Super Visa Canada 2025: Long-Term Visitor Visa for Parents & Grandparents

The Super Visa is a special multiple-entry visa for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows eligible family members to visit and stay in Canada for up to five consecutive years per entry without needing to renew their status, and offers validity for up to ten years. Unlike a regular visitor visa—which only allows a six-month stay each time—the Super Visa is designed for longer, flexible family visits.

Main Benefits of the Super Visa

• Extended stay: Remain in Canada for up to five years at a time per entry.
• Multiple entries: Travel freely between Canada and your home country for up to ten years.
• Option for extension: Apply for an additional two-year extension from within Canada if needed.

Eligibility Requirements (2025)

• Relationship: The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Invitation & Support: Must have a signed letter of invitation from the child or grandchild in Canada, including a promise of financial support for the entire visit.
• Minimum Income: The host in Canada must meet minimum income requirements. For 2025, the minimum gross income is $30,526 for one person, $38,002 for two people, and higher for larger families.
• Medical Insurance: Applicants must buy private health insurance from a Canadian or eligible insurer, with at least $100,000 coverage, valid for a minimum of one year from date of entry, and must be fully paid (quotes are not accepted).
• Medical Examination: Applicants must complete a mandatory immigration medical exam.
• Other Conditions: Must be applying from outside Canada, be admissible to Canada, and show ties to their home country and the purpose of visit.

Required Documents

• Letter of invitation from your child or grandchild in Canada
• Proof that the host meets minimum income requirements (such as Notice of Assessment, T4/T1, pay stubs, or Employment Insurance stubs)
• Proof of private Canadian medical insurance (coverage for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation)
• Proof of a completed immigration medical exam
• Evidence of parental or grandparental relationship (e.g., birth certificate)
• Copy of host’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document

Super Visa Application Process

1. Gather all documents: Make sure you have the required invitation letter, proof of income, insurance, and identification.
2. Apply online through the IRCC Portal: The applicant (parent or grandparent) submits the Super Visa application from outside Canada via the Government of Canada’s portal. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) may be required.
3. Medical exam: Complete an immigration medical exam as part of your application.
4. Wait for a decision: Processing times typically range from 8 to 12 weeks, but can vary by country and completeness of your application.
5. Travel to Canada: Once approved, travel using your Super Visa and present proof of insurance to Canadian border officials.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How is Super Visa different from a regular Visitor Visa? Super Visa allows longer stays (up to five years per visit) and multiple entries over ten years, while Visitor Visas usually permit only six-month visits at a time.
• Can I include dependents? No, Super Visa applications are strictly for parents and grandparents (including their spouses or common-law partners).
• What if insurance expires while in Canada? You must renew or maintain valid health insurance coverage for your entire stay in Canada.
• Can I extend my Super Visa? Yes, you can apply for up to a two-year extension before your permitted stay expires.
• What is the main reason for refusal? Most refusals stem from insufficient proof of funds, inadequate medical insurance, failure to prove relationship, lack of ties to home country, or incomplete documents.

Why Choose the Super Visa?

• Ideal for long-term family reunification when permanent sponsorship is capped or delayed
• Allows multiple, long visits with minimal re-application hassle
• Clear, published requirements and a transparent application process