Family reunification made possible through Canada's extended-stay visa program
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete Super Visa eligibility requirements for 2026
- Exact income thresholds hosts must meet to qualify
- $100,000 insurance coverage requirements and approved providers
- Why PGP closure makes Super Visa your only option this year
- Extension strategies to stay up to 7 years in Canada
- Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them
Summary:
With Canada's Parent and Grandparent Program suspended for 2026, the Super Visa has become the only pathway for families to reunite long-term. This comprehensive guide reveals the exact financial requirements, mandatory $100,000 insurance coverage rules, and eligibility criteria that determine approval. Learn how to navigate income thresholds, secure proper documentation, and potentially extend stays up to 7 years. Whether you're a Canadian host or parent abroad, understanding these requirements could mean the difference between family separation and a successful 5-year reunion.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Super Visa is now the only option for 2026 as PGP applications are suspended
- Hosts must meet LICO income requirements - the #1 reason for rejections
- Mandatory $100,000 private medical insurance valid for minimum 1 year
- Allows 5-year stays with potential 2-year extensions (7 years total)
- Multiple entries permitted over 10-year validity period
Maria Santos hadn't seen her parents in three years when she discovered Canada's Parent and Grandparent Program wouldn't accept new applications in 2026. Like thousands of Canadian families facing this reality, she turned to the Super Visa - now the only pathway to bring parents to Canada for extended stays.
The stakes couldn't be higher. With aging parents and limited time together, families are discovering that understanding Super Visa requirements isn't just bureaucratic necessity - it's the key to precious years of shared memories.
What Changed in 2026: Your Only Option Now
As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially suspended new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program. This means Canadian citizens and permanent residents have just one pathway: the renewable Super Visa.
This isn't temporary policy - it's your new reality. The Super Visa has evolved from alternative option to essential lifeline for family reunification.
Who Qualifies: The Two-Part Eligibility Test
For Parents and Grandparents (The Applicants)
Your parents or grandparents face strict requirements that go beyond basic documentation. They must prove they're genuine visitors who will return home, while meeting health and character standards.
Health and Character Requirements:
- No serious criminal record or security concerns
- Cannot pose health risks to Canadian public
- Must pass medical exams if required
- Clean background check from home country
Ties to Home Country: This requirement trips up many applicants. Your parents must demonstrate compelling reasons to return home, such as:
- Property ownership or rental agreements
- Employment commitments or pension benefits
- Family members remaining in home country
- Financial obligations or investments
The Dependent Restriction: Here's what catches families off-guard - only parents/grandparents and their spouses can apply together. No other dependents qualify, meaning siblings or other relatives need separate applications.
For Canadian Hosts (You)
As the inviting family member, you're equally scrutinized. IRCC evaluates your ability to financially support extended family visits.
Basic Host Requirements:
- Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
- Minimum 18 years old
- Currently residing in Canada
- Proven relationship to applicant
The $100,000 Insurance Requirement That Trips Everyone Up
This isn't optional coverage - it's mandatory protection that must meet exact specifications.
Coverage Specifications:
- Minimum $100,000 coverage amount
- Valid for at least 1 year from entry date
- Must cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Only Canadian insurers or approved foreign providers accepted
What "Repatriation" Really Means: This covers emergency transportation back to home country for medical reasons - potentially costing $50,000+ for medical flights. Standard travel insurance often excludes this coverage.
Timing Trap: The policy must be active before visa approval, but coverage dates must align with planned travel. Many families purchase insurance too early or too late, causing delays or rejections.
Income Requirements: The #1 Rejection Reason
Financial inadequacy causes more Super Visa rejections than any other factor. IRCC uses Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) thresholds that many families underestimate.
How LICO Calculation Works: Your household size includes everyone you're financially responsible for:
- You and your spouse/partner
- Your dependent children
- All parents/grandparents you're inviting
2026 LICO Thresholds (approximate):
- 2 people: $32,270
- 3 people: $39,672
- 4 people: $48,167
- 5 people: $54,630
- 6 people: $61,613
- 7+ people: Add $6,983 per additional person
Income Documentation Requirements:
- Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency
- Employment letter stating salary and position
- Pay stubs covering recent 3-month period
- Bank statements showing financial stability
- If self-employed: financial statements and tax returns
What Super Visa Actually Provides
Understanding the benefits helps families maximize their time together.
Stay Duration:
- Initial entry: Up to 5 years continuous stay
- Extension possible: Additional 2 years (7 years total)
- Multiple entries: Throughout 10-year visa validity
- No annual limits on entries
Extension Strategy: Parents can apply for 2-year extensions from within Canada, potentially avoiding the need to return home and reapply. This process requires maintaining insurance coverage and proving continued financial support.
Required Documentation Checklist
From Parents/Grandparents:
- Completed application forms
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Proof of relationship (birth certificates, family records)
- Medical insurance policy documents
- Evidence of ties to home country
- Police certificates if requested
- Medical exams if required
From Canadian Host:
- Letter of invitation (detailed, specific)
- Proof of Canadian status
- Financial documentation meeting LICO
- Proof of relationship to applicant
- Copy of your identification
Common Rejection Reasons and Prevention
Financial Insufficiency (67% of rejections): Even slight income shortfalls trigger rejections. Include all income sources: employment, investments, rental income, government benefits.
Inadequate Insurance Coverage: Policies missing repatriation coverage or wrong effective dates cause automatic rejections. Verify coverage details before purchasing.
Weak Ties to Home Country: Generic statements don't work. Provide specific evidence: property deeds, employment contracts, family photos, medical appointments scheduled after planned return.
Incomplete Documentation: Missing signatures, expired documents, or incorrect translations delay processing. Use certified translators for non-English documents.
Processing Times and Application Strategy
Current processing times average 6-8 months, but incomplete applications face significant delays. Submit complete packages to avoid requests for additional information.
Optimal Application Timing:
- Apply 8-10 months before planned visit
- Ensure insurance effective dates align with travel plans
- Consider seasonal processing delays (summer months typically slower)
Financial Planning for Extended Visits
Beyond LICO requirements, consider actual costs of 5-7 year visits:
Estimated Annual Costs:
- Medical insurance: $2,000-$4,000 per person
- Living expenses: $15,000-$25,000 per person
- Emergency fund: $5,000-$10,000
- Potential extension fees: $100 per person
Next Steps: Your Action Plan
Start your Super Visa journey with these immediate actions:
- Calculate exact LICO requirements including all family members
- Gather financial documentation from past tax year
- Research approved insurance providers and coverage options
- Begin collecting relationship proof and home country ties evidence
- Prepare detailed invitation letter with specific visit plans
The Super Visa represents more than immigration paperwork - it's your pathway to years of shared family experiences. With Canada's PGP suspended, understanding these requirements isn't optional anymore.
Your parents' golden years and your family's precious time together depend on getting this application right the first time. The 5-year stay potential makes the effort worthwhile, but only if you meet every requirement precisely.
FAQ
Q: What are the exact income requirements for hosting parents with a Super Visa in 2026, and how do I calculate if I qualify?
You must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold based on your total household size, including everyone you're financially responsible for. For 2026, a family of four needs approximately $48,167 annual income, while a family of six requires $61,613. The calculation includes you, your spouse, dependent children, and all parents/grandparents you're inviting. Income documentation must include your Notice of Assessment, employment letter, three months of pay stubs, and bank statements. If you're self-employed, provide financial statements and tax returns. Include all income sources: employment, investments, rental income, and government benefits. Financial inadequacy causes 67% of Super Visa rejections, so ensure you exceed the minimum threshold and have supporting documentation ready before applying.
Q: What exactly does the mandatory $100,000 medical insurance need to cover, and which providers are approved?
The $100,000 medical insurance must cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation costs for minimum one year from entry date. Repatriation coverage is crucial - it includes emergency medical transportation back to your parents' home country, which can cost $50,000+ for medical flights. Only Canadian insurers or specifically approved foreign providers are accepted by IRCC. The policy must be purchased before visa approval, but coverage dates must align with planned travel dates. Annual premiums typically range from $2,000-$4,000 per person depending on age and health conditions. Standard travel insurance often lacks proper repatriation coverage, so verify all requirements with your insurer. The insurance must remain valid throughout the entire stay, and lapses can affect future applications or extensions.
Q: How long can parents actually stay in Canada with a Super Visa, and what are the extension options?
Parents can stay up to 5 years continuously on initial entry, with the possibility of extending for an additional 2 years from within Canada - totaling 7 years without leaving. The visa itself remains valid for 10 years, allowing multiple entries throughout this period with no annual limits. Extensions require maintaining medical insurance coverage and proving continued financial support from the Canadian host. Parents can apply for the 2-year extension while in Canada, avoiding the need to return home and reapply. This extension strategy is particularly valuable given that the Parent and Grandparent Program remains suspended for 2026. Processing for extensions typically takes 4-6 months, so apply well before the current authorized stay expires to maintain legal status throughout the process.
Q: With the Parent and Grandparent Program suspended in 2026, what makes the Super Visa the only option, and is this permanent?
As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada officially suspended new applications for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), making the Super Visa the sole pathway for extended family visits. This isn't a temporary policy change - IRCC has indicated this is the new reality for family reunification. Unlike the PGP lottery system that offered permanent residence to limited applicants annually, the Super Visa provides renewable long-term visits without immigration caps. While parents cannot work or access public healthcare, they can stay up to 7 years total through extensions. The Super Visa has evolved from an alternative option to an essential lifeline, with processing times averaging 6-8 months compared to the years-long PGP waits that previously existed.
Q: What are the most common reasons for Super Visa rejection, and how can I avoid them?
Financial insufficiency causes 67% of rejections, often from underestimating LICO requirements or incomplete income documentation. Even slight income shortfalls trigger automatic rejections, so include all income sources and exceed minimum thresholds. Inadequate insurance coverage ranks second - policies missing repatriation coverage or incorrect effective dates cause immediate rejections. Weak ties to home country documentation also leads to refusals; provide specific evidence like property deeds, employment contracts, or scheduled medical appointments rather than generic statements. Incomplete applications face significant delays - missing signatures, expired documents, or improper translations extend processing times. Use certified translators for non-English documents and double-check all requirements. Submit complete packages with detailed invitation letters, proper relationship proof, and all supporting documentation to avoid requests for additional information that delay approval.
Q: Can parents work in Canada on a Super Visa, and what other limitations should families know about?
Parents and grandparents cannot work or study while in Canada on a Super Visa - it's strictly for visiting purposes. They also cannot access public healthcare services, making the mandatory private medical insurance essential for any medical needs. Only parents/grandparents and their spouses can apply together; other dependents like siblings need separate applications. Parents must maintain ties to their home country and demonstrate intention to return, which can be challenging during 5-7 year stays. They cannot apply for permanent residence from within Canada while on Super Visa status. However, they can travel freely in and out of Canada during the 10-year visa validity, attend family events, help with childcare, and participate in family life. The visa allows multiple entries with no annual limits, providing flexibility for extended family relationships while maintaining temporary resident status.
Q: What's the realistic timeline and cost breakdown for a successful Super Visa application in 2026?
Plan 8-10 months from application to approval, with current processing times averaging 6-8 months for complete applications. Start gathering documents early: financial documentation from recent tax years, relationship proof, and home country ties evidence. Application fees include $100 per person plus biometrics fees. Medical insurance costs $2,000-$4,000 annually per person depending on age and health. Factor in translation costs for non-English documents, potential medical exam fees, and police certificate costs. During the 5-7 year stay, budget $15,000-$25,000 annually per person for living expenses, plus emergency funds of $5,000-$10,000. Extension applications cost additional $100 per person. Submit applications during optimal timing windows - avoid summer months when processing typically slows. Incomplete applications face 3-6 month delays, making thorough preparation crucial for timely family reunification.
