Super Visa (Parents and Grandparents) — Canada

The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit Canada for extended stays. You can remain in Canada for up to 5 years per visit (a rule in effect since mid-2022), with multiple entries issued for up to 10 years.

This visa uses the Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) pathway. You apply through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and approval is not guaranteed.

Key Features

You must complete the required Temporary Resident Visa form, including IMM 5257, electronically for accuracy. Each applicant submits their own form.

The two defining eligibility requirements

Beyond the relationship requirement, two things drive most Super Visa refusals:

1. Host income (LICO).

Your host (child or grandchild) must show household income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off for their family size. As of 30 March 2026, hosts have two ways to qualify: meet the full LICO amount in either of the two tax years before applying, or show at least 75% of the amount and add your income as the visiting parent/grandparent to cover the rest. 2.

Health insurance.

You need a policy with at least CA$100,000 in emergency coverage, valid for at least one year from the date you enter Canada. As of 28 January 2025, you can buy this from a Canadian insurer or from a foreign insurer authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).

See the "Who Can Apply" section below for the full LICO table and insurance rules.

Application Basics

• Download the current Super Visa application and instructions from IRCC.
• Submit your application as a Temporary Resident Visa request.
• Ensure all required forms are completed properly before submission.

Many families later pursue Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship for permanent residence. This process is separate from Spousal/Partner Sponsorship and follows different requirements.

You must submit a complete application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a Super Visa. Incomplete forms or missing evidence can delay processing.

Use this checklist before you apply.

Core Application Forms

• Form IMM 5257 – Application for Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa)
• Any additional forms required by IRCC
• All required signatures
• Completed answers in every mandatory section

If you leave a required field blank, IRCC may return your application.

Supporting Documents

• Proof of residence documents (as required in your case)
• Any additional evidence requested in the application guide
• Biometrics confirmation, if IRCC requires you to provide biometrics

Submit clear copies and ensure all documents match the information in your IMM 5257 form.

The Super Visa is processed as a type of Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa). It is separate from programs such as Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Spousal/Partner Sponsorship, which follow different procedures and document requirements.

Refer to IRCC instructions for the most current document requirements before submitting your application.

The Super Visa allows you to visit your child or grandchild in Canada if they are a permanent resident, a Canadian citizen, or a registered Indian. You must clearly state the purpose and length of your extended stay when you apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

You apply using Form IMM 5257, the same application form used for a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa). IRCC reviews the details of your visit before making a decision.

The Super Visa is a temporary option. It does not replace permanent immigration programs such as Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Spousal/Partner Sponsorship.

You or your family member may be found ineligible. IRCC assesses eligibility based on the information you provide.

You apply for a Super Visa using the same core form as a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa), Form IMM 5257. IRCC charges standard visitor visa fees.

These government fees don't include the cost of the mandatory CA$100,000 minimum health insurance policy, which you buy separately from an eligible Canadian or OSFI-authorized foreign insurer — that premium varies by age, provider, and coverage length.

You may need to give biometrics as part of your application. IRCC does not include biometrics appointment time in the posted processing estimate.

The processing times for a Super Visa vary by country and visa office. Current estimates range from 2 to 6 months, depending on where you apply.

IRCC calculates processing time from the day it receives your complete application to the day it makes a decision. The clock starts when your full application is received.

If you apply from outside Canada or the United States, add 3 to 4 months for mailing time. This extra time applies in addition to the standard processing estimate.

Check current timelines directly through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before submitting your application. Processing times change regularly.

Unlike Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Spousal/Partner Sponsorship, the Super Visa remains a temporary resident application. That difference affects both processing category and timelines.

You can apply for a Super Visa if you are the biological or adopted parent or grandparent of a host who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, at least 18 years old, and living in Canada — and your host meets the minimum necessary income for their family size.

You must apply on your own. You cannot include dependants in a Super Visa application.

Host income requirement (LICO)

Your host's minimum necessary income is based on the Statistics Canada Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for urban areas of 500,000+ people, and depends on family size (you, any accompanying applicants, the host, the host's spouse/partner, the host's dependent children, and anyone else the host is currently sponsoring or hosting on a Super Visa):

As of 30 March 2026, your host has two ways to qualify: show income at or above the table amount in either of the two tax years immediately before the application (previously only the most recent year counted), or show at least 75% of the required amount and add your own income as the visiting parent/grandparent to cover the remainder. A notice of assessment from the CRA is the preferred proof of income; always confirm the current table on canada.ca, since LICO figures are updated periodically.

Health insurance requirement

You must also carry private health insurance that:

• Provides a minimum of CA$100,000 in emergency coverage for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
• Is valid for at least one year from your date of entry, and for each entry you make
• Is paid in full or with a deposit and installment plan (quotes alone are not accepted)

As of 28 January 2025, you can buy this policy from a Canadian insurance company, or from a foreign insurer that is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) under the Insurance Companies Act, appears on OSFI's list of federally regulated financial institutions, and issued the policy while doing insurance business in Canada. Carry proof of insurance and be ready to show it to a border services officer on request.

How the Super Visa Differs From Other Options

If you are unsure which program fits your situation, review the eligibility instructions provided by IRCC before you apply.

Consult a licensed immigration professional if your situation involves more than a standard Super Visa application. Complex family cases, prior refusals, or uncertainty about eligibility under a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) category require careful review.

Processing under the “Standard” stream currently ranges from 2 to 6 months (as of March 2026). If timing affects family plans, a professional can assess whether your file is complete and ready before you submit it to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

You may also need help if you are deciding between programs.

Form accuracy matters. IRCC rejects outdated forms, including Form IMM 5257, if you submit an older version. A professional can confirm you downloaded the latest edition and that all required sections are complete.

Seek advice if:

• You are unsure whether you meet basic visitor eligibility requirements
• Your supporting documents are inconsistent
• A minor child will travel with you
• You previously received a refusal

If you have concerns about admissibility at the border, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers assess entry at arrival, not IRCC. Professional guidance helps you prepare for both the application and the inspection process.

You must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) using Form IMM 5257 when requesting a Super Visa. Each applicant completes their own form.

Submit your application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) with all required documents. An incomplete application will not be accepted.

Required Forms and Documents

Your child or grandchild must write and sign the invitation letter. Include it with your application package.

Steps to Submit

1. Complete IMM 5257 fully and accurately.

2. Gather all required supporting documents.

3. Include the invitation letter from your child or grandchild.

4. Submit the complete application to IRCC.

IRCC starts processing on the day they receive your complete application. Processing ends when a decision is made.

Do not confuse the Super Visa with programs such as Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Spousal/Partner Sponsorship. Those are different immigration processes with separate forms and requirements.

Review every page before submission. Missing information or documents will delay processing because IRCC will not accept an incomplete form.

You submit your Super Visa application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) without checking every document. Missing items cause delays.

Problems also arise when the details in Form IMM 5257, your passport, and your supporting documents do not match. Even small differences in dates or spelling can lead to refusal.

Applicants often underestimate financial proof. Large recent deposits without explanation raise concerns. Show steady funds over several months.

Your purpose of visit must be specific. State why you are coming, how long you will stay, and where you will stay. Support your statement with invitation letters or booking confirmations.

Some applicants confuse the Super Visa with a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) or programs like Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Spousal/Partner Sponsorship. These are different processes. Use the correct forms and follow the requirements that apply to your application.

When an officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews your Super Visa application, accuracy, consistency, and completeness matter most.

Every question on Form IMM 5257 must be answered unless the form specifically says otherwise.

An officer will compare your form to your supporting documents. If there are mismatches, you could get a procedural fairness letter or face refusal for misrepresentation.

Common issues officers see:

• Missing signatures on the application form
• Submitting an outdated version of IMM 5257
• Leaving required questions blank
• Providing financial documents that show only a recent large deposit

Financial evidence gets careful attention. Bank statements should reflect steady income over time, not just a sudden big deposit that appears right before applying.

Officers process your Super Visa as a Temporary Resident Visa (Visitor Visa) application. This is not the same as Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship or Spousal/Partner Sponsorship, which use different criteria and steps.