Starting January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that no new applications will be processed under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for the year.
While this may seem like a setback for Canadian citizens and permanent residents wanting to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence (PR), there are still avenues available to bring them to Canada for extended stays.
Canadian families have two primary visit-based options:
- Parent and Grandparent Super Visa (ideal for longer visits)
- Regular Visitor Visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) (suitable for shorter visits)
Here’s how these options work and how they differ in terms of outcomes and requirements.
Option 1: Super Visa
A super visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that can be valid for up to 10 years, allowing parents/grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time (for applications on/after June 22, 2023).
IRCC highlights that while PGP intakes are limited annually, the super visa remains open for extended family visits throughout the year.
The main distinction between the two programs lies in their immigration outcomes:
- PGP: leads to permanent immigration (parents/grandparents become permanent residents)
- As permanent residents, parents and grandparents can work, study, and settle in Canada permanently
- Super visa: grants temporary resident status (visitors)
- As visitors, parents and grandparents do not have the ability to work or study in Canada without a permit
While the super visa offers a solution for extended family time in Canada, it does not provide the permanent residency status associated with the PGP program. However, it involves lower costs and shorter processing times compared to the PGP, enabling parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for multiple years.
Key Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a super visa, the host inviting their parent or grandparent must meet specific criteria:
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, be 18 years or older, and reside in Canada
- Meet the minimum required income
- Sign an invitation letter committing to financial support during the visit (a spouse/partner can co-sign if eligible)
Parents or grandparents applying for the super visa must fulfill the following criteria:
- Apply from outside Canada
- Meet admissibility requirements to enter Canada
- Undergo an immigration medical examination
- Purchase health insurance, a core requirement for the Super Visa
Super visa applicants need to demonstrate proof of private medical insurance that is valid for at least one year from the date of entry, covering healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.