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Parent and Grandparent Super Visa
Last updated: 2026-09-17
The super visa is a long-stay visitor visa for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians. The difference from an ordinary visitor visa is the length of stay: up to five years per entry rather than the usual six months, with validity of up to ten years. In exchange the criteria are stricter — qualifying medical insurance, a medical exam, and proof that the child or grandchild in Canada meets an income threshold.
- Length of stay
- Up to five years per entry
- Validity
- Up to ten years, within passport validity
- Insurance
- At least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage, valid a minimum of one year from entry
- Fees
- From CAD $100, plus biometrics
Official processing times
Taken from IRCC's own processing times tool and synced twice a month.
| Application type | Published processing time |
|---|---|
| Super visa · Filed in China | 85 days |
| Super visa · Filed in India | 77 days |
| Super visa · Filed in the Philippines | 103 days |
IRCC data updated: October 9, 2026 · Synced by us: 2026-10-20
Processing times are IRCC's statistics on applications it has already finished — a guide, not a commitment. Individual files vary with document completeness, requests for more information and background checks. For applications where the time depends on where you file, only a few common locations are listed; use IRCC's tool for others.
Requirements on both sides
The applicant (parent or grandparent)
- Must apply from outside Canada
- Hold qualifying private medical insurance valid at least one year from entry
- Complete an immigration medical exam with a panel physician
- Be admissible to Canada and show ties to the home country
The host (child or grandchild)
- Must be the applicant's biological or adopted child or grandchild
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian
- At least 18 and living in Canada
- Must meet the minimum necessary income and sign the invitation letter
The insurance
- At least CAD $100,000 in emergency medical coverage
- Covering hospitalisation and repatriation
- Valid for at least one year from the date of entry
- From a Canadian insurer, or a foreign insurer authorised by OSFI
The invitation letter
- Signed by the child or grandchild in Canada
- Must show in writing that the income threshold is met
- Must list every family member counted, with names and dates of birth
- Only a spouse or common-law partner may co-sign
Super visa compared with a visitor visa
| Item | Super visa | Visitor visa |
|---|---|---|
| Stay per entry | Up to five years | Usually up to six months |
| Validity | Up to ten years | Up to passport expiry |
| Medical insurance | Mandatory, CAD $100,000 minimum | Not required |
| Medical exam | Mandatory | Case by case |
| Host income | Must meet the minimum necessary income | Not assessed |
| Who can apply | Parents and grandparents only | Any visit purpose |
For visits of six months or less, an ordinary visitor visa avoids the cost of insurance and a medical. The super visa suits longer stays — helping with grandchildren, or extended time in Canada. Visa-exempt nationals can also hold a super visa for longer stays, though an eTA may still be needed to fly.
Official super visa criteria →The host's income requirement
Income is assessed against family size, and the table is revised annually — use the current one.
- Family size counts the host, their spouse, dependent children, and the parents or grandparents being invited
- Proof is normally the most recent notice of assessment from the tax authority, or equivalent income records
- Only the host's spouse or common-law partner may combine income and co-sign the invitation
- The threshold follows the same minimum necessary income used for parent and grandparent sponsorship
- Hosts residing in Quebec are assessed differently
- If income falls just short, filing anyway is unwise — it is among the most common reasons for refusal
How to apply
- 1
Check the host's income first
Compare family size against the current income table. If the threshold is not met, no amount of preparation elsewhere will save the application.
- 2
Buy qualifying insurance
At least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage including hospitalisation and repatriation, valid a year from entry. Confirm the insurer is Canadian or OSFI-authorised before paying.
- 3
Prepare the invitation and proof of relationship
The letter must set out income and list all family members; relationship is proven with the host's birth certificate or another official document.
- 4
Complete the medical exam
It must be done by an IRCC panel physician, who sends results directly to IRCC.
- 5
File from outside Canada and give biometrics
A super visa application must be filed abroad. Attend the visa application centre once instructed.
- 6
Arrival
Carry the policy, the invitation letter and proof of funds. The actual period of stay is set by the border officer.
Common questions
Super visa or parent sponsorship?+
They are different things. Parent and grandparent sponsorship grants permanent residence with public health coverage, but intake is capped and allocated by lottery, so the wait is long and uncertain. A super visa is not immigration: parents remain visitors without public health coverage, which is why insurance is mandatory — but there is no cap, the timeline is controllable, and each entry allows five years. A common approach is to obtain the super visa now while entering the sponsorship lottery in parallel.
Does the insurance have to be Canadian?+
A Canadian insurer is the safest route. A foreign policy is acceptable only from a company authorised by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions to conduct insurance business in Canada, and the policy must carry a statement confirming it was doing so when the policy was issued. Ordinary travel insurance bought at home often fails this test, and it is a frequent cause of document requests and refusals.
Must the policy be paid for a full year upfront?+
What must be shown is coverage valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Instalment-paid policies are generally acceptable provided the coverage period qualifies, but the documents must clearly show the start date, end date and coverage amount. A border officer may also ask to see them.
What if the host's income falls short?+
Only a spouse or common-law partner may combine income; other relatives, including siblings, cannot co-sign. If the threshold genuinely cannot be met, the options are to wait for a tax year in which it is, or to apply for an ordinary visitor visa for a shorter visit. Manufacturing documents is a serious risk — a misrepresentation finding is far worse than a refusal.
Can a super visa be extended from inside Canada?+
Yes. File at least 30 days before status expires. Note that the insurance must also cover the extended period, so renewal should be arranged together with the extension application.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.