Canada Super visa for parents and grandparents: Key Information, Requirements

Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident looking to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada for an extended visit? The Canada Super Visa makes it possible, allowing your loved ones to stay for up to five years per visit with a visa valid for up to 10 years. Unlike a standard visitor visa, which limits stays to six months, the Super Visa for parents and grandparents is designed for family reunification, offering flexibility and longer stays without frequent renewals.Updated for October 2025, this comprehensive guide is tailored for you, covering everything you need to know about inviting your parents or grandparents. From Super Visa eligibility to financial requirements, application steps, costs, and processing times, we’ll walk you through the process to make it as smooth as possible. Let’s get started on bringing your family closer together!

Understanding the Super Visa: What It Means for You as a Host

The Canada Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents. Introduced in 2011 to address backlogs in the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), it allows your loved ones to visit for up to five years per entry without needing to renew their status every six months, as required for regular visitor visas. The visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years, enabling multiple visits over that period.As the host, your role is critical. You’ll need to provide a signed invitation letter, prove your financial ability to support your parents or grandparents, and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria. The program emphasizes temporary stays, so your parents or grandparents must show intent to return to their home country after their visit. The Super Visa doesn’t grant work rights or a direct path to permanent residency, but separate applications for work permits or PR programs, like the PGP, are possible.The program is active as of October 2025, with no annual cap, unlike the PGP, which accepted only 10,000 applications this year via lottery. Whether you’re asking about the Super Visa program or how it works, this guide will help you understand your responsibilities.

History and Evolution of the Super Visa

Launched in December 2011, the Super Visa was created to ease the pressure on the PGP, which faced years-long delays for permanent residency applications. Initially, it allowed two-year stays per entry, but in 2013, this was extended to five years, enhancing its appeal. Recent updates, such as the July 2025 adjustment to income requirements, ensure hosts can financially support visitors in light of rising living costs. The program’s stability and lack of quotas make it a reliable option for family visits, unlike the limited PGP.

Your Eligibility as a Host: What You Need to Qualify

To invite your parents or grandparents, you must meet specific criteria as the host:

Be at least 18 years old and reside in Canada.
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident.
Provide a signed invitation letter committing to financially support your parents or grandparents during their stay.
Meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) based on your family size, as outlined below.

Your parents or grandparents must be genuine visitors, showing strong ties to their home country (e.g., employment, property, or family) to prove they’ll leave Canada after their visit. They’ll also need to pass medical and criminal checks. Note that applications must be submitted from outside Canada. Your loved ones can’t apply while already in the country.

Key Requirements for Inviting Your Parents or Grandparents via Super Visa

As the host, your preparation is crucial to ensure a successful Super Visa application. Below are the main requirements you need to address.

Financial Requirements: Meeting the Income Threshold

You must prove you can support your parents or grandparents without relying on public funds. This is based on the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), derived from the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) and adjusted for your family size, which includes:

You (the host).
Your spouse or common-law partner.
Your dependent children.
The applicant(s) (your parent or grandparent, and their spouse if applying).
Any family members you’ve previously sponsored or supported.

The MNI table, updated on July 29, 2025, is as follows:

Family Size	Minimum Income (CAD)
1 person	$30,526
2 people	$38,002
3 people	$46,720
4 people	$56,724
5 people	$64,336
6 people	$72,560
7 people	$80,784
Each additional person	+$8,224

You’ll need to provide proof, such as Canada Revenue Agency Notices of Assessment from the previous tax year, pay stubs, employment letters, or bank statements. If your spouse or partner co-signs, their income can be included to meet the threshold. Failing to meet the Super Visa income requirements is a common reason for refusals, so calculate carefully.

Medical Insurance: Your Role in Arranging Coverage

Your parents or grandparents must have private medical insurance with at least $100,000 in coverage for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation. This must be from a Canadian insurance company or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer operating in Canada, valid for at least one year from their entry date, and fully paid (installments with a deposit are acceptable, but quotes aren’t).As the host, you may need to assist in purchasing or verifying this insurance, which typically costs $1,000–$5,000 per year, depending on age and health. Providers like Manulife or Blue Cross are popular, but confirm they meet IRCC standards. Your loved ones must maintain coverage for their entire stay, renewing as needed.

Documents You’ll Need to Provide

As the host, you’ll contribute several key documents to the Super Visa application. Work with your parents or grandparents to compile:

Invitation letter: A signed letter promising financial support, detailing your family size, and confirming accommodation plans.
Proof of status: Your citizenship certificate, PR card, or Indian status card.
Income proof: Tax assessments, pay stubs, or bank statements to meet MNI.
Proof of relationship: Birth or marriage certificates linking you to your parents or grandparents.

Your parents or grandparents will provide additional items, such as:

IMM 5257 application form (selecting Super Visa).
Medical insurance policy.
Medical exam results from an IRCC-approved physician.
Valid passport with at least one blank page.
Two passport-sized photos.
Evidence of ties to their home country (e.g., job letter, property deeds).
Biometrics confirmation, if required.

Translations for non-English/French documents must be certified. Check IRCC’s official Super Visa checklist for the complete list.

How to Help Your Parents or Grandparents Apply

As the host, you’ll play a key role in preparing the application, though your parents or grandparents submit it from outside Canada. Follow these steps:

Confirm Eligibility: Verify you meet the income threshold and your loved ones qualify as parents or grandparents.
Arrange Medical Exam: Help them schedule an exam with an IRCC-approved physician (results valid for 12 months).
Prepare Documents: Write a detailed invitation letter, gather your income proof, and assist with their documents.
Complete Forms: Guide them to fill out the IMM 5257 form via the IRCC portal for faster processing, or use paper forms if exempt.
Pay Fees: Ensure the application ($100) and biometrics ($85) fees are paid.
Submit Application: They’ll submit to the visa office for their country, often through VFS Global.
Arrange Biometrics: Coordinate a visit to a Visa Application Centre within 30 days, if required.
Track Progress: Monitor status via the IRCC portal and respond to any requests for additional information.

Online applications are recommended for efficiency. If approved, your parents or grandparents receive a visa counterfoil in their passport or an approval letter for visa-exempt travelers.

Costs Involved: What You’ll Need to Budget

As the host, you may cover or assist with these expenses:

Application fee: $100 per person (up to $500 for families of five or more).
Biometrics fee: $85 per person (up to $170 for families).
Medical exam: $200–$500, depending on location.
Medical insurance: $1,000–$5,000 per year, varying by age and health.
Other costs: Document translations ($50–$200), courier services ($20–$50), photos ($10–$20).

Total costs typically start at $185 plus insurance, potentially reaching $6,000 or more with premium coverage. All IRCC fees are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.

Processing Times: What to Expect in 2025

Processing times vary by country and application completeness, with IRCC’s service standard at 112 days. As of October 2025, averages include:

India: 153–157 days.
Pakistan: 151–152 days.
United States: 78 days.
Nigeria: 50 days.

High-volume regions like India see longer waits due to demand, but complete applications process faster. Biometrics add 2–4 weeks post-submission. Use IRCC’s processing time tool for personalized estimates and apply early to account for delays.

Benefits of Inviting Your Parents or Grandparents with a Super Visa

The Super Visa offers significant advantages for you and your family:

Extended Family Time: Enjoy up to five years per visit for holidays, childcare, or cultural traditions.
Travel Flexibility: Multiple entries over 10 years without reapplying.
Cost Savings: Avoid repeated visa fees compared to short-term options.
Peace of Mind: Required insurance and your financial support ensure their well-being.
Future Options: While not a direct PR path, it can support transitions to programs like PGP.

It’s ideal for families where parents or grandparents, often retirees, want prolonged visits without permanent relocation.

Common Challenges and Tips for a Successful Application

Rejections often result from incomplete documents, insufficient income, or weak evidence of home ties. To improve your chances:

Ensure your invitation letter includes all required details: support commitment, family size, and duration.
Double-check insurance meets IRCC standards.
Provide robust income proof; include co-signer income if needed.
Help your parents or grandparents document strong ties to their home country.
If refused, review reasons and reapply with corrections—there’s no appeal process.
Consider a regulated immigration consultant for complex cases.

For applicants from high-volume countries like India, start 6–8 months early to account for longer processing times.

Super Visa vs. Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

Unlike the Super Visa, the PGP offers permanent residency but is limited to 10,000 applications in 2025 via a lottery system. The Super Visa is faster, uncapped, and ideal for temporary visits, while PGP suits those aiming for permanent settlement but involves multi-year waits. As the host, you’ll need to weigh your family’s goals—long visits versus long-term residency.

Can Your Parents or Grandparents Transition to Permanent Residency?

The Super Visa doesn’t convert directly to PR, but your loved ones can apply for programs like PGP while in Canada. Time spent on the Super Visa may count toward residency requirements in some cases, strengthening future applications.

Frequently Asked Questions for Hosts

Can my parents or grandparents work in Canada? No, but they can apply for a separate work permit if eligible.
Can I apply on their behalf? You assist with documents, but they submit the application.
Is the program open? Yes, it’s active with no quota.
What if they’re already in Canada? They must leave and apply from outside.
Can the visa be extended? Yes, up to two years under certain conditions.
Does Quebec have different rules? No, standard IRCC rules apply.
What if my income is low? Include a co-signer’s income or provide additional financial proof.
How to handle refusals? Reapply with improved documents after reviewing reasons.

For more details, visit IRCC’s Super Visa page.

Bring Your Family Together

The Canada Super Visa is a powerful tool for Canadian families in 2025, enabling meaningful reunions with parents and grandparents. By meeting the financial, documentation, and insurance requirements, you can ensure a smooth application process. Start preparing today, and consult a professional IRCC Lawyer to avoid delays. Your family deserves this time together, make it happen with the Super Visa!