Who can apply
The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian (the “host”). The host must be at least 18 and live in Canada. A dependent child of the parent or grandparent cannot be included; they must apply for their own visa.
What the application must show
- A letter of invitation from the host, promising financial support for the whole visit and listing everyone in the host’s household.
- Host income that meets the minimum necessary income (based on Statistics Canada’s low income cut-off) for the household size, counting the visiting parents or grandparents. Since March 31, 2026, the host can rely on either of the two tax years before the application, and the visitor’s own income can help close a small gap.
- Medical insurance covering at least $100,000 for health care, hospitalization and repatriation, valid for at least one year from the date of entry and paid in full or by instalments. It must come from a Canadian insurer or an eligible foreign insurer approved by IRCC.
- An immigration medical exam.
- Genuine visitor intent: the officer must be satisfied the applicant will leave at the end of the authorized stay. Ties to the home country, finances and travel history all count.
How long you can stay
Super visa holders can be authorized to stay up to five years per entry. From inside Canada, they can apply to extend their stay by up to two more years at a time. A super visa does not allow work or study, and it does not give provincial health coverage. That is why private insurance is mandatory.
Super visa or sponsorship?
| Super visa | Parents and Grandparents Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Temporary resident (visitor) | Permanent resident |
| Availability | Apply any time | New intake paused since July 15, 2026 |
| Income test | Minimum necessary income for one of the last two tax years | Minimum necessary income plus 30% for three years |
| Health care | Private insurance | Provincial coverage |
| Work | Not permitted | Permitted |
Common reasons for refusal
- Household size counted wrongly, so the income falls short.
- An insurance policy that does not meet every requirement, or is not from an eligible insurer.
- Weak evidence of ties to the home country.
- A past overstay or refusal that was not explained.
How ATWORLD IMMIGRATION helps
We check income and household size and review the insurance policy. We prepare the invitation letter and a cover submission that answers the officer’s likely concerns, and we handle extensions from inside Canada and reapplications after refusal.
Last reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration law and IRB procedure change often; we confirm the current rules for your file at your consultation.