Super Visa Application for Parents and Grandparents
Super Visa Application for Parents and Grandparents
Super Visa Application for Parents and Grandparents
The Super Visa offers a unique opportunity for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada as visitors for up to five consecutive years (effective July 4, 2022) without needing to renew their status.
This visa allows parents and grandparents to live with their family members in Canada for an extended period. The Super Visa can be valid for up to seven years.
What is the Super Visa?
As of July 4, 2022, the Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years without needing to renew their status. Those who already hold a Super Visa can apply for a two-year extension, allowing them to remain in Canada for a maximum of seven consecutive years.
The Super Visa is available year-round and, unlike the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), requires meeting specific financial criteria, including the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO).
Who Can Apply for the Super Visa?
- Parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Applicants who are admissible to Canada in terms of health and security.
- Dependents (e.g., children) cannot be included in the application. Only parents or grandparents, along with their spouses or common-law partners, may apply.
Steps to Apply for the Super Visa
The process for applying for a Super Visa is similar to applying for a visitor visa, but additional documentation is required:
- Letter of Invitation from the child or grandchild living in Canada.
- Financial documents from the inviter proving they meet the minimum income requirement (LICO).
- Proof of relationship, such as a birth certificate.
- Valid medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company covering at least one year.
- Medical examination approved by Canadian authorities.
Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor
To sponsor parents or grandparents, the inviter (child or grandchild) must prove that their household income meets the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO).
LICO Table
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada.
Number of
family membersLICO (2025) - Updated July 7, 2025 LICO (2024)
1 Person $15,263 $14,690
2 persons $19,001 $18,288
3 persons $23,360 $22,483
4 persons $28,362 $27,297
5 persons $32,168 $30,690
6 persons $36,280 $34,917
7 persons $40,392 $38,875
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member $4,112 $3,958
You may use the LICO table for both settlement funds and minimum necessary income. Here are some examples.
* FSWP & FSTP – 6-month LICO for settlement funds
* Super visa for parents and grandparents – 12-month LICO for minimum income
* Start-Up Visa – 6-month LICO for immigration, 12-month LICO for work permit
Benefits of the Super Visa
- Stay in Canada for up to five years without renewal.
- Possibility of a two-year extension, allowing up to seven consecutive years of stay.
- Freedom to travel between Canada and the country of residence.
