Parent and grandparent super visa
The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry, with a multiple-entry visa valid for up to ten years. Issued from outside Canada with mandatory private health insurance.
Super Visa Program guide
What is the super visa for parents and grandparents?
A long stay visitor pathway for family reunification
The super visa is a special multiple entry visitor visa for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians. Unlike a regular visitor visa, the super visa allows stays of up to five years per entry over a ten year validity period, making it the most flexible long stay option for family reunification in Canada. It does not lead to permanent residence, but it removes the lottery and waiting times of the Parents and Grandparents Program. To qualify, the host child or grandchild must meet the LICO income threshold plus thirty percent, and the visiting parent or grandparent must hold valid private medical insurance covering their entire stay.
Who can apply for a super visa?
The super visa is a narrowly defined visitor program. Eligibility depends on the family relationship, admissibility to Canada, and the applicant’s ability to demonstrate they will leave at the end of each authorized stay.
Relationship
Parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act.
Apply from outside Canada
Application must be filed while the applicant is physically outside Canada. Submissions from within Canada cannot be approved.
Invitation letter from host
Signed letter from the host child or grandchild in Canada confirming the family relationship and inviting the applicant to visit.
Immigration medical exam
Conducted by a panel physician approved by IRCC. Personal doctors and family physicians do not qualify for this examination.
Admissibility to Canada
No criminal record, no security concerns, and no medical condition that may pose a risk to public health or cause excessive demand on services.
Ties to home country
Strong connections through employment, property, family, or financial assets abroad. This is the most common cause of refusal.
Private health insurance
Proof of private health insurance valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry. The policy must be issued by a Canadian insurance company or a foreign insurer authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). Detailed insurance requirements are covered in the next section.
Insufficient ties to the home country is the most common reason for super visa refusals. Visa officers must be convinced that the applicant will leave Canada at the end of each authorized stay. Documentation of employment, property ownership, dependents abroad, and financial assets in the country of residence helps establish this intent.
Source: canada.ca super visa eligibility · IRCC
How much income does the host need?
The host child or grandchild must meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) based on family size. The threshold is set annually by IRCC using the Low Income Cut Off (LICO) scale and was last updated on July 29, 2025.
Minimum income by family size
For each additional family member, add $8,224
How to count family size
Family size determines the income threshold. The count includes the host, their spouse or common law partner, all dependent children, the visiting parent or grandparent, and any previously approved super visa holders or sponsored individuals whose undertaking is still active.
Documents accepted as proof
The host can submit any of the following documents to demonstrate income. The Notice of Assessment is the preferred primary document.
Preferred
Notice of Assessment
Tax forms
T4 or T1 last tax year
Employment
Pay stubs (last 12 months)
Employment
Letter from employer
Benefits
Employment Insurance
Self employed
Accountant letter
Retirement
Pension statements
Financial
Bank statements
Effective March 31, 2026: Hosts can now qualify using either of the two preceding tax years and may combine income with the visiting parent or grandparent.
Source: canada.ca super visa forms and documents · IRCC · Updated July 29, 2025
Mandatory private health insurance
Super visa applicants are not eligible for Canadian provincial or territorial health plans, so they must hold valid private health insurance that meets specific IRCC criteria. Without compliant insurance, the visa application will be refused.
Minimum coverage
$100,000 CAD
Per person. Coverage must include health care, hospitalization, and repatriation. Lower amounts are not accepted.
Validity
One year minimum
From the date of entry to Canada. The full year is required even if the actual visit is shorter.
Approved insurer
Canadian or OSFI authorized
Canadian insurance company or foreign insurer listed on OSFI’s federally regulated financial institutions registry.
Payment status
Paid or with deposit
Paid in full or in instalments with a deposit. Quotes and estimates are not accepted as proof.
Continuous coverage
Required for each entry
Policy must be valid on each entry to Canada and renewed if expiring during the stay.
Effective January 28, 2025: IRCC now accepts private health insurance from foreign insurance companies authorized by OSFI, expanding options beyond Canadian providers only.
Source: canada.ca super visa forms and documents · IRCC · Updated February 26, 2026
What you need to submit
Complete super visa applications include four document categories. Missing or incomplete items are the most common reason for return without processing or refusal.
Application forms
- IMM 5257 · Application for Temporary Resident Visa
- IMM 5645 · Family Information form
- IMM 5476 · Use of a Representative (if applicable)
- Application fee receipt and biometrics fee receipt
Letter of invitation
- Signed letter from the host child or grandchild
- Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (preferred income proof)
- Alternative income proof such as T4, T1, pay stubs, or employer letter
- Family size list with names and dates of birth
- Co-signer documentation from spouse or common-law partner (if applicable)
Host status & relationship
- Proof of host’s Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or registered Indian status
- Host’s birth or baptismal certificate proving the parent or grandparent relationship
- Applicant’s valid passport
- Two photographs to IRCC specifications
Medical, insurance & biometrics
- Private health insurance certificate · minimum $100,000, valid 1 year, paid
- Medical exam completed by an IRCC approved panel physician
- Biometrics for applicants 14 to 79 years old
- Translations and affidavits for any document not in English or French
Source: canada.ca super visa forms and documents · IRCC · Updated February 26, 2026
Step by step application
The super visa application must be submitted from outside Canada through the IRCC Portal. Each step depends on the previous one being completed correctly.
Prepare your file
Forms and documents
Submit application
IRCC Portal online
Pay fees
$100 plus biometrics
Biometrics
Fingerprints and photo
Medical exam
Panel physician
IRCC review
Approximately 132 days
Decision
Approval or refusal
Travel to Canada
CBSA border check
Source: canada.ca super visa apply · IRCC · Updated March 31, 2026
Why hire an RCIC?
Super visa refusals most often come from inadequate medical insurance, insufficient host income, or weak ties to the home country. Unlike Family Class sponsorship, super visa refusals cannot be appealed to the Immigration Appeal Division. The only remedies are reapplying or seeking judicial review at the Federal Court.
Under Canadian law, paid representation before IRCC is restricted to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs), lawyers, and Quebec notaries, all licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
Megrez Immigration Consultants is a CICC licensed firm and has operated in Vancouver since 1996.
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