How to Apply for a Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents): Step-by-Step Guide

Are you planning on traveling to Canada - or having some visitors come to see you in the near future? If you are planning on bringing your parents or grandparents here, then applying for a super visa might make the most sense.

A super visa is different from a multiple entry visa or another type of visitor visa in that it is intended for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens who wish to visit Canada for longer than six months. 

In fact, under the guidelines of a super visa, you can stay in Canada for up to two years without needing to renew your status - as long as the purpose of the trip is to visit family. 

A form of a multi-entry visa, the super visa allows for multiple entries within a ten-year period, allowing for a stay of up to two years at a time. 

While it’s the most convenient option for many visitors to Canada, there are certain parameters you’ll need to meet in your application. 

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to apply for a super visa. 

To be eligible for a Super Visa, your host must be your child or grandchild and is a Canadian citizen, permanenet resident of Canada, or a registered Indian. In addition to maintaining Canadian residency, your host must be 18+ years old, meet or exceed the minimum necessary income (LICO), and sign a letter of invitation promising financial support and listing household size. You (the applicant) must be outside Canada to apply, pass an imigration medical exam with a physician, and meet general admissibility. For more information on eligibility please visit the Government of Canada's official website.

2025 LICO (minimum necessary income) figures are posted by IRCC and updated periodically. Confirm with the current table when applying.

When applying for a Super Visa, you will be asked to show proof of private health insurance that:

• Provides at least $100,000 in coverage, including health care, hospitalization, and repatriation;

• Is valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry;

• Is paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren’t accepted); and

• Is valid for each entry (renew or maintain coverage if it will expire while you’re in Canada).

New since 2025: In addition to Canadian insurers, IRCC now allows policies from foreign insurers that are authorized by OSFI and listed among federally regulated financial institutions, as long as the policy is issued in the course of business in Canada and meets the same standards. Practically speaking, most families still choose a Canadian insurer to avoid surprises at the border.

1. Gather Documents

   1. Letter of invitation (financial support + family size list)

   2. Proof your host meets LICO (NOA, T4/T1, pay stubs, employer letter, bank statements, etc.)

   3. Proof of relationship (birth or baptismal certificate, etc.)

   4. Proof of health insurance (meeting the requirements listed above)

   5. Proof of medical exam with a panel physician

2. Apply online via the IRCC Portal (Super Visa) and pay fees when prompted. Paper is only allowed in very limited situations.

3. Pay fees

   1. Visa (TRV) fee

   2. Biometrics fee

4. Give biometrics (if required) and submit any requested police certificates or additional documents.

5. After approval

   1. Visa-required nationals receive a TRV counterfoil

   2. Visa-exempt nationals receive an approval letter (and may need an eTA to board a plane)

You will be asked to pay the following fees during your Super Visa application:

1. Super Visa (TRV) Application Fee: $100CAD

2. Biometrics: $85CAD (family cap $170CAD)

3. Medical exam & police certificate: third-party fees vary.

Applying for a super visa may not always be the easiest process, but with these tips, it can be smoother! Get started today - so you can start planning your family reunion ASAP.

Your authorized length of stay (up to 5 years per entry for Super Visa holders) will be set by the officer and may be stamped or printed on a document. If you need longer, apply for a visitor record before your status expires.

We compare Super Visa medical insurance options that satisfy IRCC rules, including $100,000+ coverage and 1-year validity, and we can guide you on monthly vs. annual payment options and renewal timing so your coverage remains valid for each entry.

Start a Super Visa quote from the form on this page.