Canada Super Visa 2026: Parents and Grandparents 10-Year Multiple Entry

You miss your parents. They miss you. And Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) just slammed the door shut for 2026. So now what?

The Super Visa. It's not permanent residence, but it lets your parents or grandparents stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time on a visa that's valid for up to 10 years. And unlike PGP, you can actually apply for it right now.

Let's break down everything you need to know.

💡 TL;DR: The Quick Version

The Canada Super Visa is a multi-entry visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents

Allows stays of up to 5 years per visit (extendable to 7 years) and is valid for up to 10 years

You'll need to meet income requirements (based on LICO tables), buy at least $100,000 in medical insurance from a Canadian or OSFI-authorized insurer, and your parent will need a medical exam

Processing takes roughly 3 to 4 months in many cases, though it varies by country

With PGP closed in 2026, this is the best option to bring your parents to Canada for an extended stay

How Is the Super Visa Different from a Regular Visitor Visa?

Think of the Super Visa as the visitor visa's bigger, more generous sibling.

A regular visitor visa typically lets someone stay in Canada for about 6 months per visit. The Super Visa? Up to 5 years per entry. And while a regular visitor visa might be valid for a few years, the Super Visa can last up to 10 years with multiple entries.

The trade-off is that the Super Visa has stricter requirements. You need to prove income, buy expensive medical insurance, and your parent needs a medical exam. A regular visitor visa doesn't require any of that.

So if your parents just want to visit for a couple of weeks, a regular visitor visa might be simpler. But if you want them to actually live with you for years at a time, the Super Visa is what you're looking for.

Feature	Regular Visitor Visa	Super Visa
Stay per visit	~6 months	Up to 5 years
Visa validity	Varies (up to 10 years)	Up to 10 years
Multiple entry	Yes	Yes
Income proof needed	No	Yes (LICO-based)
Medical insurance required	No	Yes ($100K minimum)
Medical exam required	No	Yes
Can work in Canada	No	No
Best for	Short visits	Extended family stays

What Are the Income Requirements for 2026?

This is where it gets specific. IRCC uses something called LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) tables to determine if you earn enough to support your parents during their stay. You'll need to meet roughly 1.3 times the LICO threshold, and the exact number depends on your family size.

Your family size includes you, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependants, and the parent(s) you're inviting. So if you're married with two kids and inviting both parents, that's a family of six.

Here's the good news: your spouse's income counts. If you're a PR married to a Canadian citizen, both of your incomes can be combined. Multiple children can even act as joint sponsors, combining their incomes if they're all citizens or PRs living in Canada.

IRCC looks at your gross income (before taxes) based on your most recent tax year. They'll want to see your Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the CRA, T4s, and possibly T1 General forms.

A few things to keep in mind:

IRCC updates the income tables annually, so always check the current Super Visa income table on the IRCC website before applying
Self-employed? You'll need to show stable income through tax documents. IRCC assesses this on a case-by-case basis
RRSP withdrawals, rental income, and investment income count if they're reported on your Canadian tax return
Foreign income that isn't reported in Canada generally doesn't count

If your income is just below the threshold, you have options: add a co-sponsor (like a sibling who's also a citizen or PR), wait until your next tax year if you expect higher earnings, or explore whether your spouse's income pushes you over.

What About Medical Insurance?

This is probably the most painful part of the Super Visa process, especially if your parents are older.

IRCC requires medical insurance that meets all of these criteria:

From a Canadian insurer or an OSFI-authorized foreign insurer
Minimum coverage of $100,000
Valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry
Covers healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation

Here's what catches people off guard: this isn't regular travel insurance. Generic travel insurance policies usually don't meet Super Visa requirements. You need a policy specifically designed for the Super Visa.

The cost reality for older parents.

If your parents are in their 70s, you're looking at roughly $100 to $650+ per month depending on their health, the coverage level, and whether pre-existing conditions are included. IRCC doesn't require coverage for pre-existing conditions, but some insurers offer it as an option (at a higher premium, obviously).

Many applicants report that shopping around between 3 to 5 insurers makes a big difference. Prices vary significantly, and some insurers are more accommodating of pre-existing conditions than others.

If a parent has a serious health condition, some insurers may decline coverage entirely or quote premiums that are essentially unaffordable. In those cases, you might need to consider a regular visitor visa for shorter stays instead.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Breakdown)

The host (you) must:

Be the child or grandchild of the applicant
Be at least 18 years old
Live in Canada
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
Meet the income requirements

Yes, permanent residents can sponsor a Super Visa. You don't need to be a citizen. And there's no waiting period. If you just got your PR, you can apply right away as long as you meet the income threshold.

The applicant (your parent/grandparent) must:

Be the parent or grandparent of the host
Pass an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician
Have valid medical insurance meeting IRCC requirements
Not be inadmissible to Canada (health, security, or criminality grounds)
Convince the officer they're a genuine temporary visitor

There's no official age limit for the Super Visa. IRCC doesn't publish a maximum age. But older applicants may face higher insurance costs and more scrutiny during the medical exam.

What's the Application Process?

Here's the step-by-step:

1. Gather your documents.

The key forms are IMM 5256 (application for visitor visa), IMM 5257 (family information form), and IMM 1344 (the invitation letter from the host). You'll also need proof of income (NOA, T4s, employment letter), proof of medical insurance, the parent's passport, photos, and the medical exam results.

2. Submit online.

Most Super Visa applications are submitted through the IRCC online portal. You'll pay the application fee (check the current IRCC fee schedule, as amounts are updated periodically) plus biometrics fees.

3. Biometrics.

Your parent will need to give fingerprints and a photo at a visa application center in their country. This is required for most applicants.

4. Medical exam.

Schedule with an IRCC-approved panel physician in your parent's country. Results are sent directly to IRCC.

5. Wait.

Processing takes roughly 3 to 4 months in many cases, but this varies significantly by country. Some offices are faster, some slower. You can track the application status through the IRCC online portal.

6. Decision.

If approved, the visa is placed in your parent's passport. If refused, you'll get a letter explaining why.

What Happens After They Arrive?

When your parent lands in Canada, they'll go through border services (CBSA). Here's where it gets interesting.

The Super Visa allows stays of up to 5 years per entry, but the border officer has the final say on how long they can stay. Most officers grant the full 5 years, but it's at their discretion.

Can they stay even longer than 5 years?

Yes, potentially. Your parent can apply inside Canada for a "visitor record" to extend their stay beyond the initial period, up to a maximum of 7 years total if approved. This is based on the July 2022 policy change that increased the maximum stay from 2 years to 5 years per entry.

Can they leave and come back?

Absolutely. The Super Visa is multi-entry, so your parent can travel back and forth freely as long as the visa is valid. There's no fixed minimum time they need to spend outside Canada between visits. But the border officer will decide how long each new stay is.

What about healthcare?

Super Visa holders are not eligible for provincial health insurance. They must maintain their private medical insurance for the entire duration of their stay. If they need surgery or significant medical care, it's only covered to the extent their private insurance allows.

Can they work or study?

No. The Super Visa is for visiting only. Your parent cannot work or study in Canada while on a Super Visa.

Why Is PGP Closed and What Does That Mean for You?

The Parents and Grandparents Program is a permanent residence sponsorship program. It's the path to actually making your parents permanent residents of Canada, with full healthcare access, work rights, and eventually citizenship eligibility.

But IRCC confirmed it's not accepting new PGP applications in 2026. They're only processing a capped number of applications submitted in 2025. No reopening date has been announced.

This makes the Super Visa essentially the only viable option for bringing parents to Canada for extended stays in 2026. Many applicants report using the Super Visa as a bridge, keeping their parents in Canada while hoping PGP reopens in the future.

And yes, you can submit a PGP sponsorship application when the program eventually reopens while your parent is already in Canada on a Super Visa. They'll still be a visitor until permanent residence is granted, but they can stay with you in the meantime.

Common Mistakes That Get Super Visa Applications Refused

Not meeting the income threshold. This is the most common reason for refusal. Double-check the current LICO table and make sure your gross income clears the bar. If you're close, add a co-sponsor.
Buying the wrong insurance. Generic travel insurance doesn't cut it. Make sure your policy is from a Canadian or OSFI-authorized insurer, covers at least $100,000, is valid for at least 1 year, and covers healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.
Weak ties to home country. IRCC needs to believe your parent will actually leave Canada when their stay is up. If your parent has no property, job, or family back home, this gets tricky. Include evidence of ties: property ownership, pension, other family members, ongoing commitments.
Incomplete application. Missing documents slow everything down and can lead to refusal. Use the IRCC document checklist and don't skip anything.
Not explaining the visit clearly. The invitation letter matters. Explain who you are, your relationship, why your parent is visiting, where they'll stay, and how you'll support them financially.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Super Visa insurance cost for parents in their 70s?

Costs range from roughly $100 to $650+ per month depending on health, age, and whether pre-existing conditions are covered. The $100,000 minimum coverage requirement from IRCC is non-negotiable. Shopping around between multiple insurers can save you significant money.

Can I apply as a new permanent resident?

Yes. There's no waiting period. As long as you're a PR or citizen living in Canada and meet the income requirements, you can sponsor a Super Visa application immediately.

Can both my parents and my in-laws get Super Visas?

Yes. Each parent applies separately. As long as you (or your spouse) meet the income requirements for the total family size including all invited parents, multiple Super Visas can be active at the same time.

What if my parent's Super Visa is refused?

You can reapply with stronger evidence. There's no automatic right of appeal for Super Visa decisions, though judicial review may be an option in some cases. Most people address the specific refusal reasons and resubmit.

Can my parent get surgery in Canada on a Super Visa?

Only if their private medical insurance covers it. Super Visa holders have no access to provincial health insurance. Check your policy carefully before relying on it for major medical procedures.

Can I sponsor my parent for PR while they're on a Super Visa?

Yes. You can submit a PGP application when the program reopens while your parent is in Canada on a Super Visa. They remain a visitor until permanent residence is actually granted.

Is the Super Visa easier to get than a regular visitor visa?

It depends on your situation. The Super Visa has stricter financial and insurance requirements, but it also signals a clear purpose for the visit. Neither is universally "easier." If your parents only need a short stay, the regular visitor visa has fewer hoops.

How long does processing take in 2026?

Processing times vary by country, but many applicants report around 3 to 4 months. IRCC doesn't publish a single global number. Check the IRCC processing times tool for estimates specific to your parent's country.

The Bottom Line

With PGP closed for 2026, the Super Visa is your best bet for keeping your parents in Canada long-term. It's not permanent residence, but 5 years per visit with a 10-year validity is the next best thing.

Your next steps:

Check the current LICO income table on the IRCC eligibility page and make sure you qualify
Start shopping for Super Visa medical insurance early because prices vary wildly between providers
Book your parent's medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician
Put together a strong application with complete documents and a detailed invitation letter (IMM 1344)
Submit through the IRCC Super Visa portal and track your application online

The process takes a few months, so the sooner you start, the sooner your family is together.