PGP vs Super Visa — Best Way to Bring Parents to Canada (2026)
PGP gives parents permanent residence — but it's lottery-gated and takes years. Super Visa gives parents a 10-year multi-entry visa with 5-year stays — fast but temporary. Most Halani families use both. This page compares them in detail.
Quick comparison
| Factor | PGP (Parents & Grandparents Program) | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Permanent residence | 10-year multi-entry visitor visa |
| Stay duration | Permanent | Up to 5 years per visit |
| Entry process | Interest to Sponsor → lottery selection → submit sponsorship + PR application | Sponsor invitation + visa application |
| Income requirement | MNI for 3 tax years (federal) | LICO threshold + proof of ongoing income |
| Medical insurance | Provincial coverage after landing | Mandatory CAD 100,000+ coverage purchased before entry |
| Right to work | Yes (PR rights) | No (visitor status) |
| Right to study | Yes | Limited (short courses only without a study permit) |
| Pathway to citizenship | Yes (after 3 years of physical presence as PR) | No |
| Processing time | 24-40 months from lottery selection to COPR | 6-16 weeks from application to visa issuance |
| Annual cap | Yes — IRCC sets annual PGP target (recently ~10,000-20,000 invitations) | No cap |
When PGP is the right choice
- You want your parents to permanently relocate to Canada
- You can meet the MNI threshold consistently across 3 tax years
- You're willing to wait years for the lottery selection + processing
- You want your parents to access provincial healthcare and eventually citizenship
- You want to support your parents' integration (work, study, social) long-term
When Super Visa is the right choice
- You want your parents to visit Canada within months, not years
- Your parents prefer extended visits with regular travel back to country of origin
- You can afford the mandatory medical insurance (CAD 100,000+ coverage)
- You don't yet meet the MNI threshold required for PGP
- Your parents are not ready (or willing) to permanently relocate
Why most Halani families do both
Super Visa now (parents visit within 3 months) + PGP whenever a lottery selection arrives (PR in 2-3 years from that point). This combination gives families immediate access plus a long-term path to PR. Most Pakistani, Indian, Filipino, and Gulf-resident Halani clients with parents abroad pursue this two-track approach.
Income requirements detail
PGP — Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
The sponsor must meet MNI for each of the 3 tax years immediately before applying. MNI varies by family size. For a family of 4 sponsoring 2 parents (so 6 people total), MNI is approximately CAD 80,000+ per year. Check IRCC's published MNI table for current figures.
Super Visa — LICO threshold
Sponsor must meet LICO (a lower threshold than MNI). For a household of 4 inviting 1 parent (5 people), LICO is approximately CAD 56,000+ per year. The sponsor provides a letter of invitation + Notice of Assessment + proof of ongoing employment.
Medical insurance requirements
Super Visa requires a Canadian medical insurance policy from a Canadian insurer with coverage of at least CAD 100,000 for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation, valid for at least 1 year and renewable annually. Cost typically CAD 1,500-3,000+ per year per parent depending on age and health. Sponsor or parent can purchase.
FAQ
Should I apply for PGP, Super Visa, or both?
Most Halani families do both — Super Visa first for immediate parent visits, PGP whenever they receive a selection invitation. PGP is lottery-gated; Super Visa is application-based. Doing both maximizes optionality.
What's the income requirement for each?
PGP requires the sponsor to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) — published annually by IRCC based on family size — for the 3 tax years preceding application. Super Visa requires the sponsor to demonstrate income above LICO (Low Income Cut-Off, a different threshold) plus medical insurance for the parent (CAD 100,000+ coverage for at least 1 year).
How long does Super Visa take?
Super Visa is a visitor visa with longer validity. Processing from biometrics to decision is typically 6-16 weeks depending on the visa office. Much faster than PGP, which takes 24-40 months from PGP submission to COPR.
Can my parents stay permanently on Super Visa?
No. Super Visa is a visitor visa — your parents can stay up to 5 years per visit, and re-enter multiple times over the 10-year validity. But they cannot work, cannot access public healthcare, and cannot become PRs through Super Visa itself. For permanent status, PGP (or sponsoring later through a different program) is required.
Are Super Visa parents eligible for OHIP / provincial health coverage?
Generally no. Super Visa parents are visitors — most provincial health plans require residency status. Mandatory medical insurance (CAD 100,000+) covers emergency care during the visit. Some provinces have grace-period arrangements for older relatives, but check with the specific provincial plan.
Bring your parents to Canada — PGP, Super Visa, or both?
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) prepares Super Visa applications routinely (most within 90 days) and PGP files whenever clients receive Interest-to-Sponsor selection. Free 15-min parent-sponsorship review.
Free Parent Sponsorship Review →Related: PGP page · Super Visa page · PGP guide · Super Visa guide