Canada Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents: Requirements Explained
In this guide
Quick answer: The Canada super visa lets parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian visit for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries over up to 10 years. You need a host in Canada who meets the minimum income, a letter of invitation, a medical exam and private health insurance valid for at least one year.
A normal visitor visa usually covers short visits. The super visa was built for families who want a parent or grandparent to stay much longer without applying for permanent residence. It comes with strict conditions, and the insurance and medical exam rules are the ones people most often miss. This guide follows the IRCC rules for who can host, who can apply and what the visa allows.
What does the Canada super visa allow?
IRCC says you can visit your children or grandchildren, if they are a permanent resident, Canadian citizen or registered Indian, for 5 years at a time. The visa gives multiple entries for up to 10 years. You cannot include dependants in the application. If you want to stay for 6 months or less, IRCC says to apply for a visitor visa instead. IRCC lists the fee as starting from CAD 100, and processing times vary by country.
Who can host you?
Your host, the child or grandchild you will visit, must meet IRCC’s requirements. They must:
- Be your biological or adopted child or grandchild, and you must be able to prove it.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or registered Indian.
- Be at least 18 years old and live in Canada.
- Meet or exceed the minimum necessary income.
- Write and sign a letter of invitation for you to come to Canada.
What must you, the applicant, meet?
| Requirement | Detail from IRCC |
|---|---|
| Location | You must be outside Canada when you submit the application |
| Visa issue | Your visa is printed by a visa office outside Canada |
| Admissibility | You must be allowed to enter Canada |
| Health insurance | Private insurance valid for at least 1 year from the date you enter, from a Canadian insurance company or an approved company outside Canada |
| Medical | An immigration medical exam |
| Genuine visit | An officer considers your ties to your home country, the purpose of the visit, and your family and finances |
The medical exam is covered in our guide to the Canada immigration medical exam. IRCC says a super visa applicant staying more than six months needs one, and an upfront exam is possible before you apply. You may also need to give biometrics.
What if you do not normally need a visa?
Even if you do not need a visitor visa to enter Canada, you can still get a super visa to stay for 5 years. IRCC says that if approved, you receive a letter to give to a border services officer on arrival. If you travel by air, you may also need to apply separately for an electronic travel authorization. Read our Canada eTA guide.
What if you have already been sponsored?
IRCC says that if you have already submitted a sponsorship application, you can apply for a super visa while you wait for a decision, or withdraw the sponsorship application at any time and apply for a super visa.
Common mistakes
- Buying the wrong insurance. It must be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry and from an accepted insurer.
- Applying from inside Canada. You must be outside Canada when you submit.
- Weak host paperwork. The host must prove the family relationship and meet the income requirement.
- Adding a spouse as a dependant. You cannot include dependants.
FAQ
Can I stay for the full 5 years every time?
IRCC says you can visit for 5 years at a time, with multiple entries over up to 10 years.
Does the visa lead to permanent residence?
No. It is a visitor document. Sponsorship is a separate process, see how to sponsor your spouse to Canada for the family class basics.
What if I only want a 3-month visit?
IRCC says to apply for a visitor visa if you will stay 6 months or less.
Key takeaways
- 5 years per visit and up to 10 years of multiple entries.
- Hosts must meet the minimum income and write a letter of invitation.
- You need at least 1 year of private health insurance and a medical exam.
Related guides
- Canada eTA guide
- Canada immigration medical exam
- UK Standard Visitor visa guide
- Express Entry explained
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Confirm current rules and fees on the official IRCC site. Last updated: October 2026.
Sources
IRCC: Super visa for parents and grandparents; IRCC: Super visa eligibility; IRCC: Medical exams for visitors, students and workers.