Updated on April 16, 2026 by canadian immigration experts
The rules of the Super Visa for parents and grandparents to Canada just got changed.
And if you were told before that you don’t qualify because of your income read this carefully! Because the rules changed.
On March 20, 2026, IRCC announced two significant changes to how the IRCC measures the Super Visa income eligibility of the Canadian who is applying.
The new rules took effect March 31, 2026, and apply retroactively to applications already submitted and in processing on that date.
This is the most meaningful update to the Super Visa program in years. It will allow thousands of Canadian families to qualify to sponsor parents/grandparents super visa to Canada.
Let me walk you through what changed:
What Is the Super Visa Income Requirement?
To host your parent or grandparent on a Super Visa, you, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, must prove that your household income meets or exceeds the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) for your family size.
This threshold is based on Canada’s Low Income Cut-Off (LICO), plus an additional 30%.
The 2026 LICO + 30% thresholds by family size:
How family size should be calculated: You count the host, the host’s spouse or partner, all dependent children in the household, and every parent or grandparent being invited, and those parents or grandparents or a spouse who you have sponsored in the past and continue to be responsible for.
This is where many families make their first mistake: undercounting dependent family members.
What Changed on March 31, 2026?
Before March 31, 2026, the income rule was rigid: you had to meet the LICO threshold based on your single most recent taxation year. If that year was difficult and you made less
Money is more than a qualifying amount – you failed the test, regardless of every other year of your working life.
IRCC officially changed this now and created two new pathways to qualify for the financial test.
Change 1, Extended Assessment Window:
Hosts can now use income from either of the two taxation years preceding the date of application, not only the most recent year.
If your 2025 income was lower, but your 2024 income meets the threshold, you qualify.
You can now choose the year that works in your favour. Having the choice in pick your year is a significant improvement for seasonal workers, recent graduates, parents who took parental leave, entrepreneurs whose business income fluctuated, and anyone who changed jobs or industries in the past two years.
Having chosen which year you would be relying on, you must submit supporting documentation
* a Notice of Assessment,
* T4, T1, or pay stubs for that 12-month period.
Do not submit two years of documentation. Choose the gear you are relying on yourself. The officer will not search for the better year on your behalf.
Change 2, Your Income Can Be Supplemented with the Parents’ Own Income:
Having a family member supplement their income is a significant change, and the one that opens the door for a larger number of Canadians and their family members abroad.
Now, the income of the visiting parent or grandparent can be added to the host’s income to meet the financial threshold.
Please note that it is expected that the host must independently meet a minimum base percentage of the LICO threshold first. Once that floor is met, the parents’ documented income, such as pensions, investment returns, rental income, and savings distributions, can be added to cover the remaining amount.
IRCC has not yet published the exact minimum percentage the host must meet independently. It will appear on IRCC’s official forms page. This is a detail to monitor closely, and one where working with an experienced immigration lawyer will prevent costly mistakes.
To reiterate, Change 2
What counts as the parents’ income:
- Pension
- Investment income
- Rental income
- Dividends with an established history
- Any verifiable, stable income source
In your submission, provide a calculation of income, assets, etc., in dollars or Robles.
What you and your parents need to collect: To qualify for the financial test.
What Documents Do You Need?
For the Canadian host:
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) from CRA for the qualifying taxation year — this is the anchor document officers trust most
- T4 slips or T1 general return for the same year
- Employer letter on company letterhead confirming position, start date, and current salary
- Recent pay stubs covering at least three to six months
- For self-employed hosts: an accountant’s letter confirming annual net income
- Bank statements showing consistent deposits (strongly recommended)
For income supplementing with parents’ income:
- Official pension statements from the home country government or pension authority
- Investment account statements
- Certified translations of all foreign-language documents
- Bank of Canada exchange rate conversion documentation
For the Super Visa application itself:
- Valid passport for the visiting parent or grandparent
- Proof of Canadian private medical insurance, minimum $100,000 coverage, valid for at least one year from the anticipated entry date, from a Canadian insurance provider
- Letter of invitation from the Canadian host
- Proof of relationship, birth certificates, translated if necessary
- Evidence of ties to the home country: property ownership, other family members, financial accounts
The Medical Insurance Requirement: Do Not Underestimate This
Super Visa applications often receive refusals due to errors in medical insurance. The IRCC requirements for medical insurance under the Super Visa are specific and should be followed precisely.
* The policy must be issued by a Canadian insurance provider. It must provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency medical coverage.
* It must be valid for at least one full year from the anticipated date of entry.
* It must cover hospitalisation, repatriation, and the cost of returning to the home country if medically required.
Annual premiums for required coverage typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 per person, depending on age and pre-existing conditions of the insured person.
Do not choose the cheapest policy. Choose the one that will not be questioned.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Do I need to meet the income requirement in both of the past two tax years?
A: No. You need to meet it in only one of the two years preceding your application date.
Q: Can my parents’ income cover the entire threshold?
A: No. The host must independently meet a minimum base percentage of the LICO threshold first. The parents’ income supplements, but it does not replace the host’s income.
Q: My application is already being processed. Do I need to reapply?
A: No. All applications in processing as of March 31, 2026, are under automatic review, regarding the new rules. Submit additional supporting documents proactively if you wish to use the new pathways.
Q: I was refused before because of insufficient income. Can I reapply?
A: Yes. Recalculate your eligibility under the new rules. If you now qualify, you may reapply immediately. Include a cover letter explaining how you meet the updated requirements.
Q: Does the Super Visa lead to permanent residence?
A: No. The Super Visa is a temporary visitor status. It does not create a pathway to permanent residence or Canadian citizenship.
Q: The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is closed in 2026. How long can my parents stay in Canada on the Super Visa?
A: Up to five years. The stay in Canada can be extended from inside Canada for up to 2 years. However, the extension is for a visitor record.
The Big Picture
The Super Visa offers an opportunity to be together, but not permanence. It is a visitor status in Canada for parents and grandparents of their Canadian children and grandchildren.
But it is what is available in 2026, and the March 31, 2026, changes make it available to more families than before.
We have practised immigration law consulting in this country for over 25 years and sat across the table from people who want their parents to be close to them, to love and care for them while the parents are alive. Therefore, while I deeply condemn the closure of parental sponsorship programs, I welcome every positive change IRCC introduces to the Super Visa.
The Super Visa is an opportunity for thousands of Canadians. The key is to have your application well-prepared and well-evidenced to avoid a refusal. The decision on the application is always discretionary and depends on its strength.
Our team at Jane Katkova & Associates is informed and detail-oriented when it comes to Canadian immigration. Every family situation is different. Income structure, family size, the parents’ country of origin, prior refusals, and insurance options all affect the strategy and the details of application preparation. Which is why it is crucial to have your application/situation discussed with one of our team members, with over 25 years of experience, and 15,000 case/application approvals. Our specialists know what it takes when it comes to putting together a successful application.
