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Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents
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Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents

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The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a temporary resident program designed to help Canadian citizens and permanent residents maintain long-term family connections with their parents and grandparents. Unlike a regular visitor visa, the Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for extended periods, making it a practical option when permanent residence sponsorship is not immediately available.

Although the Super Visa permits longer stays, it is not a sponsorship or permanent residence program. Applications are assessed under strict Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements and must clearly demonstrate eligibility, admissibility, and temporary resident intent. Both the parent or grandparent and the child or grandchild in Canada must meet specific conditions, including minimum income requirements, private medical insurance, and successful completion of an immigration medical examination.

Because Super Visa applications involve detailed financial, medical, and eligibility assessments, IRCC reviews them carefully for accuracy and completeness. Applications may be delayed or refused if income calculations are incorrect, insurance does not meet program requirements, or the applicant’s temporary intent is not clearly established.

The sections below explain who can apply, what eligibility requirements apply, and how the IRCC application process works. If your long-term goal is permanent family reunification, you may also wish to review Canada’s Family Class immigration programs, including options for parents and grandparents. To better understand your situation and eligibility, you can learn more about our immigration consultants and book a consultation for personalized guidance. For a clear overview of service options, timelines, and what is included, you may also review our fees.

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa?

Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents

Parents of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents

A parent may apply for a Super Visa to Canada if all of the following conditions are met:

  • They are the biological or legally adopted parent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
  • The child or children in Canada are at least 18 years old and reside in Canada
  • The child or children in Canada meet the minimum income requirement (MNI/LICO) based on family size
  • The parent has valid private medical insurance that meets IRCC Super Visa requirements
  • The parent is admissible to Canada and can demonstrate temporary resident intent

If any of these conditions are not met, the parent may not be eligible for a Super Visa. The application must be submitted as a temporary resident visa, and approval is based on meeting all IRCC eligibility, financial, and admissibility requirements.

Grandparents of Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents

 A grandparent may apply for a Super Visa to Canada if all of the following conditions are met:

  • They are the biological or legally adopted grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent residentThe grandchild in Canada is at least 18 years old and resides in Canada
  • The child or grandchild in Canada meets the minimum income requirement (MNI/LICO) based on family size
  • The grandparent has valid private medical insurance that meets IRCC Super Visa requirements
  • The grandparent is admissible to Canada and can demonstrate temporary resident intent

If any of these conditions are not met, the grandparent may not be eligible for a Super Visa. The application must be submitted as a temporary resident visa, and approval depends on meeting all IRCC eligibility, financial, and admissibility criteria.

Eligibility & Requirements

Applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa requires meeting specific eligibility and admissibility criteria set by IRCC. Although the Super Visa allows extended stays in Canada, it is still a temporary resident application that is carefully assessed based on the applicant’s circumstances and the host’s ability to meet program requirements. Parents and grandparents, along with their child or grandchild in Canada, must satisfy conditions related to income, medical insurance, admissibility, and temporary intent. Understanding these requirements early helps ensure a complete application and reduces the risk of delays or refusal.

Child / Grandchild in Canada – Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, the applicant must have a child or grandchild in Canada who meets IRCC’s eligibility requirements and agrees to act as the host during the visit.

The child or grandchild in Canada must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
  • Be at least 18 years old at the time the application is submitted
  • Reside in Canada and be able to demonstrate ongoing residence
  • Meet or exceed the minimum necessary income (MNI / LICO) based on the total family size
  • Provide a signed letter of invitation confirming financial support for the full duration of the parent’s or grandparent’s stay in Canada

The invitation letter must clearly state the host’s commitment to support the visiting parent or grandparent and must include a detailed list of all individuals counted toward family size, such as the host, their spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s).

If required to meet the income threshold, the host’s spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the invitation letter, provided they are also a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and their income is included in the calculation.

Failure to meet the income or host eligibility requirements is one of the most common reasons Super Visa applications are refused.

Parent / Grandparent – Eligibility Requirements

Parents and grandparents applying for a Super Visa must independently meet IRCC’s eligibility and admissibility requirements, in addition to having an eligible host in Canada.

To be eligible, the parent or grandparent must:

  • Be outside Canada when submitting the Super Visa application
  • Be admissible to Canada, meaning they must not be criminally or security inadmissible
  • Successfully complete an IRCC-approved immigration medical examination
  • Demonstrate that they are a genuine temporary visitor who will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay
  • Satisfy IRCC that the purpose of travel is consistent with a long-term family visit

IRCC evaluates each application based on the applicant’s overall circumstances, including their travel history, family ties outside Canada, financial situation, and previous compliance with immigration laws. Even though Super Visa holders are allowed long stays, applicants must still clearly demonstrate temporary resident intent.

Dependants, including spouses or minor children of the parent or grandparent, cannot be included in a Super Visa application and must apply separately under the appropriate visa category.

Minimum Income Requirement (MNI / LICO)

To be eligible for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, the child or grandchild in Canada must meet the minimum necessary income (MNI) requirement set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This income threshold is intended to ensure that the host can financially support the visiting parent or grandparent during their stay in Canada.

The required income is based on total family size, which includes:

  • The child or grandchild in Canada
  • Their spouse or common-law partner
  • Any dependent children
  • The parent(s) or grandparent(s) applying for the Super Visa

IRCC assesses income using official financial documents, most commonly the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment (NOA) or other accepted proof of income. If necessary, the host’s spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the invitation letter and include their income, provided they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

If the minimum income requirement is not met at the time of application, the Super Visa application will be refused. Accurate income calculations and proper documentation are essential, as income shortfalls are one of the most common reasons Super Visa applications are denied.

Medical Insurance Requirement

Parents and grandparents applying for a Super Visa must have valid private medical insurance that meets IRCC’s specific Super Visa requirements. This insurance is mandatory and must be in place before the application is submitted.

The medical insurance policy must:

  • Be issued by a Canadian insurance company, or an approved foreign insurance company authorized to provide insurance in Canada
  • Be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry to Canada
  • Provide at least $100,000 in coverage
  • Cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
  • Be paid in full or paid by instalments with a deposit (insurance quotes are not accepted)

The insurance policy must remain valid for each entry to Canada. If the policy expires before the parent or grandparent leaves Canada, it must be renewed or replaced to maintain legal status. Applicants should also be prepared to present proof of paid insurance to a border services officer upon arrival.

Failure to provide insurance that fully meets IRCC requirements — including insufficient coverage, incorrect validity dates, or unacceptable insurers — can result in refusal, even if all other eligibility criteria are met.

Extension & Length of Stay

The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for extended periods, making it one of the most flexible temporary resident options available.

  • Super Visa holders may stay in Canada for up to 5 years per entry, subject to the decision of the border services officer
  • The Super Visa itself may be issued for up to 10 years, depending on passport validity
  • Parents and grandparents may apply to extend their stay from inside Canada before their authorized stay expires

Extension applications are assessed by IRCC and are not automatic. Applicants must continue to meet Super Visa conditions at the time of extension, including maintaining valid private medical insurance for the entire requested extension period.

If medical insurance expires before the planned departure from Canada, it must be renewed or replaced to maintain legal status. Failure to apply for an extension on time or maintain valid insurance may result in loss of status and the need to leave Canada.

IRCC Application Process

Document Checklist Requirements

Applications for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa must follow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) official requirements exactly. Although the Super Visa is a temporary resident application, it is assessed more carefully than a regular visitor visa due to the extended length of stay it allows.

IRCC closely reviews Super Visa applications for completeness, eligibility, and admissibility. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the official IRCC Super Visa eligibility and document requirements before submitting their application.

In general, a complete Super Visa application includes:

  • Required IRCC application forms for a visitor visa, including family information and representative forms (if applicable)
  • Valid passports and identity documents for the parent or grandparent
  • Proof of relationship between the applicant and the child or grandchild in Canada
  • A signed invitation letter confirming financial support and family size
  • Proof that the host meets the minimum necessary income (MNI / LICO)
  • Proof of paid private medical insurance that meets Super Visa requirements
  • Immigration medical examination results and biometrics, if required
  • Supporting documents demonstrating temporary resident intent and ties to the home country

Documents not in English or French must be accompanied by certified translations. Incomplete or incorrect submissions may result in delays or refusal.

IRCC Processing Time

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes regularly updated Super Visa processing time estimates through its official online processing time tool. These estimates are not guaranteed timelines, but they provide a general indication of how long it may take from the time a complete application is received until a final decision is made.

Processing times for Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applications can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

  • The applicant’s country of residence
  • The visa office processing the application
  • Whether biometrics or an immigration medical exam are required
  • The overall completeness and quality of the application
  • IRCC’s current workload and seasonal application volumes

Delays commonly occur when applications are incomplete, required documents or certified translations are missing, medical insurance does not meet Super Visa requirements, or IRCC requests additional information or clarification.

Processing times may also be affected by broader operational factors, such as IRCC staffing levels and global application volumes, which can influence how quickly Super Visa applications are finalized.

Applicants are encouraged to regularly check the IRCC Super Visa processing time estimates and ensure their application is complete and well-documented to help avoid unnecessary delays.

IRCC Application Fees

Applying for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa involves government fees paid to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as well as additional third-party costs. Paying the correct fees in full is required before IRCC will process an application.

Government Fees (Paid to IRCC)

The following government fees generally apply to a Super Visa application:

  • Super Visa (visitor visa) application fee: CAD $100 per applicant
  • Biometrics fee: CAD $85 per person (if required)

Government fees must be paid online at the time of application. Applicants should always confirm current amounts using the official IRCC fee list, as fees may change:

Third-Party Costs (Not Paid to IRCC)

In addition to government fees, applicants should budget for other expenses, which may include:

  • Immigration medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician
  • Private medical insurance that meets Super Visa requirements
  • Police certificates (if requested)
  • Certified translations for documents not in English or French

Failure to pay the correct fees or include proof of payment may result in processing delays or the application being returned.

Application Status Tracker

After submitting a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa application, applicants can track its progress using Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) official online tools. Most updates will appear in the applicant’s IRCC secure online account used to submit the application.

Key updates that may be issued by IRCC include:

  • Requests for additional documents or clarification
  • Biometrics instructions and confirmation
  • Immigration medical examination instructions or results
  • Updates on application review or a final decision

Once the application is submitted, applicants can monitor overall progress using IRCC’s online application status tracker, which provides high-level updates on the processing stage of the Super Visa application.

Depending on how and when the application was submitted, some updates may also appear through IRCC email notifications or be provided following the submission of an IRCC webform enquiry. Status updates may not appear immediately and can change as the application moves through different stages of processing.

Applicants are encouraged to regularly check their IRCC online account and application status tool to stay informed throughout the Super Visa process.

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