Visitor Visa vs Super Visa — For Bringing Parents to Canada
Bringing your parents to Canada to visit? Two visa options: standard visitor visa (TRV) or Super Visa. Super Visa is dramatically better for parents/grandparents — but it has additional requirements. This page compares both.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Visitor Visa (TRV) | Super Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Anyone seeking to visit Canada | Parents / grandparents of Canadian citizens / PRs only |
| Validity | Up to 10 years (or until passport expiry); each entry usually 6 months max | 10 years multi-entry |
| Stay per entry | 6 months max (extensions possible) | Up to 5 years per entry |
| Medical insurance | Recommended but not mandatory | MANDATORY — CAD 100,000+ coverage for 1+ year from a Canadian insurer |
| Sponsor income test | None | YES — sponsor at or above LICO |
| Letter of invitation | Optional but helpful | Mandatory |
| Application fee | CAD 100 | CAD 100 |
| Processing time (typical) | 2 weeks to 4 months | 6-16 weeks |
When to choose Super Visa
- You're bringing parents / grandparents (not other relatives)
- You're a Canadian citizen or PR with ongoing employment / income at LICO+
- Your parents will visit for extended periods (months or years, not weeks)
- You can purchase the mandatory medical insurance (CAD 1,500-3,000/year per parent typical)
When to choose standard visitor visa
- You're bringing relatives other than parents / grandparents
- Your sponsor income is below LICO and no co-sponsor available
- The visit is short (under 6 months) and one-time
- You can't / don't want to purchase Super Visa insurance
Income test details — Super Visa
Sponsor must demonstrate income at or above **LICO (Low Income Cut-Off)** — a federal threshold based on family size. As of 2026 (representative figures):
- 1 inviting + 1 parent (family of 2 for LICO): ~CAD 35,000
- Family of 4 (sponsor + 2 kids + 1 parent visiting): ~CAD 56,000
- Family of 5: ~CAD 64,000
Always check current published LICO figures. Sponsor provides Notice of Assessment for most recent tax year + employment letter + recent pay stubs.
Medical insurance details — Super Visa
Required:
- **CAD 100,000+** total coverage
- **Valid for at least 1 year** from intended entry date
- **From a Canadian insurer** (Manulife, Sun Life, Allianz Canada, RBC Insurance, etc.)
- Coverage for **healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation**
Typical cost: CAD 1,500-3,000 per year per parent (depends on age, health, coverage). Sponsor or parent can purchase.
The combined strategy
Many Halani families pursue Super Visa now + sponsorship via the **Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)** whenever a lottery invitation comes. This gives:
- Immediate parent visits (Super Visa, 6-16 weeks to approval)
- Eventual permanent status (PGP, 2-3 years from invitation to COPR)
FAQ
Which is better for bringing parents to Canada?
Super Visa, almost always. The 10-year multi-entry validity with 5-year stays per entry is dramatically better than visitor visa for parents. The trade-off: Super Visa requires mandatory medical insurance + sponsor income above LICO. Most families can meet these requirements; the Super Visa is then the clear choice.
Why not just keep extending visitor visa?
Standard visitor visas are typically issued for 6 months max per stay. Extensions are possible but each one is a separate application with the same refusal-risk profile. Super Visa: one application covers 10 years with up to 5-year continuous stays — much more administratively predictable for the family.
What if my income is below LICO for Super Visa?
Super Visa requires sponsor income at or above LICO (Low Income Cut-Off). If you don't meet it: (1) include a co-sponsor (typically spouse) to combine incomes, (2) wait until next tax year if income is rising, or (3) fall back to standard visitor visa which doesn't have an income test.
Can my parents work or study on either visa?
Neither. Visitor visa and Super Visa are both visitor-status visas — your parents cannot work in Canada and cannot enroll in long programs of study. Short courses (under 6 months) are generally permitted. For working or studying, your parents would need a different visa type.
If Super Visa is refused, does that hurt future visitor visa applications?
All prior visa refusals — Super Visa, visitor visa, anything — must be disclosed on future applications. A Super Visa refusal can be followed by a visitor visa application; address whatever concern caused the refusal in the new application.
Super Visa or visitor visa — let's pick the right one
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) handles Super Visa + visitor visa applications across IRCC New Delhi, Islamabad, Manila, Abu Dhabi. Free 15-min review.
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