Choosing between a super visa or visitor visa comes down to how long your parents want to stay. A super visa lets them stay up to 5 years at a time, while most visitors can stay up to 6 months.
Permanent sponsorship is not open to new sponsors, because Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) paused the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) until further notice.
We checked each rule below against IRCC’s own pages on October 14, 2026. Here is how the three routes compare, and how to pick the one that fits your family.
Super visa or visitor visa: what is the real difference?
The real difference is length of stay against paperwork. A super visa gives parents and grandparents up to 5 years per stay, but your host must meet an income table and your parents need a year of Canadian approved health insurance. A visitor visa has no host income table, but most stays end at 6 months.
| Â | Super visa | Visitor visa | Parent sponsorship (PGP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Open | Open | Paused for new sponsors |
| Stay per entry | Up to 5 years | Most visitors up to 6 months | Permanent residence |
| Validity | Multiple entries for up to 10 years | Up to 10 years, single or multiple entry at the officer’s discretion | Not applicable |
| Host income test | Yes, minimum necessary income | No host income table | Yes, for those already in process |
| Health insurance | At least $100,000 emergency coverage for 1 year | No set IRCC minimum | Not applicable |
| Medical exam | Yes, with a panel physician | Only in some cases | Yes |
The super visa fee starts from $100, according to IRCC’s super visa page, last modified July 6, 2026.
Can you still sponsor your parents for permanent residence?
Not if you are a new sponsor. IRCC’s sponsorship page, modified August 18, 2026, says it will not accept new interest to sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice. Applications already submitted are still being processed, so this route is only live for families already in the system.
If your parents already have a sponsorship file open, they can still apply for a super visa in the meantime. We explain how in applying for a super visa while a PGP file is pending.
For the background on the pause, see our post on the Parents and Grandparents Program suspension in 2026.
How much income do you need for a super visa?
Your host must earn at least the minimum necessary income, which is the lowest income IRCC accepts for their family size. IRCC’s table, last updated July 29, 2025, starts at $30,526 for one person and reaches $80,784 for seven, plus $8,224 for each extra person.
The count includes the host, their spouse, their dependent children and the parents applying. It also includes anyone the host sponsored or invited before whose promise of support is still in effect.
| Family size | Minimum income (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $30,526 |
| 2 | $38,002 |
| 3 | $46,720 |
| 4 | $56,724 |
| 5 | $64,336 |
| 6 | $72,560 |
| 7 | $80,784 |
Here is a worked example: you, your spouse and your two children make four. Add your mother and father, who are applying, and the family size is six. Your household needs at least $72,560.
Since March 31, 2026, IRCC’s income page lists a second way to qualify. If your income last year was at least 75% of the amount, your parents’ own income can make up the rest. They must show they will keep earning that income while in Canada.
New Ministerial Instructions (official rules from the immigration minister) came into force on March 31, 2026 to update the income rule. We cover what changed in super visa income requirements for 2026.
When is a super visa or visitor visa the better choice?
Pick the visitor visa when your parents want visits of a few weeks or months, or when your household is below the income table. Pick the super visa when they want to stay longer than 6 months at a time, you meet the income table, and you can pay for a full year of insurance before they travel.
A few questions settle most cases:
- Will your parents stay longer than 6 months in one trip? If yes, lean toward the super visa.
- Does your household meet the income table for its size? If not, the super visa is off the table for now.
- Can you buy insurance from a Canadian company, or an approved foreign one, paid in full or in instalments with a deposit? IRCC does not accept quotes.
- Can your parents get a medical exam with an approved panel physician? The super visa requires one.
One cost to weigh: a year of super visa insurance is a real expense, and it has to be paid, or started with a deposit, when you apply. For short visits, that cost often buys nothing a visitor visa would not.
What does a super visa application need from your parents?
Your parents must be outside Canada when they apply, according to IRCC’s super visa eligibility page. A complete application needs:
-
A signed letter of invitation from the Canadian host.
-
Proof of host income meeting the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold.
-
Proof of private health insurance from a Canadian or approved foreign provider (covering at least $100,000 for a minimum of 1 year).
-
A medical exam completed by an IRCC-approved panel physician.
IRCC’s documents page, modified July 30, 2026, says the insurance must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation for at least 1 year from entry.
Your letter of invitation must list everyone you counted in your family size, with each person’s name and date of birth. For income, IRCC prefers your Canada Revenue Agency notice of assessment. If you do not have one, it also accepts a T4 or T1, pay stubs, an employer letter, or bank statements.
Full details are on our super visa service page. If a visitor visa fits better, see our visitor visa for parents page.
Frequently asked questions
Can my parents switch from a visitor visa to a super visa later?
Yes, but they must submit an entirely new application from outside Canada. There is no way to switch from inside Canada. If your parents are here on a visitor visa and want a longer stay, they must apply from abroad, with your income proof and their insurance ready.
Can a grandchild be the host for a super visa?
Yes, a grandchild can act as the host. IRCC specifies the host must be the applicant’s child or grandchild, at least 18 years old, living in Canada, and holding status as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian.
The host must also meet the minimum necessary income for their family size. A grandchild host counts their own household in that family size.
Is 6 months the most a visitor can stay?
Not always, but 6 months is the standard limit. IRCC says most visitors can stay up to 6 months, but the border services officer decides at entry. The officer may allow more or less time and notes the date you must leave.
Every rule here comes from pages published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, checked on October 14, 2026.
Not sure which route fits your parents? Book Your Strategy Consultation and we will check your income and plan the right application with you.
