A Super Visa lets parents and grandparents stay up to five years per entry, but requires a minimum income from the host and a paid $100,000, one-year medical insurance policy. A regular visitor visa usually allows stays of up to six months per entry, has no mandatory insurance, and no income test. Choose the Super Visa for long, repeated stays; a visitor visa for shorter visits.
Side-by-side comparison
| Super Visa | Visitor visa (TRV) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and PRs | Most visitors |
| Stay per entry | Up to 5 years | Usually up to 6 months |
| Validity | Up to 10 years, multiple entry | Up to 10 years or passport expiry |
| Host income test | Yes | No |
| Medical insurance | Required — $100,000, 1 year, paid | Not required, strongly recommended |
| Immigration medical exam | Required | Sometimes |
| Insurance cost | Full-year policy (monthly option) | Only for the days of the visit |
General information only, not immigration advice. Check current rules on the IRCC Super Visa page or with a licensed immigration consultant.
When the Super Visa makes sense
- Parents plan to stay more than six months at a time — for example to help with grandchildren.
- You want to avoid applying to extend status every six months.
- The host meets the income requirement.
- The family is ready for a full year of insurance (or a monthly plan).
When a visitor visa makes sense
- Visits of a few weeks to a few months.
- Parents who already hold a valid multi-entry visitor visa.
- Families who want to insure only the actual visit days — see visitor insurance.
Insurance either way
Visitors aren't covered by provincial health plans. Whether your parents come on a Super Visa or a visitor visa, an emergency in Canada is billed at full cost. The difference is that for the Super Visa the insurance is compulsory and must meet IRCC's rules; for a visitor visa you choose the amount and the dates.
Written and reviewed by Pankaj Bhatia, PFA, CHSLicensed insurance advisor (ON, BC, AB, MB, SK, NB, NS) · 11 years in financial services · Published October 29, 2026 · Last updated October 29, 2026