Citizeo
Pathway

Canada Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

Canada Other
Pathway overview

At a glance

Canada's super visa lets eligible parents and grandparents visit a Canadian child or grandchild for up to five years at a time, with multiple entries over a longer visa period.

Type
Long-stay family visitor status
Host
Canadian child or grandchild
Core requirements
Host income, invitation, insurance, medical exam, and visitor intent
What to know
Not permanent residence
Duration
Up to five years per stay, with multiple entries.
Renewal / path
Can be extended, but does not itself lead to permanent residence.

Summary

The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a long-stay visitor route for a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act. It can permit multiple entries for up to 10 years and, for current applications, visits of up to five years at a time.

It remains open even though the permanent Parents and Grandparents Program is paused. The Super Visa is temporary visitor status and does not itself lead to permanent residence.

Pathway fit check

Eligibility

The applicant must apply from outside Canada and have a host who:

Income rules changed on March 31, 2026. The current instructions can allow qualifying income evidence from either of the two preceding tax years, and in the alternative calculation may combine qualifying recent Canadian host income with documented applicant income. Family size and existing undertakings must be counted correctly; use IRCC's current form and table.

The applicant must also:

What This Route Allows

An approved applicant can seek entry for up to five years per visit. A person in Canada may apply before status expires for an extension of up to two years; approval is not automatic.

Visa-exempt applicants can also qualify. They receive an IRCC letter for the border and may separately need an electronic travel authorization for air travel. Each entry remains subject to examination, valid insurance, and admissibility.

What This Route Is Not

The Super Visa is not permanent residence, does not authorize ordinary work or study, and does not guarantee entry. Dependents cannot be included in the application; a spouse or other traveling relative needs their own status.

Provincial health coverage should not be assumed. The holder must maintain qualifying private insurance during the stay and show proof on request and on re-entry.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm the exact parent or grandparent relationship and the host's Canadian status and residence.
  2. Calculate family size and income using IRCC's post-March 31, 2026 instructions and current income table.
  3. Obtain the signed invitation letter and the correct tax and recent-income evidence, including any permitted co-signer or applicant income.
  4. Purchase a compliant insurance policy and verify the actual underwriter against IRCC's foreign-insurer rules if it is not Canadian.
  5. Complete the immigration medical exam and prepare visitor-intent, identity, family-link, financial, and admissibility documents.
  6. Apply from outside Canada and carry current insurance and supporting documents on every entry.
Compare your options

Other routes in Canada.

Sources