PGP Status: Not open to new applications in 2026
As of 2026, IRCC is not accepting a new "interest to sponsor" form for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), and is instead issuing a limited number of invitations from the pool of forms submitted in earlier years. Because no new pool is open this year, most families cannot start a fresh PGP application in 2026. The Super Visa is the practical route to bring parents and grandparents to Canada for extended visits while the PGP intake stays paused. Always confirm the current PGP intake status on canada.ca before relying on it.
Short answer: if you want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada in 2026, the Super Visa is almost certainly your route, because the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which leads to permanent residence, is not open to new applications this year. IRCC is sending a limited number of PGP invitations from forms submitted in earlier years rather than opening a new "interest to sponsor" form, so most families cannot start a fresh PGP application right now. The Super Visa is a visitor (temporary resident) route that lets an approved parent or grandparent stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time on a visa that can be valid for up to 10 years. This guide compares the two options side by side, walks through Super Visa eligibility and the application process, explains the income and medical insurance rules in plain language, and covers what to expect from the PGP when its intake reopens. It is educational information, not legal advice, and program rules change, so verify any specific figure on canada.ca and consider a licensed immigration lawyer or CICC-regulated consultant for your own situation.
PGP vs Super Visa: Key Differences
| Feature | Super Visa | PGP Sponsorship |
|---|---|---|
| Status granted | Temporary resident (visitor) | Permanent resident (PR) |
| Available in 2026 | ✅ Yes, open to new applications | ❌ No new applications; invitations only from earlier pool |
| 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 | Min. $100,000 CAD, valid 1+ year (Canadian or OSFI-approved foreign insurer) | Not required |
| Income requirement | Minimum necessary income (LICO); once the host meets a required minimum percentage, the applicant's income can cover the remainder | LICO + 30% for the sponsor, for 3 tax years |
| Undertaking | None | 20 years (10 years in Quebec) |
| 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 | Varies by country (check current IRCC times) | Lengthy when open (check current IRCC times) |
| Citizenship pathway | None | Yes: PR can lead to citizenship eligibility |
| Legal reference | IRPR s.179 / Ministerial Instructions | IRPA s.13(1) / IRPR Part 7 |
Super Visa: Full Eligibility Requirements
The Super Visa is available to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike a standard visitor visa, which usually allows a stay of up to 6 months, the Super Visa lets an approved parent or grandparent stay for up to 5 years at a time (extended from 2 years in mid-2022) on a visa that can be valid for up to 10 years. What this means for you: instead of re-applying every few months, your parent can settle in for long visits and come and go over a decade. A visa officer still makes the final decision based on the whole application, so meeting the checklist below does not guarantee approval. The main requirements fall into two groups, the applicant abroad and the host in Canada:
For the Parent/Grandparent (Applicant)
- ✓ Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (grandchildren and step-relationships can also qualify; confirm your specific relationship on canada.ca)
- ✓ Pass an upfront immigration medical examination with an IRCC-designated panel physician
- ✓ Be admissible to Canada (for example, no criminal or security inadmissibility under IRPA, sections 34 to 42)
- ✓ Satisfy the officer they will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay (the visa is for visiting, not settling permanently)
- ✓ Have private medical insurance of at least $100,000 CAD that is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, from a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer
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
Super Visa Income Requirement (LICO): Do You Qualify?
The host (the child or grandchild in Canada) must show their household meets a minimum necessary income, which is based on Statistics Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) and varies by family size. Note this is the plain LICO level, not the LICO-plus-30% used for permanent-residence sponsorship under the PGP, so the Super Visa bar is generally lower. IRCC updates LICO figures each year, so always check the current table on canada.ca before you apply.
How it changed in 2026: As of March 31, 2026, IRCC updated how Super Visa income is calculated. The host (and any co-signer) must first meet a required minimum percentage of the income threshold on their own; once that floor is met, the income of the visiting parent or grandparent can be added to cover only the remainder, which can help more families qualify. IRCC sets the exact minimum percentage and how it is applied, so check the current rule on canada.ca. To estimate: count your Canadian household plus the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s), look up the current LICO figure for that family size on canada.ca, then compare it to your income. Use our Fee Calculator as a starting point, then confirm the official figure on canada.ca.
Acceptable income proof generally includes a Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA, T4 or T1 slips, a letter from an employer confirming salary and position, and recent pay stubs. Proof should be current (usually the most recent tax year or last 12 months). The exact documents accepted are set by IRCC, so check the current Super Visa document list on canada.ca.
Super Visa Medical Insurance Requirement
One of the Super Visa's defining requirements, and a common point of confusion, is mandatory private medical insurance. This is not optional and is one of the most common reasons applications are refused. Why it matters: Super Visa holders are temporary residents and cannot use provincial public health coverage (OHIP, MSP, RAMQ, and the like), so this private insurance is what covers their medical bills in Canada.
- ✓ Minimum coverage of $100,000 CAD for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation
- ✓ Valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
- ✓ Must cover the parent or grandparent for the full period of each stay (renew it if it would expire while they are still in Canada)
- ✓ Can be issued by a Canadian insurance company OR an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer (a change introduced by IRCC, effective January 2025), so families abroad now have more options
- ✓ Proof of an active policy must be available on each entry to Canada
Confirm the current minimum coverage amount and the list of acceptable insurers on canada.ca before you buy, and ask the insurer in writing to confirm their policy meets IRCC Super Visa requirements. Buying a policy that does not meet the rules is a frequent cause of refusal, so it is worth double-checking before you submit.
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 qualifying medical insurance
Buy a Super Visa-compliant policy with at least $100,000 CAD coverage, valid for at least 1 year, from a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer. Keep the policy document for the application.
Complete the Super Visa application
Apply online through the IRCC secure account. Include the visitor visa (TRV) application forms, photos, passport, the insurance and medical proof, the host documents, and the application fee. Confirm current fees on canada.ca before paying (the standard visitor visa processing fee has been $100 CAD).
Provide biometrics if required
Most applicants must give fingerprints and a photo at a designated collection point. The biometrics fee is $85 per person ($170 maximum per family).
Wait for processing
Processing times vary by country and change over time. Check the current Super Visa processing time on canada.ca and track your application through your IRCC account.
Enter Canada within validity
Once the visa is issued, your parent or grandparent can travel to Canada. At the border, a CBSA officer makes the final admission decision and authorizes the length of stay (a Super Visa allows up to 5 years per entry).
PGP Permanent Residence: When Might It Reopen?
The PGP gives parents and grandparents permanent residence, with the sponsor signing a 20-year undertaking (10 years in Quebec) to support them and meeting the LICO-plus-30% income test for each of the 3 most recent tax years. It is in high demand, so IRCC controls intake tightly and the program is often paused when overall immigration targets are reduced. As of 2026, IRCC is not opening a new intake.
How intake has worked: the PGP is invitation-based, not first-come, first-served. Interested sponsors submit an "interest to sponsor" form during an open window, and IRCC later invites a limited number to apply. In recent rounds, IRCC has issued invitations from the pool of forms submitted in earlier years rather than opening a new form. Invitation numbers and timing vary year to year and are set by Ministerial Instructions, so do not assume a specific figure; check canada.ca for the most recent round.
What to do now: Use the Super Visa to bring your parents or grandparents for extended visits while the PGP intake is paused. Watch IRCC announcements on canada.ca for any new interest-to-sponsor window. Holding a Super Visa does not affect future PGP eligibility, so it is a practical bridge while you wait.
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 closed, or is there still a way to apply in 2026?+
As of 2026, IRCC is not opening a new "interest to sponsor" form for the PGP and is inviting only a limited number of people from the pool of forms submitted in earlier years. So unless you were already in that earlier pool and receive an invitation, you generally cannot start a fresh PGP application this year. Be cautious of any service offering to add you to a "PGP waiting list" for a fee, IRCC manages intake itself. Check canada.ca for the current status.
Is the Super Visa income requirement lower than the PGP income requirement?+
Generally, yes. The Super Visa uses the minimum necessary income based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), while PGP permanent-residence sponsorship requires LICO plus 30% for each of the 3 most recent tax years. The Super Visa bar is usually lower, and since March 31, 2026 the host can combine their income with the visiting parent or grandparent's income, provided the host (and any co-signer) first meets a required minimum percentage of the threshold on their own, after which the visiting parent or grandparent's income can cover the remainder. Confirm the current figures and the minimum percentage on canada.ca.
Does my parent need insurance from a Canadian company for the Super Visa?+
Not necessarily anymore. The policy can come from a Canadian insurer or from a foreign insurer that is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), a change introduced by IRCC, effective January 2025. Either way it must provide at least $100,000 CAD in coverage and be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry. Ask the insurer to confirm in writing that the policy meets IRCC Super Visa requirements, and verify the current rule on canada.ca.
How long can my parent stay in Canada on a Super Visa?+
A Super Visa can be valid for up to 10 years and generally allows a stay of up to 5 years per entry (extended from 2 years in mid-2022). The final length of each stay is authorized by the CBSA officer at the border. If your parent wants to stay longer than authorized, they can apply to extend their status from inside Canada before it expires.
Can I switch from a Super Visa to PGP permanent residence later?+
A Super Visa is a temporary visitor route and does not by itself lead to permanent residence, but holding one does not block a future PGP application. If the PGP intake reopens and you are invited and meet the requirements (including the LICO-plus-30% income test and the 20-year undertaking), you can pursue PR then. Many families use the Super Visa as a bridge while waiting. An officer decides each application on its own merits.
Official sources
This page is based on law and policy published by the Government of Canada.