What a super visa is, who qualifies, and exactly what you and your relatives need to prepare.
Who this is for & what you'll get. You're a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Ontario, and you want your parents or grandparents to visit for an extended period. This checklist walks through what a super visa is, the eligibility boxes everyone must tick, and the documents to gather — so you don't apply twice. Print it and work through it together.
⚖️ This is a general guide, not legal advice. It can't account for your specific situation. Use it to get oriented, then confirm the details with a licensed Ontario lawyer.
What a super visa is (in plain terms)
A super visa is a special, long-validity, multiple-entry temporary resident visa designed specifically for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
What makes it different from an ordinary visitor visa:
- It allows each stay to be much longer than a standard visitor visa — visitors are normally admitted for a limited period, while super visa holders can typically stay for an extended stretch per entry. Verify the current authorized length of stay at IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), as it has changed over time.
- It can be valid for many years, with multiple entries, so your relatives can come and go without reapplying each time.
- In exchange for those longer stays, the requirements are stricter — most notably the income and private medical insurance conditions below.
💡 It is still a visitor visa. A super visa does not give permanent residence and does not lead automatically to it. Your relatives remain temporary residents.
Eligibility checklist — the relative who is visiting
The parent or grandparent applying must satisfy the basic requirements for any visitor, plus the super-visa-specific ones.
- They must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Dependants (e.g., a parent's other children) generally cannot be included on a super visa — confirm the current rules at IRCC.
- They must be admissible to Canada — not inadmissible for reasons such as serious criminality, security, or misrepresentation.
- They must satisfy an immigration officer they'll leave at the end of the authorized stay — i.e., that they're a genuine visitor with ties to their home country.
- They must pass an immigration medical exam (IME). Super visa applicants are generally required to complete a medical exam by an IRCC-approved panel physician.
> ⚠️ Verify the current medical exam requirement and process at IRCC. Use only an IRCC-authorized panel physician — a regular doctor's note will not be accepted.
Eligibility checklist — the host (you, in Ontario)
You — the child or grandchild in Canada — also have obligations.
- You must be at least 18, living in Canada, and a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act. A temporary resident (e.g., on a study or work permit) generally cannot host a super visa applicant. Verify at IRCC.
- You must write a signed invitation letter (more on this below).
- You must meet a minimum income level to show you can support the visiting relative.
> ⚠️ The required minimum is tied to the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), which scales with the size of your household plus the people you're inviting. Verify the current LICO threshold for your household size at IRCC — it is updated and you should never assume an old figure still applies. As of March 31, 2026, IRCC will accept income from either of the two tax years before you apply, and in some cases the visiting parent's or grandparent's own income can be counted toward the total.
- You must prove that income with documents (see the document list).
The private medical insurance requirement (do not skip)
This is the requirement applications most often stumble on. A super visa requires proof of private Canadian medical insurance covering the visiting relative.
- The insurance must meet a minimum coverage amount. There is a required minimum dollar value of coverage for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- It must be valid for a minimum duration covering the period of the intended stay.
- It must be from an approved insurer. IRCC has, at times, allowed policies from insurers outside Canada in addition to Canadian ones — confirm what qualifies now.
> ⚠️ The minimum coverage amount, the required duration, and which insurers qualify all change. Verify the current medical insurance rules at IRCC before buying a policy, and make sure the proof you submit matches exactly what IRCC asks for.
- Get the proof in the right form — typically a letter or certificate confirming the coverage amount, the dates, and that it is paid (or payable on approval). A quote is usually not enough.
The invitation letter — what to include
Your signed invitation letter is a core part of the application. It should typically cover:
- A promise of financial support for your relative for the length of their visit.
- Details of the person being invited — name, date of birth, relationship to you, and address.
- Your own details — your status in Canada, your address, your household composition, and your job.
- The purpose and length of the planned visit.
- A statement about where they'll stay and who will support them.
💡 Keep it honest and consistent with the rest of the file. Numbers in the letter (income, household size) should match your supporting documents exactly.
Document checklist
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport | Visiting relative | Must be valid for the stay |
| Invitation letter | You (host) | Signed; see section above |
| Proof of your status | You (host) | Citizenship certificate, passport, or PR card |
| Proof of your income | You (host) | E.g., tax assessment, pay records — confirm acceptable proof at IRCC |
| Proof of relationship | Both | Birth certificates, family records linking parent/grandparent to you |
| Private medical insurance proof | You or your relative | Must meet the current amount + duration rules |
| Immigration medical exam results | Visiting relative | From an IRCC-approved panel physician |
| Application forms & fees | Visiting relative | Use the current forms from IRCC |
⚠️ Always download the current forms and fee amounts from IRCC. Do not reuse an old checklist or pay an amount you saw online — fees and forms are updated.
The application steps (high level)
- [ ] Confirm eligibility for both the host and the relative using the checklists above.
- [ ] Gather documents — invitation letter, income proof, relationship proof, insurance, and passport.
- [ ] Arrange the immigration medical exam with an approved panel physician.
- [ ] Buy compliant private medical insurance and obtain proof in the correct form.
- [ ] Complete the current application forms and pay the applicable fees.
- [ ] Submit and provide biometrics if required (fingerprints and a photo).
- [ ] Respond promptly to any requests from IRCC for more information.
Processing times vary widely by country and case. Check current processing times at IRCC and apply well ahead of any planned travel.
How it compares: three routes for parents & grandparents
| Visitor visa | Super visa | Parent/Grandparent sponsorship | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it gives | Temporary visit | Long, multi-entry visits | Permanent residence |
| Typical stay per entry | Short | Extended (verify at IRCC) | Permanent |
| Income requirement | None specific | Yes (LICO-based) | Yes (higher, multi-year) |
| Private medical insurance | Not required | Required | Not the same requirement |
| Path to staying permanently | No | No | Yes |
| How you're selected | Apply anytime | Apply anytime | Often a limited intake/lottery — verify at IRCC |
💡 Many families use a super visa while waiting for, or instead of, the sponsorship route — because sponsorship intake can be limited and the wait long. A super visa lets a parent visit for long periods in the meantime, but it is not the same as making them a permanent resident.
Extending a stay
- Track the authorized stay. When your relative enters Canada, the officer sets how long they can stay — note the date.
- Apply to extend before status expires. If they want to stay longer than the authorized period, they should apply to extend their stay as a visitor before it runs out.
- Keep insurance valid for the whole stay. If a stay is extended, medical coverage must continue to cover the full period — let it lapse and you create both a risk and a compliance problem.
> ⚠️ Overstaying can affect future applications. If in doubt about timing, get advice before the deadline, not after.
Mini-FAQ
Can a super visa lead to permanent residence? No, not on its own. It is a long-stay visitor visa. Permanent residence for parents and grandparents goes through a separate sponsorship program.
Does my relative still need a regular visitor visa or eTA as well? The super visa is the temporary resident visa. Requirements differ by nationality — verify what your relative needs at IRCC.
What's the most common reason these are refused? Frequently it's insurance that doesn't meet the current rules, income that falls short of the LICO threshold, or an officer not being satisfied the visitor will leave. Get those three right.
How Treadstone Law can help
A super visa application has a few make-or-break details — the income threshold, the insurance specifics, and a convincing, consistent file. Treadstone Law helps Ontario families assemble a strong application, choose between a super visa and sponsorship, and respond if IRCC asks for more.
- Flat, transparent fees — you know the cost before we begin.
- Online intake — start from anywhere in Ontario.
- All-province virtual service — our office is in Mississauga; we serve clients across Ontario.
📞 Call 1-844-900-1070, visit our immigration page, see our pricing, or start a file online.
This is not legal advice
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Reading it does not create a lawyer-client relationship. Ontario laws, tax rates, and government programs change, and how the law applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, speak with a licensed Ontario lawyer. Treadstone Law is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario — reach us at 1-844-900-1070 or start a file online.