The Super Visa is a game-changer for Canadian families wanting to reunite with their parents and grandparents for extended periods. Unlike regular visitor visas, the Super Visa allows stays of up to five years at a time with 10-year validity, making it ideal for long-term family visits. While the application process involves specific income, medical, and insurance requirements, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to successfully apply for and obtain a Super Visa in 2025.
What is Super Visa
A Super Visa is a special multiple-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without needing to renew their status and provides up to 10 years of total validity on the visa itself. Unlike a standard visitor visa, the Super Visa is designed for longer family reunification and waives the six-month maximum stay per entry.
Who can Apply
- Relationship: You must be the biological or adoptive parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Registered Indian.
- Host Requirements: Your child or grandchild in Canada (the “host”) must:
- Be at least 18 years old and live in Canada permanently.
- Meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) based on family size (e.g., for one parent, CAD 29,380; for a family of four, CAD 54,594; see the full table below).
- Sign a letter of invitation promising financial support and listing the family members counted for MNI calculations.
- Be at least 18 years old and live in Canada permanently.
- Applicant Requirements: You must:
- Be outside Canada when you apply and when the visa is printed.
- Undergo and pass an immigration medical exam.
- Hold valid private health insurance from a Canadian insurer (or a foreign insurer authorized by OSFI) covering at least one year of medical, hospitalization, and repatriation costs.
- Be outside Canada when you apply and when the visa is printed.
Minimum Necessary Income (Updated June 3, 2024)
Family Size | Required Income (CAD) |
1 | 29,380 |
2 | 36,576 |
3 | 44,966 |
4 | 54,594 |
5 | 61,920 |
6 | 69,834 |
7 | 77,750 |
>7 | +7,916 per additional |
How to Apply
- Gather Documents
- Valid travel document (passport).
- Letter of invitation from your host with promise of financial support.
- Proof of host’s status (citizenship or PR document).
- Proof of MNI: Notices of Assessment or employment letters for the last 3 years.
- Medical exam report from an IRCC-approved panel physician.
- Health insurance policy showing at least one year of coverage and CAD 100,000 minimum coverage.
- Valid travel document (passport).
- Complete the Online Application
- Create an account on the IRCC portal.
- Fill in the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa application forms and upload all supporting documents.
- Pay the processing fee (currently CAD 100 per applicant) and the biometrics fee if required.
- Create an account on the IRCC portal.
- Submit and Wait for Confirmation
- After submission, you will receive a confirmation by email.
- After submission, you will receive a confirmation by email.
If biometrics are required, you’ll get a notice to visit a Visa Application Centre.
After you Apply
- Processing Time: Varies by country, typically 8–12 weeks from complete application.
- Medical and Security Checks: IRCC conducts medical, criminal, and security assessments.
- Visa Issuance: If approved, your visa label is printed on your passport by the visa office outside Canada.
- Entry to Canada: Present your visa and proof of insurance to the border officer. You will be admitted for up to 5 years per entry if you applied on or after June 22, 2023.
Extensions: While in Canada, you may apply to extend your stay for up to 2 additional years at a time if needed.
Additional Consideration
- No Dependents: You cannot include other dependents in your Super Visa application; they must apply separately for a regular visitor visa.
- Reapplication: Once your Super Visa expires, you may reapply from outside Canada following the same procedure.