Family Sponsorship Visiting Canada
Super Visa: Updated Minimum Income Requirements
Canada has recently updated the minimum income requirements for people who want their parents or grandparents to visit them through the Super Visa program. As of July 29, Canadian citizens and permanent residents must now show a higher income to qualify as hosts for this visa.
What is a Super Visa?
A Super Visa is a visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit and stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without needing to renew the visa. This visa is different from a regular visitor visa, which usually allows a stay of only six months. With the Super Visa, parents and grandparents can leave and enter Canada multiple times over a ten-year period.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible to bring parents or grandparents on a Super Visa, the sponsor must show that they earn enough money to support their visitors. In 2025, the minimum income required for one person is $30,526. This is an increase from $29,380 in 2024, meaning the requirement has gone up by $1,146. For two people, the sponsor must now earn at least $38,002. For three people, the required income is $46,720, and for four people it is $56,724. For families with five or more people, the required income is even higher. A full list of all the updated amounts for different family sizes can be found on the Canadian government’s official website. If you, as the sponsor, are married or have a partner, you both are allowed to combine your incomes to meet the minimum income target.
Super Visa vs. PGP
In addition to the Super Visa program, Canada has also reopened its Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) program. This program allows parents and grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. The program is open for the 2025 intake and will remain open for two weeks. During this time, the government plans to send out 17,860 invitations to apply for permanent residency to people who are eligible. However, this round of invitations is only open to sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. New sponsors who did not apply in 2020 are not eligible to participate this time.
Alternative to PGP
Because the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program is currently limited to a small group of applicants, the Super Visa continues to be a good option for many people who want to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada. While the Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence, it allows family members to stay in Canada for long periods and is a useful way for families to be together.
If you are looking to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada, now is an excellent time to apply for a Super Visa. Contact us today to get started!
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