The super visa gives eligible parents and grandparents to visit their families in Canada for up to two years without needing to renew their visa. It is valid for up to 10 years. In this post, we will cover the super visa for parents and grandparents requirements, how to apply and other details that will help in your application.
Who is Eligible for Canada’s Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents?
In this paragraph, we will discuss the eligibility criteria for the super visa. It includes:
- You have to be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. This means that your dependants, eg, children are not eligible for this super visa.
- Your child or grandchild is inviting you to come to Canada.
- Your child or grandchild meets the set minimum income threshold.
- You have to purchase and show proof of Canadian medical insurance that meets the minimum requirements and covers you for at least 1 year.
- You have to undergo an immigration medical exam.
Note that you have to apply for a super visa from outside Canada and you must be allowed to enter Canada (See more details here).
How to Apply For a Canada’s Super Visa?
1. Put together the documents you’ll need
In this section, we will discuss the documents needed to apply for a super visa. It is best to get these documents ready before you begin your application. They include:
A. Super Visa letter of invitation:
This letter should come from your child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada and should include the following details:
I. Information about the parent or grandparent:
- Complete name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Telephone number
- Relationship to your child or grandchild
- The purpose of the trip
- How long the parent or grandparent plans to stay in Canada
- Where the parent or grandparent will stay, and how he or she will pay for things
- Date the applicant plans to leave Canada
ii. Information about the child or grandchild:
- Complete name
- Date of birth
- Address and telephone number in Canada
- Job title
- State whether the child or grandchild is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- A photocopy of a document proving your status in Canada such as
- a Canadian birth certificate, if born in Canada,
- a Canadian citizenship card, if a naturalized citizen, or
- a copy of PR card or IMM 1000 proof of landing, if a permanent resident
- Family details such as names and dates of birth of their spouse and dependents
- Total number of people living in their household, including people they previously sponsored whose sponsorship is still in effect
- Written and signed promise of their financial support for the parents or grandparents for their entire stay in Canada
- Proof that their income meets or is above the low-income cut-off (LICO) for the total number of people, including the visiting parents or grandparents.
B. Super Visa Minimum Income Requirements
Your child or grandchild inviting you to Canada must meet the minimum income threshold under the Super Visa eligibility criteria. Hence, this threshold is called the low-income cut-off (LICO)
The table shows the calculation of the size of your child or grandchild’s family unit including you the parent or grandparent being sponsored.
| Size of the family unit | Minimum necessary income (CAD) |
| 1 person (the sponsor) | $25,921 |
| 2 persons | $32,270 |
| 3 persons | $39,672 |
| 4 persons | $48,167 |
| 5 persons | $54,630 |
| 6 persons | $61,613 |
| 7 persons | $68,598 |
| More than 7 persons | for each additional person, add $6,985 |
Proof of Income for the super visa for parents and grandparents
Here, your child or grandchild may prove that their income meets the minimum income requirements via any of the following means:
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 for the most recent tax year
- Employment letter showing job title, salary and date of hire
- Pay stubs
- Bank statements
- Valid Canadian Medical Insurance
C. Valid Canadian Medical Insurance
The super visa applicant must have proof of payment for medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company. The insurance policy must be:
- valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
- at least $100,000 coverage
D. Immigration Medical Exam Document:
This is a document that confirms that you had an immigration medical exam. Read more about it here
2. Apply:
Once ready, apply for your super visa on the Canada website
Other Requirements
In addition to the requirements shown in this post, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) consider other factors when considering your application for the super visa for parents and grandparents. These criteria include your ties to your home country, family and finances and overall stability of your home country.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can parents on a super visa work in Canada?
- Super Visa holders are not allowed to work in Canada.
- What is the maximum validity of the super visa for parents and grandparents?
- The super visa allows you to visit your children or grandchildren for up to 2 years at a time. It is usually valid for up to 10 years or up to the validity of your passport.
- How much does the super visa cost?
- For one applicant, the application processing fee is $100. See here
- Does the super visa need medical insurance? Yes
The above information is a guide, visit the Government of Canada’s website for updated information on the requirements
