Super Visa Canada: Bring Your Parents or Grandparents for Up to 5 Years at a Time
The Super Visa lets your parents or grandparents visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years. You, as the host child or grandchild, must meet an income test and write an invitation letter. Your parent needs qualifying health insurance and a medical exam.
since 1991
What is the Super Visa?
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa for the parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian. They can stay up to 5 years at a time, and the visa can last up to 10 years. They cannot include dependants in the application.
Super Visa or sponsorship?
Sponsorship gives your parents permanent residence, but IRCC has paused new parents and grandparents applications. A Super Visa does not give permanent residence and does not allow work or study. If you already submitted a sponsorship application, your parent can still apply for a Super Visa while waiting.
Why families choose the Super Visa
- Long visits: up to 5 years at a time
- Multiple entries: valid for up to 10 years
- Open now, while parents sponsorship is paused
- You can apply while a sponsorship file is pending
Is the Super Visa right for you?
An honest answer before you pay for insurance and tests.
A good fit if
- Your parent or grandparent is outside Canada
- You are a citizen, PR or registered Indian, 18 or older, and live in Canada
- You can meet the minimum necessary income for your family size
- Your parent can buy qualifying health insurance
Consider a visitor visa if
- Visits last 6 months or less
- Your income is below the table and you have no co-signer
- You do not need a multiple-entry visa for years
Not sure? Read about parents and grandparents sponsorship and the pause, or see the family sponsorship hub.
Super Visa requirements
You and your parent must both meet the rules. Source: IRCC.
Host: who you are
You are the biological or adopted child or grandchild, a citizen, PR or registered Indian, at least 18 years old, and you live in Canada.
Host: income
You meet the minimum necessary income for your family size in either of the last 2 tax years, or reach 75% of it and let your parent’s income cover the rest. Check your numbers with our Super Visa income calculator.
Invitation letter
You write and sign a letter of invitation with proof of income and the list of people in your family size. Your spouse or common-law partner can co-sign.
Health insurance
Your parent needs private insurance valid for at least 1 year from entry, with at least $100,000 of emergency cover, paid in full or with a deposit.
Applicant rules
Your parent applies from outside Canada, takes a medical exam with a panel physician and must be allowed to enter Canada.
Not sure you qualify?
We check your income, your family size and your parent’s insurance before you apply.
How the income test works
Step 1: family size
Count your parent or parents applying, you, your spouse or partner, your dependent children, earlier Super Visa holders you invited, and people you sponsored under a current undertaking.
IRCC’s table runs from $30,526 for 1 person to $80,784 for 7 people, plus $8,224 for each extra person. It was updated on 29 July 2025.
Show your notice of assessment for either of the last 2 tax years. Or show at least 75% of the minimum in the last year and add your parent’s income to cover the rest.
Documents you need
Gather these before you apply. IRCC may return unclear documents.
How the Super Visa works, step by step
Six stages from your income check to your parent’s arrival.
Check your income and family size
Use IRCC’s table to find your minimum and see which tax years you can use.
Buy insurance and write the letter
Your parent buys qualifying insurance. You write and sign the invitation letter with your income proof.
Book the immigration medical exam
Your parent sees an approved panel physician and keeps the proof of the exam.
Apply online from outside Canada
Your parent applies through the IRCC Portal, pays the $100 fee and uploads the documents. Biometrics cost $85 if needed.
IRCC reviews the application
Processing time varies by country. IRCC may ask for more information, an interview or a police certificate.
Get the visa and travel
Your parent submits their passport to a visa application centre to get the visa. At the border, the officer can allow a stay of up to 5 years.
Costs and timelines
IRCC fees and rules, checked 4 October 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
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Super Visa FAQs
What is the Super Visa?
It is a multiple-entry visa that lets parents and grandparents of a citizen, PR or registered Indian visit for up to 5 years at a time. The visa can be valid for up to 10 years. It does not give permanent residence. Not sure whether a visitor visa is enough? Read our Super Visa vs visitor visa guide.
How long can my parents stay?
If they applied on or after 22 June 2023, they can stay for 5 years at a time. Before their status ends, they must leave Canada or apply to extend their stay. They must keep their insurance and passport valid.
Can I apply for a Super Visa while my sponsorship is pending?
Yes. IRCC says a parent can apply for a Super Visa while waiting for a sponsorship decision, or withdraw the sponsorship and apply for a Super Visa. See our guide on applying while your file is pending.
What income do I need as the host?
You need to meet IRCC’s minimum necessary income for your family size, from $30,526 for 1 person to $80,784 for 7, plus $8,224 for each extra person. You can use either of the last 2 tax years. See our Super Visa income guide. Check your numbers with our Super Visa income calculator.
Can my parent’s income count?
Yes, in one case. If your own income in the last year is at least 75% of the minimum, your parent can add their income to cover the rest. The combined amount must meet the minimum.
What health insurance does my parent need?
The policy must come from a Canadian insurer or an eligible foreign insurer, last at least 1 year from entry, and cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation. It needs at least $100,000 of emergency cover, and it must be paid in full or with a deposit. A quote is not accepted.
Does my parent need a medical exam?
Yes. Your parent must show proof of a medical exam with an approved panel physician. IRCC may also ask for a police certificate.
Can my parents work or study on a Super Visa?
No. A Super Visa does not allow work or study. Most visitors need a permit to work or study in Canada.
Can my parent apply from inside Canada?
No. Your parent must be outside Canada when they apply, and IRCC prints the visa at a visa office outside Canada. Visa-exempt parents get a letter for the border officer instead.
Can I include my parent’s spouse or dependants?
A parent’s spouse or common-law partner can apply for their own Super Visa, and each applicant counts in your family size. Dependants cannot be included in a Super Visa application.
How long does a Super Visa take?
It varies by country and by any extra steps IRCC asks for. See our family processing times page for examples from IRCC data.
Is the Super Visa the same as parents and grandparents sponsorship?
No. Sponsorship gives permanent residence, and IRCC has paused new applications. The Super Visa gives long visits only. See our parents and grandparents sponsorship page and the family sponsorship hub for every route.
What if my parent is from a visa-exempt country?
They can still get a Super Visa to stay for 5 years. IRCC issues a letter for the border officer, and a parent who flies may also need an eTA.