Super visa for parents and grandparents
Are you looking to reunite with your parents or grandparents in Canada for an extended period? The Super Visa Canada is an ideal solution for families who want their loved ones close while ensuring compliance with Canadian immigration laws. Unlike regular visitor visas, the Super Visa in Canada offers long-term stay options with multiple entries, making it a popular pathway for family unification. At Visarete, our experienced immigration consultants can help you navigate the process of applying for the IRCC Super Visa with clarity and confidence.
This page outlines the Super Visa Canada Requirements, benefits, application process, insurance needs, and everything else you need to know for 2025 and beyond.
Benefits of Super Visa
The Super Visa Canada provides numerous advantages over standard visitor visas:
- Extended Stay: Approved applicants can stay in Canada for up to five years at a stretch, much longer than the usual six-month visitor visa.
- Multiple Entries: The visa allows multiple entries over a 10-year period, ensuring flexibility for travel without needing to reapply.
- Family Reunification: It enables parents and grandparents to spend more quality time with their children and grandchildren.
- Healthcare Coverage: As part of the application, private medical insurance is mandatory, ensuring peace of mind during the stay.
- Faster Processing: The processing time is typically quicker than sponsorship programs, making the Super Visa program an efficient alternative.
Super Visa vs Visitor Visa: What’s the Difference?
Many families confuse the Super Visa in Canada with a regular visitor visa. While both allow travel to Canada, there are critical differences between the two, especially when it comes to duration, requirements, and purpose.
Feature | Visitor Visa | Super Visa |
Stay Duration | Up to 6 months per visit | Up to 5 years per visit |
Total Validity | Usually up to 10 years | 10 years with multiple entries |
Medical Insurance | Not mandatory | Mandatory (Min. $100,000) |
Who Can Apply | Anyone | Only parents and grandparents |
Income Requirement | Not required | Required by Canadian sponsor |
Processing Time | 3–4 weeks | Similar, sometimes faster |
Intent to Immigrate | Short stay | Extended family reunion |
The Super Visa Canada 2025 is clearly designed for long-term family visits, especially beneficial when you want your parents or grandparents to stay with you for several years without multiple renewals. It’s also more secure due to the built-in medical insurance requirement.
Still not sure which one suits your needs? Contact our immigration experts at Visarete, and we’ll help you choose the right path.
Super Visa Period
With the 2022 update by IRCC, Super Visa Canada holders can now stay up to five years per visit, an increase from the previous two-year limit. Applicants also have the option to extend their stay by two additional years, offering a total of seven years in some cases.
This period makes the Super visa for parents and the Super visa for grandparents particularly appealing, especially for families that want to spend extended time together without frequent renewals or reapplications.
Super Visa Canada Requirements – 2025
To be eligible for the Super Visa Canada 2025, applicants must meet the following:
- Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada that includes:
- A promise of financial support for the duration of the visit.
- A list of the number of people in the household.
- Provide proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company valid for at least one year and offering minimum coverage of CAD $100,000.
- Show proof of income to meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) based on family size.
- Undergo a medical examination, if requested.
- Demonstrate genuine intent to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
These criteria are part of the IRCC Super Visa policy updates for 2025 and must be fulfilled by every applicant to ensure approval.
Documents Required for Super Visa Canada
Preparing the correct documents is essential for a successful Super Visa Canada application. Missing or incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons for rejection. Here’s a checklist of documents you will need:
- Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your planned stay in Canada.
- Letter of Invitation: This must come from your child or grandchild in Canada. It should include a promise of financial support, a copy of their status in Canada, and details of household members.
- Proof of Relationship: Documents like birth certificates that clearly show the family relationship with the inviting Canadian resident.
- Income Documents: The sponsor must provide proof they meet the Super Visa Canada income requirements, such as NOA (Notice of Assessment), T4 slips, recent pay stubs, or an employment letter.
- Medical Insurance Documents: You must include a valid Super Visa Insurance policy from a Canadian insurance provider, covering at least CAD $100,000.
- Medical Examination Receipt: If requested by IRCC, submit the results of your medical exam by a panel physician.
- Purpose of Travel Statement: A short letter explaining why you are visiting Canada and your intent to return to your home country.
Make sure all documents are translated into English or French and certified if necessary. At Visarete, we help ensure every document is correctly prepared and submitted for your Super Visa Application.
Super visa for parents and grandparents
Parents and Grand Parents of Canadian Citizens can also come to Canada to visit their kids and their families on a temporary visa known as Super Visa. The biggest positive feature of Super Visa is that it allows the visitor to stay for a period of up to two consecutive years at their initial visit without having to renew their status.
The validity of this visa is up to 10 years, allowing for re-entry during this period of time. The Super Visa presents older generations of a family to visit loved ones in Canada for an extended period without work rights. It allows the spouse or common-law partner of an applicant to be included in the application, but other dependents may not.
How to Apply for Super Visa
To apply for Super Visa, it’s crucial to gather all documents and meet every eligibility criterion. The application can be submitted online or on paper, but most applicants prefer the online route due to speed and convenience.
Key steps include:
- Collect the invitation letter from your child or grandchild.
- Obtain a Super Visa Insurance policy.
- Prepare documents proving ties to the home country.
- Upload proof of income from the Canadian host.
- Submit biometric information if required.
- Wait for processing and potential medical exams.
Our immigration consultant at Visarete will guide you through each step, ensuring your Super Visa Application is complete and accurate to avoid delays.
Step-by-Step Super Visa Application Process
Here’s a complete walkthrough to make your Super Visa Application seamless:
- Verify Eligibility: Ensure you are either a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or PR.
- Obtain Invitation Letter: Ask your child or grandchild to write an invitation with all required elements.
- Purchase Insurance: Secure a valid one-year Super Visa Insurance policy from a Canadian provider.
- Prepare Documentation:
- Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificates).
- Financial support documents (income tax slips, bank statements).
- Proof of medical exam, if applicable.
- Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificates).
- Submit the Application:
- Go to the IRCC Portal.
- Create an account and upload documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Go to the IRCC Portal.
- Wait for Approval: Processing times vary but are typically within a few weeks to a few months.
- Receive Super Visa: If approved, your visa is affixed to your passport for travel to Canada.
Our consultants make the entire process smoother, especially when applying under the Super Visa Canada 2025 guidelines.
Common Reasons for Super Visa Rejection
Despite fulfilling the basic requirements, many applications for the Super Visa Canada are rejected due to avoidable mistakes. Knowing these reasons in advance can help applicants avoid delays and disappointment.
- Incomplete or Incorrect Documents: If even a single required document is missing or not formatted correctly, IRCC may refuse the application.
- Inadequate Financial Proof: The sponsor must meet the Super Visa Canada Requirements for income. Submitting outdated or insufficient financial documents can lead to denial.
- Weak Ties to Home Country: Applicants must prove they intend to return home after their visit. If the visa officer is not convinced, the application may be rejected.
- Invalid Medical Insurance: The Super Visa Insurance must be valid, from a Canadian provider, and meet all IRCC standards. Low coverage or expired policies can cause refusal.
- Failure in Medical Exam: A serious medical condition without disclosed history or improper medical clearance can lead to rejection.
- Unclear Travel Purpose: A poorly written explanation of why you’re visiting Canada and how long you intend to stay can create doubts.
At Visarete, we review every aspect of your Super Visa Application to eliminate these risks and increase your chances of approval.
Super Visa Canada Fees & Insurance Costs
Super Visa Insurance: Your Key to Approval
One of the most important factors in your Super Visa Canada application is the Super Visa Insurance. This insurance proves that the applicant will not burden the Canadian healthcare system and is well protected during their stay.
Key criteria:
Applicants with incomplete or invalid insurance documents are likely to face rejection. Our team can help you choose the best Super Visa Insurance plan that fits both your budget and IRCC requirements.
Why Choose Us?
FAQs
1. How much money is required for a super visa in Canada?
To apply for a Super Visa Canada, the sponsor in Canada must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements. The exact amount varies depending on the number of people in the household. For example, if a family of four is inviting two grandparents, the sponsor’s income must exceed a specific threshold published annually by IRCC. Proof of income, like T4 slips, NOA (Notice of Assessment), and employment letters, must be provided.
2. How long can a super visa holder stay in Canada?
As per IRCC Super Visa rules, holders can stay up to five years per visit without the need to renew their status. Additionally, they can apply for a two-year extension, allowing for a total stay of up to seven consecutive years. This makes the Super Visa highly beneficial for long-term family visits, especially when compared to traditional visitor visas.
3. What is the new rule for the super visa in Canada?
The updated rule introduced in July 2022 now permits five-year stays per visit under the Super Visa program. Moreover, it allows insurance policies from approved international providers, although Canadian providers are still recommended for faster processing. These changes have made the Super visa for parents and grandparents even more flexible and accessible.
4. Can super visas convert to PR?
No, the Super Visa in Canada does not directly lead to Permanent Residency (PR). It is a temporary resident visa meant for extended family visits. However, while in Canada on a Super Visa, the applicant’s child or grandchild can apply for family sponsorship under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program if eligible. Until then, the Super Visa remains a non-immigrant visa.
5. Who qualifies for a super visa in Canada?
To qualify for a Super Visa Canada, applicants must be parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or PR. They must also provide an invitation letter, meet Super Visa Canada Requirements, show proof of private health insurance, and pass a medical exam if asked. The intent to return home after the stay must be proven to satisfy IRCC officers.
6. How much is insurance for a super visa?
The cost of Super Visa Insurance depends on the applicant’s age, health, and coverage level. On average, a healthy person aged 50–65 may pay around CAD $800–$1,200 per year, while older individuals may see costs rise up to CAD $2,000 or more. This insurance is essential for visa approval and must cover a minimum of CAD $100,000 for health emergencies.
7. Super Visa Canada Income Requirements 2024–2025
The Super Visa Canada income requirement is based on the LICO table set by IRCC. Sponsors must show they earn more than the required threshold for their family size, including the visiting parent(s). For example, in 2025, a sponsor with a household size of five will need to show an annual income of around CAD $60,000. Accurate documentation and up-to-date tax records are crucial to meet this condition.
