Canada Super Visa: A Guide to Eligibility, Income Requirements

Canada Super Visa: What It Is and Who It’s For

Bringing your parents or grandparents to Canada for a short trip is one thing. Having them stay for months or years at a time is another. That’s what the Canada Super Visa is for.

It’s one of the most popular ways for families in Canada to spend real time with their parents and grandparents. But the rules are strict, especially around income and medical insurance, and small mistakes can lead to a refusal.

Quick answer: The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians. It can be valid for up to 10 years, and allows stays of up to 5 years at a time. The host must meet a minimum income, and the applicant needs at least $100,000 in Canadian medical insurance and an immigration medical exam.

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa

There are requirements for both the person visiting and the person inviting them. The Super Visa is only for the parent or grandparent. You can’t include dependants in the application.

The parent or grandparent must:

• Apply from outside Canada
• Be admissible to Canada
• Have private medical insurance that meets IRCC’s rules
• Complete an immigration medical exam
• Be a genuine visitor who plans to leave Canada at the end of their stay

The Canadian host must:

• Be their biological or adopted child or grandchild, with proof of the relationship
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian
• Be at least 18 years old and live in Canada
• Meet the minimum necessary income for their family size
• Write and sign a letter of invitation

Super Visa vs Visitor Visa: Which One Do You Need?

Both let your parents visit Canada, but they’re built for different trips.

Super Visa: Best for long visits. Your parents can stay up to 5 years at a time, on a visa that can be valid for up to 10 years. It comes with extra requirements, including a minimum income for the host, medical insurance and a medical exam.

Visitor visa: Best for shorter trips. IRCC recommends a regular visitor visa if your parents plan to stay for 6 months or less.

If you want your parents with you for longer than 6 months at a time, the Super Visa is usually the better fit.

Super Visa Income Requirements for 2026

This is where many applications run into trouble. The host must show they earn enough to support their family and their visiting parents or grandparents.

How to Count Your Family Size

Your family size isn’t just your household. According to IRCC, it includes:

• You (the host)
• Your spouse or common-law partner
• Your dependent children, and your partner’s
• The parents or grandparents applying now
• Anyone else you’ve invited on a Super Visa that’s still valid
• Anyone you’ve sponsored for permanent residence whose sponsorship agreement is still in effect

Many hosts forget the last two, so check carefully.

Minimum Necessary Income by Family Size

These are IRCC’s current amounts, updated July 29, 2025:

For example, a couple with two children who invite both parents have a family size of six. They would need at least $72,560.

Two Ways to Meet the Income Requirement

New rules apply to applications processed on or after March 31, 2026.

Option 1: Either of your last two tax years. The host’s total income must meet the minimum in either of the two tax years before the application is submitted.

Option 2: Combined income. The host’s income in the year before applying for a Canada Super Visa must be at least 75% of the minimum. The parent or grandparent can add their own income to make up the rest. Together, they must reach the full amount. The applicant must also prove they’ll keep earning that income while in Canada.

Who Can Co-Sign

Only the host’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign, and only if they’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian. Other family members, such as the host’s brother or sister, can’t co-sign.

Accepted Proof of Income

IRCC prefers the host’s Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. If that isn’t available, other options include:

• T4 or T1 slips for the last tax year
• Pay stubs covering the most recent 12 months
• An employer letter showing job title, job description and salary
• Bank statements from the last calendar year showing regular income
• Proof of other income, such as pension statements or rental agreements

Medical Insurance Requirements for a Super Visa

Every applicant must have private medical insurance. IRCC is very specific about what qualifies.

Coverage amount: At least $100,000 in emergency coverage.

What it covers: Health care, hospitalization and repatriation.

How long: At least one year from the date of entry to Canada.

Who provides it: A Canadian insurance company, or a foreign insurer authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) that issued the policy as part of its Canadian business.

How it’s paid: In full, or in instalments with a deposit. Quotes are not accepted.

The insurance must be valid for each entry. Your parent should be ready to show it to a border officer when they arrive.

The Immigration Medical Exam

Every Super Visa applicant must take an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician. A report from your family doctor won’t be accepted.

The exam checks whether the applicant has a condition that could pose a public health risk, or could place excessive demand on Canada’s health or social services.

Super Visa Document Checklist

From the parent or grandparent:

• A completed application
• Proof of relationship, such as the host’s birth certificate naming them as a parent
• Proof of medical insurance
• Proof of the immigration medical exam
• Proof of their own income, if using Option 2

From the Canadian host:

• A signed letter of invitation
• Proof of status, such as a citizenship certificate, PR card or Certificate of Indian Status
• Proof of income
• Status and income documents from a co-signing spouse or partner, if there is one

Your local visa office may ask for more, so always check the instructions for your country.

Writing the Invitation Letter

The letter of invitation is a required document. According to IRCC, it must include a promise of financial support for the whole visit. It must also include the names and dates of birth of everyone in your family size, plus the total number of people. Attach proof that you meet the minimum income.

Translating Documents That Are Not in English or French

Any document not in English or French needs a translation. IRCC accepts certified translations, or an uncertified translation with a sworn affidavit from the translator. The translator can’t be the applicant or a close relative.

How to Apply for a Super Visa: Step by Step

1. Check eligibility. Make sure both the applicant and the host meet every requirement, especially income.
2. Buy the medical insurance. Get a policy that meets every IRCC rule, and keep proof of payment.
3. Book the medical exam with an approved panel physician.
4. Gather documents from both the applicant and the host.
5. Write the invitation letter and attach proof of income.
6. Submit the application from outside Canada and pay the fees.
7. Give biometrics if asked.
8. Wait for a decision. If approved, a visa office outside Canada will print the visa.

If your parent or grandparent comes from a visa-exempt country, they get an approval letter to show the border officer. If flying, they may also need an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Super Visa Fees and Processing Times

According to IRCC, government fees start at $100. Biometrics cost an extra $85 if needed.

Also budget for medical insurance, the immigration medical exam (paid directly to the panel physician), any translations, and travel costs.

Processing times vary by country. Check IRCC’s processing times tool before you apply. The time listed doesn’t include the time needed to give biometrics.

Common Reasons Super Visa Applications Are Refused

Most refusals come down to a requirement that wasn’t fully met.

Income too low. This often happens because people were left out of the family size count.

Insurance doesn’t qualify. It might be a quote instead of a paid policy, come from an unapproved insurer, or not cover a full year.

Relationship not proven clearly.

The officer isn’t convinced the visit is temporary. Applicants must show they plan to leave Canada at the end of their stay.

Missing or unclear documents. IRCC says documents that are hard to read can cause delays or returned applications.

Before reapplying, read the refusal letter carefully and fix the exact issue it names.

After Your Super Visa Is Approved

Travel with the right documents. That means a passport, the visa or approval letter, and proof of medical insurance. A border officer can ask to see the insurance.

Keep insurance valid. The policy must be valid for each entry to Canada.

Watch your stay dates. Each entry allows a stay of up to 5 years. Before their status expires, your parents must either leave Canada or apply to extend their stay. IRCC is clear that keeping valid status is the visitor’s own responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my parents apply for a Super Visa from inside Canada?
No. Super Visa applications must be submitted from outside Canada.

Can my parents apply if we’ve already applied to sponsor them for PR?
Yes. According to IRCC, they can apply for a Super Visa while your sponsorship application is being processed. You can also withdraw the sponsorship application at any time and apply for the Super Visa instead.

Can both of my parents come on a Super Visa?
Yes. Both parents can apply, and both must be counted in your family size. You can also invite a parent’s or grandparent’s spouse or common-law partner, with proof of the relationship.

Is a travel insurance quote enough?
No. IRCC doesn’t accept quotes. You must show proof the policy has been paid in full, or in instalments with a deposit.

Can my brother or sister co-sign the invitation letter?
No. Only the host’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign.

Before You Apply

The Super Visa is one of the best ways to bring parents and grandparents to Canada for long visits. But every requirement needs to be met fully. Count your family size carefully, choose the income option that works for you, and make sure the medical insurance meets every rule before you submit.

Sources

1. IRCC - Super visa for parents and grandparents
2. IRCC - Super visa: Who can apply
3. IRCC - Super visa: How long you can stay
4. IRCC - Super visa: Forms and documents
5. IRCC - Super visa: Proof of financial support
6. IRCC - Super visa: Get your documents ready
7. IRCC - Operational instructions: Super visa
8. IRCC - Program delivery update: Super visa (2026)