Super Visa Canada: the 2026 guide

What is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa Canada 2026 programme is a long-stay temporary resident visa created specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike an ordinary visitor visa, it is a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years that lets your parent or grandparent stay for up to 5 years on each entry without having to renew their status. According to IRCC, the Super Visa is intended for extended family reunification rather than immigration (source: canada.ca, parent and grandparent super visa, 2026).

It is important to be clear about what the Super Visa is not. It is a visitor status, it does not grant permanent residence, the right to work, or access to most public benefits. For families who want a parent to settle permanently, the route is the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP); we explain below why the Super Visa matters so much in 2026.

Super Visa eligibility: who can apply

To qualify, the applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Dependants such as children or other relatives cannot be added to the same Super Visa application. Beyond the relationship, eligibility rests on three pillars that we work through carefully with every client:

• The host in Canada must sign a letter of invitation and prove they meet the minimum income (LICO) threshold.
• The applicant must buy qualifying medical insurance and pass an immigration medical exam.
• The applicant must satisfy a visa officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorised stay, and may need to provide biometrics.

The Super Visa income requirement (LICO)

The host must show they can support the visiting parent or grandparent by meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size. Family size counts everyone the host is already responsible for plus the parents or grandparents being invited. The figures below illustrate the scale of the super visa income requirement, one of the core Super Visa requirements 2026 applicants must satisfy. These are current 2026 guidance only: the LICO table is revised each year, so always confirm the live numbers on canada.ca before you apply.

Mandatory medical insurance

Every Super Visa applicant must hold private medical insurance that covers their stay. To be accepted, the policy must be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, cover health care, hospitalisation and repatriation, and provide minimum coverage of CAD $100,000. The insurance must be paid in full or set up on an instalment plan, a quote on its own is not accepted.

A welcome change took effect in January 2025: policies from approved foreign (non-Canadian) insurers are now accepted, not just Canadian insurers. This often gives families more affordable options. We help confirm a policy meets every IRCC condition before it is submitted, because an insufficient policy is a common, avoidable reason for refusal.

How long the Super Visa lets you stay

This is the heart of the Super Visa's appeal. A standard visitor is usually admitted for up to 6 months; a Super Visa holder can stay for up to 5 years per entry. The visa itself is valid for up to 10 years (or until the passport expires), and because it is multiple-entry, a parent or grandparent can leave and return throughout that period. If they wish to stay longer than five years on a single visit, they may apply from within Canada to extend by up to 2 more years.

Super Visa vs visitor visa vs PGP

Families often ask which route is right for them. The short answer: a visitor visa suits brief trips, the Super Visa suits long visits, and the PGP is the only path to permanent residence, but it has no confirmed 2026 intake.

How to apply for a Super Visa

1. 01

   Confirm eligibility & relationship

   Check the host is a citizen or PR and the applicant is their parent or grandparent. Gather proof of the relationship.

2. 02

   Meet the LICO income test

   The host prepares proof of income (Notices of Assessment, employment letters) showing they meet LICO for the household size.

3. 03

   Buy qualifying medical insurance

   Purchase $100,000 coverage valid for at least one year, covering health care, hospitalisation and repatriation.

4. 04

   Write the invitation letter

   The host signs a letter of invitation confirming support and accommodation for the visiting parent or grandparent.

5. 05

   Submit the application & biometrics

   File the Super Visa application, pay the fees, give biometrics and complete the immigration medical exam when requested.

6. 06

   Receive the decision

   If approved, the parent or grandparent travels to Canada and can stay for up to five years per entry.

Small errors, an insurance policy that falls short of the rules, income proof that misses LICO, or a weak invitation letter, are the usual reasons a Super Visa is refused. Working under a licensed RCIC (CICC #R706497), our team reviews every document before submission and represents you with IRCC.

Super Visa processing times

Processing times for the Super Visa change often and vary by the visa office handling your country of residence. Many applications are decided within a few months, but biometrics, a medical exam or a request for extra documents can extend that timeline. Because these estimates move regularly, always check the live processing-time tool on canada.ca for the current figure for your country, and build in a buffer when planning travel.