June 3, 2025
Can’t Sponsor Parents or Grandparents for PR? Canada’s Super Visa is Your Best Option in 2025
If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident hoping to reunite with your parents or grandparents in Canada, but are unable to sponsor them through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), there’s another viable option — the Super Visa.
With the PGP remaining closed to new intake rounds since 2020, the Super Visa has become the primary pathway for family reunification. Though it does not lead to permanent residency, it allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for extended periods — up to 5 years per visit, with the option to extend for another 2 years.
What Is the Super Visa?
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa that allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for longer durations than a regular visitor visa. While a standard visitor visa allows a stay of only up to six months, the Super Visa allows:
- Stays of up to 5 years at a time
- A 10-year validity period
- Option to request a 2-year extension
Unlike the PGP, which operates on a lottery system and opens for intake only occasionally, Super Visas are available year-round.
🔍 Important: Super Visa holders cannot work or study in Canada, and it does not lead to permanent residency.
Super Visa vs. PGP: Key Differences
| Feature | Super Visa | Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Stay | Temporary (up to 5 years) | Permanent |
| Availability | Year-round | Limited, lottery-based |
| Work/Study Rights | No | Yes (as PRs) |
| Processing Time | Typically faster | Slower due to limited intake |
| Application Cap | No cap | Capped (25,000 for 2025) |
Eligibility for Super Visa
Host Requirements (You):
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Indian Act
- Must reside in Canada
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must meet or exceed the minimum income requirement
- Must provide a letter of invitation and a promise to financially support your parent(s)/grandparent(s) during their stay
Sponsored Person(s) Requirements:
- Must be parent(s) or grandparent(s) of the host
- Must undergo a medical exam
- Must have valid health insurance from a Canadian provider for at least one year
- Must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or eTA, depending on their country of origin
Super Visa Minimum Income Requirements (2025)
To qualify as a sponsor, you must prove that your income meets the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). Here’s the annual gross income required based on your family size:
| Family Members | Minimum Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $29,380 |
| 2 | $36,576 |
| 3 | $44,966 |
| 4 | $54,594 |
| 5 | $61,920 |
| 6 | $69,834 |
| 7 | $77,750 |
📝 Include your spouse, dependents, the people you’re sponsoring, and anyone you’ve previously sponsored who is still under obligation when calculating your family size.
Need Help Applying?
Immigration processes can be tricky, especially when it comes to documentation and meeting eligibility requirements. If you’re unsure about your Super Visa application or have questions about your specific situation:
👉 Consult the experts at MyWorld Immigration.
Our experienced immigration professionals are ready to guide you every step of the way — from eligibility assessment to document preparation and final submission.
📞 Contact us today and take the first step toward reuniting your family in Canada.