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The Canada Super Visa is a special type of visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods of time. Unlike a regular visitor visa, which is typically valid for up to six months, a Super Visa is valid for up to ten years and allows multiple entries into Canada.
The application process for a Super Visa typically involves submitting an application form, supporting documents, and paying the required fees. The processing time for a Super Visa can vary depending on the volume of applications being processed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
It’s important to note that the Super Visa is not a pathway to permanent residency in Canada, and applicants should be prepared to demonstrate that they intend to return to their home country at the end of their stay in Canada.
To be eligible for a Canada Super Visa, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
The Canada Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows multiple entries into Canada during that time. However, each entry is limited to a maximum stay of 5 years.
This means that a Super Visa holder can stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, and then leave and re-enter Canada as many times as they like during the 10-year period. However, each entry will be subject to the discretion of the border officer at the port of entry, who will determine the length of stay authorized for that particular entry.
The cost of a Canada Super Visa application includes several fees, which may vary depending on the applicant’s nationality and country of residence. The following are the typical fees involved:
It’s important to note that these fees are subject to change, and applicants should check the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the most up-to-date fee information.
Additionally, applicants should be prepared to provide evidence of financial support, such as a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada, and evidence of their income and assets. The IRCC may also request additional documents or information during the application process, which could affect the overall cost of the Super Visa application.
To apply for a Super Visa for Canada, you will need to submit several documents to prove your eligibility. Given below is the list of documents that the applicant will need to provide:
It’s important to note that the above list of documents is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required based on your individual circumstances. It’s recommended that you consult with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer to ensure that you have all the necessary documents for your Super Visa application.
Note: These income requirements are based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) figures and are subject to change. It’s important to note that meeting the income requirements alone does not guarantee the approval of a Super Visa application, as there are other eligibility criteria that must also be met.
The following is a general outline of the Canada Super Visa application procedure:
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The Super Visa is a 10-year, multiple-entry visitor visa that lets eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, without needing to renew their status every 6 months like a standard visitor visa. It doesn’t grant permanent residence; it’s a long-stay temporary visa, but it’s currently the most practical way for parents and grandparents to spend extended time in Canada while the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains closed to new general applications.
Two notable changes have landed in 2026: (1) as of March 31, 2026, hosts gained more flexibility on the income test, they can now use either of the two most recent tax years, and can supplement their own income with the visiting parent or grandparent’s income (pensions, investments, savings) if they meet a minimum independent threshold; and (2) as of July 3, 2026, IRCC significantly cut Super Visa processing times for applicants from India to around 50 days, down from the standard 90–120 day range. Both changes apply automatically to new and in-progress applications.
The Super Visa is a 10-year multiple-entry visa allowing parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, without needing a lottery or annual intake window. It’s the recommended alternative while the PGP remains closed. Requirements include proof of the sponsor’s income (based on LICO, generally lower than PGP’s MNI threshold) and private medical insurance of at least $100,000 CAD covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. As of July 3, 2026, IRCC significantly cut Super Visa processing times for applicants from India to around 50 days.
| PGP | Super Visa |
Result | Permanent residence | Long-term visitor status (not PR) |
Intake | Closed / invitation-only in 2026 | Open year-round |
Income test | Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), 3 tax years | Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), generally lower bar |
Stay length | Permanent | Up to 5 years per entry, visa valid 10 years |
Medical insurance | Not required | $100,000 CAD minimum, mandatory |
To qualify, the applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and the Canadian host must meet Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold for their household size. The applicant must also pass a medical examination, hold valid private medical insurance (minimum $100,000 CAD coverage), and be otherwise admissible to Canada (no serious criminal or medical inadmissibility issues). A signed letter of invitation from the host in Canada is also required.
A Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years, and each entry allows a stay of up to 5 years without needing to leave and re-enter or renew status. This is the single biggest advantage over a standard visitor visa, which typically limits stays to 6 months at a time and requires either leaving the country or applying for an extension well before that period ends.
The Canadian host must meet Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), which scales by household size, for 2026, roughly $54,743 CAD for a household of 3 and $66,466 CAD for a household of 4, with about $9,636 CAD added per additional person. As of a March 31, 2026 policy change, hosts now have more flexibility: they can use income from either of the two most recent tax years (not just the latest), and if they meet a required minimum percentage of the threshold independently, the visiting parent or grandparent’s own income (pensions, investments, savings) can be added to cover the rest.
Household Size | Approx. LICO Threshold (2026, CAD) |
3 people | $54,743 |
4 people | $66,466 |
Each additional person | +~$9,636 |
Note: LICO thresholds are updated annually and vary slightly by source region. Confirm the exact current figure on IRCC’s official Super Visa page before applying.
Super Visa processing generally takes 90–120 days globally, with IRCC’s official service standard around 112 days (aiming to process 80% of applications within that window). Processing time varies significantly by country of application — for example, applications from the Philippines have recently run 95–116 days, while as of July 3, 2026, IRCC cut processing times for applicants from India to approximately 50 days. IRCC’s overall immigration backlog has also recently dropped below 1 million applications, which may improve processing speed further through the rest of 2026.
No. The Super Visa is a temporary, long-stay visitor visa — it doesn’t provide a path to permanent residence, doesn’t require a sponsorship undertaking, and doesn’t count toward any settlement timeline. Parents and grandparents wanting actual PR status need to go through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which is currently invitation-only and closed to new general applications in 2026. Many families use the Super Visa as a practical bridge while waiting for a future PGP intake window to open.
The core government fees are $100 CAD for the visa application plus $85 CAD for biometrics per applicant. The largest cost is private medical insurance, typically running $1,200–$3,500 CAD per year depending on the applicant’s age, health, and chosen deductible, older applicants and those with pre-existing conditions generally pay more. Add a medical exam fee (varies by panel physician and country) on top of these.
Cost Item | Typical Amount (CAD) |
Visa application fee | $100 |
Biometrics fee | $85 per person |
Medical insurance (annual) | $1,200–$3,500+, depending on age/health |
Medical exam | Varies by panel physician |
Super Visa applicants need private medical insurance with at least $100,000 CAD in coverage, valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry, covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. The policy must come from a Canadian insurance company, or a foreign insurer that’s OSFI-approved (appearing on the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions’ list of federally regulated providers). Proof of paid insurance, not just a quote, must be submitted with the application; buying a policy after submitting the application is a common and automatically disqualifying mistake.
A complete application typically includes: a valid passport, proof of the parent/grandparent relationship, a letter of invitation from the Canadian host, proof of the host’s income (Notice of Assessment or equivalent), proof of paid medical insurance meeting the coverage requirements, results of an immigration medical exam, and a police clearance certificate if required for the applicant’s country. Missing or inconsistent documentation is one of the most common causes of delay or refusal.
According to IRCC’s own report to Parliament, the Super Visa has an average approval rate of around 78% across all applications from 2011 to 2023, rising to 81% in 2023 specifically. Approval rates vary meaningfully by country of residence — applicants from India (87%) and Bangladesh (88%) have historically had higher-than-average approval rates, while the Philippines (75%) has run somewhat below average. Since India accounts for over half of all Super Visa holders, the strong India-specific rate meaningfully lifts the overall average.
Approval Rates by Top Source Country (2011–2023, Official IRCC Data)
Country | Share of All Super Visas | Approval Rate |
India | 56% | 87% |
China | 11% | 79% |
Philippines | 4% | 75% |
Bangladesh | 2% | 88% |
All other countries | 22% | 75% |
Overall average | 100% | ~78% |
Two notable changes have landed in 2026: (1) as of March 31, 2026, hosts gained more flexibility on the income test — they can now use either of the two most recent tax years, and can supplement their own income with the visiting parent or grandparent’s income (pensions, investments, savings) if they meet a minimum independent threshold; and (2) as of July 3, 2026, IRCC significantly cut Super Visa processing times for applicants from India to around 50 days, down from the standard 90–120 day range. Both changes apply automatically to new and in-progress applications.
A regular visitor visa typically allows stays of up to 6 months per entry and doesn’t require private medical insurance. A Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry (valid for 10 years total) but is only available to parents and grandparents of citizens/PRs, and requires mandatory private medical insurance with at least $100,000 CAD coverage — a requirement that doesn’t apply to standard visitor visas.
| Regular Visitor Visa | Super Visa |
Who can apply | Most foreign nationals | Parents/grandparents of citizens or PRs only |
Max stay per entry | Up to 6 months | Up to 5 years |
Visa validity | Varies | Up to 10 years |
Mandatory medical insurance | No | Yes, minimum $100,000 CAD |
Income test for host | No | Yes, LICO-based |
Yes. A parent or grandparent already in Canada on a Super Visa can apply to extend their stay from within Canada before their current authorized period expires, without needing to leave the country. This flexibility is one of the practical advantages of the Super Visa over some other temporary status types, and it’s worth applying for an extension well ahead of the expiry date to avoid any gap in valid status.
For parents and grandparents planning an extended stay, the Super Visa is almost always the better choice, it allows up to 5 years per visit (versus 6 months on a regular visitor visa) and doesn’t require renewing status every few months. A regular visitor visa is better for shorter trips, for visitors who aren’t a parent or grandparent of the host (since only they qualify for a Super Visa), or for anyone who doesn’t want to take on mandatory private medical insurance and the host income requirement that come with the Super Visa.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Super Visa | Regular Visitor Visa |
Who can apply | Only parents/grandparents of a Canadian citizen or PR | Most foreign nationals |
Max stay per entry | Up to 5 years | Up to 6 months |
Visa validity | Up to 10 years | Up to 10 years |
Requires host invitation | Yes, with promise of financial support | No |
Host income test | Yes (Low Income Cut-Off) | No |
Mandatory medical insurance | Yes, minimum $100,000 CAD | No |
Application fee | $100 CAD | $7–$100 CAD |
Historical approval rate | ~78% average (2011–2023) | ~66% average (2019–2023); refusals have trended higher since |
The Honest Trade-Off
The Super Visa’s extra requirements; the income test and mandatory insurance, exist precisely because it grants a much longer stay. In exchange for that flexibility, IRCC wants stronger assurance the visitor is financially supported and covered medically for the whole period. A regular visitor visa is lighter on paperwork but locks you into short stays with more frequent renewals if you want to extend a visit.
Bottom line: if the visitor is a parent or grandparent and you want them to stay for more than a few months at a time, the Super Visa’s added requirements are worth it. If it’s a shorter trip, or the visitor doesn’t qualify as a parent/grandparent of the host, a regular visitor visa is the only, and simpler option.
The most common refusal reasons are: insufficient or improperly formatted insurance (buying a policy after submitting the application, or from a non-compliant insurer), the host not meeting the LICO income threshold, incomplete or inconsistent documentation, failed medical or admissibility checks, and an unclear or unconvincing letter of invitation and relationship evidence. Because insurance and income requirements are strictly verified, careful preparation of these two elements specifically prevents the majority of avoidable refusals.
A Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years, and each entry allows a stay of up to 5 years without needing to leave and re-enter or renew status. This is the single biggest advantage over a standard visitor visa, which typically limits stays to 6 months at a time and requires either leaving the country or applying for an extension well before that period ends.
For most families in 2026, the Super Visa is the more practical near-term choice, since the PGP is closed to new general applications and only processing invitations from a 2020 interest pool. The Super Visa offers no lottery, year-round applications, and long stays (up to 5 years per entry), but results in visitor status, not permanent residence. Families who specifically want their parent or grandparent to become a Canadian permanent resident should still register interest for future PGP rounds while using the Super Visa as a practical bridge in the meantime.