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Client Guide

Visitor Visa or Super Visa?

For parents and grandparents, the purpose and desired length of stay may point toward different temporary-residence options.

Reviewed · September 10, 2026

General information only. A lawyer should review the facts, documents and current rules before you rely on this information for an application or deadline.

Regular visitor visa

A visitor visa is the ordinary temporary resident visa route for a person who requires a visa to travel to Canada and wants a temporary stay.

Super Visa

The Super Visa is for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians and can allow stays of up to five years at a time.

Additional Super Visa requirements

The Super Visa includes host-income, health-insurance and medical-exam requirements in addition to the ordinary visitor assessment.

2026 income changes

From March 31, 2026, IRCC changed how host family income can be established for Super Visa eligibility. Current income rules should be checked at the time of application.

Official source reviewed:
IRCC / Canada.ca