Updated October 2026 · 8 min read · By Life Advice Insurance Inc., independent broker in Kitchener, Ontario
Key takeaways
If you live in Kitchener or anywhere in Ontario and were getting ready to sponsor your parents, the PGP pause probably changed your plans. You can still bring them for long visits. The Super Visa lets parents stay up to 5 years per entry. This guide explains the rules and the first steps to take now, so you do not lose more time.
In this guide
New Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications have not been accepted since January 1, 2026, and on July 15, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that PGP intake is paused until further notice. Applications already in the queue are still being processed, but no new sponsorship applications are being accepted. For most families who want to bring parents or grandparents to Canada, the Super Visa is now the main option.
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows long visits without renewing status every few months:
The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence. It is a way for families to spend long periods together while sponsorship options are limited.
To apply, the visitor must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The child or grandchild in Canada must also:
The visitor must also pass a medical exam, meet the usual visitor requirements, and buy private medical insurance.
Every Super Visa applicant must show proof of private medical insurance that:
Always check the IRCC Super Visa page for the latest rules before you apply.
A regular visitor visa usually allows stays of up to 6 months at a time. For short visits, such as a wedding or a holiday, that may be enough. The Super Visa is designed for families who want parents to stay longer, help with grandchildren, or spend most of the year in Canada.
If your parents plan to visit for more than a few months each year, the Super Visa usually saves time and paperwork over the long run.
The host in Canada must show that their household income meets the minimum required for their family size. The family size includes the host, their spouse or partner, dependent children, and the parents or grandparents being invited. IRCC updates these income amounts regularly, so check the current table before you apply.
Since March 31, 2026, you can qualify using either of your two most recent tax years, and the CRA Notice of Assessment is the main proof. If your income is at least 75% of the minimum, your parent's own income can cover the rest; in that case employer letters and pay stubs may also be used. Check IRCC's host financial support page for the current rules.
In some cases, the income of a spouse or common-law partner can be combined to meet the requirement.
Parents and grandparents applying for a Super Visa must complete an immigration medical exam with a panel physician approved by IRCC. The exam usually includes a physical check, a chest X-ray and blood tests. Results are sent directly to IRCC. Book this early, as appointments can take time in some countries.
Many refusals are avoidable with careful preparation. Review every document before you submit.
When your parents arrive, the border officer may ask to see the Super Visa, the insurance policy and proof of payment. Keep printed copies in their carry-on bag, along with the invitation letter. The officer decides the length of stay, which is usually up to 5 years.
The PGP pause may last for some time, so plan as if the Super Visa will be the main option for several years. Think about how you will renew insurance every year, what happens if a parent's health changes, and how long each visit will be. A clear plan makes each renewal easier and keeps your parents covered without gaps.
Super Visa insurance prices can differ a lot between insurers for the same coverage. Age, deductible and pre-existing condition coverage all change the price. Life Advice Insurance Inc. compares plans from 20+ Canadian insurers, including monthly payment options, so your parents get the right coverage at the best value.
Call 1-855-500-5041 for a free, no-obligation quote. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Your parents will not be covered by OHIP while they visit. Ontario hospitals, such as Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener, bill visitors at non-resident rates. That is why the insurance rule matters so much.
Life Advice Insurance Inc. has helped families in Kitchener and across Ontario since 2015. We compare Super Visa plans from 20+ Canadian insurers. Our office is at 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, ON N2E 0B6. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closed Sunday). Call 1-855-500-5041.
Before you upload the policy to IRCC, look at the confirmation and make sure it shows:
If any detail is wrong, ask for a corrected document before you apply.
New PGP applications have not been accepted since January 1, 2026, and IRCC confirmed on July 15, 2026 that it will not take new interest-to-sponsor forms or send invitations until further notice. If you planned to sponsor under the PGP, the Super Visa is the practical way to reunite now. Applications already in the queue are still processed. Keep watching IRCC announcements in case the PGP reopens.
Most families we help in Kitchener-Waterloo are inviting parents from India. Before they buy, they ask the same four questions:
You can get quotes and compare benefits from many insurers on our website, and we explain every plan in English, Hindi or Punjabi.
This guide explains how the Super Visa works and how to bring parents to Canada. For older parents, read Super Visa Insurance for Parents Over 80. For keeping coverage year after year, read Renewing Super Visa Insurance.
Get a free quote
Compare Super Visa quotes for your parents by age, deductible and pre-existing condition coverage on our Super Visa insurance page. Call 1-855-500-5041 or visit 912 Isaiah Pl, Kitchener, Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Help in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
Compare quotes online Call 1-855-500-5041Not for now. New PGP applications have not been accepted since January 1, 2026, and IRCC confirmed on July 15, 2026 that intake is paused until further notice. Applications already submitted are still being processed.
No. It is a temporary resident visa that allows long visits of up to 5 years at a time.
Yes. Many insurers offer monthly plans with a deposit, and IRCC accepts instalment plans that meet the rules.
Yes. Proof of insurance is part of the application, so you buy it before you apply. Many insurers refund the premium if the visa is refused, so ask about the refund rules before you buy.
No. Visitors are not covered by OHIP, and Ontario hospitals bill visitors at non-resident rates. Private Super Visa insurance is required for this reason.