Quick answer
A regular visitor visa usually lets parents stay up to 6 months per visit, and insurance is optional. A Super Visa lets parents and grandparents stay up to 5 years at a time, with multiple entries over up to 10 years, but the host must meet an income test and the parent must buy at least $100,000 of medical insurance. For visits of 6 months or less, IRCC itself says to apply for a visitor visa.
Side by side
| Visitor visa (TRV) | Super Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | Any eligible visitor | Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents or registered Indians |
| Stay per entry | Usually up to 6 months | Up to 5 years at a time |
| Visa validity | Up to 10 years | Up to 10 years |
| Host income test | No | Yes — minimum necessary income |
| Medical insurance | Optional (strongly recommended) | Mandatory: $100,000+, valid 1 year from entry |
| Medical exam | Sometimes | Yes |
| Invitation letter | Helpful | Required, with a promise of financial support |
| Government fee | From $100 | From $100 |
Which one fits your family?
Choose a visitor visa if…
- Visits are 6 months or less
- Your parents already hold a valid 10-year visa
- You don't meet the Super Visa income test
- They come for a specific event, like a wedding or a birth
Choose a Super Visa if…
- Your parents want to stay a year or longer
- You'd rather not file extension applications every 6 months
- You meet the income test (now easier under the 2026 rules)
- You're happy to keep year-round medical insurance in place
Insurance under each option
With a visitor visa, insurance isn't required, but going without is a big gamble. Visitors pay full price for care, and a few days in hospital can run $10,000 to $20,000 (see real 2026 hospital rates). Visitor insurance can be bought for exactly the days of the visit.
With a Super Visa, insurance is mandatory and must meet IRCC's rules: $100,000+, valid for a year from entry, from a Canadian or OSFI-authorized insurer. It can be paid monthly. See Super Visa insurance.
Can you switch later?
A parent already in Canada as a visitor can apply to extend their stay with a visitor record, but a Super Visa application is made from outside Canada. If your parents might stay longer, it's usually smarter to apply for the Super Visa from the start.
Sources
- IRCC — Super visa for parents and grandparents
- IRCC — Super visa: proof of financial support (income table and options)
We check these pages regularly, but government rules change. Always confirm on canada.ca before you apply. Pankaj Bhatia is a licensed insurance advisor, not an immigration consultant or lawyer.
Common questions
How long can parents stay on a visitor visa?
Usually up to 6 months per entry, set by the border officer. They can apply to extend from inside Canada.
Is a Super Visa better than a 10-year visitor visa?
For long stays, yes: up to 5 years per entry instead of about 6 months. For short, occasional visits, a 10-year visitor visa is simpler and has no insurance or income requirement.
Do I need insurance on a visitor visa?
It isn't required by IRCC, but visitors pay full price for any care, so most families buy visitor insurance for the length of the trip.
Can my parent apply for a Super Visa from inside Canada?
Super Visa applications are made from outside Canada. A parent already here can extend their visitor stay instead.
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