PGP alternatives to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada faster and for less

As of January 1, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) official webpage states that no new applications will be accepted for processing under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) this year.

While this does mean that Canadian citizens and permanent residents do not have a route to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence (PR), pathways are still available to bring these loved ones to Canada for up to years at a time.

Canadian families generally have two practical visit-based options:

Parent and Grandparent Super Visa (best for longer stays)
Regular Visitor Visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) (best for shorter stays)

Below is how they work—and how they differ in outcomes and requirements.

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Option 1: Super Visa

A super visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that can be valid for up to 10 years, and allows parents/grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time (for applications on/after June 22, 2023).

IRCC emphasizes that while PGP intakes are limited once a year, the super visa remains available for extended family visits year-round.

The biggest difference between the two programs, however, is in their immigration outcomes:

PGP: permanent immigration (parents/grandparents become permanent residents)
- As permanent residents, parents and grandparents can work, study, and settle in Canada permanently
Super visa: temporary resident status (visitors)
- As visitors, parents and grandparents do not have the ability to work or study in Canada without seeking a permit.

So, the super visa can be a strong “family time in Canada” solution—but it’s not a substitute for the PR outcome people hope for through PGP.

Regardless, the pathway features significantly fewer costs and shorter wait times as compared to the PGP—while still allowing parents or grandparents to remain in Canada for multiple years at a time.

Key eligibility requirements

In order for your parent or grandparent to qualify for a super visa, you (as the host inviting them) need to meet the following criteria:

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian, be18+, and live in Canada;
Meet the minimum necessary income; and
Sign an invitation letter promising financial support during the visit (a spouse/partner can co-sign if eligible).

The parent or grandparents must meet some of the following criteria:

Apply from outside Canada;
Be allowed to enter Canada (admissibility);
Complete an immigration medical exam; and
Obtain health insurance* (a core Super Visa requirement).

*Super visa applicants must show proof of private medical insurance. IRCC’s requirements include that the policy:

Is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry;
Covers health care, hospitalization, and repatriation;
Provides at least $100,000 coverage; and
Is paid (quotes aren’t accepted).

As of January 28, 2025, IRCC allows super visa applicants to buy insurance from some companies outside Canada, as long as the insurer meets specific OSFI-related conditions.

Also, super visa holders should be ready to show proof of paid insurance when entering Canada.

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Option 2: Visitor visa or electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

These options fall under visitor rules, but the entry document depends on the traveller’s country of citizenship

Visitor visa: for travellers from countries that require a visa to enter Canada
eTA: for travellers from visa-exempt countries, coming to Canada by air

Most visitors—whether entering with a visitor visa or an eTA—are allowed to stay up to 6 months per visit, but the border officer can allow less or more and may issue a visitor record with a specific leave-by date.

An eTA is a travel document only available to citizens of visa-exempt countries. These documents come with significantly fewer requirements than visitor visas and are usually obtained within minutes of applying online. eTAs are typically valid for up to 5 years (or until the passport expires).

A visitor visa is required by foreign nationals who are not visa-exempt and must be applied for well in advance of travel. Visitor visas can be issued as single-entry or multiple-entry, and may be valid up to 10 years (or until passport/biometrics expiry)—however, this is largely up to the discretion of the reviewing immigration officer.

Basic requirements to qualify (visitor visa)

IRCC lists common baseline requirements such as:

a valid passport/travel document;
being in good health (being medically admissible);
no criminal/immigration-related conviction (being criminally admissible);
proving ties to the home country and that the visitor will leave Canada at the end of the visit;
having enough funds for the visit; and
possibly a medical exam and/or a letter of invitation.

If someone wants to stay longer than what they were granted on entry, they generally need to apply for an extension (visitor record) and pay the relevant fee.

Which option is right for you?

You should generally choose the super visa when your parent or grandparent wants to spend an extended period in Canada rather than making a short trip.

It’s the better fit if longer stays per entry are the priority, since it can allow stays of up to five years at a time for applications submitted on or after June 22, 2023.

It also makes the most sense when you’re in a position to meet the super visa’s additional requirements, including demonstrating that you, as the Canadian host, meet the minimum necessary income, and the applicants (the parents or grandparents) are able to purchase mandatory private medical insurance that meets the criteria and complete an immigration medical exam.

A regular visitor visa or eTA is usually the right choice when the visit is intended to be shorter—often a few weeks to a few months—and when a simpler short-stay option is preferred.

The biggest advantage of visitor visas, however, is the reduced requirements around applications, making them the more practical route if meeting the Super Visa’s income and insurance requirements is difficult at the moment.

In these cases, the application tends to hinge on standard visitor considerations, such as whether the applicant can show strong ties to their home country, sufficient funds for the trip, a clear plan and intent to leave Canada at the end of the visit, and overall admissibility.

Visitor visa applicants also benefit from generally shorter processing times as compared to the super visa; however, this can vary greatly by the visa office to which they apply to. Similarily eTAs can be approved in as little as a few minutes.

Get a Free Super Visa Telephone Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm