Visitor Visa for Your Parents: Invite Them to Canada
You can invite your parents to visit Canada for up to 6 months on a visitor visa. They must show ties to home, enough money and a plan to leave, and you write the invitation letter. For longer stays of up to 5 years, look at the Super Visa. We help you choose and file a strong application.
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Can your parents visit you on a visitor visa?
Yes, if they meet the visitor visa rules. They need a valid passport, good health, no criminal or immigration-related convictions, ties that will take them home, a plan to leave at the end and enough money. A letter of invitation from you often helps (IRCC).
What if they want to stay longer?
A visitor visa suits a trip of 6 months or less. For long stays, the Super Visa lets parents and grandparents stay up to 5 years at a time, but needs a host income test and private health insurance. Read our Super Visa vs visitor visa guide, the Super Visa page, the income calculator and the parents sponsorship page.
Key rules at a glance
- Invitation letter: include your status proof, details of your parents and the trip plan.
- Ties to home: a home, family, assets or pension income that bring your parents back.
- Stay: most visitors stay up to 6 months, and the border officer decides.
- Insurance: a visitor visa does not list insurance as a requirement, but a Super Visa does.
Which situation matches yours?
Pick the situation that matches yours below.
A visitor visa for parents fits if
- You want a visit of a few weeks to 6 months.
- You prefer to avoid the Super Visa income test and insurance rules.
- Your parents can show ties and funds.
Another route fits if
- Your parents want to stay for years: read the Super Visa page.
- You want to sponsor them for PR: see the parents sponsorship page, which is paused at the time of writing.
- They arrive from an eTA country: an eTA may be enough for air travel.
See the Visiting Canada hub and the family sponsorship hub.
Why parents’ visitor visas get refused
Five problems cause most trouble. Source: IRCC.
Weak ties to home
Officers must be convinced that your parents will leave at the end of the visit. Retired parents need clear ties such as property, a spouse or pension.
Funds unclear
The funds must cover the stay, and the invitation letter should say who pays. Attach proof.
Previous refusals
Earlier refusals can raise questions. Answer the old reasons with new proof.
Medical or admissibility issues
Parents may need a medical exam, and criminal or health issues can make them inadmissible. Read our inadmissibility and refusals hub.
Incomplete application
Missing documents can lead to a refusal. Upload everything on the checklist.
Not sure which visa fits your parents?
We check ties, funds and the invitation letter before you file.
Timing you cannot miss
Apply early for peak travel
Processing times vary by visa office. Check the IRCC tool and apply well before holidays or family events.
Your parents’ passports should be valid for at least 6 months from the travel date. Renew first if needed.
If your parents need more time, they apply for a visitor record before their status expires. Consider a Super Visa for repeated long stays.
Documents to gather
Your parents get a personalized checklist online. Start with these.
How to invite your parents, step by step
Six stages from your letter to their arrival.
Write the invitation
Include your status, their details and the trip plan.
Compare the visas
Decide between a visitor visa and a Super Visa.
Gather proof
Funds, home ties and relationship documents.
Apply online
Your parents answer the questions and upload the checklist.
Give biometrics
Do it as soon as the letter arrives.
Travel
The border officer decides the stay.
Costs
From IRCC pages. Last updated: October 2026.
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Parents’ visitor visa FAQs
Can my parents visit me in Canada?
Yes, if they meet the visitor visa rules. They need ties to home, enough money and a plan to leave at the end. A letter of invitation from you often helps.
How long can my parents stay on a visitor visa?
Most visitors can stay up to 6 months. The border officer decides and may allow less or more.
What is the difference between a visitor visa and a Super Visa?
A visitor visa suits a trip of 6 months or less. A Super Visa lets parents and grandparents stay up to 5 years at a time but needs a host income test and private health insurance. Read our comparison guide.
Do my parents need medical exams?
They may. IRCC says you may need a medical exam for a visitor visa, and a Super Visa requires one. Check the rules for your parents’ situation.
What should the invitation letter include?
Your name, date of birth, address, phone, job and proof of status, details of your parents, the purpose and length of the visit, where they stay, how costs are paid and when they leave. Write it honestly.
How much does a visitor visa cost?
IRCC lists the visitor visa fee as starting from CAD$100. Biometrics cost CAD$85 if needed. Check the IRCC fee list.
Can I sponsor my parents instead?
The Parents and Grandparents Program is paused at the time of writing. Read our parents sponsorship page for the current status.
Can my parents extend their visit?
They can apply for a visitor record before their status expires. Read our visitor record guide.
Why do parents’ visas get refused?
Common reasons include weak ties to home, unclear funds, earlier refusals, medical or admissibility issues and incomplete applications. Your letter lists the reasons.
Can my parents work while visiting?
No. A visit does not give the right to work.
Do my parents need an eTA instead?
Only if their passport is visa-exempt and they fly. IRCC has a questionnaire. Read our eTA guide.
What if the visa is refused?
Your parents can reapply with new information or ask the Federal Court to review the decision. There is no appeal. See our visitor visa refused guide.