Guide: Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents

Letter of invitation from your child or grandchild

Your letter of invitation from your host child or grandchild must include

• a promise of financial support for the duration of your visit
• the list (including name and date of birth) and number of people included in the family size calculation

How to calculate family size

To confirm your host’s minimum necessary income, include the following people in the family size count:

• yourself and any other super visa applicant applying at the same time (such as your spouse or common-law partner)
• host child or grandchild
• host’s spouse (which might include a separated spouse) or common-law partner
• dependent children of the host and of their spouse or common-law partner
  • Children who meet the definition of a dependent child must be included in the count, regardless of custody and child support arrangements.
    previously approved super visa applicants
• These are super visa holders that were in another letter of invitation, signed by the host or the host’s spouse or common-law partner, that is still applicable.
• previously sponsored individuals
  • These are individuals the host or co-signer has previously sponsored (or acted as a co-signer for) where the duration of the undertaking is still in effect.

Examples of how to calculate your family size.

• The host child in Canada is inviting a parent.
• The host is not married and has no children.

1 host child + 1 invited parent = 2

Family size is 6

Example 1:

• The host child in Canada is inviting two parents.
• The host has
  • a spouse
  • 2 dependent children.

1 host child + 2 invited parents + 2 dependent children + 1 spouse = 6

Example 2:

• The host grandchild in Canada is inviting a grandparent.
• The host has
  • a spouse
  • a dependent child
• The host’s spouse is already hosting their two parents on super visas.

1 host grandchild + 1 invited grandparent + 1 spouse + 1 dependent child + 2 actively sponsored parents = 6

Family size is 7

• The host child in Canada is inviting two parents.
• The host has
  • a spouse
  • one dependent child
• The host previously co-signed the sponsorship of their spouse’s two parents. That sponsorship is still in effect.

1 host child + 2 invited parents + 1 spouse + 1 dependent child + 2 actively sponsored parents = 7

Family size is 5

• The host child in Canada is inviting two parents.
• The host is divorced, has two children and shares custody with their former spouse.

1 host child + 2 invited parents + 2 dependent children = 5

 

Minimum necessary income requirements

You must provide proof that your host child or grandchild meets the minimum necessary income requirements. Your host child’s or grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the letter of invitation and provide proof of income, if required, to meet the minimum necessary income.

Documents we accept:

• the last notice of assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency
• T4 or T1 for the last tax year
• pay stubs for the most recent 12-month period available
• employment insurance benefit statements
• a letter from an accountant confirming the annual income, if self‑employed
• proof of other sources of income (for example, pension statements)
• a letter from the employer stating the job title, job description and salary
• bank statements

Proof of health insurance

You must provide proof of payment for health insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an insurance company outside Canada that has been approved by the minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. More information on approved insurance companies outside of Canada will be available in the coming months.

Your medical insurance must

• be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry
• be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit (quotes aren’t accepted)
• cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation
• provide a minimum coverage of $100,000, and
• be valid for each entry to Canada and be available for review by a border services officer upon request

Proof of completing a medical exam

You must provide proof that you had a medical exam with an approved panel physician.

Proof that your host is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a registered Indian

You must provide proof that your host is one of the following:

• a Canadian citizen: Option 1 of 3
  Provide a copy of Canadian citizenship for your host (and their spouse or common-law partner if applicable).
• a permanent resident: Option 2 of 3
  Provide a copy of a permanent resident document for your host (and their spouse or common-law-partner, if applicable).
• a registered Indian: Option 3 of 3
  Provide a copy of a Secure Certificate of Indian Status or Certificate of Indian Status (status card) for your host (and their spouse or common-law-partner, if applicable).

Proof of your relationship to your host

You must prove that you’re the parent or grandparent of your host.

• a copy of the host’s birth certificate or baptismal certificate
• another official document naming you as the parent or grandparent of your host

 

Application Submission – Online

You must be outside Canada when you apply for a super visa.

• IRCC Portal: Option 1 of 2