Years pass between visits when your children live in Canada. Grandchildren grow up in photos. Holidays happen over video calls. A regular visitor visa gives you six months at a time, but packing up and leaving just when you have settled in feels wrong.
The Super Visa changes this. It lets parents and grandparents stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over a ten-year period. Instead of counting down the months until you must leave, you can truly live alongside your family.
Why the Super Visa Matters
Five years per visit, not six months. A regular visitor visa limits each stay to six months or less. The Super Visa extends this to five years. That is enough time to see grandchildren through entire school years, to be present for milestones, to become part of daily life rather than an occasional guest.
Multiple entries over ten years. You do not apply once and stay forever. You can come and go as your life requires - returning home for obligations, traveling to Canada when your family needs you, without reapplying each time.
An alternative to sponsorship. The Parents and Grandparents sponsorship program has been paused since IRCC's announcement on July 15, 2026: IRCC is not accepting interest to sponsor forms or sending invitations until further notice. The Super Visa offers extended family time in the meantime, and if you already have a sponsorship application in process, you can also apply for a Super Visa while you wait for a decision.
What You Need to Qualify
The Super Visa has strict requirements that set it apart from regular visitor visas. You must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. Your child or grandchild in Canada must meet minimum income requirements and provide a signed letter promising to support you financially during your stay.
Health insurance is mandatory. You need coverage of at least $100,000 CAD from a Canadian insurer or an authorized foreign provider. The policy must be valid for at least one year from your entry date and cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. Quotes are not accepted - you must have paid for the policy or started an installment plan with a deposit.
A medical exam is required. You must complete an examination with an approved panel physician and provide the results with your application. This requirement applies regardless of your health status.
Income Requirements for Your Host
Your child or grandchild in Canada must prove they earn enough to support you. The required income depends on their total family size, which includes their spouse, children, anyone they have already sponsored, and any previous Super Visa holders they support.
Under IRCC's current table, updated July 29, 2025, the minimum income for a family of two is $38,002 CAD. A family of three needs $46,720 CAD, four people $56,724 CAD, five $64,336 CAD, six $72,560 CAD, and seven $80,784 CAD. From the eighth person on, add $8,224 CAD for each additional person.
Income can be demonstrated through tax documents, employment letters, pay stubs, bank statements, and other financial records. Officers want to see a consistent pattern of income that supports the commitment your host is making.
The Application Process
You must apply from outside Canada. Applications submitted from within Canada are not accepted for the Super Visa. Each person needs their own application - you cannot include dependents or family members on the same form.
Fees start at $100 CAD per person, with biometrics costing an additional $85 CAD. Processing times vary by country and depend on factors like application completeness and how quickly you respond to any requests for additional information.
The documentation package includes your completed forms, proof of your relationship to your host, your host's financial documents, your medical exam results, and your health insurance policy. Missing or incomplete documentation slows processing and can lead to refusals.
What Makes Applications Successful
Super Visa applications require more than meeting the basic requirements. Officers want to see a clear picture of your family relationship, your host's genuine ability to support you, and your intent to return home eventually. Strong applications present this picture through carefully organized documentation and clear explanations.
The letter of invitation from your host matters. It should explain the relationship, detail the financial support being offered, and demonstrate genuine family connection. Generic letters raise questions. Thoughtful, specific letters build confidence.
Ready to Reunite With Your Family?
The Super Visa offers something precious - time with family that regular visitor visas cannot provide. But the application requires meeting strict criteria and presenting your case persuasively.
Our team prepares Super Visa applications that demonstrate eligibility clearly and address officer concerns directly. We help hosts understand how to document their income, guide applicants through medical exams and insurance requirements, and ensure nothing is missing when your application is submitted. Book a consultation to start planning your extended stay with the family you have missed.
