How to get a Super Visa
for parents in Canada.

The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa lets your parents or grandparents stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, with multi-entry validity of up to 10 years. It's the best option for parents who want to visit regularly without the uncertainty of the annual Parents and Grandparents Program lottery.

This guide walks through the complete 2026 application process. Most Calgary families we work with get their parents approved in 8-12 weeks from start to arrival. Some scenarios are faster, some take longer — we'll flag those where relevant.

What the Super Visa actually is

The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa (TRV) with special rules for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Key differences from a regular visitor visa:

• Stay per visit: up to 5 years (vs 6 months on a standard TRV)
• Validity: up to 10 years (multi-entry)
• Renewal inside Canada: can apply to extend by 2 more years without leaving
• Mandatory medical insurance: $100,000 CAD coverage, 365 days, Canadian or approved foreign insurer (we broker this)
• Income requirement: the Canadian host must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) — full breakdown here

Step 1 — Check eligibility

Before gathering documents, confirm both sides qualify:

Canadian host (sponsor) requirements

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• 18+ years old
• Biological child or grandchild of the applicant
• Meets or exceeds the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for their family size — based on LICO thresholds updated annually. A family of 4 in 2026 needs ~$58,100 CAD gross annual income.
• Proof of income via last 3 years of CRA Notice of Assessment (NOA), employment letters, or T4/T4A slips

Applicant (parent/grandparent) requirements

• Valid passport from home country (6+ months validity beyond planned stay)
• Medical examination by a panel physician approved by IRCC (list published on Canada.ca)
• No criminal record or security concerns
• Has Super Visa medical insurance (paid, not just quoted — see Step 3)
• Has ties to home country (property, job, family) to demonstrate intent to return

Step 2 — Gather documents

Documents from the Canadian host:

• Proof of status: Canadian citizenship card, passport, or PR card copy
• Invitation letter for the parents — use our template
• Last 3 years of CRA Notice of Assessment
• Recent T4 or pay stubs
• Bank statements (3 months) to support invitation letter

Documents from the applicant:

• Passport (bio page copy plus any Canada/US visa pages)
• Passport-size photos meeting IRCC biometric specifications
• Proof of relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificate)
• Medical exam results (valid for 12 months)
• Proof of ties to home country — property deeds, employment letter, bank statements
• Super Visa insurance policy document (Certificate of Insurance)
• Completed IMM 5257 application form and IMM 5409 if required

Step 3 — Buy the insurance before applying

This is where most Super Visa applications get delayed. IRCC doesn't accept insurance quotes — the policy must be paid in full (or the first month paid, for monthly-pay policies) before you submit the visa application. Requirements:

• $100,000 CAD minimum coverage
• Valid for at least 365 days from the planned entry date
• Issued by a Canadian insurance company (or IRCC-approved foreign insurer)
• Covers hospitalisation, emergency medical care, and repatriation

We broker Super Visa insurance from Manulife, GMS, Travelance, TuGo, and Destination in one conversation. Most Calgary families get their Certificate of Insurance (IRCC-ready PDF) same-day. See our carrier comparison for the cheapest match to your parent's health profile.

Step 4 — Submit the application

Most applications are submitted online through the IRCC portal. The paper alternative still exists but delays processing by 2-4 weeks. Online submission steps:

1. Create an IRCC Secure Account (the applicant needs their own, not the host's)
2. Complete IMM 5257 and IMM 5409 (if applicable) in PDF, save, and upload
3. Upload all supporting documents (PDF, max 4MB each)
4. Pay fees: $100 CAD (biometric fee) + $100 CAD (application fee) = $200 CAD total per applicant
5. Submit; you'll receive a confirmation letter and biometric instructions within 48 hours

Step 5 — Biometrics appointment

The applicant must provide biometrics (fingerprints + photo) at the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC). Wait times vary by country:

• India: 2-4 weeks to book, appointment takes 15 minutes
• Pakistan: 3-6 weeks to book
• Philippines: 1-2 weeks
• UK: 1-2 weeks

Some applicants are exempt if they've submitted biometrics for a previous Canadian visa within the last 10 years.

Step 6 — Wait for the decision

Processing time from biometrics submission varies significantly by country. Our processing-time breakdown by country has 2026 numbers. Rough estimates:

• India: 8-16 weeks
• Pakistan: 12-24 weeks
• Philippines: 4-10 weeks
• UAE: 2-6 weeks
• UK: 2-4 weeks

During processing, check your IRCC account weekly for requests for additional documents. Responding within 48 hours keeps your file moving.

Step 7 — On arrival in Canada

At the Canadian port of entry (usually YYC or YYZ for Calgary arrivals), the CBSA officer will:

• Check the Super Visa stamp or approval letter
• Verify the Certificate of Insurance is current and active
• Ask about the reason for the visit and return plans
• Stamp the passport with the authorised stay duration (typically 2 years from entry; can be extended later)

Carry the Certificate of Insurance in print, not just on phone. If the CBSA officer can't verify coverage, they can refuse entry even with a valid visa.

Typical total timeline (start to arrival)

• Week 1: gather documents, buy insurance (Wings Travels handles this in one day)
• Week 2: submit online application, pay fees
• Weeks 3-6: biometrics appointment
• Weeks 7-20: processing (varies by country)
• Week 21: travel to Canada

Need help with your parent's application? Wings Travels handles Super Visa insurance same-day and can guide you through the full application. Call 877-767-1070 or WhatsApp +1 403 800 7110.

Frequently asked questions