Canada Super Visa Guide: Requirements, Income, Insurance, and Refusal Reasons
The Super Visa lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents visit Canada for extended stays — far longer than a regular visitor visa allows — without going through permanent-resident sponsorship. Here's who qualifies, the income and insurance thresholds for 2026, how to apply, and why applications get refused.
What the Super Visa is (and isn't)
The Super Visa is a multi-entry temporary resident visa for parents and grandparents. Key differences from the alternatives:
| Super Visa | Regular visitor visa | PGP sponsorship | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay per entry | Up to 5 years (extended stays) | Usually up to 6 months | Permanent residence |
| Entries | Multiple over up to 10 years | Single or multiple | N/A (immigration) |
| Medical insurance | Mandatory ($100K+, 1 year) | Recommended, not required | Provincial health coverage after landing |
| Host income test | Yes (LICO-based) | No | Yes (LICO+30%, 3 years) |
| Processing | Weeks to months | Weeks | Years (and currently paused for new intake) |
It is not a work permit, and it doesn't lead to permanent residence by itself. But for families who want parents nearby for years at a time — especially while the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is paused — it's the main route.
Who can apply
- You are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Your child/grandchild (the host) meets the income requirement and signs a letter of invitation.
- You pass medical admissibility (immigration medical exam) and are otherwise admissible to Canada.
- You have the required private medical insurance in place.
Only parents and grandparents qualify — siblings, aunts/uncles, and other relatives cannot use the Super Visa.
The income requirement (2026)
The host must prove income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)-based minimum necessary income for the total family size — counting the host, their dependants, and the visiting parent(s)/grandparent(s). The most commonly cited 2026 figures (effective for applications under current guidance):
| Family size | Minimum income (LICO) |
|---|---|
| 2 persons | ~$38,002 |
| 3 persons | ~$46,720 |
| 4 persons | ~$56,724 |
| 5 persons | ~$64,336 |
| 6 persons | ~$72,560 |
| 7 persons | ~$80,784 |
| Each additional | ~+$8,224 |
Two important 2026 changes (March 31, 2026): hosts can now qualify using income from either of the last two taxation years (whichever is higher), and a visiting parent's documented income can supplement the host's calculation in certain cases — though the host must still independently meet a base portion. Proof is typically the CRA Notice of Assessment.
LICO figures update periodically — confirm the current table on canada.ca before applying.
The mandatory insurance
Every Super Visa applicant must have private medical insurance that:
- Provides at least $100,000 in emergency coverage per applicant
- Is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, and for each entry
- Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Is paid in full (or in installments with a deposit) — a quote is not accepted
- Comes from a Canadian insurance company or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI (Canada's financial regulator) — foreign insurers have been accepted since January 2025
The policy must be in force at application time, and border officers can ask to see it on entry. See our companion guide on parents' health insurance for how pre-existing conditions are handled.
How to apply
- Host prepares: letter of invitation, proof of income (NOA), proof of Canadian status.
- Applicant prepares: passport, proof of relationship, the paid insurance policy, immigration medical exam results.
- Apply online through the IRCC portal, pay the fees, give biometrics.
- Wait for decision, then travel with the insurance documents.
Processing runs weeks to a few months depending on the visa office — far faster than sponsorship.
Common refusal reasons
- Weak ties to home country. The officer isn't convinced the parent will leave — the most common refusal ground. Property, pension, other children at home, and travel history all help.
- Income shortfall or weak proof. Missing NOAs, income below the threshold for the family size, or relying on income that doesn't count.
- Insurance problems. Quotes instead of paid policies, coverage under $100K, or policies not valid for a full year from entry.
- Medical inadmissibility. Failing the immigration medical exam or a condition deemed a danger to public health/safety or causing excessive demand.
- Purpose of visit unclear. Vague invitation letters or inconsistent statements about the length and purpose of the stay.
Frequently asked questions
How long can my parents stay per entry on a Super Visa?
Under current rules, up to 5 years per entry — much longer than the standard 6 months. Confirm the current maximum on canada.ca, as policies evolve.
Can Super Visa holders work in Canada?
No. It's a visitor visa — no work, no study beyond short courses. Working without authorization can lead to removal.
Does the Super Visa lead to permanent residence?
No, not directly. It's a temporary visa. PR comes through PGP sponsorship (currently paused for new intake) or other immigration programs.
Can I include both parents in one application?
Each parent applies individually, but one host invitation and income calculation can cover both — remember to count both in the family size.
What if the visa is refused — can we reapply?
Yes. Address the refusal reasons first (stronger ties evidence, corrected income proof, proper insurance) — reapplying with the same weak file usually gets the same result.
Sources
- IRCC, Super Visa: Eligibility and Requirements (operational bulletin): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/visitors/super-visa.html
- Si Laws, Super Visa Canada 2026: https://silaws.com/2026/07/02/super-visa-canada-2026-en/
- Si Laws, Super Visa Insurance Requirements 2026: https://silaws.com/2026/06/30/super-visa-insurance-requirements-2026-en/
- SEP Immigration, Super Visa Requirements 2026: https://sepimmigration.ca/service/super-visa/
- Schindler Visa, Super Visa for Parents & Grandparents: https://schindlervisa.ca/services/visit-canada/supervisa/
This article is general information about Canadian immigration, not legal advice. Thresholds and policies change — confirm current figures on canada.ca and consult a licensed immigration professional for your case.