FAQ

A Super Visa is a special temporary resident visa designed for eligible parents and grandparents who wish to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada for extended periods. Unlike a regular visitor visa, a Super Visa generally allows an authorized stay of up to five years per entry.

Applicants must generally:

• Be the parent or grandparent of an eligible Canadian host.
• Apply from outside Canada.
• Have a qualifying invitation letter from their child or grandchild.
• Demonstrate that their host meets the applicable financial requirements.
• Obtain qualifying private medical insurance.
• Complete an immigration medical examination.
• Meet Canada's temporary resident and admissibility requirements.

The inviting child or grandchild must be at least 18 years old, reside in Canada, and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The host must also meet the applicable minimum necessary income requirement.

No. A person who holds only a Canadian work permit or study permit does not qualify as a Super Visa host.

No. There is no specific minimum or maximum age for parents or grandparents applying for a Super Visa.

Dependent children cannot be included as dependants in a Super Visa application.

The minimum necessary income depends on the host's family size, including the host, spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, visiting parents or grandparents, and other family members required to be counted under IRCC rules. Applicants should consult IRCC's current income table when preparing their application.

Option 1: The host and eligible co-signer may demonstrate that their qualifying income met the minimum requirement in either of the two taxation years preceding the application.

Option 2: If the host and eligible co-signer meet at least 75% of the required income in the preceding year, qualifying income from the visiting parent or grandparent may be added to cover the shortfall.

Yes. An eligible spouse or common-law partner of the Canadian host may co-sign the invitation letter and combine qualifying income to meet the minimum necessary income requirement.

Under the rules effective March 31, 2026, qualifying income from visiting parents or grandparents may be considered if the host and eligible co-signer first meet at least 75% of the required income under the applicable assessment rules.

Eligible Super Visa holders may generally remain in Canada for up to five years per entry, subject to the conditions imposed by Canadian border authorities.

Eligible Super Visa holders may apply to extend their authorized stay in Canada, potentially for up to two additional years.

No. Applicants must be outside Canada when submitting their Super Visa application. Parents already visiting Canada may need to consider a visitor record extension or another appropriate immigration option.

Super Visa: Allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit Canada temporarily for extended periods. It does not grant Permanent Residence.

Parents and Grandparents Program: Provides a pathway to Permanent Residence for eligible parents and grandparents when sponsorship intake is available.

Global Immigration and Placement Consultancy Services Ltd. (GIPCS) provides professional Canadian immigration consulting services for parents and grandparents seeking extended visits to Canada.

Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) assists with:

• Super Visa eligibility assessments.
• Host income and family-size calculations.
• Application preparation and document review.
• Invitation letters and supporting documentation.
• Medical insurance requirement guidance.
• Applications following previous refusals.
• Visitor record extensions and other temporary residence options.

With over 23 years of experience in the Canadian immigration industry, GIPCS serves families in Edmonton, throughout Alberta, across Canada, and internationally.