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, 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.

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.

If your family members apply at the same time and place, and dependent children qualify, you may be eligible to pay a maximum fee of CA$

1. Refer to the IRCC fee guidance for current amounts.

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

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 can apply for a Super Visa if you meet the eligibility criteria set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and qualify under the correct category.

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

Basic Eligibility

To qualify, you must:

• Submit a complete application to IRCC, including Form IMM 5257
• Provide accurate personal information (contact, financial, medical, and work details)
• Demonstrate strong ties to your home country
• Show that you intend to leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay

IRCC assesses your ties to your home country carefully. Weak evidence of employment, property, family connections, or financial obligations often leads to refusal.

Demonstrating Strong Ties

You should include proof such as:

• Employment confirmation or business ownership documents
• Property ownership records or lease agreements
• Evidence of close family members remaining in your home country
• Financial commitments or ongoing obligations

Insufficient proof of ties is a common reason IRCC refuses applications.

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.

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.

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.