
Book an immigration medical examination (IME) with an IRCC-designated physician. Results are valid for 12 months.
Purchase Canadian medical insurance
Buy a minimum $100,000 CAD Super Visa–compliant policy from a Canadian insurer. Get the policy document.
Complete the Super Visa application
Apply online through the IRCC portal. Include Form IMM 5257 (application for visitor visa/TRV), photos, passport, all supporting documents, and application fee ($100 CAD).
Provide biometrics if required
Most applicants must provide fingerprints and photo at a designated collection point. Fee: $85 CAD.
Wait for processing
Processing time is approximately 8 weeks from most countries, but varies. Track your application online through your IRCC account.
Enter Canada within validity
Once approved, your parent/grandparent can enter Canada. At the border, the CBSA officer will authorize the 5-year stay stamp in the passport.
PGP: When Might It Reopen?
The PGP has been closed for 2026 as part of the federal government's reduction of PR targets. Canada's 2025–2027 levels plan reduced the PR intake to approximately 395,000 in 2025 and further reductions were announced for 2026. The PGP is typically one of the first programs paused when overall targets are cut because of high volumes of interest.
When the PGP reopens, historically it has operated as a randomized intake system (not first-come, first-served), with interested sponsors submitting an "interest to sponsor" and being selected by lottery for the right to apply. The number of invitations typically ranges from 15,000–23,500 per year when open.
What to do now: Use the Super Visa to bring your parents/grandparents for extended visits while waiting for the PGP to reopen. Monitor IRCC announcements — typically the PGP intake is announced in late fall for the following year. Having a Super Visa does not affect future PGP eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parent work in Canada on a Super Visa?+
No. A Super Visa only grants temporary resident (visitor) status. Super Visa holders cannot work in Canada. They are permitted to visit, spend time with family, and travel within Canada, but cannot take employment.
Can my parent access Canadian healthcare (OHIP, MSP, etc.) on a Super Visa?+
No. Provincial health coverage programs like OHIP (Ontario) and MSP (BC) are only available to Canadian citizens, PRs, and certain permit holders — not temporary residents on a Super Visa. This is why the $100,000 private insurance requirement is mandatory — your parent will need to use their private insurance for all medical costs in Canada.
My parent has a health condition. Does that affect Super Visa eligibility?+
It may. The immigration medical examination assesses whether the applicant's health would create excessive demand on Canadian health or social services (IRPA s.38). However, because Super Visa holders are not eligible for public health coverage (their insurance covers costs), excessive demand assessments are typically more lenient than for PR applicants. A pre-existing condition does not automatically disqualify someone. Consult the designated physician at the medical exam.
What if my parent's Super Visa expires while they are in Canada?+
Your parent must leave Canada before their authorized stay expires. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for an extension (visitor record) or leave and re-enter. Overstaying creates inadmissibility.
Can both my parents come on Super Visas at the same time?+
Yes. Each parent applies separately and each needs their own Super Visa, medical exam, and insurance policy. Your MNI income calculation must include both parents in the household size count.
Is the PGP definitely closed or is there still a way to apply?+
As of March 2026, IRCC has not opened a PGP intake. There is no waitlist or alternative pathway to PGP PR while it is closed. The Super Visa is the only option for extended stays. Any service offering to put you on a "PGP waiting list" for 2026 is inaccurate or misleading.
Important: This tool provides general information based on publicly available Canadian immigration law (IRPA). Results are not a determination of admissibility. Only a CBSA officer at a port of entry can make admissibility decisions. For complex legal situations, professional guidance may also be beneficial.