IRCC’s super visa instructions set out two ways hosts may meet the minimum necessary income requirement, including an option that can use a visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income to supplement the host’s income.
Super visa eligibility and length of stay
The super visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa that may be issued for up to 10 years. Eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered as an Indian under the Indian Act may visit Canada for up to 5 years on each entry.
Applicants must apply from outside Canada, meet the requirements for temporary residence as a visitor and provide the supporting documents required under the Ministerial Instructions. The instructions took effect on March 31, 2026.
Host, invitation letter and medical requirements
A host must be the applicant’s biological or adopted child or grandchild, be at least 18 years old, reside in Canada and meet or exceed the minimum necessary income. The host may be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act.
The applicant must submit a signed invitation letter from the host that promises financial support for the length of the authorized stays. A host’s spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the letter so that their income can be counted toward the minimum necessary income.
Applicants must also provide proof that they have submitted to an immigration medical examination and satisfactory evidence of valid health insurance.
- The policy must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry and for each entry to Canada.
- It must cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation, with at least $100,000 in emergency coverage per applicant.
- It must be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit; insurance quotes are not accepted.
- The policy must be available for review by a border services officer on request.
Two options to meet the income requirement
The minimum necessary income is based on Statistics Canada’s most recent low-income cut-offs for the applicable family size. Under the first option, the host and any co-signer may show that their combined income met or exceeded the most recent low-income cut-off in either of the two taxation years immediately before the application was submitted.
Under the second option, the host and any co-signer may show income of at least 75% of the most recent low-income cut-off for the most recent 12-month period or taxation year before the application was submitted. The applicant’s income may supplement the remaining amount, up to 25% of the low-income cut-off.
For both options, a Notice of Assessment or equivalent Canada Revenue Agency document is acceptable evidence. Where a Notice of Assessment is unavailable or does not capture all income, the instructions identify other documents officers may consider.
Who counts toward family size
Family size for the income assessment can include the host’s spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, the super visa applicant and any other applicant applying at the same time. It can also include certain previously approved super visa applicants and people previously sponsored by the host or co-signer while the relevant undertaking remains in effect.
The family members of a super visa applicant are not included in the family size count for this purpose.
Source: Official IRCC announcement