Super visa for parents and grandparents 2026: length of stay, income requirement, medical insurance and how it compares with sponsorship
How to host your parents or grandparents in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, the income you need after the 31 March 2026 change, the insurance rules, and why there is currently no alternative through permanent sponsorship.
The super visa lets your parents or grandparents stay in Canada for up to 5 consecutive years per entry, on a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years. As the child or grandchild hosting them, you need an income at or above the minimum required, starting at $38,002 for a family of two. The visitor needs medical insurance from a Canadian or approved insurer, with at least $100,000 in emergency coverage, valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Fees start at $100, plus $85 for biometrics. Because the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is currently paused, the super visa is the only official route available today for a long stay.
What is the super visa, and who can apply?
It is a visitor visa specifically for parents and grandparents, allowing a much longer stay than a regular visitor visa. If the visit is 6 months or less, the government directs applicants to a regular visitor visa instead.
Requirements for the visitor (parent or grandparent):
- be outside Canada when applying;
- be admissible to Canada;
- complete an immigration medical exam;
- provide private medical insurance that meets the requirements;
- show that they are a genuine visitor with ties to their home country.
Requirements for the host (you):
- be the child or grandchild, biological or adopted;
- be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a Registered Indian;
- be at least 18 years old and live in Canada;
- meet the minimum income requirement;
- write a signed letter of invitation.
Length of stay: 5 years per entry and a visa valid for up to 10 years
| Item | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Length of stay per entry | Up to 5 years for applications submitted on or after 22 June 2023, as set by the border officer at entry |
| Visa validity | Multiple entry for up to 10 years |
| Extension from inside Canada | An extension can be requested, and is approved for up to 2 years |
| Applied and entered before 22 June 2023 | Stays for the period the border officer granted at entry |
It is the visitor's own responsibility to maintain valid visitor status, so put the end date stamped or written at entry in your calendar and apply for an extension before it.
The host's income requirement: the table and the 31 March 2026 change
Many people believe the super visa requires "the minimum plus 30%". That is not correct. The threshold for the super visa is the "minimum necessary income", based on Statistics Canada's low income cut-off (LICO) for cities of 500,000 people or more, without the 30% increase. The requirement for permanent sponsorship is higher, as the comparison below shows.
| Family size | Minimum annual income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $30,526 |
| 2 | $38,002 |
| 3 | $46,720 |
| 4 | $56,724 |
| 5 | $64,336 |
| 6 | $72,560 |
| 7 | $80,784 |
| Each additional person | +$8,224 |
Who counts toward family size? You, your spouse or partner, your dependent children, the parents or grandparents applying for the super visa, anyone you previously invited on a super visa whose invitation is still in effect, and anyone you previously sponsored for whom your undertaking is still in effect.
An example: a couple with two children invite the husband's parents. The family size is 6, so the required income is $72,560.
What changed on 31 March 2026? You now have two ways to prove your income, and both apply to applications in process as well as new ones:
- One year out of two: your income only needs to meet the threshold in either of the two tax years before the application, shown on a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. Previously, only the most recent year counted.
- Your income combined with the visitor's: if your income in the previous year was at least 75% of the threshold, the parents' or grandparents' income can be added to make up the difference. The visitor must then show that their income will continue while they are in Canada.
You receive your Notice of Assessment after filing your tax return. If you are behind on filing, that is the first thing to fix. To work out your take-home income and what is left to host two more people, use the salary calculator and then the budget calculator.
Medical insurance required for the super visa, and how long it must last
These are the official insurance requirements published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Insurer | A Canadian insurance company, or a foreign company approved and listed in OSFI's public list of federally regulated financial institutions |
| Length | At least one year from the date of entry, and valid for each entry to Canada |
| Minimum coverage | $100,000 in emergency coverage |
| Must include | Hospitalization and repatriation |
| Payment | Paid in full, or in instalments with a deposit. Quotes are not accepted |
In practice: ask for the final insurance policy, not a quote, and make sure the visitor's name, date of birth and start date match the passport. Before each new entry, check that the insurance is still valid. To compare insurers, see the list of insurance brokers in the directory.
Letter of invitation, fees and how to apply
The letter of invitation is written and signed by the host, and must include:
- proof that the host's income meets or exceeds the required threshold;
- a list of the names and dates of birth of everyone counted in the family size.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visitor visa (per person) | $100 |
| Biometrics (per person) | $85 |
| Biometrics (maximum for a family applying together) | $170 |
A suggested order: gather your Notices of Assessment and work out your family size, then calculate the required income. Next, buy the final insurance policy and write the letter of invitation. The parents then apply from outside Canada and give their biometrics and complete the medical exam. Processing times vary by country and do not include the time needed for biometrics.
Checklist before you submit the application
Go through these points one by one: each is a requirement published on IRCC's pages.
- A Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency for one of the last two years, showing income at or above the threshold for your family size. Or one showing at least 75%, with proof of the visitor's continuing income.
- Family size worked out, including the applicants themselves and anyone you are still responsible for under a previous invitation or sponsorship.
- A signed letter of invitation listing the names and dates of birth of family members.
- A final insurance policy, paid in full or in instalments with a deposit, from a Canadian insurer or one listed with OSFI, with at least $100,000 in coverage, valid for one year from the date of entry.
- The parent or grandparent is outside Canada when applying and ready to complete the medical exam and biometrics.
- Proof of the visitor's ties to their home country, because the super visa is a visitor visa and the purpose of the visit is assessed.
Super visa or Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)? The 2026 comparison
| Criterion | Super visa | Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | A long stay as a visitor | Permanent residence |
| Current status | Open for applications | Paused. No interest to sponsor forms are being accepted and no invitations sent until further notice |
| Income requirement | The minimum in one of the last two years, or 75% of it combined with the visitor's income | A higher threshold for three consecutive tax years. Example from the 2025 intake for two people: $47,549 for 2024 |
| Financial commitment | A letter of invitation with proof of income | 20 years (10 in Quebec), and it cannot be cancelled |
| Quebec | Federal rules | Quebec-specific income requirements |
The practical takeaway: as long as the PGP is paused, the super visa is the only option available today for a long stay. Follow the program's official page for any announcement that it is reopening.
What the super visa does not give you
- It does not give permanent residence, or a direct path to citizenship.
- It is not a work permit: it is a visitor visa.
- It does not replace health coverage, which is why private insurance is required. Read the guide to health insurance in Canada to understand the difference between public and private coverage.
- It does not always guarantee 5 years: the border officer decides at entry.
- This guide is not legal advice. If the file involves a previous refusal or special circumstances, consult a licensed immigration consultant.
Frequently asked questions
Is the super visa income requirement LICO + 30%?
No. The super visa uses the minimum necessary income based on LICO with no increase, starting at $38,002 for two people. Permanent sponsorship has a higher threshold that must be met for three years.
Do my parents count toward family size?
Yes. The super visa applicants count toward family size, along with you, your spouse and your dependent children.
My income is not enough on its own. Can I add my father's income?
Yes, since 31 March 2026, provided your income is at least 75% of the threshold and your parent shows continuing income while in Canada.
Can the insurance be bought from a company in my parents' country?
Only if the company is approved and appears on OSFI's public list. Otherwise, it must be a Canadian company.
Can you apply for the super visa from inside Canada?
No. The applicant must be outside Canada when applying. An extension, however, is requested from inside Canada.
When will parent sponsorship reopen?
No date has been announced. The official page, updated on 18 August 2026, says the program is paused until further notice.