Canada Super Visa Eligibility for Parents & Grandparents

Who can apply, what your child in Canada must prove, and all eligibility conditions explained

Who Can Apply for the Canada Super Visa?

Who Can Apply for the Canada Super Visa?

You are eligible to apply if you are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, Canadian permanent resident or registered Indian, and you must apply from outside Canada. You must also meet immigration admissibility requirements (no serious criminal history, no health conditions that would be a risk to Canada's public health or excessive demand on health services).

Eligibility Requirements Checklist

1. Family Relationship

The inviting person must be your biological or adopted child or grandchild, and you must be able to prove it. IRCC lists a copy of the host’s birth certificate or baptismal certificate, or another official document naming you as the parent or grandparent, as proof.

2. Invitation from Canadian Child or Grandchild

Your Canadian child or grandchild must provide a signed invitation letter confirming you are their parent/grandparent and that they have committed to financially supporting you during your visit. IRCC says the letter must include proof that the host meets or exceeds the minimum necessary income and the list and number of people counted in the host’s family-size calculation. The host must be at least 18, live in Canada and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian. An invitation letter does not guarantee a visa.

3. Minimum Income of the Inviting Person

This is a hard requirement. The person inviting you must meet the minimum necessary income (Low Income Cut-Off) for their family size. IRCC publishes the minimum necessary income by family size, based on Statistics Canada’s low-income cut-offs, and updates it; check the current table on IRCC’s Super Visa financial support page. IRCC’s instructions assess the host’s income over the two most recent tax years, or the most recent tax year combined with the applicant’s own income. Proof includes Notice of Assessment, T4 slips, or employment letter.

4. Canadian Health Insurance

You must show proof of private health insurance with a minimum emergency coverage of CAD $100,000, from a Canadian insurance company or a company outside Canada approved by the Minister (see our Super Visa insurance guide). The policy must be valid for a minimum of 1 year from your entry date. Other travel insurance policies may not be accepted.

5. Valid Passport

Your passport should be valid for your intended stay in Canada; check that its expiry date covers the period you plan to stay.

6. Medical Examination

Super Visa applicants must complete an immigration medical exam with an IRCC-approved panel physician, and proof of the exam is part of the application (IRCC lists it among the required documents).

7. Biometrics

Biometrics (fingerprints and a photograph) may be required with a Super Visa application. If they are, IRCC sends instructions after you submit your online application, and applicants in India give them at a VFS Global Application Centre.

How Long Can You Stay with a Super Visa?

The Super Visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit. Any extension of stay must be applied for with IRCC before your authorised stay ends. The visa can be valid for up to 10 years, allowing multiple visits over that period.

Super Visa vs. Regular Visitor Visa

Unlike a standard TRV which usually allows stays of up to 6 months, the Super Visa is specifically designed for parents and grandparents wanting extended stays. The key tradeoff is the mandatory health insurance requirement and the income proof from the inviting family member.

Applying for the Super Visa

Review the Canada Super Visa documents checklist and check estimated processing times. For common questions, see our Super Visa FAQs. Eligibility is decided by IRCC against its published criteria — see IRCC’s Super Visa eligibility page. Meeting every criterion does not guarantee a visa.