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Super Visa Canada: A practical guide for parents and grandparents A Super Visa is a multiple entry visitor visa for eligible parents and grandparents of people living in Canada. It can allow longer family visits than a regular visitor visa. Under current IRCC rules, a person granted entry may be eligible to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time. The visa itself can be valid for up to ten years, but a Canada Border Services Agency officer makes the final entry decision at the border. IRCC Super Visa overview | IRCC stay rules This guide explains who may qualify, what the host and applicant should prepare, how the financial support rules work, how to apply online, and what to expect before travelling. It also answers common Super Visa questions families ask when preparing an application. IN THIS GUIDE Who can apply for a Super Visa? What the host in Canada must prepare How the income and family size rules work Super Visa medical insurance requirements Documents to prepare before applying How to apply online After approval and before travelling Frequently asked questions Common preparation mistakes to avoid Who can apply for a Super Visa? Both the applicant and the host in Canada must meet the requirements. The applicant must be the biological or adopted parent or grandparent of the host. The host must be at least 18 years old, live in Canada, and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. The host must sign an invitation letter and meet the current financial support rules. IRCC Super Visa eligibility requirements | IRCC host financial support rules The applicant must apply from outside Canada, complete an immigration medical exam, have qualifying private health insurance, and meet the general requirements to visit Canada. IRCC considers the purpose of the visit, home country ties, family, finances, and whether the applicant will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay. IRCC Super Visa eligibility requirements A Super Visa application is individual. You cannot include dependants in a Super Visa application. Each eligible parent or grandparent needs a separate application. A couple may apply at the same time, but each person must complete the required forms and provide their own required documents. IRCC Super Visa eligibility requirements | IRCC guidance for family visa applications Applicant requirement What it means in practice Relationship to the host Provide evidence that the applicant is the host's biological or adopted parent or grandparent. Location when applying Submit the Super Visa application from outside Canada. Separate applications Do not add dependants. Each eligible applicant needs their own Super Visa application. Medical exam Complete an immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician and include the required proof. Health insurance Obtain a qualifying private health insurance policy before applying. General visitor requirements Show a genuine purpose of visit, home country ties, and a credible plan to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay. What the host in Canada must prepare The host should prepare a signed invitation letter, proof of Canadian status or registration, proof of relationship, and proof that the financial support requirement is met. The invitation letter must include the financial support commitment, the people included in the family size calculation, and the name and date of birth of each person included in that count. IRCC forms and documents | IRCC host financial support rules A qualifying spouse or common law partner may co sign the invitation letter and add income if needed. Other relatives, such as siblings, cannot co sign. IRCC host financial support rules Document area What to prepare Invitation letter A signed letter confirming the visit, financial support, and the people included in the family size calculation. Host status Proof of Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status, or registration as an Indian, as applicable. Relationship A birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or another official document that proves the relationship. Income evidence Current evidence from the host, and any qualifying co signer, for the correct family size. How the income and family size rules work Family size is not limited to the people currently living in the host's home. IRCC counts the applicant and other Super Visa applicants the host supports, the host, the host's spouse or common law partner, dependent children, certain previously approved Super Visa holders, and people the host or co signer previously sponsored where the undertaking is still in effect. IRCC host financial support rules IRCC provides two current routes to show financial support. Under the first route, the host's combined income with a qualifying co signer, if applicable, meets or exceeds the minimum necessary income in either of the two tax years before the application. Under the second route, the host and qualifying co signer show at least 75 percent of the required amount in the previous year, and the applicant can add income to cover the remaining amount if the combined total meets the threshold. The applicant must prove that their income will continue while in Canada. IRCC host financial support rules | IRCC income requirement update Family size Current minimum income shown on the IRCC page 1 CAD 30,526 2 CAD 38,002 3 CAD 46,720 4 CAD 56,724 5 CAD 64,336 6 CAD 72,560 7 CAD 80,784 Each additional person Add CAD 8,224 Check the current IRCC host financial support page immediately before submitting an application, because the amount and evidence rules can change. Super Visa medical insurance requirements The applicant must have a private health insurance policy that meets all current Super Visa requirements. The policy must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, provide at least CAD 100,000 in emergency coverage, cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation, and be valid for each entry to Canada. IRCC Super Visa forms and documents The policy must identify the insurer and be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit. An insurance quote is not accepted as proof of coverage. The insurer must meet the current IRCC requirements. If the policy is from outside Canada, check the official requirements carefully before buying it. IRCC Super Visa forms and documents | IRCC health insurance change notice Insurance check What to confirm Coverage period At least one year from the date of entry. Minimum coverage At least CAD 100,000 in emergency coverage. Required coverage Health care, hospitalization, and repatriation. Payment evidence A paid policy, or instalments with a deposit, not only a quote. Entry and re entry Valid for each entry and available for border officer review. Documents to prepare before applying All documents should be clear and easy to read. IRCC may return an application or take longer to process it if the information is unreadable. Check the local visa office instructions for the country or territory where the applicant is applying, because additional documents can be required. IRCC Super Visa forms and documents Document area What to check Medical exam proof Complete the exam with an approved panel physician and include the required proof. Insurance evidence Upload a qualifying paid policy, not only a quote. Host documents Include status, relationship, invitation, and income evidence. Translations Documents not in English or French need the required translation documents. An affidavit is required if the translator is not certified. Local instructions Review the applicable visa office instructions before submitting. Document quality Use complete, clear, and readable copies. How to apply online The applicant must be outside Canada when applying. The standard application route is through the IRCC Portal. When the portal asks I want to apply for, select Visitor visa or super visa. When it asks Why do you need a visitor visa?, select To visit my children or grandchildren for more than 6 months (super visa). The questionnaire then produces a personalized document checklist. IRCC Super Visa application instructions Submit the completed application and pay the required fees through the eligible IRCC portal. If biometrics are required, wait for the biometrics instruction letter and book the appointment as soon as possible. Check the official IRCC page for current fees and payment instructions before submitting, because these can change. IRCC Super Visa application instructions After approval and before travelling If IRCC approves an application for a visa required applicant, it will send instructions to submit the passport to a visa application centre. Visa exempt applicants can receive a letter to present to a border services officer on arrival, and may need an electronic travel authorization for air travel. IRCC Super Visa overview | IRCC next steps after applying Before travelling, keep the passport or travel document, the documents used for the Super Visa application, and proof of paid health insurance accessible. A valid Super Visa does not guarantee entry. A border services officer decides whether entry is allowed and the authorized period of stay. IRCC next steps after applying A Super Visa does not itself authorize work or study in Canada. Most visitors need a separate permit to work or study. Keep the passport and health insurance valid during the stay and on any re entry to Canada. IRCC next steps after applying Frequently asked questions Can I apply for a Super Visa while a parent or grandparent sponsorship application is pending? Yes. IRCC states that a person who has already submitted a sponsorship application can apply for a Super Visa while waiting for a decision. The Super Visa application still has to meet all its separate eligibility, insurance, medical examination, and financial support requirements. IRCC Super Visa overview | KGraph Family Sponsorship service Can I include dependants in a Super Visa application? No. You cannot include dependants in a Super Visa application. Each eligible parent or grandparent must apply separately. If two eligible parents or grandparents plan to visit, they can submit their own applications at the same time, but each person must complete their required forms and meet the requirements individually. IRCC Super Visa eligibility requirements | IRCC guidance for family visa applications Can a parent or grandparent apply for a Super Visa from inside Canada? No. The applicant must be outside Canada when submitting a Super Visa application. If someone is already in Canada as a visitor, their situation may involve visitor status rules rather than a new Super Visa application. IRCC Super Visa overview | IRCC Super Visa application instructions Can the host's spouse or common law partner help meet the income requirement? Yes, if they qualify. A host's spouse or common law partner may co sign the invitation letter and contribute income. Other relatives, including siblings, cannot co sign. The family size calculation must still include everyone IRCC requires. IRCC Super Visa forms and documents | IRCC host financial support rules Can the visiting parent or grandparent add their own income? Possibly. Under the current second income route, applicant income can cover the remaining amount when the host and any qualifying co signer meet the required minimum percentage and the combined income reaches the full threshold. The applicant must provide evidence that the income will continue while they are in Canada. IRCC host financial support rules | IRCC income requirement update Does Super Visa insurance have to be paid before applying? Yes. IRCC requires evidence of a qualifying policy that has been paid in full or in instalments with a deposit. An insurance quote by itself is not accepted. IRCC Super Visa forms and documents Can a visa exempt parent or grandparent apply for a Super Visa? Yes. A visa exempt parent or grandparent can still apply for a Super Visa to stay longer. If approved, IRCC issues a letter for the border services officer. An electronic travel authorization may also be needed for travel to Canada by air. IRCC Super Visa overview | IRCC Super Visa application instructions How long can a Super Visa holder stay in Canada, and can the stay be extended? Under current IRCC rules, a holder may be eligible to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time if entry is granted. Before visitor status expires, the holder must leave Canada or apply to extend the stay. An extension is not automatic and depends on the person meeting the applicable requirements. IRCC stay rules Can a Super Visa holder work or study in Canada? A Super Visa does not itself authorize work or study in Canada. Most visitors need a separate work permit or study permit. IRCC next steps after applying Common preparation mistakes to avoid Avoid Why it matters Using an insurance quote as proof IRCC requires proof of a qualifying paid policy, not only a quote. Counting the wrong family size The income threshold depends on the full IRCC family size calculation. Forgetting that applicants apply separately Dependants cannot be included in a Super Visa application. Using old income information IRCC can update income amounts and evidence rules. Applying from inside Canada The Super Visa applicant must be outside Canada when the application is submitted. Submitting unclear documents IRCC may return the application or take longer to process it. Skipping translations or local instructions Missing translation documents or local requirements can create avoidable problems. Related Articles   Immigration Medical Exam: What to Expect Read more →   Family Sponsorship to Canada Read more →   Explore All KGraph Immigration Resources Read more → Not sure which pathway is right for you? Start with a free initial eligibility assessment so KGraph can better understand your immigration goals. This preliminary assessment is not a consultation, legal opinion, confirmation of eligibility, or guarantee of approval. Start Your Free Initial Eligibility Assessment Prepared by KGraph Immigration. Last updated July 2026. General information, not legal advice.