Founder and Principal Consultant
Free for a limited time
Build your Super Visa invitation letter in minutes
Our free tool writes it in the format a visa officer expects, checks your income against the requirement for your family size, and emails you a ready to sign PDF. No notary, no lawyer.
Overview
What this page covers
- What is a super visa, and how is it different from a visitor visa?
- Who is eligible?
- How do you prove financial support?
- How do you apply?
Two rules changed recently and most advice online has not caught up. Insurance may now be bought from an approved insurer outside Canada, and the host may use income from either of the two preceding tax years. If you were told you did not qualify before 2026, that assessment may be out of date.
Key Points
-
Extended StayAllows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit without needing to renew their status.
-
Medical Examination RequiredA medical examination is necessary to screen for medical inadmissibility.
Who Is Eligible for a Super Visa?
- Applicants must have a valid medical insurance policy from a Canadian insurance company that covers them for at least one year.
- Proof of relationship with the child or grandchild (who must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) is required.
- A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada is mandatory.
Would a Considered View on Your Super Visa Options Help?
Most applicants have more than one route available and rarely the same one they arrived expecting. SAAB Immigration Services Inc. offers a complimentary ten minute consultation to set out the options that genuinely apply to your situation. There is no obligation.
How Do You Prove Financial Support?
The child or grandchild must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements to prove they can financially support their parents or grandparents.
Financial Requirements (LICO)
| Number of family members | Funds required (2025) | Previously (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $30,526 | $29,380 |
| 2 | $38,002 | $36,576 |
| 3 | $46,720 | $44,966 |
| 4 | $56,724 | $54,594 |
| 5 | $64,336 | $61,920 |
| 6 | $72,560 | $69,834 |
| 7 | $80,784 | $77,750 |
| For each additional family member, add $8,224 (previously $7,916) | ||
Updated July 29, 2025. IRCC raised the minimum necessary income, based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), by about 3.9% over the 2024 amounts. These figures are reviewed and updated each year. Your host does not need to meet the minimum for three years; they show it for a single tax year, in one of two ways. Option 1: their total income, including a co-signer’s income if there is one, meets or exceeds the minimum in either of the two tax years before you apply, proven with the Canada Revenue Agency notice of assessment. Option 2: their income in the year before you apply was at least 75% of the minimum, and the visiting parent or grandparent can then add their own income to cover the rest, as long as the combined total meets or exceeds the minimum.
Super Visa and Medical Exam
While you can submit your application without a medical exam, it’s recommended to complete it beforehand to save processing time.
Carry Medical Insurance
Ensure you carry a copy of your medical insurance while traveling to Canada. Without it, a CBSA officer may authorize a stay of only 6 months or less.
How Do You Apply for a Super Visa?
Check Visa Requirements
IRCC Processing Time
Super Visa (parents / grandparents)
70 days
Current IRCC processing time for Super Visa (parents / grandparents) from India is 70 days.
As per IRCC, last updated 2026-09-23 00:41:25, refreshed weekly
Processing times for all countries
| Country of application | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | No processing time available |
| Albania | No processing time available |
| Algeria | 56 days |
| Andorra | No processing time available |
| Angola | No processing time available |
| Anguilla | No processing time available |
| Antigua and Barbuda | No processing time available |
| Argentina | No processing time available |
| Armenia | No processing time available |
| Aruba | No processing time available |
| Australia | No processing time available |
| Austria | No processing time available |
| Azerbaijan | No processing time available |
| Bahamas | No processing time available |
| Bahrain | No processing time available |
| Bangladesh | 55 days |
| Barbados | No processing time available |
| Belarus | No processing time available |
| Belgium | No processing time available |
| Belize | No processing time available |
| Benin | No processing time available |
| Bermuda | No processing time available |
| Bhutan | No processing time available |
| Bolivia | No processing time available |
| Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba | No processing time available |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | No processing time available |
| Botswana | No processing time available |
| Brazil | 15 days |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | No processing time available |
| Brunei | No processing time available |
| Bulgaria | No processing time available |
| Burkina Faso | No processing time available |
| Burma (Myanmar) | No processing time available |
| Burundi | 66 days |
| Cambodia | No processing time available |
| Cameroon | 79 days |
| Canada | No processing time available |
| Cabo Verde | No processing time available |
| Cayman Islands | No processing time available |
| Central African Republic | No processing time available |
| Chad | No processing time available |
| Chile | No processing time available |
| China (People's Republic of) | 77 days |
| Colombia | 92 days |
| Comoros Island | No processing time available |
| Congo (Republic of) | No processing time available |
| Costa Rica | No processing time available |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 26 days |
| Croatia | No processing time available |
| Cuba | 58 days |
| Cyprus | No processing time available |
| Czech Republic | No processing time available |
| Democratic Republic of Congo | No processing time available |
| Denmark | No processing time available |
| Djibouti | No processing time available |
| Dominica | No processing time available |
| Dominican Republic | No processing time available |
| Ecuador | No processing time available |
| Egypt | 39 days |
| El Salvador | No processing time available |
| Equatorial Guinea | No processing time available |
| Eritrea | No processing time available |
| Estonia | No processing time available |
| Ethiopia | 38 days |
| Fiji | No processing time available |
| Finland | No processing time available |
| France | 110 days |
| Gabon | No processing time available |
| Gambia | No processing time available |
| Georgia | No processing time available |
| Germany | No processing time available |
| Ghana | 32 days |
| Greece | No processing time available |
| Grenada | No processing time available |
| Greenland | No processing time available |
| Guatemala | No processing time available |
| Guinea | No processing time available |
| Guinea-Bissau | No processing time available |
| Guyana | No processing time available |
| Haiti | 36 days |
| Holy See (Vatican City) | No processing time available |
| Honduras | No processing time available |
| Hong Kong | 51 days |
| Hungary | No processing time available |
| Iceland | No processing time available |
| India | 70 days |
| Indonesia | No processing time available |
| Iran | 265 days |
| Iraq | No processing time available |
| Ireland | No processing time available |
| Israel | No processing time available |
| Italy | No processing time available |
| Jamaica | 46 days |
| Japan | No processing time available |
| Jordan | No processing time available |
| Kazakhstan | No processing time available |
| Kenya | No processing time available |
| Kiribati | No processing time available |
| Kosovo | No processing time available |
| Kuwait | No processing time available |
| Kyrgyzstan | No processing time available |
| Laos | No processing time available |
| Latvia | No processing time available |
| Lebanon | 24 days |
| Lesotho | No processing time available |
| Liberia | No processing time available |
| Libya | No processing time available |
| Liechtenstein | No processing time available |
| Lithuania | No processing time available |
| Luxembourg | No processing time available |
| Macao | No processing time available |
| North Macedonia | No processing time available |
| Madagascar | No processing time available |
| Malawi | No processing time available |
| Malaysia | No processing time available |
| Maldives | No processing time available |
| Mali | No processing time available |
| Malta | No processing time available |
| Marshall Islands | No processing time available |
| Martinique | No processing time available |
| Mauritania | No processing time available |
| Mauritius | No processing time available |
| Mexico | 91 days |
| Micronesia (Federated States of) | No processing time available |
| Moldova | No processing time available |
| Monaco | No processing time available |
| Mongolia | No processing time available |
| Montenegro | No processing time available |
| Morocco | 20 days |
| Mozambique | No processing time available |
| Namibia | No processing time available |
| Nauru | No processing time available |
| Nepal | 58 days |
| Netherlands | No processing time available |
| New Caledonia | No processing time available |
| New Zealand | No processing time available |
| Nicaragua | No processing time available |
| Niger | No processing time available |
| Nigeria | 44 days |
| Korea (Democratic People's Republic of, North) | No processing time available |
| Norway | No processing time available |
| Oman | No processing time available |
| Pakistan | 92 days |
| Palestinian Authority | No processing time available |
| West Bank | No processing time available |
| Panama | No processing time available |
| Papua New Guinea | No processing time available |
| Paraguay | No processing time available |
| Peru | No processing time available |
| Philippines | 90 days |
| Poland | No processing time available |
| Portugal | No processing time available |
| Puerto Rico | No processing time available |
| Qatar | No processing time available |
| Romania | No processing time available |
| Russia | 74 days |
| Rwanda | No processing time available |
| Saint Lucia | No processing time available |
| Samoa | No processing time available |
| San Marino | No processing time available |
| Sao Tome and Principe | No processing time available |
| Saudi Arabia | 91 days |
| Senegal | 37 days |
| Serbia | No processing time available |
| Seychelles | No processing time available |
| Sierra Leone | No processing time available |
| Singapore | No processing time available |
| Slovakia | No processing time available |
| Slovenia | No processing time available |
| Solomon Islands | No processing time available |
| Somalia | No processing time available |
| South Africa | No processing time available |
| Korea (Republic of, South) | No processing time available |
| South Sudan | No processing time available |
| Spain | No processing time available |
| Sri Lanka | 35 days |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | No processing time available |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | No processing time available |
| Sudan | No processing time available |
| Suriname | No processing time available |
| Eswatini | No processing time available |
| Sweden | No processing time available |
| Switzerland | No processing time available |
| Syria | 652 days |
| French Polynesia | No processing time available |
| Taiwan | No processing time available |
| Tajikistan | No processing time available |
| Tanzania | No processing time available |
| Thailand | No processing time available |
| Timor-Leste | No processing time available |
| Togo | No processing time available |
| Tonga | No processing time available |
| Trinidad and Tobago | No processing time available |
| Tunisia | 21 days |
| Turkey | 72 days |
| Turkmenistan | No processing time available |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | No processing time available |
| Tuvalu | No processing time available |
| Uganda | No processing time available |
| Ukraine | 71 days |
| United Arab Emirates | 72 days |
| United Kingdom | 75 days |
| United States | 66 days |
| Uruguay | No processing time available |
| Virgin Islands (U.S.) | No processing time available |
| Uzbekistan | No processing time available |
| Vanuatu | No processing time available |
| Venezuela | No processing time available |
| Vietnam | 40 days |
| Yemen | No processing time available |
| Zambia | No processing time available |
| Zimbabwe | No processing time available |
| lastupdated | September 22, 2026 |
⚠️
Super Visa processing times vary significantly by country. India and Philippines can exceed 100 days, so apply well in advance of any planned travel.
Get a free assessment →
1. Determine Eligibility
Identify if you qualify for a Super Visa, including relationship to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, financial support, and medical insurance coverage.
Essential Documents
2. Gather Documents
- Passport
- Proof of financial support (e.g., income statement, job reference letter, NOA of your child or grandchild)
- Invitation letter from your child or grandchild in Canada
- Proof of medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company
- Proof of relationship (e.g., birth certificate)
3. Submit Application
Online Application:
- Complete and submit your application through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- Alternatively, submit your application at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
Application Form:
- Fill out the required forms accurately and completely.
- Pay the application fee online or at a VAC.
4. Medical Examination
Undergo a medical examination to screen for medical inadmissibility. This ensures that you meet the health standards required for entry to Canada.
Provide Biometrics
5. Biometrics
- Visit a designated VAC to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
- Biometrics are required for most applicants and are used to verify your identity and are typically valid for 10 years.
6. Wait for Processing
Processing Times:
- Processing times vary based on your location and application type. Check the IRCC website for current processing times.
- Track your application status online using the unique tracking number provided after submission.
Decision:
- If approved, your visa will be stamped in your passport.
- If additional information is needed or an interview is required, you will be notified by IRCC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the super visa income requirements in 2026?
The host must meet the minimum necessary income, which is based on the low income cut off plus thirty percent for the combined household size. Since 31 March 2026 the host may use income from either of the two taxation years before the application, and the income of the visiting parent or grandparent may be counted toward the requirement.
Can I use insurance from outside Canada?
Yes, since 28 January 2025. The insurer must be authorised by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions to provide accident and sickness insurance, be listed on the OSFI registry, and issue the policy through its Canadian insurance business.
How long can a parent stay on a super visa?
Up to five years at a time on a single entry, with multiple entries over a validity period of up to ten years, subject to passport validity.
Is the super visa a replacement for sponsorship?
It does not lead to permanent residence. With intake under the Parents and Grandparents Program paused since 15 July 2026, it is the only route currently available to most families.
Why are super visa applications refused?
Almost always because the officer is not satisfied the applicant will leave at the end of the stay. Weak home country ties, thin or single year income evidence, an insurance quote rather than a policy, and an invitation letter that says nothing useful are the recurring causes.
How long can I stay in Canada with a Super Visa?
A Super Visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit without needing to renew your status.
What are the financial requirements for a Super Visa?
Your child or grandchild must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) requirements to prove they can support you financially. Refer to the LICO table above for detailed information.
Is medical insurance required for a Super Visa?
Yes, you need to have valid medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that covers you for at least one year.
Can I submit my Super Visa application without a medical exam?
Yes, but completing the medical exam before submitting your application to expedite processing is recommended.
Can I extend my stay with a Super Visa?
Yes, you can apply for an extension while in Canada. Each stay can be extended by up to 2 years.
Can I work in Canada with a super visa?
No, the Super Visa does not grant work rights in Canada.
What happens if I do not carry my medical insurance when traveling to Canada?
If you do not carry proof of medical insurance, a CBSA officer may authorize a stay of only 6 months or less instead of the full 5 years.
Can I apply for a Super Visa from within Canada?
No, you must apply for a Super Visa from outside Canada.
What is a Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO)?
LICO is a threshold set by the Canadian government to determine whether a Canadian host has sufficient income to support a visiting parent or grandparent.
Check the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) table and ensure that your Canadian host meets the required income level based on the size of their household.
What if my passport expires before my visa?
Your visa is valid as long as your passport is valid. If your passport expires, you will need to reapply for a visa with your new passport.
Plan Your Super Visa Application Properly, the First Time
A refused application follows an applicant into everything that comes after it, which is why the preparation matters more than the submission. We will review your circumstances and documents together, address the risks before they reach an officer, and set out exactly what is required.
Who Will Be Working on Your File
Related Pages
Other pages on this site that deal with closely connected questions.