Faster and More Affordable Ways to Bring Your Parents or Grandparents to Canada
Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents dream of bringing their parents or grandparents to Canada permanently. However, as of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that no new applications will be accepted under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) this year.
While this means permanent residence through PGP is not available right now, families still have practical and legal ways to bring parents or grandparents to Canada for long or short visits. These options are often faster, less expensive, and easier to qualify for compared to PGP.
Below, we explain these alternatives in simple, clear language, so even if you are new to Canadian immigration, you can understand your options confidently.
The Two Main Alternatives to PGP
At the moment, families mainly rely on two visitor-based options:
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which is best for long stays in Canada.
The Regular Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is better for shorter visits.
Both options allow parents and grandparents to spend quality time in Canada, but they work very differently.
Option 1: Parent and Grandparent Super Visa (Best for Long Stays)
The Super Visa is a special visitor visa designed only for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It is one of the most popular alternatives to PGP.
A Super Visa can be valid for up to 10 years, and for applications submitted on or after June 22, 2023, it allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without needing to leave or extend their status.
IRCC has made it clear that while PGP opens only once a year with very limited spots, the Super Visa is available all year round.
Important difference between PGP and Super Visa
PGP leads to permanent residence, which means parents and grandparents can live, work, and study in Canada permanently.
The Super Visa provides temporary resident (visitor) status only. This means parents and grandparents cannot work or study in Canada unless they apply for and receive special permits.
Even though it does not lead to permanent residence, the Super Visa is often preferred because it has shorter processing times, lower overall costs, and allows very long stays in Canada.
Who can sponsor a Super Visa?
To invite your parents or grandparents on a Super Visa, you (the host in Canada) must:
Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian
Be at least 18 years old and living in Canada
Meet the minimum income requirement set by IRCC
Sign an invitation letter promising to financially support your parent or grandparent during their stay (your spouse or partner may co-sign if eligible)
What your parents or grandparents must do
Your parent or grandparent must:
Apply from outside Canada
Be admissible to Canada (no serious criminal or immigration issues)
Complete an immigration medical exam
Buy private medical insurance, which is a key Super Visa requirement
Medical insurance rules you must know
Super Visa applicants must show proof of medical insurance that:
Is valid for at least one year from the date they enter Canada
Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation
Provides minimum coverage of $100,000
Is fully paid (insurance quotes are not accepted)
As of January 28, 2025, IRCC allows Super Visa insurance to be purchased from approved companies outside Canada, as long as they meet specific regulatory requirements.
Parents or grandparents should also be prepared to show proof of paid insurance at the Canadian border.
Option 2: Regular Visitor Visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
The second option is the standard visitor route. This is usually chosen when parents or grandparents want to come to Canada for shorter visits.
The document required depends on the traveller’s citizenship:
A Visitor Visa is required for citizens of countries that need a visa to enter Canada.
An eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) is for citizens of visa-exempt countries travelling to Canada by air.
Most visitors are allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months per visit, although the border officer has the final decision and may allow a shorter or longer stay.
An eTA is usually approved within minutes, is valid for up to five years, and has fewer requirements compared to a visitor visa.
A visitor visa must be applied for in advance and may be issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, sometimes valid for up to 10 years, depending on the officer’s decision.
Basic requirements for a visitor visa
Visitor visa applicants usually need to show:
A valid passport
Good health and medical admissibility
No serious criminal or immigration violations
Strong ties to their home country and proof they will leave Canada after the visit
Enough money to support their stay
In some cases, a medical exam or invitation letter
If parents or grandparents want to stay longer than allowed, they must apply for an extension (visitor record) before their status expires.
Which option should you choose?
The Super Visa is usually the best choice if your parents or grandparents want to stay in Canada for many months or several years at a time. It works well if you meet the income requirement and they can afford the required medical insurance.
A Visitor Visa or eTA is better for short visits, such as holidays, family events, or temporary stays of a few weeks or months. It is also the easier option if meeting Super Visa income or insurance requirements is difficult right now.
Both options are legal, practical alternatives while PGP remains closed.
Can my parents work in Canada on a Super Visa?
No. A Super Visa only gives visitor status. Working or studying requires separate permits.
Can I apply for PGP later if my parents are in Canada on a Super Visa?
Yes. Being in Canada on a Super Visa does not stop you from applying under PGP when it reopens.
Is the Super Visa cheaper than PGP?
Yes. While insurance costs can be high, overall the Super Visa is usually faster and less expensive than waiting for PGP.
Can visitor visa holders extend their stay?
Yes. They can apply for a visitor record before their current status expires.
Is there a guaranteed processing time?
No. Processing times vary depending on the visa office and country of application.
If you are unsure which option is right for your family, professional advice can help you avoid refusals and delays and choose the most suitable pathway for your situation.
