Bring your parents closer.More time together in Canada.
A Super Visa helps eligible parents and grandparents visit their family in Canada for longer stays. Simmi Immigration helps you prepare a clear, complete and well-organized application package.
- Up to 5 yrs
- Authorized stay per entry
- 10 years
- Possible visa validity
- $100,000
- Minimum emergency coverage
- Multi-entry
- Re-enter while visa is valid
Overview
Super Visa Canada for parents and grandparents
Canada's Super Visa program is designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians who want to make extended family visits. Eligible visitors may be authorized to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries during the visa's validity. Dependants cannot be included in a Super Visa application.
For many families, the program offers a practical way to attend important celebrations, help after childbirth, spend time with grandchildren, or simply enjoy family life in Canada without being limited to a typical short visit.
The basics
What is a Super Visa?
A Super Visa is a temporary resident visa created specifically for eligible parents and grandparents. Unlike a regular visitor visa, which generally permits a stay of up to six months at a time, a Super Visa can allow a much longer stay during each entry. The visa may be issued for multiple entries and may remain valid for up to ten years, subject to passport validity and the officer’s decision.
A Super Visa does not provide permanent resident status or authorization to work. The visitor remains a temporary resident and must follow the conditions of their stay.
- Main benefits
- Extended stays with children and grandchildren in Canada.
- Multiple entries while the visa remains valid.
- Fewer repeated applications for short family visits.
- A temporary option while a parent or grandparent sponsorship is pending.
- More flexibility for family support and important life events.
Compare
Super Visa vs. regular visitor visa
A visitor visa is usually more appropriate for tourism, events or family trips lasting six months or less. A Super Visa is intended for eligible parents and grandparents who want longer visits and can meet the additional income, insurance and medical requirements.
| Feature | Visitor Visa | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible applicants | General visitors | Parents and grandparents of eligible hosts |
| Typical authorized stay | Up to six months | Up to five years at a time |
| Medical insurance | Not always mandatory | Mandatory qualifying coverage |
| Immigration medical exam | Sometimes required | Required |
| Host income threshold | No fixed program threshold | Minimum necessary income applies |
Eligibility
Who can apply, and who can host
Who can apply
The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of an eligible host in Canada, and must generally apply from outside Canada.
- Be admissible to Canada.
- Complete an immigration medical exam.
- Obtain qualifying private medical insurance.
- Satisfy IRCC that the visit is temporary.
- Siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews are not eligible.
- Dependants cannot be included in the application.
Who can be the host
The host must be the applicant’s child or grandchild living in Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old and live in Canada.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
- Meet or exceed the applicable minimum necessary income.
- Provide a signed invitation letter and promise of financial support.
- Provide evidence of the relationship to the parent or grandparent.
- An eligible spouse or common-law partner may co-sign; other relatives cannot.
What officers look at
The four things that decide most Super Visa files
Get these right and the rest of the application usually follows. Get one wrong and it is the most common reason for a refusal.
Minimum necessary income
The host must meet the income requirement for their calculated family size — which can include the host, their spouse, dependent children, the visiting parent or grandparent, and people covered by earlier sponsorship commitments. Evidence may include a Notice of Assessment, T4 or T1, employment letter, pay statements, bank statements and business records. Always check the current income table before filing.
Invitation letter
The letter should explain the relationship, purpose and expected duration of the visit, accommodation arrangements and financial support. It must identify everyone counted in the family-size calculation, include the host’s status and contact details in Canada, the applicant’s proposed travel dates, and the host’s signed promise of support.
Proof of relationship
The application must establish that the visitor is the host’s parent or grandparent. Useful evidence includes birth certificates, family registration records, marriage certificates explaining name changes, or other official civil documents. Anything not in English or French needs a compliant translation.
Temporary intent and home ties
A Super Visa permits a long visit, but it stays temporary. IRCC weighs the purpose of travel, family and financial situation, past travel compliance, and whether the applicant is likely to leave. Ties can include a spouse abroad, property, pension income, business interests, community responsibilities and a clear reason to return.
$100,000+
minimum emergency coverage
Insurance
Super Visa medical insurance
Qualifying private health insurance is a central program requirement. The applicant needs an actual policy — not merely a quote — and must be able to present proof of coverage when entering Canada.
- Valid for at least one year from the planned date of entry.
- At least $100,000 in emergency coverage.
- Covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
- Paid in full, or through an accepted instalment arrangement with a deposit.
- Issued by an insurer that meets IRCC’s eligibility rules.
Review deductibles, exclusions, pre-existing-condition stability periods, refund provisions, effective dates and renewal terms. Coverage must be maintained throughout the visitor’s stay.
Super Visa applicants must also complete an immigration medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician. A regular family doctor cannot perform it unless they are also an approved panel physician.
Checklist
Documents commonly required
The responsible visa office may request additional evidence based on the applicant’s country and circumstances.
- 01Valid passport, digital photograph and completed application forms.
- 02Invitation letter from the child or grandchild in Canada.
- 03Proof of the family relationship.
- 04Proof of the host’s Canadian status, residence, income and family size.
- 05Qualifying medical insurance policy.
- 06Proof of the immigration medical examination.
- 07Applicant’s financial documents and travel history.
- 08Purpose-of-visit explanation and evidence of home-country ties.
- 09Marriage certificate and certified translations where applicable.
- 10Country-specific documents and a representative form, if applicable.
Step by step
The Super Visa application process
Ten stages, from the first eligibility check to submitting the passport for visa issuance.
- 1
Confirm eligibility
Verify the applicant–host relationship and the host’s status in Canada.
- 2
Calculate family size
Determine the correct income threshold and any co-signer eligibility.
- 3
Gather host documents
Status, income, address, relationship and invitation evidence.
- 4
Gather applicant documents
Civil records, finances, travel history and temporary-intent evidence.
- 5
Arrange medical insurance
Obtain a policy that satisfies current IRCC requirements.
- 6
Complete the medical exam
Attend an IRCC-approved panel physician.
- 7
Submit online
File the forms and supporting documents through the applicable IRCC portal.
- 8
Complete biometrics
Provide fingerprints and a photograph if instructed.
- 9
Respond to requests
Supply any additional evidence requested by IRCC.
- 10
Submit the passport if approved
Follow the visa-issuance instructions carefully.
Avoid these
Common problems and refusal risks
A Super Visa is a temporary resident option, while the Parents and Grandparents Program is a permanent residence pathway. A person may apply for a Super Visa while a sponsorship application is being processed, provided they meet all Super Visa requirements.
Get a refusal review- Incorrect family-size calculation or insufficient host income.
- Missing details in the invitation letter.
- Weak or unclear proof of relationship.
- An insurance quote instead of a qualifying policy.
- Missing medical-exam evidence.
- Vague visit plans or weak evidence of temporary intent.
- Inconsistent information across forms, letters and documents.
- Missing translations or country-specific documents.
- Unexplained previous refusals or travel-history concerns.
Answers
Super Visa frequently asked questions
Pick a category to jump straight to the questions families ask us most.
Essentials
Applicant & family
Medical insurance
Host income
Application & biometrics
Medical exam
Documents
Travel & extensions
Refusals
General
Next step
How Simmi Immigration can help
We review family size and host eligibility, prepare a tailored document checklist, examine the invitation letter and income evidence, identify inconsistencies, organize the application, and develop a strategy after a previous refusal.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Program rules and income thresholds can change. Confirm current IRCC requirements before applying.
Start your Super Visa file
Book a consultation and we will confirm eligibility, calculate the income threshold for your family size, and build the document plan before anything is filed.
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