Super Visa Canada: Requirements, Eligibility, and How to Apply

While Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program lottery processes applications over three to four years — and is currently paused for new entrants in 2026 — the Super Visa is available right now. It lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with the option to extend. For families stuck on opposite sides of a border, it's the most direct solution available.

Here's how it works, what it costs, and what changed in March 2026.

Who Qualifies for a Super Visa

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa issued to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The visa itself is valid for up to 10 years (multi-entry), and each authorized stay can be up to five years per entry.

To be eligible:

The visitor (parent or grandparent) must:

• Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Pass a medical examination
• Have no criminal inadmissibility issues
• Hold valid private medical insurance from a Canadian or OSFI-approved international insurer (minimum $100,000 coverage for at least one year)

The Canadian host (child or grandchild) must:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold for the most recent assessed tax year
• Submit a signed letter of invitation confirming they will support the parent's stay

The Super Visa is not available to anyone — the visiting individual must be a direct parent or grandparent. Aunts, uncles, siblings, and in-laws do not qualify for the Super Visa (though they may qualify for a standard visitor visa).

Income Requirements: The 2026 Changes

Meeting the income threshold is where many families run into problems. The Super Visa uses base LICO (the Low Income Cut-Off without the 30% buffer used for the PGP), and it only assesses one tax year rather than three.

In March 2026, IRCC introduced two significant changes to how income is assessed:

Two-Year Lookback Window: Previously, the host had to meet the income threshold in the most recent tax year. The new rules allow the host (and any co-signer) to meet the requirement in either of the two tax years preceding the application. If you had a lower income year in 2024 due to maternity leave or a job transition but a strong year in 2023, you can use 2023 to qualify.

Supplemental Visitor Income Rule (75% Threshold): If the Canadian host and their co-signer together already meet at least 75% of the required threshold, they can now count the visiting parent's own income toward the remainder. Many elderly parents have pensions, investment income, or property rental income that can make up the gap. The parent's income must be demonstrably stable and expected to continue for the duration of the stay. This is a significant change — it acknowledges the reality that many parents aren't arriving penniless.

These changes make the Super Visa more accessible to middle-income families and those with variable employment income.

How to Apply

The Super Visa application is submitted by the visiting parent or grandparent, but requires documents from the Canadian host. Applications are submitted online through IRCC's portal. Processing time as of early 2026 is approximately 112 to 182 days (roughly four to six months).

Documents from the Canadian host:

• A signed invitation letter confirming the parent is welcome to stay, that the host meets income requirements, and that the host will financially support the visitor
• Proof of income: Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the qualifying tax year, or T4s and employment letter if the NOA isn't available yet
• Proof of status: Copy of Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, or permanent resident card
• Proof of relationship: Birth certificate or adoption documents showing the host is the child or grandchild

Documents from the visiting parent:

• Valid passport (must be valid for the intended stay)
• Completed IMM 5256 (Visitor Visa application) and IMM 5645 (Family Information)
• Two photos meeting IRCC specifications
• Proof of private medical insurance (policy documents, proof of premium payment, coverage confirmation)
• Results of medical examination (completed by an IRCC-designated physician)
• Biometrics enrollment (if not done within the last 10 years)

The Insurance Requirement

Private medical insurance is mandatory — this is non-negotiable for the Super Visa. The policy must:

• Provide a minimum of $100,000 in coverage
• Cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation
• Be issued by a Canadian insurance company or an OSFI-approved international provider
• Be valid for at least one year from the expected date of entry

Insurance costs vary significantly by age and health status. Annual premiums for a 70-year-old with stable pre-existing conditions typically run $2,500 to $4,000. For visitors over 80, premiums often exceed $6,000 annually. Monthly payment plans are now accepted as valid proof of coverage for the application.

Pre-existing conditions are a major variable. Policies that exclude pre-existing conditions are cheaper but may leave a parent unprotected for the most likely medical events. Policies that cover stable chronic conditions offer more comprehensive protection but cost considerably more. What "stable" means varies by insurer — typically that the condition has not required changes in treatment, new symptoms, or hospitalization in the 90 to 180 days before departure.

A separate post covers super visa insurance in detail including how to evaluate coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Extending a Super Visa

A parent or grandparent who arrives on a Super Visa and wants to stay beyond their initial authorized period can apply for a two-year extension from inside Canada. This extension is done through an online application to IRCC and requires:

• A valid Super Visa still in their passport
• An application before the current authorized stay expires
• Updated proof of insurance covering the extended period
• Updated letter of financial support from the Canadian host

An initial five-year stay plus a two-year extension equals seven consecutive years in Canada without leaving. For families waiting on a PGP application — which currently takes 34 to 40 months to process — this gives more than enough bridge time.

If the parent leaves Canada and wants to return, they use their multi-entry Super Visa to re-enter and receive a new five-year authorized stay each time. The multi-entry Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years, so multiple trips can be made on a single visa.

Super Visa vs. Standard Visitor Visa

The key differences:

For parents who just want a short visit, a standard visitor visa is simpler. For families planning extended stays — especially those waiting on a PGP application — the Super Visa is the better tool.

For comprehensive guidance on the Super Visa application process alongside PGP strategy, the Canada Parent/Grandparent Sponsorship Guide covers both pathways and how to use them together.

The Bottom Line

The Super Visa is the most practical tool available right now for families waiting on PGP permanent residency. With stays of up to five years per entry, the 2026 income flexibility changes, and the option to extend from inside Canada, it's a genuine bridge rather than a short-term bandage. The main cost is medical insurance — factor that into your planning before you apply.

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