What are the Options for Bringing Parents and Grandparents to Canada in 2026?

Canada has significantly narrowed the options for family reunification involving parents and grandparents in 2026. New Ministerial Instructions that took effect on January 1, 2026 confirm that no new applications will be accepted under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

As a result, families can no longer plan around permanent residence sponsorship for parents and grandparents in 2026. Instead, the focus shifts almost entirely to temporary residence options, with the Super Visa emerging as the most practical and stable solution.

On this page you will find

• Why Canada paused the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2026
• Which applications are still being processed
• Why the Super Visa is now the main option
• Super Visa eligibility and income requirements
• Required documents and insurance rules
• Visitor visa and eTA alternatives
• What families should plan for next

Why the Parents and Grandparents Program Is Closed in 2026

The federal government has directed that no new sponsorship or permanent residence applications for parents or grandparents will be accepted in 2026. Only applications that were

• Submitted in 2025
• Based on invitations issued from the 2020 interest-to-sponsor pool
• Counted within a cap of 10,000 sponsorship applications

will continue to be processed this year.

Unless further instructions are issued, no additional PGP applications will be accepted during the 2026 calendar year. Requests based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds from outside Canada will also not be processed if they accompany an application that falls outside these rules.

This policy effectively pauses parent and grandparent permanent residence sponsorship and places families in a holding pattern.

The Super Visa – The Main Option in 2026

With the PGP paused, the Canada Super Visa is now the primary option for parents and grandparents who want to spend extended time in Canada.

The Super Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry temporary resident visa designed specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Key features include:

• Valid for up to 10 years
• Allows stays of up to five years per entry
• Option to apply for extensions from inside Canada
• No annual intake cap or lottery

While it does not grant permanent residence, it offers far greater stability than a standard visitor visa and allows families to plan long-term stays.

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa

To qualify:

• The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• The host must be at least 18 years old and living in Canada
• The host must meet the minimum income requirement based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO)
• The applicant must apply from outside Canada

Income thresholds depend on family size. For example, recent LICO figures require:

• $34,254 for a family of two
• $51,128 for a family of four

Key Requirements for a Super Visa

Super Visa applications focus heavily on financial capacity and health coverage.

Applicants must provide:

• A signed invitation and financial support letter from the host
• Proof of relationship, such as birth or marriage certificates
• Proof of private medical insurance from a Canadian provider
• A valid passport
• Evidence of financial self-sufficiency
• A clear explanation of the purpose of the visit
• Background and admissibility documents

Medical insurance must:

• Be valid for at least one year
• Provide a minimum of $100,000 in coverage
• Cover healthcare, hospitalisation, and repatriation

Other Temporary Options in 2026

While the Super Visa is the strongest option, it is not the only temporary pathway available.

Visitor Visa

Parents and grandparents may still apply for a standard visitor visa. This option:

• Usually allows stays of up to six months at a time
• Does not require LICO income thresholds
• Does not require mandatory private medical insurance

However, visitor visas offer less predictability. Extensions are discretionary, and repeated long stays can raise concerns about temporary intent. For families seeking extended or recurring visits, this is a weaker option than the Super Visa.

Canada eTA

Visa-exempt parents and grandparents may be eligible to travel to Canada using a Canada electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

An eTA:

• Is valid for up to five years or until passport expiry
• Allows multiple short visits
• Typically permits stays of up to six months per entry

The eTA is best suited for short visits rather than long family stays. It does not provide the stability or extended stay options that many families need.

What This Means for Families in 2026

In 2026, bringing parents and grandparents to Canada is no longer about permanent residence planning. It is about choosing the right temporary status based on length of stay, financial capacity, and family needs.

For most families, the Super Visa offers the best balance of certainty and flexibility. Visitor visas and eTAs remain available for shorter visits but are less suitable for long-term family reunification.

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