Canada Super Visa: 5-Year Stay, Income & Insurance Guide
A practical guide to the current Canada Super Visa rules for parents and grandparents, including the March 31, 2026 income changes, family-size calculation, medical insurance, application steps and stay duration.
Do not confuse the Super Visa with parent sponsorship
The Super Visa is a temporary-resident visitor pathway. It is not permanent residence and it does not create a right to remain in Canada indefinitely. The separate Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a permanent-residence sponsorship program; IRCC paused new PGP intake on July 15, 2026, until further notice.
What is the Canada Super Visa?
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa for eligible parents and grandparents visiting their child or grandchild in Canada. The host must generally be at least 18, live in Canada, have qualifying Canadian status and meet the applicable financial-support requirement.
For people who applied on or after June 22, 2023, IRCC says a person granted a Super Visa can be eligible to stay for up to 5 years at a time. The visa provides multiple entries for a period of up to 10 years, subject to the applicable validity of the visa and travel document.
Who can apply?
Host requirements
- Must be the applicant’s biological or adopted child or grandchild.
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
- Must be at least 18 and live in Canada.
- Must meet the applicable minimum necessary income and provide a signed invitation.
Applicant requirements
- Must generally be outside Canada when applying.
- Must satisfy the applicable temporary-residence requirements and be admissible.
- Must have the required private health insurance.
- Must complete the required immigration medical examination.
A Super Visa application cannot include dependants. Check the current IRCC application instructions for the exact application needed by each travelling family member.
Super Visa Income Planning Calculator
Use this as a planning tool for the current IRCC income framework. It is not an eligibility determination and does not verify tax years, family composition or supporting documents.
Income reaches the current published threshold
The entered host/co-signer income of CAD $60,000 is at or above the current published minimum of CAD $38,002 for a family size of 2. For an actual application, the income must satisfy the applicable IRCC tax-year and documentation rules.
Current published minimum: CAD $38,002
75% alternative-pathway threshold: CAD $28,501.5
This illustrates the full-income pathway. IRCC allows qualifying host/co-signer income from either of the two taxation years immediately preceding the application to be used.
Current Super Visa minimum income table
IRCC’s current host-financial-support page shows the following minimum necessary income amounts, with the table updated July 29, 2025. For applications submitted under the March 31, 2026 rules, use the latest applicable IRCC table rather than treating these figures as permanently fixed.
| Family members | Minimum necessary income | 75% planning threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAD $30,526 | CAD $22,895 |
| 2 | CAD $38,002 | CAD $28,502 |
| 3 | CAD $46,720 | CAD $35,040 |
| 4 | CAD $56,724 | CAD $42,543 |
| 5 | CAD $64,336 | CAD $48,252 |
| 6 | CAD $72,560 | CAD $54,420 |
| 7 | CAD $80,784 | CAD $60,588 |
| Each person over 7 | + CAD $8,224 | + CAD $6,168 |
Important: family size for a Super Visa is calculated under IRCC’s specific rules. Previously approved Super Visa applicants and active sponsorship undertakings can affect the count.
How the March 31, 2026 income rule works
Income at or above 100% of the minimum
The host and qualifying co-signer, if applicable, can meet the minimum using income reported for either of the two taxation years immediately preceding the application.
75% host income plus visitor income
The host/co-signer can use income from the year before the application if it is at least 75% of the minimum. Qualifying income of the visiting parent or grandparent can be added to cover the remaining amount.
The change applies to Super Visa applications already in process and applications submitted on or after March 31, 2026.
Super Visa medical insurance requirements
| Requirement | Current rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum emergency coverage | At least CAD $100,000. |
| Minimum policy period | At least 1 year from the date of entry. |
| Coverage | Health care, hospitalization and repatriation. |
| Who can issue it? | A Canadian insurance company, or an eligible foreign insurer meeting the current IRCC/OSFI-related requirements. |
| Payment | The policy must satisfy IRCC’s payment rules; a quote alone is not accepted. |
Super Visa application process
Confirm basic eligibility
Check the applicant/host relationship, host status, residence, age and financial-support rules.
Calculate family size
Use IRCC’s Super Visa family-size definition rather than a simple household count.
Choose the income pathway
Identify the relevant tax year(s) and whether the full-income or 75%-plus-visitor-income pathway applies.
Prepare insurance and medical evidence
Obtain the required private insurance and complete the immigration medical examination with an approved panel physician.
Submit the application
Apply from outside Canada through the IRCC Portal and pay the applicable visa and biometric fees.
Complete biometrics and requests
Give biometrics when required and respond to any request for documents, examination or interview.
Current Super Visa application fees
| Fee | Current amount | Who pays? |
|---|---|---|
| Super Visa application fee | CAD $100 per applicant | Applicants who require a temporary resident visa. |
| Biometrics | CAD $85 | When biometrics are required. |
Super Visa document checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Official IRCC & OSFI Government Sources
Direct official links to IRCC immigration guidelines and OSFI Canadian regulator portals:
International Money Transfer & FX Rates
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Newcomer & Expat Emergency Health Cover
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Super Visa at a Glance
Planning Warning
Meeting the income or insurance requirements does not guarantee a Super Visa approval. IRCC also assesses temporary-residence and admissibility rules.