Up to five years in Canada per entry — without the lottery of the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship program. Requirements, income tables, and insurance rules explained.
The super visa is a multiple-entry visa created specifically for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. While a regular visitor normally stays up to six months at a time, a super visa holder can remain in Canada for up to five years per entry — and the visa itself is valid for up to ten years.
For many families it beats the Parents and Grandparents PR sponsorship program on practicality: there is no lottery, no annual cap, and processing takes weeks or months rather than years.
The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Spouses or common-law partners of the applicant may be included; dependants cannot.
A signed letter of invitation from the child or grandchild in Canada, who must prove household income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size — including the visiting parents.
Proof of at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage from a Canadian insurer (or an approved foreign provider), valid for at least one year from entry.
An immigration medical examination, plus the standard visitor-visa test: the officer must be satisfied the applicant will respect the conditions of their stay.
| Super Visa | PGP Sponsorship (PR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Status granted | Long-stay visitor | Permanent residence |
| Intake | Open year-round | Lottery, capped annually |
| Processing | Weeks–months | Years |
| Healthcare | Private insurance required | Provincial coverage |
| Income test | LICO minimum | LICO + 30% for 3 tax years |
Many families use both: a super visa brings parents to Canada now, while a PGP sponsorship works through the system in the background.
David Johl, RCIC R519520, confirms your LICO eligibility and builds the full application — from insurance vetting to submission.
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