Canada's super visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries over a 10-year period. It is one of the most flexible long-stay options available — but it requires the Canadian sponsor (the son, daughter, or grandchild) to meet a minimum income threshold.
As of April 1, 2026, IRCC expanded the list of income sources that count toward qualifying for the super visa. If a previous super visa application was denied because the sponsor's income fell short, this change may open the door to reapplying.
What Is the Super Visa?
The super visa is a temporary resident visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It is different from the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which grants permanent residence — the super visa is a long-stay visitor visa, not a path to PR.
Super Visa at a Glance
The Income Requirement: How It Works
To sponsor a parent or grandparent on a super visa, the Canadian host must demonstrate income at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) — a Statistics Canada measure of minimum household income adjusted for family size and urban area.
The LICO threshold is updated annually. For a family of 2 (sponsor + one parent), the 2025 LICO threshold was approximately $38,284 annually for large cities. For larger households, the threshold increases.
What Changed April 1, 2026?
Before April 1, only certain types of income counted toward meeting the LICO threshold. The 2026 regulatory update expanded which income sources are eligible:
| Income Source | Before April 1, 2026 | After April 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Employment income (T4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-employment income | ✓ | ✓ |
| Combined household income (with spouse/partner) | Limited | ✓ Expanded |
| Rental income (documented) | ❌ | ✓ New |
| Investment/dividend income | ❌ | ✓ New |
| Canada Pension Plan (CPP) / Old Age Security (OAS) | ❌ | ✓ New |
This table reflects the general direction of the April 1, 2026 regulatory change. Always verify the exact list of eligible income sources in IRCC's current super visa guidelines before applying.
Who Benefits from the Expanded Rules?
Canadians who were previously denied a super visa or who chose not to apply because of income concerns may now qualify. This especially helps:
- Property owners who earn significant rental income but have modest employment income
- Retired sponsors receiving CPP, OAS, or investment income
- Two-income households where the combined income was not previously recognized in full
- Self-employed Canadians whose net business income was harder to document previously
Other Super Visa Requirements (Unchanged)
The income change does not affect the other super visa requirements, which remain:
- The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or PR
- Valid Canadian medical insurance (minimum $100,000 coverage, minimum 1 year)
- Proof of relationship (birth certificates, citizenship documents)
- Letter of invitation from the Canadian sponsor
- Sponsor's proof of income (NOA, T4s, or equivalent)
- The applicant must meet health, character, and admissibility requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
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