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Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents

The Super Visa is designed for eligible parents and grandparents who want to spend extended periods with family in Canada. The application combines normal visitor requirements with specific host-income, invitation, medical and health-insurance requirements. Argus can help families prepare both sides of the application.

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Overview

What is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident option for eligible parents and grandparents of qualifying family members in Canada. It can allow a holder to remain in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, subject to the conditions imposed at entry.

The Super Visa is temporary residence. It is different from permanent residence through the Parents and Grandparents Program.

Eligibility

Who can apply for a Super Visa?

The applicant generally must be the parent or grandparent of an eligible host in Canada and must apply from outside Canada. The host must meet the applicable relationship, age, residence and financial-support requirements.

IRCC also assesses the applicant as a temporary visitor, including the purpose of travel, ties outside Canada, finances and whether the applicant is likely to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.

Key requirements

Host income, invitation, insurance and medical exam

Host and income

The host must meet the minimum necessary income requirement for the applicable family size. Since March 31, 2026, IRCC uses updated income-calculation options, including looking at either of the two preceding tax years and, in some cases, allowing eligible visiting parent or grandparent income to help satisfy the requirement.

Invitation letter

The host must provide a signed invitation that contains the information IRCC requires.

Health insurance

The applicant must show qualifying private health insurance valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, from an eligible insurer.

Medical exam

A Super Visa applicant must complete an immigration medical examination.

Application process

How a Super Visa application works

  1. Confirm host and applicant eligibility.
  2. Calculate the family size and income requirement.
  3. Prepare the host invitation and financial evidence.
  4. Obtain qualifying medical insurance.
  5. Prepare the visitor evidence. This includes purpose of travel, ties and other temporary-resident factors.
  6. Submit the application from outside Canada.
  7. Complete medical, biometrics or passport steps as requested.
Documents

Documents commonly needed for a Super Visa

  • passport and identity documents;
  • proof of the parent/grandparent relationship;
  • host's proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or eligible status;
  • signed invitation letter;
  • host income evidence such as CRA notices of assessment and other permitted documents;
  • qualifying medical-insurance evidence;
  • immigration medical examination documentation;
  • financial and home-country ties; and
  • travel-history documents where relevant.
Fees and processing

Super Visa fees and processing times

Super Visa processing times vary by country. Government fees, biometrics requirements, insurance rules and income thresholds can change.

The income amount depends on family size, so families should calculate it using the current IRCC table immediately before applying.

Common issues

Common Super Visa application concerns

  • incorrect family-size calculations;
  • host income documents that do not meet the current rules;
  • insurance that does not meet the Super Visa requirements;
  • weak evidence of the applicant's temporary intent;
  • unclear purpose or duration of the visit;
  • relationship documents that do not clearly establish the parent/grandparent connection; and
  • assuming that meeting the income requirement guarantees approval.
Professional support

How Argus can help with a Super Visa application

Argus can review the host's eligibility and family-size calculation, organize income documentation, review the invitation and insurance evidence, assess the applicant's visitor profile and prepare or review the application package.

FAQs

Super Visa FAQs

How long can a Super Visa holder stay in Canada?

Eligible Super Visa holders can generally be authorized to stay for up to 5 years at a time, subject to the conditions of entry.

Is the Super Visa the same as parent sponsorship?

No. The Super Visa is temporary residence. Parent and grandparent sponsorship is a permanent residence program.

Does the host need to meet an income requirement?

Yes. The host must meet the current minimum necessary income requirement for the family size under IRCC's rules.

Is medical insurance mandatory?

Yes. The applicant must show qualifying private health insurance meeting the Super Visa requirements.

Can a visa-exempt parent or grandparent apply for a Super Visa?

Yes, an eligible visa-exempt applicant may still apply for Super Visa status for the extended stay benefit and may separately need an eTA for air travel.

Official information

Current government sources

Immigration rules can change. These pages were reviewed against current official sources on September 23, 2026:

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Every application depends on the individual facts. A consultation can help identify the program requirements, documents and issues that are most relevant to your situation.