If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants your mom, dad, or grandparents to spend real time with you in Canada, the visitor visa for parents is the document that makes that possible. Most families have two options on the table: a regular visitor visa (the Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) for short trips of up to six months, and the Super Visa, a special multi-entry visa that lets parents and grandparents stay for up to five years per entry and re-enter for up to ten.
The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP), the permanent-residence sponsorship route, is paused for 2026. IRCC is not opening a new intake this year. That makes the Super Visa the practical pathway for most families who want extended visits while they wait for PGP to resume. This guide walks you through both options, the new income and insurance rules that took effect March 31, 2026, the documents IRCC asks for, the fees, and the application process from invitation letter to airport.
Key Takeaways
- A visitor visa for parents in Canada is either a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), valid for up to six months per entry, or a Super Visa, valid for up to ten years with stays of up to five years per entry.
- The Super Visa application fee is CAD$100 per person, plus CAD$85 for biometrics (CAD$170 for a family). The TRV is also CAD$100 per person.
- As of March 31, 2026, IRCC accepts a two-year income window for the host’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), and the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income can be combined with the host’s to meet the threshold.
- Super Visa applicants must hold private medical insurance with at least CAD$100,000 in coverage, valid for one full year from the date of entry, and must show paid premiums up front. Since January 2025, IRCC also accepts policies from foreign insurers authorized by OSFI.
- Super Visa processing in 2026 typically runs 60 to 120 days; standard TRVs run 14 to 90 days, depending on the country of application.
- The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) is closed to new sponsorship applications for 2026. IRCC has not announced when a new intake will open.
What Is a Visitor Visa for Parents in Canada?
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A visitor visa for parents in Canada is the document Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues so a parent or grandparent can enter Canada as a temporary resident. The two relevant categories are the Temporary Resident Visa (TRV), which authorizes a single visit of up to six months at a time, and the Super Visa, which is a multi-entry visa designed specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Both cost CAD$100, both require biometrics at CAD$85 per person, and both are issued as a sticker in the passport (or as an electronic Travel Authorization, eTA, for visa-exempt nationalities).
The Super Visa is what most families actually want. A regular TRV maxes out at a six-month stay, which is fine for a wedding, a baby’s first months, or a holiday season. For grandparents who want to be present for the school year, help with childcare, or recover from surgery in a stable environment, six months is not enough. The Super Visa exists to fill that gap.
Super Visa vs. Visitor Visa (TRV): Which One Do Parents Need?
The Super Visa and the TRV are both visitor visas, but the rules around stay length, insurance, and host obligations are different. The table below shows where the two diverge.
| Feature | Super Visa | Visitor Visa (TRV) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs | Any visitor, any relationship |
| Maximum stay per entry | Up to 5 years (extendable to 7) | Up to 6 months |
| Validity period | Up to 10 years (or until passport expires) | Up to 10 years (or until passport expires) |
| Multi-entry | Yes | Single or multiple, decided by officer |
| Medical insurance | Mandatory, CAD$100,000+, 1 year | Recommended, not required |
| Host LICO income required | Yes | No |
| Application fee | CAD$100 | CAD$100 |
| Biometrics | CAD$85 / CAD$170 family | CAD$85 / CAD$170 family |
| Processing time (2026) | 60-120 days | 14-90 days |
If your parent only wants to come for the holidays or a short trip, a regular TRV is easier and faster. If they want extended time with grandchildren, want to be present for a long medical recovery, or split the year between countries, the Super Visa is the right document.
Super Visa: Eligibility Requirements in 2026
The Super Visa is more involved than a TRV because IRCC verifies that the visiting parent has somewhere to live, someone to support them financially, and medical insurance that protects the Canadian healthcare system. Five conditions have to line up.
1. Relationship to a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident
You must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Step-parents, common-law partner’s parents, and adoptive parents qualify when the relationship can be documented with a long-form birth certificate, marriage certificate, or adoption order. In-laws are eligible through your child’s spouse if the spouse is a Canadian citizen or PR.
Siblings, aunts and uncles, and parents of work-permit or study-permit holders do not qualify. Those visitors apply for a regular TRV or eTA, not a Super Visa.
2. A Letter of Invitation From the Child or Grandchild in Canada
Your child or grandchild in Canada must write a signed letter of invitation that includes:
- Their full name, date of birth, address, and telephone number in Canada.
- Their job title, employer, and current income.
- The number of people in the household, including the visiting parent.
- A promise of financial support for the duration of the visit.
- The relationship to the visiting parent (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, mother-in-law, father-in-law).
- A copy of the host’s Canadian citizenship certificate, Canadian passport bio page, or PR card.
The letter does not need to be notarized, but IRCC officers read it carefully. A vague or thin invitation letter is one of the most common reasons Super Visa applications are sent for additional review.
3. Minimum Income (LICO) for the Host
The host (the child or grandchild in Canada) must show income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size, including the visiting parent. The 2026 LICO figures published by IRCC are:
| Household size (including the visiting parent) | Minimum income (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 2 people | $38,002 |
| 3 people | $46,720 |
| 4 people | $56,724 |
| 5 people | $64,336 |
| 6 people | $72,560 |
| 7 people | $80,784 |
| Each additional person | +$8,224 |
Effective March 31, 2026, IRCC accepts two new flexibilities that did not exist before. First, the host can use income from either of the two most recent tax years, not just the most recent year. That helps families whose income dropped temporarily because of a parental leave, a layoff, or a contract gap. Second, the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income (pension, investment income, business income) can be added to the host’s income to meet LICO. Combined-income filing is new and reduces refusals for hosts who fall slightly short.
Acceptable proof of income for the host:
- Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment (NOA) for the most recent two tax years.
- T4, T4A, T1 General, or Option-C printout from the CRA.
- Pay stubs covering the last three months.
- Employment letter on company letterhead stating job title, hire date, salary, and employment status.
- Bank statements covering the last four months.
- Employment Insurance benefit statements, if applicable.
A self-employed host should expect to submit a CRA Option-C printout and recent business financial statements. Officers verify income with the CRA in most cases.
4. Private Medical Insurance With CAD$100,000 in Coverage
This is the one rule that catches most first-time applicants off-guard. Super Visa applicants must purchase private medical insurance from an insurance company before they apply, and they must upload paid-premium confirmation in the application. The policy must:
- Cover the applicant for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada.
- Provide a minimum of CAD$100,000 in emergency medical coverage.
- Cover hospitalization, healthcare, and repatriation.
- Be valid for each entry to Canada (multi-trip coverage that resets each entry, or a long single-trip policy).
Since January 2025, IRCC accepts policies from insurance companies outside Canada, provided the foreign insurer is authorized by Canada’s Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). Before January 2025, only Canadian insurers were accepted. The change widened the market and brought premiums down for many applicants.
Insurance is paid up front. Most one-year Super Visa policies for a healthy 60-year-old run between CAD$1,200 and CAD$2,500. Premiums climb with age, declared pre-existing conditions, and coverage limit. A policy covering CAD$100,000 with a CAD$10,000 deductible is the cheapest configuration that still satisfies IRCC.
5. Immigration Medical Exam
Every Super Visa applicant must complete an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) by an IRCC-approved panel physician. The panel physician transmits the results directly to IRCC; the applicant does not handle the file. The exam covers a physical, blood and urine tests, a chest X-ray, and a review of immunization history. Cost runs CAD$200 to CAD$450 plus any specialist follow-ups.
The IME is valid for 12 months. Applicants outside Canada can complete the IME upfront (recommended for the Super Visa to reduce processing time) or wait for IRCC to request it after submission.
How to Apply for a Super Visa: Step-by-Step
The Super Visa is applied for online through the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal, the same gateway used for a regular TRV. The order matters: build the package, then submit; do not submit a half-built file and try to add documents later.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Gather Host Documents
Confirm the host is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (passport bio page, citizenship certificate, or PR card). Pull the host’s CRA Notice of Assessment for the last two years, recent pay stubs, and an employment letter. Calculate household size including the visiting parent and verify that combined income meets the LICO threshold for that household size.
Step 2: Draft the Letter of Invitation
The host writes the letter of invitation, signs it, and gives a copy to the visiting parent. Include the elements listed earlier: address, household size, financial support promise, relationship, and the host’s status documents. A letter that names exact dates, exact relationship, and exact household composition reads cleaner than a generic one.
Step 3: Buy Medical Insurance and Pay the Premium
Purchase a Super Visa-compliant medical insurance policy with at least CAD$100,000 in coverage, valid for at least one year from the planned entry date. Pay the premium up front and ask the insurer for a paid-premium confirmation letter that names the applicant and lists the coverage amounts. That letter goes into the application package.
Step 4: Complete the Immigration Medical Exam
Book the IME with an IRCC-approved panel physician in the applicant’s country of residence. The panel physician’s report is transmitted electronically; the applicant gets a confirmation page that they include in the application.
Step 5: Build the Application Package
The Super Visa application includes:
- IMM 5257 (Application for Temporary Resident Visa) for the visiting parent.
- IMM 5645 (Family Information).
- IMM 5409 (Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union), if applicable.
- The host’s letter of invitation.
- The host’s proof of income (NOA, T4, pay stubs, employment letter).
- Proof of relationship (long-form birth certificate, adoption order, or marriage certificate showing the link).
- Paid medical insurance certificate (CAD$100,000+, one-year, hospital, healthcare, and repatriation).
- IME completion confirmation.
- Passport bio page, valid for the full intended stay.
- Two passport-style photos.
- A copy of the host’s Canadian status document.
Step 6: Submit Online and Pay Fees
Create a Permanent Residence Portal account, upload all documents, and pay the fees:
- Super Visa application: CAD$100 per person.
- Biometrics: CAD$85 per person, or CAD$170 per family of two or more.
Paper applications are accepted only for applicants with a documented disability that prevents online filing.
Step 7: Provide Biometrics
Within 30 days of submission, IRCC issues a Biometrics Instruction Letter telling the applicant to visit a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to give fingerprints and a photo. Biometrics are valid for ten years and apply to all temporary-residence applications, so an applicant who has given them on a prior Canadian visa within the last decade may not need to repeat the step.
Step 8: Wait for Approval and Travel
IRCC’s posted processing range for the Super Visa in 2026 is 60 to 120 days, depending on the country of application. India applications average around 88 days, the Philippines closer to 146 days, and the United States as fast as 14 days. Once approved, IRCC issues a Letter of Introduction (LOI) and a TRV sticker (or eTA, for visa-exempt nationalities). At the Canadian airport, a CBSA border services officer reviews the LOI, the passport, the insurance certificate, and the proof of relationship, then admits the parent for up to five years.
For the broader cost picture across every IRCC document a family touches, see our Canada immigration cost guide.
Regular Visitor Visa (TRV) for Parents: When It Is the Better Choice
A regular TRV is the right document when the parent wants a short visit, has not been able to budget for a one-year insurance policy, or needs to travel within a few weeks. The TRV is faster (often two to twelve weeks), does not require the host to meet LICO, and does not require the upfront medical insurance and IME. The trade-off is the six-month maximum stay.
A TRV is multi-entry by default for most countries. A parent with a multi-entry TRV can return to Canada repeatedly during the visa’s validity period (up to ten years or until the passport expires), each time for up to six months. Some families build a rhythm where parents come for spring and stay through summer, then come back for the holidays.
For a TRV-only application, the IRCC package is similar but slimmer:
- IMM 5257 and IMM 5645.
- The host’s letter of invitation (recommended, not strictly required).
- Proof of ties to the home country (employment letter, property deed, family in the home country).
- Proof of funds for the trip.
- Passport, photos, and the CAD$100 fee plus biometrics.
Officers refuse TRVs more often than Super Visas because the bar for “ties to home” is the main filter. A parent with a stable job, a spouse at home, property, and prior travel history clears that bar. A parent with weak ties is often refused; the application notes (GCMS notes) usually point to “insufficient ties to country of residence” or “weak travel history” as the reason.
How Long Can Parents Stay in Canada on a Super Visa?
A Super Visa allows up to five years per entry. That is the headline rule and what makes the document different from a TRV.
A Super Visa holder can also extend their stay by up to two more years from inside Canada by applying for a visitor record before the original five years expire. The extension is filed online with IRCC, costs CAD$100, and should be submitted at least 30 days before the original Super Visa stay ends. Apply early; processing visitor record extensions runs 60 to 180 days, and a parent who submits late has to leave when the original stay expires even if the extension is pending.
For families that want the parent to stay longer than seven years, the only legal pathway is permanent residence through the Parent and Grandparent Program when it reopens. There is no third extension on a Super Visa.
For the visitor record extension itself, our visitor record extension guide walks through the form, fees, and timeline.
What Happened to the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) in 2026?
The Parent and Grandparent Program is the federal program that lets a Canadian citizen or permanent resident sponsor a parent or grandparent for permanent residence. IRCC accepts new sponsors from a pool of “Interest to Sponsor” forms submitted in 2020. The most recent intake ran in 2025: starting July 28, 2025, IRCC sent 17,860 invitations to applicants who had submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020.
For 2026, IRCC has not opened a new intake. As of January 1, 2026, no new PGP sponsorship or related permanent residence applications are being received. There is no announced lottery or invitation round for 2026, and no new Interest to Sponsor pool. IRCC has not confirmed when a future intake will open or whether it will draw from the existing 2020 pool or a fresh one.
For families who never submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020, the Super Visa is the practical pathway right now. It does not grant permanent residence, but it allows long-term presence with grandchildren while the family waits for PGP to reopen.
When PGP does resume, sponsors must meet a higher income threshold (the “Minimum Necessary Income,” which is LICO plus 30%) for three consecutive tax years, and they must commit to a 20-year financial undertaking for the sponsored parent. Quebec has a separate undertaking length and income standard. The Super Visa, by contrast, has a one-year financial commitment built into the LICO check.
How to Extend or Renew a Visitor Visa for Parents in Canada
Extensions and renewals are two different actions and IRCC treats them differently.
Extending a Stay From Inside Canada
A parent already in Canada on a Super Visa or TRV who wants to stay longer applies for a visitor record. A visitor record is not a new visa; it is a permission to remain in Canada past the original authorized stay. The fee is CAD$100, the form is IMM 5708, and the application is filed online through the IRCC Secure Account.
Apply at least 30 days before the original stay expires. If the application is submitted before expiry, the parent has implied status and can legally remain in Canada while IRCC reviews the extension. If the application is submitted late, the parent has overstayed and the extension is harder to win.
Renewing a Super Visa From Outside Canada
A Super Visa is a stamp in the passport. When the visa expires (or when the passport expires), a parent who wants to come back applies for a new Super Visa from outside Canada, with the full package: invitation letter, host LICO, medical insurance, IME, biometrics. There is no shortened “renewal” process; every fresh visa is a fresh application.
A Super Visa stamped in an expired passport does not transfer automatically to a new passport. The parent applies for a new Super Visa (or carries both passports together, if the new passport is issued during a visit and the visa is still within its validity period; CBSA accepts the combination at the border).
Visitor Visa for Parents: Costs in 2026
| Cost | Amount (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Visa or TRV application | $100 | Per applicant, paid online to IRCC |
| Biometrics (single) | $85 | Per applicant |
| Biometrics (family) | $170 | Two or more applicants together |
| Medical insurance (Super Visa) | $1,200 to $2,500/year | One-year policy, CAD$100,000 minimum |
| Immigration Medical Exam | $200 to $450 | Plus specialist follow-ups if required |
| eTA (visa-exempt countries) | $7 | Five-year validity |
| Visitor record extension | $100 | Per person, from inside Canada |
| Passport-style photos | $20 to $40 | Per applicant |
A single-applicant Super Visa with biometrics, mid-range insurance, and a medical exam runs CAD$1,500 to CAD$3,000 all-in for the first year. A regular TRV without insurance runs closer to CAD$200 to CAD$300 for the first year.
For deeper context on what relocating, sponsoring, or visiting Canada costs across every category, our Canada immigration cost breakdown walks through PR, language tests, settlement funds, and visitor fees in one place.
Common Reasons Visitor Visa Applications Are Refused
A refused visitor visa for parents in Canada is rarely about a single document. It is about the overall picture officers see when they read the file. The recurring reasons:
- Insufficient ties to the home country. The most common refusal reason. IRCC must be reasonably confident the parent will leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay. Employment, property, dependent family in the home country, and prior travel history all help.
- Host LICO not met. With the new March 31, 2026 rules, this is less common, but it still happens when the host’s CRA records do not match the income claimed in the invitation letter.
- Weak or contradictory invitation letter. A letter that names the wrong household size, the wrong relationship, or the wrong dates raises a flag.
- Insurance policy that does not meet the rules. A short-trip policy, a non-OSFI foreign insurer, or a policy that does not cover hospitalization, healthcare, and repatriation triggers a refusal.
- Incomplete medical exam. The IME has to be on file before IRCC issues the visa. A late or missing exam stalls the application.
- Prior overstay or refusal in Canada or another country. Not automatically disqualifying, but it has to be addressed openly in the application.
- Misrepresentation. Any inconsistency between the application, supporting documents, and the parent’s travel history is treated as misrepresentation, which carries a five-year ban from applying.
If an application is refused, request the GCMS notes through an Access to Information request. The notes explain the officer’s reasoning and are the foundation for a stronger second application or a Federal Court judicial review when warranted.
For complex cases (a refused Super Visa, an inadmissibility issue, or a Canadian custody situation that affects a parent’s visit), work with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. Our verify your immigration consultant guide explains how to confirm a representative’s CICC license before signing any retainer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a visitor visa for parents in Canada last?
A regular TRV allows stays of up to six months per entry. A Super Visa allows stays of up to five years per entry, extendable by two more years from inside Canada. Both are typically issued with multiple-entry validity for up to ten years or until the passport expires.
How much income does the host need for a Super Visa in 2026?
The host needs to meet the LICO for their household size, including the visiting parent. For a household of three (host, host’s spouse, one visiting parent), the 2026 LICO is CAD$46,720. For a household of four, it is CAD$56,724. As of March 31, 2026, the host can use either of the two most recent tax years, and the visiting parent’s income can be combined with the host’s to reach the threshold.
Do parents need health insurance for a regular visitor visa (TRV)?
No, but it is strongly recommended. A six-month visitor visa does not require insurance, but Canadian provincial healthcare does not cover visitors. A single emergency room visit for an uninsured visitor can cost CAD$5,000 or more. Travel insurance for the trip is an inexpensive precaution.
Can my mother-in-law or father-in-law apply for a Super Visa?
Yes. The parent of your common-law partner or spouse qualifies as long as the spouse or partner is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and the relationship can be documented. The host on the Canadian side can be the spouse or partner, or you can be the host on behalf of the in-law if you meet the LICO threshold for the household.
Can grandparents apply for a Super Visa if the grandchild in Canada is a minor?
Yes. The host has to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and a Canadian-born grandchild qualifies regardless of age. In practice, the financial host is usually the grandchild’s parent (the visiting grandparent’s adult child), because a minor grandchild does not have qualifying income.
How long does a Super Visa take to process in 2026?
IRCC’s published processing range for the Super Visa in 2026 is 60 to 120 days, varying by country. Common visa offices and their average wait: India around 88 days, the Philippines 146 days, the United States 14 days, China 60 days, Nigeria 85 days. Add 1 to 2 weeks for biometrics. Check the live processing-time tool on canada.ca for the current figure for the parent’s country.
Can a parent on a Super Visa work in Canada?
No. A Super Visa is a visitor document, not a work permit. The parent cannot work for any Canadian employer, take freelance jobs paid into a Canadian account, or run a Canadian business. They can volunteer, attend short courses (under six months), and provide unpaid family care.
Is the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) accepting applications in 2026?
No. As of January 1, 2026, IRCC has paused new PGP sponsorship intake. There is no 2026 lottery, no new Interest to Sponsor form, and no announced reopening date. The Super Visa is the practical alternative for families who want extended visits while waiting for PGP to resume.
Can parents apply for permanent residence after spending time on a Super Visa?
Time on a Super Visa does not directly count toward Canadian permanent residence. The Super Visa is a visitor document; it does not build PR points or eligibility. To sponsor a parent for PR, the host must be invited to apply through the Parent and Grandparent Program when IRCC opens it, or use Quebec’s parallel program (Programme parrainage de parents et grands-parents) if the host is a Quebec resident.
What happens if my parent’s medical insurance lapses while they are in Canada on a Super Visa?
The Super Visa is conditional on holding valid insurance. If the policy lapses, the parent is technically out of compliance. CBSA does not generally inspect mid-visit, but a re-entry to Canada (after a quick US trip, for example) requires a valid policy on the spot. Renew the policy at least 30 days before it expires.
Can a Super Visa be transferred to a new passport?
A Super Visa stamped in an expired passport does not transfer automatically. The parent applies for a fresh Super Visa from outside Canada, with the full package. As a workaround, the parent can carry both passports together if the new passport is issued during a visit and the Super Visa is still within validity; CBSA accepts the combination at the border, though this is not a long-term solution.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Visitor Visa for Parents in Canada
The visitor visa for parents in Canada is a planning decision more than an immigration decision. A short trip is a TRV; an extended visit is a Super Visa; permanent presence is the Parent and Grandparent Program when it reopens. Most families pick the Super Visa because it covers everything in between for ten years.
Build the application carefully. The host’s LICO and CRA records, the invitation letter, the paid medical insurance certificate, and the Immigration Medical Exam are the four documents that determine outcome. The new March 31, 2026 income flexibilities (two-year window, combined parent-host income) make the Super Visa more accessible than it was a year ago, especially for hosts whose income dropped during a parental leave or contract gap.
Once the parent is in Canada, the practical questions shift: provincial healthcare access (none, on a visitor document), driving (most provinces let visitors drive on a foreign license for up to six months, then require an International Driving Permit or a provincial licence), and tax residency (a parent who stays 183 days or more in a calendar year is generally a Canadian tax resident, with global-income reporting obligations). For an overall view of what life in Canada looks like once the family is together, our take on is Canada a good place to live covers the day-to-day realities.
For complex situations (a refused application, a custody question that affects a visit, or a parent with a prior immigration record), talk to a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or a Canadian immigration lawyer before filing. This guide is informational and does not constitute legal advice.