Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents: 2026 Requirements
The Super Visa is a long-stay visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows stays of up to five years at a time, with multiple entries for up to ten years. It does not lead to permanent residence.
What you need
- A signed invitation letter from the child or grandchild in Canada, which should explain the financial commitment, accommodation and plans for the visit.
- Host income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the family size, proven with tax documents such as notices of assessment. IRCC changed how host income is assessed, effective March 31, 2026, adding new ways to meet the requirement. Since that date, you can meet the requirement in either of your two most recent tax years, and in some cases the visiting parent's own income can be added once you meet a minimum share on your own. The threshold is the plain LICO for your family size, not the higher figure used when sponsoring parents for permanent residence. Check IRCC for the current figures.
- Private medical insurance of at least CAD $100,000, valid for at least one year from entry, covering health care, hospitalization and repatriation. IRCC now also accepts policies from foreign insurers authorized to operate in Canada, so confirm that your policy qualifies.
- An immigration medical exam.
- Proof of relationship, such as birth certificates.
Counting family size
The host's family size includes the host, their spouse or partner, dependent children, anyone they have sponsored who is still under an undertaking, any parent or grandparent already covered by a Super Visa invitation, and each person being invited. Counting wrongly is a common reason for failing the income test.
Why applications are refused
Common reasons include insufficient documented income, insurance that falls short, a weak or vague invitation letter, missing documents, and doubts that the visitor will leave at the end of their stay.
Super Visa or visitor visa?
A regular visitor visa has no income test or insurance requirement, but stays are limited (usually six months at a time). See our visitor visa guide.
Get help from a licensed consultant
I can check the host's income and family size, review the insurance and invitation letter, and prepare the application. No one can guarantee an approval.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Super Visa let my parents stay permanently? No. It allows long visits, but it is not a path to permanent residence.
Does the PGP pause affect the Super Visa? No. The Super Visa is unaffected.
Sources: IRCC, Canada takes steps to responsibly manage the Parents and Grandparents Program; law-firm summaries of the March 31, 2026 change.
This page is general information, not legal advice on your situation.