Parent and grandparent super visa

Parent and grandparent super visa

1. Eligibility

   Super visa: eligible relationship

   The super visa is for a parent or grandparent visiting a child or grandchild; the applicant must be able to prove that the host is their biological or adopted child or grandchild. Dependants cannot be included in the application. An applicant who has already submitted a sponsorship application can apply for a super visa while waiting for a decision, or withdraw the sponsorship application at any time and apply for a super visa. Applicants who don't meet the requirements, or who want to stay 6 months or less, may apply for a regular visitor visa instead.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents: Who can applyChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-001
2. Eligibility

   Super visa: host status, residence, age and letter of invitation

   The host must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or registered Indian, at least 18 years old and living in Canada, must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income, and must write and sign a letter of invitation. The letter must include proof that the host meets the minimum necessary income and the list and number of people included in the family-size calculation, with each person's name and date of birth. The host's spouse or common-law partner may co-sign (and contribute income) if they are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian; other family members such as siblings cannot co-sign. The applicant must provide proof of the host's status (citizenship document, PR document, or Secure Certificate of Indian Status/status card) and proof of relationship.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents: Who can applyChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-002
3. Funds

   Super visa: host's minimum necessary income (table and family size)

   The host must meet the minimum necessary income for the family size. Table (updated July 29, 2025), minimum income the host needs in Canadian dollars: 1 person $30,526; 2 $38,002; 3 $46,720; 4 $56,724; 5 $64,336; 6 $72,560; 7 $80,784; for each additional person beyond 7 add $8,224. Family size counts: the super visa applicant(s) the host will support (e.g., both parents); the host; the host's spouse (possibly a separated spouse) or common-law partner; dependent children of the host and of the spouse/partner (regardless of custody or support arrangements); previously approved super visa holders under another still-applicable letter of invitation signed by the host or spouse/partner (even if not in Canada); and persons the host or co-signer previously sponsored whose undertaking is still in effect.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents Proof of financial supportChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-003
4. Documents

   Super visa: ways to prove the host's income

   Option 1: the host's total income (including a co-signer's, if applicable) meets or exceeds the minimum in either of the 2 tax years before the application, proven by the Canada Revenue Agency notice of assessment. Option 2: the host's total income (including co-signer) in the year before the application was at least 75% of the minimum, and the applicant's own income may be added to cover the remainder so the combined amount meets the minimum. For option 2 the host/co-signer provides the notice of assessment (preferred) or, if unavailable, T4/T1, 12 months of pay stubs, an employer letter (title, duties, salary), bank statements for the last calendar year showing investment income or regular employment/pension deposits, or proof of other income (pension statements, rental ownership and leases). An applicant contributing income must provide similar documents and prove they will continue to earn the income while in Canada, with the currency shown.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents Proof of financial supportChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-004
5. Documents

   Super visa: private health insurance

   The applicant must have proof of a health insurance policy on each entry to Canada, from a Canadian insurance company, or from an insurance company outside Canada that is authorized by OSFI under the Insurance Companies Act to provide accident and sickness insurance, appears on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions, and issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada (foreign-issued policies must state this). The policy should name the insurer; be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry; be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes are not accepted); cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation; provide minimum emergency coverage of $100,000; be valid for each entry; and be available for review by border officers. Policies expiring before departure should be renewed.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents – Forms and documentsChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-005
6. Process

   Super visa: apply from outside Canada; visa-exempt applicants; fees

   The applicant must be outside Canada when applying for a super visa and must have the visa printed by a visa office outside Canada. Fees: super visa (multiple-entry temporary resident visa) $100 per person and biometrics $85 if required. Visa-exempt applicants do not pay the super visa or biometrics fee; if approved they are directed to apply for an eTA if needed and are then given a letter to show the border officer. A super visa cannot be issued for longer than the validity of the applicant's biometrics.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents: How to applyChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-006
7. Deadline

   Super visa: length of stay and extensions

   Super visa applicants who applied on or after June 22, 2023 may stay for 5 years at a time. For applications made before June 22, 2023: if the person entered Canada before June 22, 2023 they may stay only for the period the border officer granted (to stay longer they may leave and re-enter, or apply to extend and be approved for up to 2 years; a border officer may allow 5 years on re-entry if all super visa requirements are still met); if they entered on or after June 22, 2023 they may stay 5 years at a time, even if the passport is not stamped. Before status expires the holder must leave Canada or apply to extend; maintaining valid visitor status is the holder's responsibility. The super visa allows multiple entries for up to 10 years. IRCC's parent and grandparent sponsorship page also states that parents and grandparents visiting on a super visa can apply for 2-year extensions to their stay while still in Canada.

   Super visa for parents and grandparents – How long you can stay in CanadaChecked October 18, 2026Reference VISIT-SV-007