Canada Super Visa 2026 — Processing Times, Requirements, and How to Apply

If you have parents or grandparents who want to spend extended time with you in Canada, the Super Visa is almost certainly the best option available. It allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time — without needing to renew their status every 6 months like a regular visitor visa.

Here's everything you need to know about the Canada Super Visa in 2026.

What Is the Canada Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa designed specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It differs from a regular visitor visa in two key ways:

• Duration of stay: Up to 5 years per entry (increased from 2 years in 2024)
• Validity: The visa itself is valid for up to 10 years, so your parents can visit multiple times over the decade without reapplying

A regular visitor visa allows a maximum stay of 6 months, which must be renewed from outside Canada. The Super Visa eliminates that revolving door.

Current Super Visa Processing Times

As of April 2026, Super Visa processing times vary significantly by country of origin:

• Low-risk countries (e.g., UK, France, Japan, Australia): 2–8 weeks
• Medium-risk countries (e.g., India, Philippines, Mexico): 8–20 weeks
• High-scrutiny countries: 20–52 weeks

These are estimates. IRCC's published times are updated weekly but are averages — your actual timeline depends on biometrics, medical exams, the visa office processing the application, and application completeness.

Track current Super Visa processing times at IRCCTracker.ca.

> Planning a visit? Apply at least 3–6 months before the intended travel date, and up to 12 months for applicants from higher-processing-time countries.

Who Is Eligible?

Your parent or grandparent is eligible for the Super Visa if:

1. They are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident 2. They have a signed letter of invitation from the child or grandchild in Canada 3. The Canadian host meets the minimum necessary income (see below) 4. The applicant purchases qualifying Canadian medical insurance for at least 1 year 5. The applicant completes a medical examination by an IRCC-designated physician 6. The applicant is admissible to Canada (no serious criminality, health concerns, etc.)

Note: Step-parents and step-grandparents may also qualify if the relationship is legitimate and documented.

Financial Requirements: Minimum Necessary Income

The Canadian host (the child or grandchild) must prove they earn above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold based on family size.

Current 2026 LICO thresholds (annual gross income required):

| Family Size | Minimum Income | |---|---| | 2 persons | $41,000 | | 3 persons | $50,000 | | 4 persons | $61,000 | | 5 persons | $69,000 | | 6 persons | $78,000 | | 7 persons | $86,000 | | Each additional | +$9,000 |

Family size includes the host, their spouse/partner, any dependent children, and the parent/grandparent being sponsored.

Proof of income typically includes:

• Most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA
• T4 slips and pay stubs for the current year
• Letter of employment confirming salary

If income doesn't meet the threshold, a co-signer (such as a spouse) can combine income, provided both sign the letter of invitation.

Insurance Requirement: What Counts?

Every Super Visa applicant must purchase private Canadian medical insurance before they arrive. This is non-negotiable.

Requirements:

• Coverage must be from a Canadian insurance company
• Minimum $100,000 in coverage
• Valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
• Must cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation

Many visitors renew their insurance annually if they stay longer than one year. Insurance typically costs $1,200–$3,500 per year depending on the applicant's age, health, and chosen deductible. Applicants with pre-existing conditions may face higher premiums or exclusions.

> Make sure to get insurance before applying — IRCC requires proof of insurance as part of the application package. Keep the policy active throughout the entire stay.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Step 1: Gather documents for the host (in Canada)

• Proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status (passport, PR card)
• Proof of income meeting LICO threshold (NOA, T4s, employment letter)
• A signed letter of invitation to the parent/grandparent, stating the length of the intended visit, your commitment to their stay, and your relationship

Step 2: Gather documents for the applicant (parent/grandparent)

• Valid passport (must be valid beyond the intended stay)
• Proof of relationship to the Canadian host (birth certificates, adoption records, etc.)
• Medical exam results from an IRCC-designated panel physician
• Biometrics (if not already collected; valid for 10 years)
• Proof of ties to home country (property, employment, bank statements, family members)
• Canadian medical insurance — print the policy and coverage confirmation

Step 3: Apply online (or on paper)

Super Visa applications are submitted through IRCC's online portal (My IRCC Account). Paper applications are available but generally take longer.

Step 4: Pay fees

• Temporary resident visa fee: $100 per person
• Biometrics (if required): $85
• Medical exam: varies by country, typically $200–$400 CAD

Step 5: Wait for processing

You'll receive a biometrics request, then a decision. If approved, a visa counterfoil is stamped into the passport (for passport countries) or an electronic travel authorization equivalent is issued.

What Happens at the Border?

Approval of the Super Visa does not guarantee entry — that determination is made by a CBSA officer at the port of entry. The officer reviews all documents and decides how long to admit the visitor.

To smooth the border crossing:

• Bring the original letter of invitation
• Bring the insurance policy (printed copy)
• Have proof of ties to home country ready
• Be prepared to explain the length of the intended visit

Extending the Stay

If your parent wants to stay beyond the initial period of stay granted at the border (up to 5 years), they can apply for an extension from inside Canada using IRCC's online portal — there's no need to leave and re-enter.

If the visitor's Super Visa itself is expiring (after 10 years), they must apply for a new Super Visa.

Super Visa vs. Parent & Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGPP)

The Super Visa and the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGPP) serve different goals:

| | Super Visa | PGPP Sponsorship | |---|---|---| | Status | Temporary visitor | Permanent resident | | Healthcare | Must buy private insurance | Provincial health coverage | | Work permitted | No | Yes | | Application time | 2–52 weeks | 24–48 months | | Availability | Apply any time | Lottery (limited intake) | | Cost | Ongoing insurance premiums | Sponsorship undertaking |

If your goal is for your parent to eventually live permanently in Canada, the PGPP is the path — but it's heavily oversubscribed. The Super Visa is the practical solution for families wanting to be together now, without waiting years for a PR lottery.

Common Reasons for Super Visa Refusal

• Insufficient ties to home country — the officer isn't convinced the visitor will leave Canada when required
• Income below LICO threshold — the host doesn't earn enough or documentation is incomplete
• Inadequate insurance — policy doesn't meet the $100,000 minimum or isn't from a Canadian insurer
• Incomplete medical exam — missing forms or expired results
• Past immigration violations — previous overstays or refusals

A well-organized, complete application dramatically reduces refusal risk. If refused, you may reapply immediately with better documentation — there's no mandatory waiting period for Super Visa refusals.

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Need help putting together a strong Super Visa application? Get a free consultation with a Canadian immigration professional.