Canada eases super visa income rules for families, i.e., Canada has made changes to make it easier for families to qualify for the parents and grandparents super visa. The government has updated how the minimum income requirement is calculated for hosts.

Starting March 31, 2026, hosts will have more flexibility in meeting the financial requirement for the super visa. This update was shared in a recent government announcement.

Under the super visa program, a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who wants to invite their parent or grandparent must show that they meet a minimum income level. This shows that they can support their visiting family members during their stay in Canada.

Earlier, hosts had to meet or exceed the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) based on their family size using income from one tax year only.

With the new changes, there are now additional ways to meet this requirement.

New Ways To Meet The Income Requirement

Longer Income Assessment Period

One of the new options is a longer income assessment period.

Under this option, the host, along with a co-signer if there is one, can qualify by meeting the income requirement in either of the two tax years before the application date.

Before this change, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only looked at the tax year just before the application.

This update gives more flexibility, especially for people whose income may have changed recently.

Including Income Of Visiting Parents Or Grandparents

The second option allows part of the visiting parent’s or grandparent’s income to be added.

In this method, the host, and co-signer if applicable, must first meet a required portion of the total income threshold. After that, the parent’s or grandparent’s income can be used to complete the remaining amount.

At this time, the government has not shared the exact minimum percentage that the host must meet before adding the visitor’s income.

What These Changes Mean For Applicants?

The super visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa. It allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for longer periods.

This visa can be valid for up to 10 years. Each visit can last up to five years at a time.

From March 31, 2026, all applications already being processed, as well as new applications submitted on or after that date, will be reviewed using the new income rules.

Families who already met the previous rules will still qualify under the new system.

However, applicants who want to use the new methods must provide proper documents to prove that they meet the updated income requirement.

The super visa is also an option for families who cannot apply through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The PGP is a permanent residence pathway, but it has not opened for new interest-to-sponsor applications since 2020.

How To Calculate Family Size For Super Visa?

To calculate family size for a super visa application, the host must include:

  • Themselves
  • their spouse (this can include a separated spouse) or common-law partner
  • any dependent children of the host or their partner
  • the parent or grandparent applying, along with their spouse or partner if applying together
  • any previously approved super visa applicants
  • any individuals who were previously sponsored

Documents Needed To Show Income

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

  • Their last notice of assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (preferred)
  • Their T4 or T1 for the most recent tax year
  • Pay stubs for the last 12 months
  • Employment insurance benefit statements
  • Proof of other income sources such as pension statements
  • A letter from their employer with job title, role, and salary, along with bank statements
  • A letter from an accountant confirming annual income (for self-employed individuals)
  • 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

Basic Requirements For Super Visa Applicants

To apply for a super visa, the parent or grandparent must:

  • Be outside Canada at the time of application
  • Be admissible to Canada
  • Have private health insurance for at least one year (from a Canadian company or an approved foreign provider)
  • Complete a medical exam
  • Meet any other required conditions

These changes show that Canada is trying to make the super visa process easier for families. By allowing more flexibility in income calculation, more people may now be able to reunite with their parents and grandparents for longer stays in Canada.

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