Quick Answer: What Is the Canadian Super Visa?

The Canadian Super Visa is a dedicated multi-entry visitor visa that allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five consecutive years per entry, without having to renew their status. The visa itself remains valid for up to 10 years.

To qualify, visitors must undergo an immigration medical exam and secure qualifying private Canadian medical insurance of at least $100,000 in emergency coverage for a full 365 days. Meanwhile, the Canadian host must prove they meet or exceed the official Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold.

Bringing parents or grandparents to Canada should be a joyous and memorable milestone. While standard visitor visas (temporary resident visas) offer flexible travel, they generally limit single stays to six months at a time. The Canadian Super Visa was designed precisely to resolve this challenge, empowering families to spend meaningful, uninterrupted time together without the anxiety of constant extension filings or frequent international flights.

Standard Visitor Visa vs. Super Visa: Understanding the Difference

While both permits allow visitors to explore Canada and spend time with family, their permissions, authorized lengths of stay, and mandatory application requirements differ substantially. Choosing the right visa prevents unnecessary border delays and administrative costs.

Feature	Standard Visitor Visa (TRV)	Parent and Grandparent Super Visa
Length of Single Stay	Up to 6 months per entry	Up to 5 continuous years per entry
Visa Validity Period	Up to 10 years (or passport expiry)	Up to 10 years (or passport expiry)
Mandatory Health Insurance	Recommended, but not legally required	Strictly mandatory (Minimum $100,000 CAD)
Host Income Requirement	No set income threshold	Must meet or exceed LICO benchmarks
Medical Examination	Only required under specific conditions	Always required via a panel physician

Multi-generation family reuniting in Canada on a Super Visa

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa? Full Eligibility Requirements

Unlike tourist visas where the applicant shoulders sole responsibility, the Super Visa assesses both the Canadian host and the visiting parent or grandparent. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) evaluates whether the host can sustain the visitors financially and verifies that visitors will not create an unmanaged burden on provincial healthcare networks.

1. Requirements for the Canadian Host

Proof of Status: You must be an adult (18 years or older) who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian under the Indian Act residing in Canada.
Signed Letter of Invitation: You must draft and sign an official invitation promising financial sponsorship for the entire duration of the stay, alongside a breakdown of everyone living in your household.
Meeting the Minimum Income (LICO): You must prove your household income meets or exceeds the Low Income Cut-Off guidelines established by Statistics Canada. Acceptable documents include your most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), T4 slips, employment letters, and recent pay stubs.

2. Requirements for the Visiting Parent or Grandparent

Direct Lineal Relationship: You must be the biological or legally recognized adoptive parent or grandparent of the child hosting you in Canada. Dependants of parents or grandparents cannot be included on this application.
Apply from Outside Canada: The application must be initiated and submitted from outside Canadian borders.
Immigration Medical Examination (IME): You must complete a medical assessment conducted solely by an IRCC-authorized panel physician to demonstrate that your health does not pose a danger to public safety or an excessive burden on social services.
Admissibility Checks: Clear standard security vetting and background checks, showing no criminal inadmissibility or security concerns.

The Super Visa Health Insurance Requirement: Critical Rules

Private medical insurance is an uncompromising prerequisite of the Canadian Super Visa program. Because international visitors are ineligible for public healthcare (such as OHIP in Ontario, MSP in British Columbia, or AHCIP in Alberta), hospital and physician visits can quickly accrue bills in the tens of thousands of dollars.

Mandatory Insurance Checklist for IRCC Approval

Your insurance policy must strictly fulfill these government criteria to prevent automatic application refusal:

$100,000 Minimum Coverage: Must provide at least $100,000 CAD in aggregate coverage for emergency medical treatment, doctor visits, hospitalisation, and medical repatriation back to the home country.
365-Day Validity: The policy must run for a full 365 days starting on the anticipated date of arrival in Canada.
Valid Proof of Payment: IRCC mandates tangible proof that the policy has been paid in full or registered under an approved monthly payment schedule. Quotes, estimates, or binder letters without payment confirmation will be rejected.
Continuous Validity: The policy must remain in force during each entry into Canada and must be re-purchased or extended for subsequent stays.

Submitting Canadian Super Visa application documents and proof of private health insurance

Canadian vs. Foreign Insurance Providers

While recent legislative revisions permit coverage from designated foreign insurance providers regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), Canadian insurers remain the benchmark. Domestic policies offer direct billing arrangements with local hospitals, hassle-free policy extensions, and straightforward claims processes governed by provincial insurance regulations.

Compare Super Visa Medical Insurance Rates

Get instant, competitive quotes from trusted Canadian insurers offering 100% IRCC-compliant policies with pre-existing medical coverage options.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Canadian Super Visa

Applying for a Super Visa requires precision and organisation. Following this step-by-step roadmap helps eliminate processing bottlenecks:

Gather Financial and Identity Records

Acquire the host’s Notice of Assessment (NOA), employment letters, pay slips, and proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. Collect birth certificates establishing the host’s direct relationship to the visiting parent or grandparent.

Purchase Compliant Emergency Health Insurance

Secure a 1-year health policy with at least $100,000 coverage. Ensure the policy schedule specifies the names, policy limits, coverage start date, and explicit confirmation of payment.

Complete the Immigration Medical Exam (IME)

Book an appointment with an official IRCC-approved panel physician. The doctor will transmit the medical exam results directly to the Canadian immigration network.

Submit the Online Application and Settle Government Fees

Create or log into the official IRCC portal, upload all requested documents, and pay the requisite government application fees:
$100 CAD for visa processing and $85 CAD for individual biometrics (fingerprints and photo).

Submit Biometrics and Receive Visa Document

Applicants attend their local Visa Application Centre (VAC) to enrol biometrics. Once approved, visa-required nationals submit their passport for the foil visa stamp; visa-exempt nationals receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) alongside an official approval letter.

Parents arriving at Canadian airport terminal ready for extended stay

Arriving in Canada: What to Expect at the Border

Securing visa approval is a substantial achievement, but the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border services officer makes the final determination regarding admission at the port of entry.

To ensure entry goes smoothly, advise your parents or grandparents to pack these key documents in their carry-on luggage—not inside checked bags:

Valid Passport: Must remain valid throughout the intended duration of stay.
Printed Proof of Paid Medical Insurance: Clearly showing $100,000+ coverage, active dates, and complete payment verification.
Host Invitation Letter: A physical copy of the host’s signed invitation letter outlining contact numbers, address, and accommodation details.
Medical Exam Confirmation: The IMM 1017 e-Medical tracking receipt provided by the panel physician.

Upon arrival, the CBSA officer will confirm health insurance validity and issue an authorized stay period, granting up to five continuous years in Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Super Visa

1. Can my parents work in Canada while on a Super Visa?

No. The Super Visa is strictly an extended visitor visa. It does not authorize visitors to work in Canada or apply for open work permits. If visitors wish to engage in employment, they must independently qualify and apply for a work permit under standard IRCC labour regulations.

2. What happens if my parents decide to stay beyond five years?

Visitors can apply for an extension—known as a Super Visa Visitor Record—from inside Canada before their initial authorized stay expires. A successful extension application can permit an additional stay of up to two years, provided the visitor continues to maintain valid Canadian emergency medical insurance.

3. Can pre-existing medical conditions be covered by Super Visa insurance?

Yes. Many Canadian insurers offer riders or specific policy tiers covering stable pre-existing conditions (e.g., controlled hypertension, diabetes). A pre-existing condition must usually be stable without medication changes or emergency hospital visits for a designated lookback period, typically between 90 and 180 days prior to departure.

4. Are Super Visa insurance premiums refundable if the visa application is refused?

Yes. Reputable Canadian insurance brokers and providers offer full refunds (often minus a modest administrative fee of $25 to $50) if the Super Visa application is rejected by IRCC, provided you submit the official rejection letter before the policy start date.

5. Can the host combine their income with a spouse to meet LICO requirements?

Yes. If an individual child or grandchild does not satisfy the Low Income Cut-Off independently, their spouse or common-law partner can act as a co-signer on the letter of invitation. In this instance, combined household income is assessed, and both parties must provide proof of income and status.

6. Can my dependent sibling accompany my parents on a Super Visa?

No. Dependants, including children or siblings, cannot be included under a parent’s or grandparent’s Super Visa application. Dependent relatives must apply separately for an independent temporary resident visa or study permit.

Reunite Your Family with Confidence

Applying for a Canadian Super Visa does not have to be complicated. Working with a dedicated Canadian health insurance brokerage ensures you get the right policy, transparent coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, and full compliance with IRCC requirements from day one.

Explore approved coverage plans, secure proof of insurance, and focus on what matters most: welcoming your family home.

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Compare Super Visa Insurance Canada For Parents And Grandparents

Compare Super Visa Insurance Canada For Parents And Grandparents

Quick Answer: What Is the Canadian Super Visa?

Standard Visitor Visa vs. Super Visa: Understanding the Difference