Applying For A Super Visa to Canada

The Super Visa is a special visa that allows Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents who are eligible to invite their parents or grandparents to stay with them in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. As with all immigration programs operated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) , there are requirements to meet. But the benefit is that you only need to apply once, and your parents or grandparents can use the super visa to travel back and forth to Canada over a 10-year period. On any given visit, they can stay for up to five years continuously (as of July 4, 2022).

What is the Difference Between a Visitor Visa and a Super Visa?

A regular visitor visa permits the person to visit Canada for a maximum of 6 months. The super visa allows for much longer visits. If your parents or grandparents plan to visit for 6 months or more, a super visa is the way to go. Otherwise, for one short visit or frequent short visits, a regular visitor visa works fine and is less hassle to obtain.

The application process for a super visa entails more work for the family. As you will see below, you must prove you have the minimum income required for the size of your family. You also need to purchase medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company for their stay and your parents will require a medical exam and police check.

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Who is Eligible for a Super Visa to Canada?

Only the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible for super visas. If you have siblings living with your parents abroad, they are not eligible and cannot be included on the super visa application. But they can apply for a regular visitor visa if they wish to visit Canada (or an eTA, depending on their home country).

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How much Income is Required?

One of the main super visa requirements is that the Canadian or Permanent Resident must show they can provide financial support, so they must prove a minimum income.

The minimum income requires for a parent or grandparent super visa changes each year and is shown on the table below, which is kept updated on the IRCC website.

You must prove your income meets the minimum level, depending on the number of family members. A family member for this purpose means those in Canada (you, your spouse or common law and dependent children), plus the number of visitors coming.

The documents showing this are a combination of your Notice of Assessment, a recent T4 slip or a letter from your employer.

Your income may be combined with your spouse or common-law partner’s income if you don’t meet the required level on your own. In that situation, ensure that you also include documents to prove your relationship with your partner, and demonstrate their income.

INCOME TABLE JANUARY – DECEMBER 2020

No. Family Members	Funds Required		No. Family Members	Funds Required
1	$25,921		5	$54,630
2	$32,270		6	$61,613
3	$39,672		7	$68,598
4	$48,167		Each additional	$6,985

Super Visa Insurance

When applying for a super visa, you also need to purchase an insurance policy for medical coverage for your parents or grandparents during their stay in Canada.  The minimum required coverage is $100,000 per person and the policy must be valid for 1 year from the date of entry to Canada.  You must purchase the initial policy and include it as one of the documents in your application; you can’t just submit a quote. 

After they arrive, you need to notify the insurance company and they will adjust the policy to start once your parents or grandparents arrive in Canada.  You should be able to receive a pro-rated refund if they leave Canada before the first year is over. Otherwise, you will need to extend the coverage. Each time they enter Canada using the super visa, they must prove to the border officer they have medical insurance for at least one year.

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Medical Exam, Police Clearance and Biometrics

Those applying for super visas also need to pass an immigration medical exam and provide police clearances showing they are admissible to Canada.

They may also need an appointment for biometrics (fingerprints and photo) depending on the passport country.

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Privileges inside Canada

Parents and grandparents who enter on a super visa after July 4, 2022 are allowed to remain inside Canada for up to five years. Otherwise, they don’t have any special privileges while here.  They are not eligible for Provincial health insurance, hence the requirement for private insurance. They cannot work unless they obtain a work permit through another immigration channel.   They can, however, provide care for their own grandchildren. Being relatives, Canada Immigration does not count caring for children related to you as work that requires a work permit.