A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) — commonly called a visitor visa — lets citizens of visa-required countries enter Canada for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or transit. For parents and grandparents of Canadians, the Super Visa is a specialized multi-entry visitor visa with up to 10 years validity and 5-year stays per visit.
Visitor visa at a glance
- Application fee: CAD $100 single/multiple entry + $85 biometrics
- Processing time: 2–10 weeks depending on country (Visa Application Centre)
- Validity: Most TRVs are multi-entry, valid until passport expires or up to 10 years
- Stay per visit: Typically 6 months (CBSA officer decides at port of entry)
- Required for: Citizens of non-visa-exempt countries (most of South Asia, Africa, parts of South America, China, Iran)
- Not required for: Visa-exempt country citizens (most of EU, UK, Japan, S. Korea, Australia, etc.) — they need an eTA instead
Two main types
| Type | Best for | Stay duration |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Entry TRV | One specific trip (e.g., conference, single family visit) | Up to 6 months per CBSA discretion; visa expires after exit |
| Multiple-Entry TRV | Repeat visits over time — default issuance type | Up to 6 months per visit; valid up to 10 years or passport expiry |
| Super Visa | Parents/grandparents of Canadians/PRs | Up to 5 years per visit; valid 10 years |
Super Visa — extended stay for parents and grandparents
The Super Visa is a special multi-entry visa designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It's often a better option than PGP given the lottery odds and 20-year undertaking. Key features:
Super Visa benefits
- Multi-entry valid up to 10 years (or passport expiry, whichever is earlier)
- Each stay up to 5 years (increased from 2 years in July 2022)
- Renewable from inside Canada (extend by up to 2 years per renewal)
- Processing typically 8–12 weeks (vs 24–36 months for PGP)
- Lower income requirement (LICO) than PGP (MNI = LICO + 30%)
- No 20-year undertaking — only the duration of the visit
Super Visa eligibility
- Parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Inviting child/grandchild meets LICO income threshold (lower than PGP MNI):
Family size 2024 LICO 2 persons $34,481 3 persons $42,383 4 persons $51,459 5 persons $58,350 6 persons $65,814 7+ persons $73,279 - Letter of Invitation from the Canadian child/grandchild including: full name, DOB, sponsor's status proof, financial details, list of household members, signed statement of support
- Private medical insurance:
- Minimum coverage: CAD $100,000
- Valid for at least 1 year from date of entry
- Covers healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation
- Issued by Canadian or approved foreign insurer (per Nov 2022 rules, IRCC accepts some foreign insurers)
- Pass a Canadian medical exam by IRCC panel physician
- Admissibility — no serious criminal, security, or excessive-demand health concerns
Super Visa application steps
- Inviting child/grandchild prepares: financial proof (NOA, T4, employment letter), Letter of Invitation, household size declaration
- Parent/grandparent obtains private medical insurance ($100k minimum, 1+ year)
- Parent/grandparent completes medical exam by panel physician
- Submit Super Visa application online (or at VAC if required by country)
- Pay $100 visa fee + $85 biometrics
- Submit biometrics at VAC within 30 days
- Receive decision (typically 8–12 weeks)
- If approved: travel to Canada; CBSA officer issues entry stamp for stay duration (typically full 5 years)
Super Visa vs PGP comparison
| Aspect | Super Visa | PGP |
|---|---|---|
| Outcome | Visitor — must leave + return | Permanent Resident |
| Income requirement | LICO (lower) | MNI = LICO + 30% (higher) |
| Income years required | 1 year proof | 3 consecutive years |
| Processing time | 8–12 weeks | 24–36 months |
| Lottery | No — anyone can apply | Yes — random selection from pool |
| Undertaking | None (just the visit) | 20 years (10 in QC) |
| Stay per visit | Up to 5 years | Permanent (after landing) |
| Healthcare | Private insurance required | Provincial coverage (after 3-month wait) |
| Work allowed? | No | Yes |
| Citizenship eligibility | No (visitor) | Yes (after 3 years as PR) |
Standard visitor visa application
For non-Super-Visa applicants, the standard visitor visa application is straightforward but requires showing genuine return intent and adequate funds:
Required documents
- Valid passport (6+ months past intended departure)
- Recent passport-style photos (digital)
- Proof of funds — bank statements showing 3–6 months of activity
- Letter of invitation (if visiting family/friends) with their Canadian status proof
- Proof of ties to home country: employment letter, property ownership, family obligations
- Travel itinerary (flights, accommodation bookings)
- Previous travel history (visas to UK, US, Schengen, etc. strengthen the application)
- If parent of student in Canada: letter from DLI confirming child's enrollment
Common visitor visa refusal reasons
- Weak ties to home country — officer not convinced you'll leave Canada
- Insufficient funds — bank balance too low or recent large deposits unexplained
- Purpose unclear or implausible — vague itinerary, no specific reason to visit
- Previous immigration violations — overstays in any country
- Misrepresentation — undisclosed visa refusals from other countries
- Inadmissibility — criminal record, medical inadmissibility, security concerns
Useful official resources
- IRCC — Visit Canada (general)
- IRCC — Super Visa for parents and grandparents
- IRCC — Find a Panel Physician
Need a TRV or Super Visa? Visitor visa refusal rates are higher than most other Canadian immigration categories. We strengthen weak applications, document return intent, and structure invitation letters that satisfy IRCC. Book a free visitor visa assessment.
