Learn how to bring your parents to Canada through the Super Visa, family sponsorship and visitor visa. Explore eligibility, documents, income requirements and application steps.
Living in Canada can be an exciting opportunity, but being separated from your parents can make the experience challenging. Whether you want them to visit for a family celebration, spend several months with you, or eventually settle in Canada permanently, understanding the available immigration pathways is the first step.
If you are wondering how to bring your parents to Canada, the right option depends on your immigration status, your parents’ circumstances, your household income and how long you want them to stay.
Canada offers different options for family reunification, including the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, a regular visitor visa, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for permanent residence. However, these pathways have different eligibility requirements, application procedures and limitations.
As of October 2026, new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program are paused until further notice. The Super Visa remains an important option for eligible parents and grandparents who wish to spend extended periods with their families in Canada.
This guide explains the available pathways, eligibility criteria, required documents and practical steps to help you make an informed decision.
Before starting an application, determine whether your goal is a temporary family visit or permanent residence.
The Super Visa is designed for parents and grandparents of eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and people registered under the Indian Act. It allows eligible family members to visit Canada for extended periods.
An approved Super Visa can generally allow a stay of up to five years per entry, subject to examination by a border services officer. It can be valid for multiple entries for up to ten years, depending on the passport and visa validity.
This option may be suitable if you want your parents to spend an extended period with you without applying for permanent residence.
A regular visitor visa may be suitable when your parents want to visit Canada for a shorter period, such as a holiday, family function or special occasion.
The usual authorized stay is up to six months, although the actual period is determined at entry or through an applicable immigration document.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the visitor requirements, including that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay.
The Parents and Grandparents Program is a family sponsorship pathway through which eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence.
However, IRCC paused new PGP application intake in 2026. The department is continuing to process existing applications, but it is not accepting new interest-to-sponsor forms or inviting new applicants until further notice.
Families should monitor official announcements before preparing a new sponsorship application.
For many families, the Super Visa is the most practical option to explore while the permanent-residence sponsorship intake remains paused.
Both the host in Canada and the visiting parent or grandparent must meet the applicable requirements.
The child or grandchild inviting the applicant must generally:
A spouse or common-law partner may be able to co-sign the invitation and contribute income if the applicable conditions are met.
The applicant generally must:
Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee approval. Immigration officers assess each application based on the evidence provided and the applicant’s overall circumstances.
Financial eligibility is an important part of the Super Visa application because the host must demonstrate that the visiting family members can be supported during their stay.
The required income depends on the size of the host’s family, including the people counted under IRCC’s applicable rules.
As of March 31, 2026, IRCC introduced changes that provide two alternative ways to meet the income requirement.
The host and any eligible co-signer may qualify by meeting the minimum necessary income in either of the two taxation years preceding the application, rather than being assessed only on the most recent taxation year.
Under the updated rules, the visiting parent or grandparent’s income may help cover the remaining amount if the host and any eligible co-signer meet the required minimum percentage of the income threshold.
The applicable conditions and documentary evidence must be satisfied.
Depending on your circumstances and IRCC’s document checklist, evidence may include:
Important: Do not rely on an outdated income chart. Check the current IRCC income table and instructions for your family size and intended application date.
Preparing complete and consistent documentation can help reduce avoidable delays.
The exact checklist varies depending on the immigration pathway and the applicant’s circumstances.
You may need:
Depending on the application, your parents may need:
Documents that are not in English or French may require appropriate translations and supporting certification under the applicable instructions.
Always follow the personalized document checklist generated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
If your parents meet the eligibility criteria, follow these general steps.
Check your Canadian immigration status, age, residence, family size and income. Confirm that your parents meet the applicable applicant requirements.
Write and sign a letter explaining your relationship with the applicants, the purpose of their visit, the intended length of stay and arrangements for supporting them.
Include the information and supporting evidence required by IRCC.
Your parents must obtain qualifying private medical insurance for at least one year from their intended date of entry. The policy must meet IRCC’s coverage and insurer requirements, including at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage.
Check the current insurance rules carefully before purchasing a policy.
Prepare your identity, relationship, income and residence documents, together with your parents’ passports and other required evidence.
Review all forms for consistency before submitting the application.
Your parents must apply from outside Canada. Follow the current IRCC portal instructions for the Super Visa, complete the required forms and upload the requested documents.
Pay the applicable application fees and biometrics fees, if required. Follow any subsequent instructions from IRCC.
Meet the immigration medical examination requirements and follow IRCC’s instructions about when and where the examination must be completed.
IRCC may request additional documents or information. Check the application account and email regularly and respond within the specified deadlines.
If approved, follow the visa issuance and travel instructions. Final admission and the authorized length of stay are determined under Canada’s border-entry rules.
Yes, parent and grandparent sponsorship is an established pathway to permanent residence. However, the availability of new applications depends on the program’s current intake rules.
As of October 2026, IRCC has paused new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program until further notice. Existing applications continue to be processed.
When the program is accepting applications, prospective sponsors generally need to:
A spouse or common-law partner may be able to co-sign to combine eligible income.
A sponsorship undertaking is a formal commitment to provide the sponsored family members with required financial support for the applicable period.
Sponsors must understand their obligations before submitting an application. These commitments can continue even if the sponsor’s personal or financial circumstances change.
If you are considering permanent residence for your parents, keep your documents organized and monitor official announcements about future intake periods. Do not submit a new PGP application unless IRCC confirms that you are eligible to apply.
Choosing the right pathway depends on your family’s needs.
| Feature | Super Visa | Visitor Visa | PGP Sponsorship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Extended family visits | Temporary visits | Permanent residence |
| Intended stay | Up to 5 years per entry, subject to entry conditions | Usually up to 6 months, subject to authorization | Permanent residence if approved |
| Host status | Eligible Canadian citizen, PR or registered Indian | Depends on the applicable visitor rules | Eligible sponsor status required |
| Income requirement | Host must meet applicable income rules | No equivalent Super Visa host-income test, but finances may be assessed | Sponsor must meet applicable sponsorship income rules |
| Private medical insurance | Required under Super Visa rules | Not generally a standard visitor visa requirement, but advisable | Not the same Super Visa requirement |
| New applications in October 2026 | Available to eligible applicants | Available to eligible applicants | New intake paused |
The time limits in this table are general guidance. The visa’s validity, authorized stay and eligibility conditions depend on the applicable rules and individual circumstances.
A refusal can happen for several reasons, and the reasons vary by application.
Common concerns may include:
Provide accurate information and clear supporting evidence. Explain the purpose of the visit, the planned duration and how the trip will be funded.
Where relevant, include evidence of family, employment, property, financial or other commitments in the home country. Make sure that the documents support the information entered in the application forms.
Never submit false documents or make misleading statements. If a previous application was refused, carefully review the refusal reasons before deciding whether to reapply.
There is no single processing time for every family.
Processing times depend on the application type, country of application, completeness of the file, medical or background checks and IRCC’s current workload.
A Super Visa application and a permanent-residence sponsorship application follow different processes and should not be treated as having the same timeline.
To check the latest estimate, use IRCC’s official processing-time tool. Select the correct application category and provide the requested details.
Avoid making non-refundable travel bookings until your parents have received the required approval and travel documents.
The best pathway depends on what you want to achieve.
Choose the Super Visa if: You are eligible to host your parents and want them to stay in Canada for extended family visits.
Consider a visitor visa if: Your parents want to visit for a shorter period and meet the applicable temporary-resident requirements.
Monitor the PGP if: Your long-term goal is to help your parents obtain permanent residence and you may qualify as a sponsor when a new intake becomes available.
Before making a decision, consider your immigration status, household income, your parents’ travel history, the purpose of their visit and the long-term plans of your family.
Bringing your parents to Canada can be an important step toward keeping your family connected while you build your future abroad. The right pathway depends on whether you want a temporary visit, an extended stay or permanent residence.
In October 2026, the Super Visa and regular visitor visa remain options for eligible parents and grandparents, while new Parents and Grandparents Program applications are paused until further notice.
Start by checking the latest IRCC requirements, preparing the correct documents and assessing your eligibility before applying.
Need help understanding your parents’ Canada visa options? Helpoverseas Immigration can help you understand the available pathways and organize your application preparation. Review your circumstances carefully and consult the official IRCC guidance before making immigration decisions.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Canadian immigration policies, eligibility criteria, fees and processing times may change. Always verify the latest requirements on the official Government of Canada website.
Permanent residence may be possible through the Parents and Grandparents Program when intake is open and you meet the eligibility requirements. As of October 2026, new applications are paused. Monitor IRCC announcements for future intake information.
An approved Super Visa can generally allow parents and grandparents to stay for up to five years per entry. The actual authorized stay is determined at entry and is subject to applicable immigration conditions.
The required income depends on the host’s family size and the applicable income threshold. Since March 31, 2026, IRCC has allowed two alternative ways of meeting the income requirement. Check the current official table and rules before applying.
A previous refusal does not automatically prevent a new application. However, you should review the refusal reasons, address the concerns and ensure that the new application meets all current requirements. Approval is not guaranteed.
Yes. They must have qualifying private health insurance that meets IRCC’s requirements, including at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage and a minimum one-year validity period from the date of entry.
A Canadian permanent resident living in Canada may be eligible to host parents for a Super Visa if all applicable requirements are met. Permanent residence sponsorship is subject to separate rules and the current status of the Parents and Grandparents Program.
A Super Visa is intended for temporary visits, not employment. Parents must have appropriate authorization to work in Canada if they intend to work.
Visit the Government of Canada’s immigration website at for current eligibility requirements, application instructions, fees and processing times.
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