- The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) is a permanent residence pathway.
- Many families turn to the Super Visa because: 1.
- Choose the PGP route if: - Your parents want to permanently settle in Canada and access provincial health care.
Waiting years for the Parent and Grandparent Program lottery is not the only path to having your parents or grandparents in Canada. The Super Visa offers a faster, more predictable route to bringing them here for extended stays — without going through the PGP draw at all. But it comes with different trade-offs. This article helps Ontario families understand both options side by side.
As of writing: Both the Super Visa rules and the PGP program change regularly. Verify current requirements at canada.ca before applying.
The Core Difference: Temporary vs. Permanent
The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) is a permanent residence pathway. If approved, your parents or grandparents can live, work, and access public health care in Canada indefinitely. They are also on a path to Canadian citizenship.
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa. It does not grant permanent residence and does not create a path to citizenship. What it does offer is the ability to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry (as of recent program updates — confirm the current per-entry stay limit at canada.ca), with the visa itself valid for multiple years.
When the Super Visa Makes More Sense
Many families turn to the Super Visa because:
- The PGP lottery is unpredictable. You may not receive an invitation to apply for years, if ever. The Super Visa can be applied for directly without a draw.
- Processing is generally faster. While times vary, Super Visa applications often process more quickly than PGP permanent residence applications.
- Your parents don't want to become permanent residents. Some parents prefer to maintain their ties to their home country and simply want to spend extended time with family in Canada. The Super Visa accommodates this.
- The income bar may be easier to meet in the short term. Super Visa income requirements are based on the same Low Income Measure After Tax (LIM-AT) framework but require proof for the most recent year only (not three years).
When the PGP Is the Better Path
Choose the PGP route if:
- Your parents want to permanently settle in Canada and access provincial health care.
- Your parents want to work or build toward citizenship.
- Long-term security of status matters more than speed of arrival.
- Your parents have pre-existing health conditions that make private medical insurance (required for the Super Visa) expensive or difficult to obtain.
Super Visa Eligibility at a Glance
To apply for a Super Visa, the host in Canada (the child or grandchild) must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Meet the minimum necessary income for their household size (verified by a recent NOA or equivalent)
- Provide a signed letter of invitation stating they will financially support the visitor
The applicant (the parent or grandparent) must:
- Apply from outside Canada
- Pass a medical examination
- Obtain Super Visa-eligible medical insurance (see below)
- Have no immigration violations or inadmissibility issues
Medical Insurance: The Super Visa's Non-Negotiable Requirement
Every Super Visa applicant must have Canadian medical insurance in place before the visa is issued and for each entry into Canada. This requirement exists because Super Visa holders are not eligible for provincial health insurance (OHIP in Ontario).
Key requirements for the insurance policy:
- Coverage from a Canadian insurance company
- Minimum coverage amount (as of writing — verify the current minimum at IRCC)
- Must cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Must be valid for the duration of each stay in Canada
See our companion article on super visa medical insurance requirements for a deeper breakdown.
What Happens When the Super Visa Expires?
A Super Visa holder must leave Canada before their authorized stay period ends and reapply for entry. Some families use recurring Super Visa entries as a long-term arrangement while continuing to participate in PGP lottery draws in parallel.
Important: A Super Visa is not a path to permanent residence. Years of presence in Canada on a Super Visa do not count toward the residency obligation for permanent residence or citizenship.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Super Visa | PGP (PR) |
|---|---|---|
| Status granted | Temporary resident | Permanent resident |
| Path to citizenship | No | Yes (eventually) |
| Work authorization | No | Yes |
| Provincial health care | No (private insurance required) | Yes (after waiting period) |
| Application process | Direct application — no lottery | Lottery → invitation → application |
| Typical processing | Varies; often faster | Can be several years |
| Income requirement years | Generally 1 year | 3 consecutive years |
| Duration of stay | Multi-year per entry (confirm at canada.ca) | Indefinite |
Can You Hold Both a Super Visa and a PGP Application?
Yes. Many families pursue the Super Visa as a bridge while the PGP application works its way through the system. There is no rule preventing a parent from being physically present in Canada on a Super Visa while a PR application is pending. Speak with a lawyer to structure the timing so entries and exits align with the PR application requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can my parent apply for the Super Visa if they have a serious medical condition?
The medical exam required for the Super Visa may result in a finding of medical inadmissibility if the condition is expected to place excessive demand on Canada's health and social services. That said, regulations provide exceptions for certain conditions. An immigration lawyer can assess the specific situation.
Does the Super Visa count as a "visit" toward becoming a Canadian citizen?
No. Only time spent in Canada as a permanent resident counts toward the citizenship residency requirement.
My parents entered Canada on a regular visitor visa. Can they convert to a Super Visa from inside Canada?
In most cases, a Super Visa must be applied for from outside Canada through a visa application centre. Speak with a lawyer about options if your parents are currently inside Canada on a different status.
What if the private medical insurance lapses while my parents are in Canada?
Lapsed insurance is a violation of the Super Visa conditions and could affect future entry into Canada. Set calendar reminders and ensure renewal happens before the policy expires.
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