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By Sana Mirfattah | Bright Tomorrows Immigration Services | Updated October 5, 2026

Canada Super Visa 2026: Key Takeaways

A super visa lets parents and grandparents visit a child or grandchild in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries for up to 10 years. You cannot include dependants on the same application.
The host must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, at least 18, living in Canada, and able to prove they are the biological or adopted child or grandchild. They must sign a letter of invitation and meet the minimum necessary income.
Applicants apply from outside Canada, complete an immigration medical exam, and show private medical insurance valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, from a Canadian insurer or a company the minister has approved.
IRCC lists the application fee from Can$100. Processing times vary by country. Check the live processing times tool.
As of the July 29, 2025 LICO table IRCC still published in 2026, a family of 2 needs $38,002 and a family of 4 needs $56,724. Confirm the table the day you file.

Who the host must be

The person inviting you must:

be your biological or adopted child or grandchild
be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a registered Indian
be at least 18 and live in Canada
write and sign a letter of invitation
meet or exceed the minimum necessary income for the family size

You can apply for a super visa while a parent and grandparent sponsorship file is in process, or withdraw that sponsorship and apply for a super visa instead.

Who the applicant must be

You (the parent or grandparent) must:

apply from outside Canada
be admissible to Canada
complete an immigration medical exam
show private health insurance valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry
wait for a visa office outside Canada to print the visa (follow their instructions)
show you are a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of the stay

Visa-exempt travellers can still get a super visa for a 5-year stay. If IRCC approves, you receive a letter to give a border officer. Air travellers may also need a separate eTA.

If you only need 6 months or less, a regular visitor visa may be enough.

Host income (LICO)

Family size includes the host, the invited parent(s) or grandparent(s), the host’s spouse or common-law partner, dependent children (even with shared custody), previously approved super visa applicants still on an invitation from the host or their spouse, and people still covered by an undertaking the host or co-signer signed.

IRCC examples:

Host inviting one parent, unmarried, no children: family size 2
Host with spouse and two children inviting two parents: family size 6

Minimum income (updated July 29, 2025 on IRCC):

1 person: $30,526
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 extra person: add $8,224

Two ways to prove income

Option 1. Total income of the host (and co-signer, if used) meets or exceeds the minimum in either of the 2 tax years before you apply. Use CRA notices of assessment.

Option 2. Income in the year before you apply is at least 75% of the minimum. The applicant can add their own income to close the gap, as long as the combined amount meets the full minimum and they can show they will keep earning while in Canada.

If a notice of assessment is unavailable, IRCC accepts last-calendar-year bank statements (employment, pension, investments) and other income proof such as pension statements or rental contracts.

Medical insurance

The policy must:

be private coverage from a Canadian company or a minister-approved foreign company
be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation for the stay

Keep proof of payment and the policy wording with your passport.

How to apply

Confirm the host meets LICO for the correct family size.
Collect the invitation letter, relationship proof, and CRA notices of assessment.
Buy qualifying medical insurance and complete the medical exam.
Pay the fee (from $100) plus biometrics if IRCC asks.
Apply from outside Canada and wait for the visa office to print the visa.

After you apply, IRCC looks at ties to your home country, purpose of travel, and finances, not only the checklist.

Super visa vs parent and grandparent sponsorship

A super visa is a visitor status. It does not give permanent residence, work authorization, or provincial health coverage in most cases. Sponsorship of parents and grandparents is a separate PR lottery and undertaking. Many families use a super visa while they wait, or instead of PGP if the lottery is closed.

Talk to Bright Tomorrows

Family-size mistakes, 75% income files, and insurance that does not start on entry are common refusal reasons. Book a consultation with Bright Tomorrows Immigration Services if you want a licensed review before you apply.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Confirm fees, LICO, insurance, and processing times on IRCC before you file.

Canada Super Visa 2026: Parents, Grandparents, Income, and Insurance