Super Visa vs Visitor Visa vs Parent Sponsorship
Three ways parents and grandparents come to Canada, and what each means in 2026.
| Super Visa | Visitor visa | Parent sponsorship (PGP) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay per visit | Up to 5 years | Usually up to 6 months | Permanent |
| Status | Visitor | Visitor | Permanent resident |
| Provincial health care | No, private insurance required | No, insurance recommended | Yes, once eligible |
| Host income test | Yes, minimum necessary income | No | Yes, higher and over 3 years |
| Open in 2026? | Yes | Yes | Paused since July 15, 2026 |
Super Visa Eligibility in 2026
The host (child or grandchild in Canada)
- Is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
- Is the applicant's child or grandchild, biological or adopted.
- Is at least 18 and lives in Canada.
- Writes and signs a letter of invitation.
- Meets the minimum necessary income for their family size.
The parent or grandparent
- Applies from outside Canada.
- Is allowed to enter Canada as a visitor.
- Takes an immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician.
- Has private medical insurance that meets IRCC's rules (below).
People from visa-exempt countries can still get a Super Visa to stay 5 years. They don't pay the $100 visa fee or the biometrics fee.
Super Visa Minimum Income Requirement
The host, plus a co-signing spouse or common-law partner, must earn at least the amount for the family size. Since March 31, 2026, there are two ways to qualify.
| Family size | Minimum income | 75% option |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $30,526 | $22,894 |
| 2 people | $38,002 | $28,502 |
| 3 people | $46,720 | $35,040 |
| 4 people | $56,724 | $42,543 |
| 5 people | $64,336 | $48,252 |
| 6 people | $72,560 | $54,420 |
| 7 people | $80,784 | $60,588 |
| More than 7 | Add $8,224 per person | 75% of the total |
Source: IRCC minimum necessary income table, updated July 29, 2025 (page modified July 6, 2026). The 75% column is calculated from it. IRCC updates the table, so check it before you apply.
- Option 1: total income meets the minimum in either of the two tax years before you apply. Proof: CRA notice of assessment.
- Option 2: income in the last year is at least 75% of the minimum, and the parent's own income makes up the rest. The parent must show they'll keep earning while in Canada.
- Only a spouse or common-law partner can co-sign. Siblings and other relatives can't.
Generally the host, their spouse or partner, their dependent children, anyone they sponsored who is still under an undertaking, and the parents or grandparents being invited. List everyone counted, with names and dates of birth, in the letter of invitation.
Super Visa Insurance Rules
- At least $100,000 of emergency coverage for health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
- Valid for at least one year from the date of entry, and for each entry.
- From a Canadian insurer or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI.
- Paid in full, or in instalments with a deposit. A quote is not accepted.
Live quotes on October 17, 2026 for a 66-year-old with $100,000 of coverage ranged from $1,620.60 to $2,801.56 a year, or about $135 to $220 a month on instalment plans.
See all 13 real quotesMore detail: Super Visa insurance guide · Monthly payment plans · Cancellation and refunds
How to Apply for a Super Visa
Check the income
Confirm the host and any co-signer meet the minimum for your family size, using option 1 or option 2.
Buy the insurance
Choose a policy that meets IRCC's rules and pay in full or the deposit. Set the start date to the planned arrival.
Gather the documents
Letter of invitation, proof of income, the host's status document, proof of relationship and translations. See the document checklist.
Apply online and pay
Apply through the IRCC Portal from outside Canada and pay the fees. Then give biometrics and complete the medical exam when asked.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Visa application | $100 per person | Not charged to visa-exempt applicants |
| Biometrics | $85 per person | Where required; not charged to visa-exempt applicants |
| Extend stay (visitor record) | $100 per person | Apply at least 30 days before status expires |
| Medical insurance | About $1,620 to $2,802 a year | Age 66, $100,000, October 2026 quotes |
Immigration medical exam fees are paid to the panel physician and vary by country.
How Long Parents Can Stay and How to Extend
- Applied on or after June 22, 2023: stay up to 5 years per entry, even if the passport isn't stamped.
- Entered before June 22, 2023: stay for the period the border officer granted, and you can apply to extend by up to 2 years.
- To stay longer, apply for a visitor record ($100) at least 30 days before status expires.
- Keep insurance active for the whole visit. The one-year minimum is only what IRCC checks at entry.
The Super Visa allows multiple entries while it is valid. Each time your parent enters Canada, the insurance must be valid for that entry, so renew it before it expires.
Super Visa Canada FAQs (2026)
What is the Super Visa in Canada?
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians. It can be valid for up to 10 years and lets the holder stay up to 5 years per entry.
How long can parents stay in Canada on a Super Visa?
Up to 5 years at a time for people who applied on or after June 22, 2023. Those who entered before that date can stay for the period the border officer granted and may apply to extend by up to 2 years.
What is the minimum income for a Super Visa in 2026?
It depends on family size. IRCC's table (updated July 29, 2025) starts at $30,526 for 1 person, $38,002 for 2 people and $46,720 for 3. Since 2026 hosts can use either of the last two tax years, or show 75% and add the parent's own income.
How much does a Super Visa cost?
The government fee is $100 per person, plus $85 for biometrics where required. Applicants from visa-exempt countries don't pay these fees. The largest cost is the required medical insurance, about $1,620 to $2,802 a year for a 66-year-old in our October 2026 quotes.
Is the Parents and Grandparents Program open in 2026?
No. IRCC paused new interest to sponsor forms and invitations on July 15, 2026, until further notice. Applications already submitted are still being processed. The Super Visa remains open.
Does Super Visa insurance have to be from a Canadian company?
No. IRCC accepts a Canadian insurance company or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI. The policy needs at least $100,000 of coverage, must be valid for one year from entry, and must be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit.
Can my parents apply for a Super Visa from inside Canada?
No. The applicant must be outside Canada when applying for a Super Visa.
Can a sibling co-sign the income requirement?
No. Only the host's spouse or common-law partner can co-sign, and they must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
How long does a Super Visa take to process?
Processing times vary by the country you apply from and change often. Check IRCC's processing times tool before you apply, and add time for biometrics and the medical exam.
General information, checked against IRCC on October 17, 2026. IRCC and border officers make all immigration decisions.
Where These Rules Come From
- IRCC: Parent and grandparent super visa (modified July 6, 2026)
- IRCC: Who can apply (modified July 6, 2026)
- IRCC: Minimum necessary income for hosts (modified July 6, 2026)
- IRCC: Forms and documents (insurance rules) (modified July 30, 2026)
- IRCC: How long you can stay (modified July 6, 2026)
- IRCC: Submit your application (fees) (modified August 28, 2026)
- IRCC: Extend your stay as a visitor (modified June 5, 2026)
- IRCC: Sponsor your parents and grandparents (paused) (modified August 18, 2026)
Ready to apply? Start with the insurance.
Get live Super Visa quotes in about a minute, or call us and we'll check the policy meets IRCC's rules before you submit.