Last Updated: April 2026 · Immigration Law · Nihang Law Professional Corporation
Quick Answer: Bringing Your Parents to Canada in 2026
- As of January 1, 2026, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has paused all new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications under Ministerial Instructions 89 — no new sponsorship files are being accepted, with no reopening date announced.
- The Super Visa is now the primary pathway for extended family visits: it allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry, with multiple entries over a ten-year visa validity period.
- Effective March 31, 2026, IRCC introduced two new ways to meet the income requirement: hosts may now use either of their two most recent tax years (not just the latest), and a visiting parent's own recurring income — such as a foreign pension — may help close a shortfall once the host meets a minimum income threshold.
- To qualify, the host must still meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) — set at the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30% — calculated against total household size, and the visiting parent must hold Canadian private medical insurance with a minimum $100,000 coverage valid for at least one year.
- The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence; families who want PR (permanent residence) for their parents should monitor IRCC for any future PGP intake and keep their tax records and civil documents current.
Your Options for Bringing Parents to Canada Have Changed
If you have been waiting for the Parents and Grandparents Program to open again, you are not alone. Thousands of families across Ontario — many of whom submitted an Interest to Sponsor form years ago — are now facing the reality that there is no clear timeline for when PGP intake will resume. That is genuinely difficult, and the uncertainty is understandable.
The good news is that the path is not closed — it has simply changed. The Super Visa exists specifically for this situation, and as of March 31, 2026, it has become significantly more accessible thanks to new income rules from IRCC. More families than ever before now meet the eligibility requirements.
This article explains exactly what happened to PGP, how the Super Visa works, what the new 2026 income rules mean in practical terms, and what steps your family can take right now. If you are looking for immigration legal services in Toronto and Scarborough, Nihang Law can walk you through every stage of the process.
Pick Your Path: Which Situation Applies to You?
Not everyone reading this is in the same position. Find your situation below to focus on the sections that matter most to you.
You have never applied for PGP. The Super Visa is your best immediate route. Everything below applies directly to you.
You submitted a complete PGP file before Dec 31, 2024. Your file may still be in processing. Monitor your IRCC secure account. Do not submit a new application — consult a lawyer if inactive.
Your previous Super Visa application was refused. The March 31, 2026 income rules may have changed your eligibility. Review the income section carefully before reapplying — and address the original refusal reasons.
Your parents need to come to Canada soon. The Super Visa is the only immediately available extended-stay route. A regular visitor visa may also be an option for shorter stays.
Why PGP Is Paused and What That Means for Your Family
The Parents and Grandparents Program — often called PGP — is the program under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence. When it operates, PGP is capped and competitive: in 2025, IRCC invited only 17,860 potential sponsors and accepted 10,000 complete applications.
IRCC has confirmed it will continue processing up to 10,000 sponsorship files already submitted before December 31, 2024. PGP admissions for 2026 are capped at 15,000 total — but those spots are reserved exclusively for files already in the system, not new applicants.
IRCC has not offered a timeline for reopening PGP. Any social media claims about a specific reopening date are speculation. If an existing PGP file is refused, judicial review of that decision at the Federal Court may be an option worth exploring.
What the Super Visa Actually Offers — and What It Doesn't
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa created specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. There is no annual cap on Super Visa applications and no lottery — eligible families can apply at any time of year.
The Super Visa is temporary resident status — it does not grant access to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or any other provincial health coverage. The mandatory $100,000 private insurance requirement exists precisely because visiting parents are not entitled to provincial health benefits. The Super Visa also does not create a pathway to permanent residence or Canadian citizenship.
For families whose long-term goal is permanent residence for their parents, the relevant route remains family class sponsorship — specifically the PGP stream. Keeping tax filings, passports, and civil documents current now means you will be ready to act quickly when PGP intake eventually reopens.
Super Visa vs. Regular Visitor Visa vs. PGP: Side-by-Side
Here is a clear comparison of the three main options for bringing parents to Canada, as they stand in 2026.
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Super Visa vs. Visitor Visa vs. PGP — 2026
Key differences across the three pathways for bringing parents to Canada
| Feature | Super Visa | Visitor Visa (TRV) | PGP (PR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max stay per entry | Up to 5 years | Up to 6 months | Permanent |
| Visa validity | Up to 10 years | Up to 10 years | Permanent |
| Annual intake cap | None — apply anytime | None | Paused — no new apps 2026 |
| Leads to PR? | No | No | Yes |
| Insurance required | Yes — $100,000 min. | No (recommended) | No (OHIP as PR) |
| Host income proof | Yes — MNI (LICO+30%) | No | Yes — sponsor threshold |
| Approx. processing | 8–12 weeks | 2–8 weeks | New apps paused |
| Available in 2026? | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✕ New apps paused |
Source: IRCC — canada.ca/super-visa. Processing times are estimates only. Verify program status at Canada.ca before applying. Nihang Law Professional Corporation · Law Society of Ontario
The New Income Rules Effective March 31, 2026 — Explained in Plain English
The income requirement exists to demonstrate that the host — the Canadian citizen or permanent resident — can financially support their parent or grandparent during the visit. The host must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), based on Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) — a Statistics Canada measure of the income threshold below which a family may face financial hardship — plus an additional 30%.
Before March 31, 2026, the rule was rigid: IRCC looked only at your most recent taxation year. If that one year fell below the MNI — even temporarily — the application could be refused, regardless of your overall financial picture.
New Option A: The Two-Year Income Window. The host and their co-signer (if applicable) may now qualify by meeting the MNI in either of the two taxation years preceding the date of application. Your Notice of Assessment (NOA) — the annual tax summary issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — for either year can be used. This change is meaningful for anyone who experienced a disruption in the most recent tax year: parental leave, a job change, a slow year for self-employment, or a period of reduced hours.
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The Two-Year Income Window — Before vs. After March 31, 2026
How the same family's application outcome changes under the new rules
Source: IRCC — March 2026 Income Rule Announcement, canada.ca. Example uses family-of-4 MNI of $56,724. Figures are illustrative. Verify eligibility before applying. Nihang Law Professional Corporation · Law Society of Ontario
New Option B: Including the Visiting Parent's Recurring Income. Once the host meets a minimum income percentage on their own — the exact threshold has not yet been published by IRCC and will appear on IRCC's official forms page when released — the visiting parent's own regular, recurring income may help close the remaining gap. Qualifying income means documented, regular income: a monthly pension, rental income from a property the parent owns, or recurring investment dividends.
A bank balance alone does not satisfy this option. Until IRCC publishes the minimum income percentage that unlocks Option B, there is real uncertainty in calculating eligibility for this route. Speak with a Nihang Law immigration lawyer about your specific numbers before relying on this option.
What has not changed. The MNI is still set at LICO+30%. The $100,000 private medical insurance requirement is unchanged. Family size is still calculated the same way: the host, their spouse or partner, all dependent children, and every parent or grandparent being invited, plus any individuals under active sponsorship undertakings.
Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) by Family Size — 2025/2026
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Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) by Family Size — 2025/2026
LICO + 30% thresholds used to assess Super Visa applications (cities of 500,000+)
| Family Size | Example Household | MNI 2025 (LICO+30%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | Host + 1 parent | $38,002 |
| 3 persons | Host + spouse + 1 parent | $46,720 |
| 4 persons | Host + spouse + 1 child + 1 parent | $56,724 |
| 5 persons | Host + spouse + 2 children + 1 parent | $64,336 |
| 6 persons | Host + spouse + 3 children + 1 parent | $72,560 |
| 7 persons | Host + spouse + 4 children + 1 parent | $80,784 |
| Each additional | Add to family of 7+ | + $8,224 |
| Family size must include the host, spouse or partner, all dependent children, each parent/grandparent being invited, and any individuals under active sponsorship undertakings. LICO thresholds are updated annually — verify current figures at Canada.ca before submitting. | ||
Source: Statistics Canada LICO 2025 (cities 500,000+), IRCC MNI = LICO+30%. Thresholds effective July 29, 2025. Verify at canada.ca before applying. Nihang Law Professional Corporation · Law Society of Ontario
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Roadmap for Ontario Families
Here is the full Super Visa application process from start to finish. Each step happens in sequence, so completing them out of order can delay your application.
- 1Confirm eligibility and calculate your family size correctly.Look at your CRA Notice of Assessment (NOA) for both of the two most recent tax years. Identify which year meets or exceeds the MNI for your household size. Include every person in the count: yourself, your spouse or partner, all dependent children, the parent or grandparent being invited, and any individuals under active sponsorship undertakings.
- 2Arrange private Canadian medical insurance for your parent.The policy must come from a Canadian insurance company, provide a minimum of $100,000 in coverage, be fully paid — not a quote — and be valid for at least one year from the anticipated date of entry. Submit proof of the paid policy, not a payment plan.
- 3Your parent completes an immigration medical examination.The exam must be performed by an IRCC-designated physician. Results are valid for 12 months. Your parent should book this appointment early — physician availability can vary significantly depending on the country.
- 4Prepare a signed invitation letter.You must write a letter committing to financially support your parent for the duration of their stay. Include the intended duration, your immigration status in Canada (citizen or PR), your contact information, and your signature. Vague or incomplete invitation letters are a common refusal reason.
- 5Gather all supporting documents.You will need: NOA(s) from CRA, T4 or T1 slips, a letter from your employer or accountant (if self-employed), proof of family size, copies of passports, and proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status. If using the visiting parent's income under Option B, include pension statements, rental income documents, or investment income records. Our immigration team can review your file before you submit to catch any gaps that could cause delays.
- 6Your parent submits the application online through the IRCC portal.The government application fee is $100 CAD per applicant. Biometrics may also be required — IRCC will notify the applicant if so.
- 7Track the application and respond promptly to any IRCC requests.Processing typically takes 8 to 12 weeks for complete, well-documented files. Complex cases may take up to six months or longer. Check IRCC's processing times tool on Canada.ca for current estimates.
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Super Visa Application Timeline — Typical Stages
From eligibility check to IRCC decision — what to expect at each phase
Source: IRCC Processing Times Tool — canada.ca/processing-times. Timeline stages are estimates. Verify current times before applying. Nihang Law Professional Corporation · Law Society of Ontario
Common Mistakes That Lead to Super Visa Refusals
Super Visa refusals are often preventable. The most frequent errors are straightforward — but each one can delay your family's reunion by months.
- Only checking the most recent tax year. Under the March 31, 2026 rules, you may have a stronger NOA from the year before. Failing to check both years is a missed opportunity that can result in an unnecessary refusal.
- Calculating family size incorrectly. The most common error is forgetting to include all dependent children, or leaving out individuals under active sponsorship undertakings. Every person who qualifies under IRCC's formula must be counted.
- Submitting an insurance quote instead of a paid policy. IRCC requires proof of a paid insurance policy. The policy must be fully paid and valid before you submit your application.
- Writing an invitation letter that is vague or missing a financial commitment. The letter must specifically state that you will financially support the visitor. Include your status, the intended duration, and a clear financial commitment statement.
- Presenting a bank balance as the visiting parent's "recurring income." Under Option B, only documented regular income qualifies — monthly pension payments, rental income from a lease agreement, or recurring investment dividends. A savings balance does not meet this standard.
- Insufficient proof of home-country ties. Strong applications address ties directly with documentation: property ownership, employment, pension registration, or close family members remaining abroad.
- Reapplying after a refusal without addressing the original refusal reasons. The new 2026 income rules do not automatically overcome every previous refusal ground. Consider seeking a judicial review of a refused Super Visa if you believe the original decision was unreasonable.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Super Visa in 2026
Is PGP sponsorship still available in 2026?
No. As of January 1, 2026, IRCC is not accepting any new PGP sponsorship or permanent residence applications, including Interest to Sponsor forms, under Ministerial Instructions 89 (MI89). The pause has no announced end date.
IRCC is continuing to process up to 10,000 files already in the system before December 31, 2024. Monitor IRCC's official announcements on Canada.ca for any future updates.
What is the Super Visa and how is it different from a regular visitor visa?
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa designed exclusively for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It allows stays of up to five years per entry, compared to the six months typically authorized under a regular visitor visa.
A regular visitor visa (TRV) has no income requirement for the host and requires no mandatory medical insurance, but it is not designed for extended stays. The Super Visa requires more documentation but offers significantly longer authorized time in Canada.
How much income do I need to qualify for the Super Visa in 2026?
You must meet or exceed the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI), set at Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30%, based on your total family size. For a family of four, the 2025 threshold is $56,724. For a family of two, it is $38,002.
Verify the specific dollar figure for your family size at Canada.ca before applying. LICO thresholds are updated annually. Under the new 2026 rules, you can use your NOA from either of the two most recent tax years.
Can I use my parents' pension or rental income to help meet the income requirement?
Possibly, under the new Option B introduced March 31, 2026. If you as the host meet a minimum income percentage on your own — the exact threshold has not yet been published by IRCC — your parent's regular recurring income such as a monthly pension, documented rental income, or investment dividends may count toward the remaining gap.
A bank savings balance does not qualify as recurring income. The income must be regular, documented, and ongoing. Consult a lawyer before relying on this option.
My Super Visa application was refused before March 31, 2026. Can I reapply under the new rules?
Yes, you may reapply. If your previous refusal was based on income and the new two-year income window or the parent's income option would now make you eligible, you can submit a new application. Include a cover letter explaining how you now meet the updated requirements.
The new income rules alone do not overcome refusal grounds unrelated to income — such as concerns about home-country ties, admissibility issues, or misrepresentation. Those issues must be addressed directly in any reapplication.
How long does a Super Visa application take in 2026?
For a complete, well-documented application, processing typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. Some applications take up to six months or longer when IRCC requests additional documents, background checks take longer, or medical review is extended.
Processing times are estimates and vary by visa office, country, and completeness of submission. Check the current processing time tool on Canada.ca for the most up-to-date estimates.
Does the Super Visa give my parents access to OHIP or other provincial health benefits?
No. Parents and grandparents visiting on a Super Visa are temporary residents and are not eligible for OHIP (the Ontario Health Insurance Plan) or any other provincial health insurance. This is why the Super Visa requires a minimum $100,000 Canadian private insurance policy.
The insurance must be purchased from a Canadian insurance provider, paid in full before the application is submitted, and valid for at least one year from the date of entry. Submitting a quote or partially paid policy is a common refusal reason.
Can my parent stay in Canada longer than five years, or renew their status from inside Canada?
A Super Visa authorizes stays of up to five years per entry. If your parent needs to remain beyond that period, they can typically apply from inside Canada to extend their visitor record status. The extension is granted as a visitor record, not as a renewal of the Super Visa itself.
The Super Visa document can remain valid for up to ten years, allowing your parent to re-enter Canada on multiple occasions. Each stay is still subject to the authorization granted by a CBSA officer at the port of entry.
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Ready to Bring Your Parents to Canada? We Can Help.
The pause on PGP is genuinely difficult — but the Super Visa is a real, viable pathway for families right now. The March 31, 2026 income rule changes have made the program more accessible than it has been in years. Qasim Ali, Principal Lawyer at Nihang Law, founded the firm specifically to ensure clients feel supported and heard through complex immigration processes.
Nihang Law is a full-service law firm based in Scarborough, serving families across Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area. Our team brings deep immigration expertise and a genuine understanding of what newcomer families go through navigating the Canadian system.
Services available in English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Pashto, Mandarin, and Korean.
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About the author
Qasim Ali
Principal Lawyer · Nihang Law Professional Corporation · Toronto & Scarborough, Ontario · Law Society of Ontario
Qasim Ali is the Principal Lawyer at Nihang Law Professional Corporation, serving clients across Toronto, Scarborough, and the broader Greater Toronto Area. He provides full-service legal representation across immigration, real estate, family law, criminal law, civil litigation, employment law, wills and estates, and business law.
Nihang Law is particularly recognized for its depth in immigration and real estate law — a combination that serves newcomers and growing families navigating both legal systems simultaneously.
Learn more about Qasim Ali →Sources & References
- IRCC — Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents (Canada.ca)
- IRCC — Super Visa Eligibility and MNI Requirements (Canada.ca)
- IRCC — March 2026 Announcement: New Super Visa Income Flexibility (Canada.ca)
- IRCC — Processing Times Tool (Canada.ca)
- IRCC Ministerial Instructions 89 (MI89) — Pause of PGP intake effective January 1, 2026
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), S.C. 2001, c. 27
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), SOR/2002-227
- IRCC — Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028 (Canada.ca)
- IRCC — How to Apply for a Super Visa (Canada.ca)
- Law Society of Ontario (LSO) — lso.ca
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