What is a Super Visa, and how can I obtain one?

In 2011, Canada launched the “parent” Super Visa so that citizens and permanent residents could see their moms and dads not just for a few weeks, but for years at a time. Since then, the permit has evolved: as of July 4, 2022, each entry grants five years of continuous stay, and if desired, the status can be extended for another two years, meaning that families can effectively live together for seven years without crossing the border. Below is a breakdown of all the requirements and steps that a family must take if their children live in Calgary.

How the Super Visa differs from a regular visitor visa and the sponsorship program

Compared to the standard multiple-entry TRV, which allows you to stay for six months, the Super Visa opens up longer periods (five years) and is valid for up to ten years. Unlike the Parents & Grandparents Program, it does not give parents the right to work, social benefits, or AHCIP medical coverage, and does not lead to permanent residency. However, there are no quotas, lotteries, or long waits, so for most families, it is the fastest way to see each other while the sponsor accumulates income for the PGP or waits for an invitation from the lottery.

Basic conditions that must be confirmed by the Canadian sponsor in Calgary

First, they must be a Canadian citizen or a valid PR and reside in the country. Second, they must prove sufficient income—the so-called Minimum Necessary Income. This is a table calculated based on the Low Income Cut-Off; for two family members in 2025, the threshold is approximately CAD 32,270, for three—CAD 39,762, for four—CAD 48,108, and so on. IRCC asks you to submit at least one recent Notice of Assessment, and in complex cases, an Option-C Printout, a certificate of employment, or bank statements to show your actual cash flow.

The third pillar is private health insurance. The policy must cover at least CAD 100,000, be valid for at least one year, and be paid in advance. In Calgary, brokers Manulife, Allianz, and 21st Century sell packages ranging from CAD 1,800 to CAD 2,400 per year for 60-year-old parents without serious medical conditions; A policy with installment payments is also accepted if the certificate clearly states “premium paid in full”—the absence of this line is often a reason for rejection.

Package of documents to be prepared by the family

All applicants must complete an e-form on the IRCC portal, attaching:

• a scan of their passport;
• an invitation letter where the children explain who will cover their accommodation and meals;
• proof of family relationship (birth certificate or notarized translation of passports);
• insurance policy;
• financial evidence (NOA, T4, salary certificate).

After submission, the system sends a Biometrics Instruction Letter. Parents submit their fingerprints at the VAC in their own country and then receive a referral for a medical examination by an IRCC-accredited doctor. There is no need to bring anything with you to Calgary—all files are digitized.

How long to wait for a decision in 2025

The average global time from application to visa stamp varies between four and six months; for example, for India in March 2025, IRCC showed 133 days or 4.37 months. In practice, forum applicants note that submitting a complete package with an upfront medical exam shortens the process by 2-3 weeks, while waiting for a separate medical request delays the process.

Entry into Canada and the first stamp

Even with a Super Visa, the length of stay is determined by the CBSA officer at the border. Since July 2022, the maximum stamp is five years, but to get this, you need to remind the officer of the new instructions and show a policy that is valid for at least 365 days. If the officer still sets six months, you can apply online in Calgary for a Visitor Record and replace it with a five-year status—the cost is CAD 100, form IMM 5708.

Extension without leaving

After five years, parents can extend their status for another two years with the same Visitor Record. The application must be submitted at least 30 days before the date indicated in the passport. At this point, you will have to purchase an additional year of insurance and show that the sponsor still has an income above LICO. Processing takes 90-120 days; during this period, the person is on “maintained status” and legally remains in Canada.

Medical and everyday realities in Calgary

Super Visa does not provide access to Alberta Health Care, so even after arrival, the family pays for doctors out of pocket or through private insurance. A walk-in clinic visit without insurance costs CAD 250-400. To reduce other expenses, parents can be included in the Fair Entry application—if the total family income is low, this gives a 75% discount on public transportation and municipal sports centers.

Common reasons for rejection and how to avoid them

The most common problem is an insurance policy with partial payment or coverage below CAD 100,000. The second is insufficient sponsor income; if the threshold is a few hundred dollars short, add your spouse as a co-signer. The third is the officer's doubts that the parents will return home, so gather evidence of property ownership, pension certificates, and other family ties in your home country.

Some practical advice from Calgary consultants

Start collecting documents six months before your planned arrival date: insurance brokers sometimes take two to three weeks to process policies, and there is currently a month-long wait to see a doctor in Southport or Brentwood Family Medical. Keep track of the expiration date of your parents' passports: if there are less than two years left before expiration, the officer may only issue a visa for the duration of the passport. And finally, as soon as the family receives the Super Visa, set a reminder to renew the insurance and Visitor Record every year—losing your status automatically nullifies your right to stay, and renewal takes time and nerves.

The Super Visa has become the golden mean between short guest trips and the unpredictable PGP lottery

If you prepare a flawless application package, pay for medical insurance, and prove a stable income in Calgary, your parents will be able to stroll along Bow River this winter, and you won't have to worry about another six-month stamp in your passport.