Canada Adjusts Super Visa Criteria, Allowing Support from Visiting Relatives

Canada will revise its Super Visa income rules from 31 March 2026, allowing hosts to use a longer income assessment period and include some financial contribution from visiting relatives.

The Super Visa programme enables parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with multiple entries over ten years. With the Parents and Grandparents Programme (PGP) remaining closed in 2026, the Super Visa continues to be the main route for extended family visits.

Under the new rules, hosts will have two options to meet income requirements. They may now rely on income from either of the two most recent tax years, rather than only one. In addition, the income of visiting parents or grandparents can be considered, provided the host and any co-signer first meet a minimum income threshold.

The required income levels remain unchanged. These range from $30,526 for a single-person household to $64,336 for a family of five. The thresholds are intended to ensure that visitors are adequately supported during their stay.

The updated criteria will apply to all applications submitted or still under review as of 31 March 2026. Processing times remain lengthy in some cases, including an average of 202 days for applicants from India.