Published July 2026 · By Sophia Li, Principal Lawyer · Yu Sheng Law Firm
There are two ways to bring parents or grandparents to Canada, and most families should understand both before pinning their hopes on one.
The two routes
- Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Leads to permanent residence. Intake is limited and operates through an invitation system, in practice a lottery drawn from an earlier interest-to-sponsor pool. Intake periods are limited and unpredictable, and an invitation is never guaranteed.
- Super visa. A long-stay temporary route. There is no lottery. Eligible applicants can apply directly at any time.
This is the practical reality many families miss: the PGP may not open at all in a given year, and even when it does, being drawn is a matter of chance. For most families the super visa is the route that can actually be planned, and it can be pursued while waiting for a PGP chance.
How long the super visa lets your parents stay
A super visa allows a stay of up to five consecutive years per entry, and the visa itself can permit multiple entries for up to ten years. That is dramatically longer than an ordinary visitor visa, which typically permits six months per entry.
What is required
The host in Canada
- Must be the child or grandchild, at least 18, and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.
- Must provide a signed letter of invitation.
- Must meet or exceed the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for the household size, counting yourself, your spouse or partner, your dependants, and the parents or grandparents being invited.
Two recent changes matter. Since 31 March 2026, hosts may demonstrate the minimum income using either of the last two tax years, rather than only the most recent one, which helps families whose income dipped in a single year. A revised minimum income table takes effect 29 July 2026, so check which figures apply to your filing date.
The parent or grandparent applying
- Private medical insurance from an approved provider, with at least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, valid for at least one year from the date of entry. The policy must name the insurer and be provided as proof.
- An immigration medical examination.
- Proof of the relationship, such as birth certificates or adoption records.
- Satisfying the officer on security, criminality and, importantly, that they will leave at the end of the authorised stay.
Why super visa applications get refused
- Insurance that does not comply. Coverage below the threshold, a term shorter than one year, or a policy from a provider that does not qualify.
- Income that falls short. The household size is calculated including the invited parents, which applicants frequently forget.
- Weak ties to the home country. The officer must be satisfied the visit is temporary in nature. Property, pensions, dependants and prior travel history all matter.
- Thin invitation letter. A one paragraph letter with no detail about accommodation, support and purpose is a missed opportunity.
If a super visa has been refused, the reasons in the officer's notes usually tell a very different story from the refusal letter. See our guide on judicial review versus reapplying.
Practical advice
- Treat the super visa as the primary plan, and the PGP as an opportunity to enter if and when intake opens.
- Submit an interest to sponsor whenever a PGP intake window opens, since it costs little and preserves the chance.
- Buy insurance that clearly satisfies the criteria on its face, and submit the policy document, not a quotation.
- Build the income evidence properly, using the more favourable of the two permitted tax years where that helps.
Frequently asked questions
Is the super visa better than sponsoring my parents?
They serve different purposes. Sponsorship gives permanent residence but depends on a limited, lottery-style intake. The super visa is available now and allows very long stays.
How long can my parents stay?
Up to five consecutive years per entry, with a visa that can allow multiple entries for up to ten years.
How much insurance is required?
At least $100,000 in emergency medical coverage from an approved provider, valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
Whose income counts?
The host's household income, measured against LICO for a family size that includes the parents or grandparents being invited.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Income tables, insurance criteria and PGP intake rules change. Confirm the current requirements for your filing date, or ask us to review your situation.
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