How to bring your parents to Canada

You’ve finally become a permanent resident or citizen of Canada—congratulations! After all your hard work, you’ve reached the end of your immigration journey. 🎉

As you begin to enjoy your new life without worrying about your immigration status, it’s natural to think of your aging parents back home. You may wish to bring them to Canada, even if just for a while, so they can share in your happiness.

There are two main pathways to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada: one temporary and one permanent. Let’s take a closer look.

Option 1: Super Visa (Temporary Stay)

The super visa is a special type of visitor visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It’s valid for up to 10 years and allows stays of up to 5 years per entry.

To be eligible:

• You (the child or grandchild in Canada) must meet specific minimum income requirements for your family size.

• Your parents/grandparents must buy private medical insurance from a Canadian provider, valid for at least 1 year per entry, with a minimum of $100,000 in emergency coverage.

  
  

You'll also need to submit:

• A letter of invitation outlining your relationship, employment, and living situation.

• Proof of income to show you meet the financial criteria.

  
  

If permanent sponsorship isn't an option for now, the super visa is a great way to have your loved ones close for an extended period of time.

Option 2: Family Sponsorship (Permanent Residence)

Canada also offers a Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program for permanent residents and citizens. This allows your parents or grandparents to move to Canada permanently.

To qualify as a sponsor, you must:

• Be 18 or older

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

• Live in Canada

• Commit to financially supporting your parents/grandparents for 20 years (or 10 years if you live in Quebec). This is called an “undertaking.”

  
  

IRCC will assess your income and ability to support both your own household and the relatives you’re sponsoring—including any dependents they may have.

📌 Important: At the time of writing, IRCC is not accepting new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents, unless you submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form in 2020 and were selected. There is no official update yet on when this program will reopen to new applicants.

What if I didn't submit the 2020 interest to sponsor form?

If you didn’t express interest in 2020, unfortunately, you can’t sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residence at this time. In that case, the super visa is your best available option.

Need help getting started or exploring your options?

📩 Email us at info@valancyimmigration.ca or

📅 Book a consultation to speak with us directly.

We’re here to support your family reunion journey every step of the way.