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Extended Family Visits
Eligible Super Visa holders may be authorized to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time rather than the shorter period generally granted to regular visitors.
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PARENT & GRANDPARENT SUPER VISA
More Time Together, Less Distance Between You
Help your parents or grandparents spend extended time with your family in Canada through a carefully prepared Super Visa application.
Guidance for the applicant, Canadian host, income evidence, insurance and supporting documents
5 Years
Potential authorized stay per entry
Up to 10 Years
Potential multiple-entry visa validity
$100,000
Minimum emergency medical coverage
1 Year
Minimum insurance validity from entry
UNDERSTANDING THE SUPER VISA
A Long-Term Visitor Option Designed for Families
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident option created for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act.
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Temporary Status
A Super Visa is not permanent residence and does not authorize employment or long-term study without the required permit.
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Two-Sided Application
Both the visiting parent or grandparent and the host child or grandchild in Canada must satisfy specific requirements.
A valid Super Visa does not guarantee entry to Canada. A border services officer makes the final admission decision and confirms the authorized period of stay at each entry.
CORE ELIGIBILITY
Five Essential Super Visa Requirements
These requirements work together. Missing one essential element can affect the entire application.
Qualifying Relationship
The applicant must be the biological or adopted parent or grandparent of the Canadian host.
Eligible Host
The host must have qualifying Canadian status, be at least 18 and live in Canada.
Required Income
The host must satisfy the applicable minimum necessary income rules for the calculated family size.
Medical Insurance
Each applicant needs qualifying paid medical insurance meeting the Super Visa requirements.
Medical & Admissibility
The applicant must complete an immigration medical exam and remain admissible to Canada.
TWO SIDES OF THE APPLICATION
What the Host and Applicant Must Demonstrate
IN CANADA
Host Requirements
The host is the applicant's child or grandchild who lives in Canada and provides the invitation and financial support evidence.
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian
- At least 18 years old and residing in Canada
- Meets the applicable minimum necessary income
- Provides a signed invitation letter
- Promises financial support during the authorized stay
- Correctly calculates the required family size
FAMILY CONNECTION
OUTSIDE CANADA
Applicant Requirements
The applicant is the visiting parent or grandparent and must qualify as a genuine temporary visitor.
- Applies for the Super Visa from outside Canada
- Proves the qualifying relationship to the host
- Purchases qualifying medical insurance
- Completes an immigration medical examination
- Demonstrates a genuine temporary purpose
- Satisfies general visitor and admissibility requirements
NEW RULES EFFECTIVE MARCH 31, 2026
More Flexible Ways to Meet the Income Requirement
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Super Visa or Regular Visitor Visa?
Both are temporary visitor options, but they serve different travel needs and have different supporting requirements.
| Feature | Super Visa | Regular Visitor Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Intended applicant | Eligible parents and grandparents | Eligible temporary visitors generally |
| Potential stay per entry | Up to five years | Normally up to six months, subject to the officer |
| Host income threshold | Minimum necessary income applies | No Super Visa-specific host income threshold |
| Medical insurance | Mandatory qualifying insurance | Not normally a standard visa requirement |
| Immigration medical exam | Required | May be required depending on circumstances |
| Best suited for | Longer and repeated family visits | Shorter tourism, family or business visits |
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Insurance Is a Continuing Super Visa Requirement
Every Super Visa applicant must provide proof of a qualifying paid medical insurance policy. A quotation alone is not accepted.
Proof of valid coverage should also be available when entering or re-entering Canada. If coverage expires before the visitor leaves Canada, it should be renewed to maintain insurance during the stay.
A policy from outside Canada must meet IRCC's conditions for
an approved foreign insurance provider and must be issued
while the company is conducting insurance business in Canada.
DOCUMENT PLANNING
Build a Complete and Consistent Application
Your final checklist depends on nationality, family structure, host income, travel history and the applicant's individual circumstances.
HOST DOCUMENTS
Invitation Letter
A signed invitation explaining the visit, financial support commitment and everyone included in family size.
HOST DOCUMENTS
Canadian Status
Proof of citizenship, permanent residence or qualifying registration under the Indian Act.
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS
Income Evidence
Applicable tax assessments and other acceptable records demonstrating the income requirement.
RELATIONSHIP DOCUMENTS
Proof of Relationship
Birth, baptismal, adoption or other relevant civil records connecting the applicant to the host.
APPLICANT DOCUMENTS
Insurance & Medical Exam
Proof of qualifying insurance and completion of an examination by an approved panel physician.
APPLICANT DOCUMENTS
Identity & Travel Evidence
Passport, travel history, purpose of visit, finances and home-country connections.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Your Super Visa Journey
A coordinated process involving both the family in Canada and the visiting parent or grandparent.
01
Family Assessment
Review the applicant, host, relationship, income and potential temporary-residence concerns.
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Income Calculation
Calculate family size and determine which 2026 income option may be available.
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Insurance & Medical
Arrange qualifying medical insurance and complete the immigration medical examination.
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Application Preparation
Prepare the invitation, forms, financial documents and supporting temporary-visit evidence.
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Submission & Follow-Up
Submit the application and respond to biometrics, passport or additional information requests.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Super Visa FAQs
General information about eligibility, income, insurance, family members, status and travelling to Canada.
The applicant must be the eligible parent or grandparent of a host who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act. Both the applicant and host must satisfy the applicable requirements.
Eligible Super Visa holders can generally be authorized to remain in Canada for up to five years per entry. The border services officer confirms the actual authorized stay when the visitor enters Canada.
Dependants cannot simply be included in one Super Visa application. An eligible spouse or partner who is also the parent or grandparent of the host generally needs to submit their own application.
The host's eligible spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the invitation and provide income evidence. Other relatives of the host, such as siblings, cannot co-sign under the current rules.
Under rules effective March 31, 2026, qualifying applicant income may cover the remaining requirement when the host and eligible co-signer meet at least 75% of the applicable amount and all supporting conditions are satisfied.
Qualifying paid health insurance evidence must be included with the application. A quotation is not sufficient. Valid insurance evidence should also be carried when entering or re-entering Canada.
A policy from outside Canada may qualify only when the insurer satisfies IRCC's current authorization requirements and the policy was issued while the company was conducting insurance business in Canada.
No. A Super Visa provides temporary visitor status. It does not itself authorize employment or long-term study. Separate authorization may be required.
IRCC requires a new Super Visa applicant to apply from outside Canada and have the visa processed by a visa office outside Canada.
No. A border services officer makes the final entry decision. The visitor should carry a valid passport, paid insurance evidence and relevant supporting documents and continue meeting the Super Visa conditions.
Important Super Visa Information
Income amounts, accepted insurance providers, document instructions, fees and processing times can change. This page provides general information and does not guarantee visa issuance or admission to Canada.
BRING YOUR FAMILY CLOSER
Ready to Start a Super Visa Application?
Let us review your family relationship, host income, insurance requirements and supporting documents before you apply.