How to bring parents to Canada with the help of a Super Visa

It's important for immigrants in Canada to stay connected with their families, especially parents and elderly relatives living in another country. To make these visits longer and more convenient, the Canadian government offers a special type of visa called the Super Visa.

Here's what you need to know about who can apply for a Super Visa, the requirements, and how to properly submit an application.

What is a Super Visa for parents and grandparents visiting Canada?

A Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa designed specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows for extended stays of up to 5 years per visit and is valid for up to 10 years. This means you can visit Canada multiple times without having to apply for a new visa each time. It's especially convenient for older relatives who want to spend extended periods with their children or grandchildren in Canada.

Note: If you're planning a trip to Canada for up to 6 months, a regular visitor visa is sufficient.

Validity and length of stay for Super Visas in Canada

While a Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years, the actual time you can stay in Canada per visit depends on when you applied and when you enter the country. The rules were updated in 2023.

If you applied after June 22, 2023, you can stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit.

If you applied before June 22, 2023, your length of stay depends on when you entered Canada:

• If you entered Canada before June 22, 2023, your stay was determined by the border officer, usually up to 2 years, as noted in your passport.
• If you enter Canada after June 22, 2023, even with an older Super Visa, you may be granted up to 5 years if you still meet the visa requirements.

Who can apply for a Super Visa to visit Canada?

Only parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents can apply for a Super Visa. Other relatives, such as siblings, aunts, and uncles, are not eligible.

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To apply for a Super Visa, you must also:

• Be outside Canada when applying.
• Have an invitation letter from your child or grandchild living in Canada.
• Prove your relationship to the person inviting you.
• Pass a medical exam from an approved doctor.
• Have valid medical insurance coverage for at least 1 year.
• Prove you will leave Canada voluntarily at the end of your visit.

You'll need to provide documentation for all these requirements when applying.

Requirements for the child or grandchild inviting parents on a Super Visa

Your child or grandchild living in Canada must:

• Be over 18 years old.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Live in Canada.
• Provide proof of their status in the country.
• Meet minimum income requirements (shown in the table below).
• Sign an invitation letter that:
  • Promises financial support for your entire stay.
  • Lists all family members included in the income calculation.

Minimum income requirements for Super Visa applications

To invite parents or grandparents on a Super Visa, your child or grandchild must prove they have sufficient annual income. This means their income for the last tax year must meet or exceed the minimum requirement, which depends on their total family size.

Family size includes:

• The applicant and their spouse (if applying together)
• The child or grandchild inviting you
• Their spouse or partner (including those living separately but still legally married)
• Their dependent children
• Anyone they or their partner have previously sponsored (if the sponsorship period hasn't ended)
• Other Super Visa applicants invited by the same person

Minimum income by family size:

Income can be proven with:

• Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
• T4 forms showing salary and taxes paid.
• T1 form of personal tax return.
• Employment letters stating salary.
• Bank statements.
• Proof of benefits (pensions, unemployment payments, etc.).
• Letter from an accountant (for self-employed individuals).

Medical insurance requirements for Super Visas

A key requirement for getting a Super Visa is having paid medical insurance that:

• Covers at least 1 year from your arrival date.
• Provides a minimum coverage of $100,000 CAD (~$73,200 USD).
• Covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
• Is from a Canadian insurance company or a foreign company authorized to operate in Canada and listed by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI).

Note: Insurance brokers and administrators are not acceptable insurers. When entering Canada, you may be asked to prove you have valid, paid insurance.

How to apply for a Super Visa to Canada

Applications are submitted online through the official IRCC portal. Paper applications are only allowed in exceptional cases, such as for applicants with disabilities or those with special travel documents (e.g., for stateless persons).

After applying, you'll be scheduled for biometrics (fingerprints and photo). You may also be asked to attend an interview, undergo additional medical exams, or provide a police clearance certificate.

Then you'll wait for your application to be reviewed and approved.

Arriving in Canada with a Super Visa: What to expect at the border

When you arrive in Canada, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will check:

• your identity;
• the validity of your visa and passport;
• documents provided when applying for the super visa.

If everything is in order, the officer will stamp your passport, allowing you to stay for up to 5 years.

It's important to understand that having a super visa alone doesn't guarantee entry into the country — the final decision is always made by the border officer. Additionally, a super visa doesn't give you the right to work or study in Canada. You need to obtain a separate permit for that. If children under 18 are accompanying you on a super visa, they must have their own documents and meet entry requirements.

Help with obtaining a super visa

A super visa is a convenient and long-term way to stay close to your family. Unlike a regular visitor visa, it allows you to remain in Canada for an extended period. This is especially important for those who want to spend more time with loved ones, help with children, or simply be present in everyday life.

However, obtaining a super visa requires careful preparation: you need to correctly gather all necessary documents from both applicants and the inviting party. Mistakes or inaccuracies in the application can lead to rejection.

If you want to increase your chances of approval and avoid bureaucratic complications, we're ready to help you at all stages of the super visa process — from analyzing your situation and preparing documents to submitting the application and providing support after entering Canada.

Contact us — Immigrant.Today specialists will help you prepare everything correctly and quickly.