Super Visa

General information only, not legal advice. This page gives general information about a Canadian immigration topic as understood in 2026. It is not legal advice, it does not guarantee any outcome, and it is not a substitute for advice on your own case from a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer. Immigration rules, figures, and fees change, so always confirm the current requirements on the official Government of Canada immigration and citizenship pages before you apply or rely on anything here.

The super visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for longer stays than a regular visitor visa, with multiple entries over a longer period.

How it generally differs from a visitor visa

Longer stays. Super visa holders can stay for up to 5 years on each entry, rather than the stay of up to 6 months typical of a regular visitor visa.
Multiple entries. The visa allows repeated travel to Canada and can be valid for up to 10 years.
Who it is for. The super visa is only for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and you apply from outside Canada.
Invitation and host income. Applications include a signed invitation letter from the child or grandchild in Canada, promising financial support, and proof that the host household meets the minimum necessary income for its family size. The current income table is published on the Government of Canada super visa pages and is updated from time to time, so confirm the figure for your family size before you apply.
Medical insurance. You must hold private medical insurance from a Canadian company, with at least $100,000 in coverage, valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry.
Medical examination. You must complete an immigration medical examination.

Income rules changed on March 31, 2026

Since March 31, 2026, a host can meet the minimum income requirement in either of the two taxation years before the application, not only the most recent year. In addition, if the host (with a co-signer, if any) earned at least 75% of the required amount in the year before applying, the visiting parent's or grandparent's own recurring income can be added to cover the rest, as long as the combined total meets the minimum. The dollar amounts themselves did not change with this update.

What the super visa is not

The super visa is visitor status, not permanent residence, and it does not authorize work or study in Canada. Families seeking permanent residence for parents and grandparents use a different program with its own rules.

What this page does not state

This page does not state the current minimum income amounts, government application fees, or processing times, because they depend on family size and change over time. Confirm current figures on the Government of Canada super visa pages before you apply.

For families of international students, the super visa becomes relevant once a graduate has become a permanent resident or citizen and wishes to host parents or grandparents for an extended visit. Ask us about family visits.