Who can apply
- Applicant: a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian.
- Host: the applicant's biological or adopted child or grandchild, at least 18, living in Canada, meeting the minimum necessary income, who writes a letter of invitation.
- Medical insurance: valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry; see below.
- Medical exam: an immigration medical exam.
- Where: outside Canada when you submit the application.
- Be allowed to enter Canada.
You cannot include dependants in the application. To stay 6 months or less, apply for a visitor visa. Applicants from visa-exempt countries who are approved receive a letter to give to a border services officer.
The host's minimum income
The host's total income (including a co-signer's, if any) must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income. The host counts the family size, and the letter lists each person included with their name and date of birth. IRCC's figures, updated 2025-07-29:
| Family size | Minimum necessary income |
|---|---|
| 1 | C$30,526 |
| 2 | C$38,002 |
| 3 | C$46,720 |
| 4 | C$56,724 |
| 5 | C$64,336 |
| 6 | C$72,560 |
| 7 | C$80,784 |
| Each additional person | Add C$8,224 |
Proof of income is preferably the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) notice of assessment; T4 or T1 slips, pay stubs, an employer letter, bank statements or pension statements are also accepted.
Medical insurance
From a Canadian insurance company or an approved insurer outside Canada, and the policy must:
- include the name of the insurance company that issued it;
- be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry;
- be paid in full, or in instalments with a deposit;
- cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation;
- provide emergency coverage of at least C$100,000;
- be valid for each entry to Canada.
How long you can stay
- Applied on or after 2023-06-22: up to 5 years at a time.
- Applied before 2023-06-22 and entered on or after it: up to 5 years at a time.
- Applied and entered before 2023-06-22: the length the border officer granted; you can apply to extend, by up to 2 years at a time.
Fees and processing
| Item | Government fee |
|---|---|
| Super visa | C$100 |
| Biometrics, individual | C$85 |
Processing time varies by country and does not include the time to give biometrics. Times by country: processing times.
The Parents and Grandparents Program
IRCC is not accepting new interest to sponsor forms or inviting sponsors to apply until further notice; the program is paused with no reopening date. Parents and grandparents can come to Canada on a super visa.
Details are on the visitor visa and super visa page.