Canada eases income requirement for hosting parents and grandparents on super visa

Canada is making it easier for families to qualify for the parents and grandparents super visa by changing how it calculates the minimum income requirement.

Starting March 31, 2026, hosts will have more flexibility in how they can meet the financial requirement for the super visa, according to a government announcement.

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Under the super visa program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants to bring their parent or grandparent to Canada must show that they meet a minimum income threshold. This is intended to demonstrate that they can financially support their visiting family member during their stay in Canada.

Previously, hosts had to meet or exceed the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their family size based on one taxation year.

Under the new rules, there will be additional ways to meet the income requirement.

Two new ways to meet the income requirement

Extended income assessment period

One of the new options is an extended income assessment period.

Under this approach, the host, and their co-signer if applicable, may qualify by meeting the income requirement in either of the two taxation years preceding the date of application.

Previously, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assessed only the taxation year immediately before the application was submitted.

Allowing the visiting parent or grandparent to supplement the host’s income

The second new option allows part of the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income to be included in the calculation.

Under this method, the host, and their co-signer if applicable, must first meet the required minimum percentage of the total income threshold. The visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income can then be added to cover the remaining amount.

At the time of publication, the government had not clarified what that required minimum percentage will be.

What this means for applicants

The super visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit family in Canada for extended periods. It provides its holder with visitor status in Canada for up to 10 years, with a maximum stay of up to five years at a time.

As of March 31, 2026, all applications already in process, as well as applications submitted on or after that date, will be assessed under the new income rules.

Families who were eligible under the previous criteria will remain eligible under the updated system.

However, those who want to benefit from one of the new alternative calculation methods will need to submit documents showing that they meet the income requirement for their family size.

The super visa is an alternative for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The PGP is a Permanent Residence pathway for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. However, it has not had an interest-to-sponsor intake period since 2020.

Calculating family size for the super visa

To calculate family size for a super visa application, the host (a Canadian citizen or permanent resident) must include the following people:

themselves;
their spouse (which may include a separated spouse) or common-law partner;
any dependent children of the host or of their spouse or common-law partner;
the super visa applicant (parent or grandparent), as well as their spouse or common-law partner, if they are applying at the same time;
any previously approved super visa applicants; and
any previously sponsored individuals.

Documents needed to prove income:

The host can provide their income by submitting any of the following documents:

Their last notice of assessment issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (this is the preferred method).
Their T4 or T1 for the last tax year.
Pay stubs for the most recent 12-month period available.
Employment insurance benefit statements.
Proof of other sources of income (for example, pension statements).
A letter from their employer stating their job title, job description and salary bank statements.
A letter from an accountant confirming annual income (self-employed individuals only).
Minimum income requirement, based on family size (last updated July 29, 2025)

Number of family members Minimum income the host requires (CAD)

1 $30,526

2 $38,002

3 $46,720

4 $56,724

5 $64,336

6 $72,560

7 $80,784

For each additional family member, after 7 $8,224

Eligibility for super visa applicants:

In order to apply for the super visa, the applicant (the parent or grandparent) must

Be outside Canada when submitting an application;
Admissible to Canada;
Have private health insurance valid for a minimum of 1 year (must be from a Canadian insurance company or a policy from a company outside Canada that has been approved by the minister);
Complete an immigration medical exam; and
Fulfill other conditions as required.

For more information on super visa eligibility, visit our dedicated webpage.