The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit for extended periods — up to five years at a time, renewable for a total stay of up to ten years — without needing to renew their status annually as they would on a standard visitor record. It is one of the most valuable temporary resident options available to Canadian families, but it comes with two firm requirements that trip up a large share of applicants: proof of adequate income from the host, and mandatory private medical insurance for the visitor.
The Income Requirement: Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
The Canadian host — the child or grandchild inviting the parent or grandparent — must demonstrate income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off threshold for their family size, including the visiting parent or grandparent in that household count. This is not a fixed dollar figure; it scales with family size and is updated periodically by IRCC. Key points applicants often get wrong:
- The household size used for the calculation includes the applicant being invited, not just the host’s existing family members
- IRCC typically wants to see the most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency, not just an employment letter
- If the host’s income alone does not meet the threshold, a co-signer in the same household may be added to combine income
- Self-employed hosts need to provide additional documentation, such as business financial statements, since a standard NOA alone may not clearly demonstrate ongoing income stability
The Insurance Requirement
Every Super Visa applicant must purchase private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that provides:
- A minimum of $100,000 in coverage
- Coverage for at least one year from the date of entry
- Coverage for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation
The insurance must be valid and paid in full — not just quoted — at the time of the visa interview or application review, and proof of purchase (not simply an insurance quote) must be submitted with the application. A common and costly mistake is purchasing a policy that meets the dollar amount but excludes pre-existing conditions the applicant is likely to need coverage for, or purchasing from an insurer that is not licensed to sell in Canada.
Other Eligibility Requirements
Beyond income and insurance, Super Visa applicants also need:
- A written letter of invitation from the child or grandchild in Canada, including details about who else lives in the household
- A satisfactory immigration medical exam
- Proof of the family relationship, such as birth certificates or adoption records
- A valid passport and, depending on the applicant’s country of citizenship, a temporary resident visa
Why Applications Get Refused
Most Super Visa refusals come down to one of three issues: the host’s income falls short of LICO for the correct family size, the insurance policy does not meet all three requirements (amount, duration, and coverage type), or the officer is not convinced the applicant intends to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay. That last point often surfaces when the applicant’s ties to their home country — property, employment, other family members — are not clearly documented in the application.
Getting the Application Right the First Time
Because Super Visa applications combine financial documentation, insurance compliance, and an assessment of travel intent, a well-organized submission materially reduces the risk of delay or refusal. Immisa Immigration prepares Super Visa applications for families across Canada, reviewing income documentation, insurance policies, and supporting evidence before submission.
Next steps
If you’d like to know more about Super Visa eligibility or want to discuss your options, book your consultation below.
