Yes, parents currently in Canada on a standard visitor visa can apply for a Super Visa from within the country to extend their stay. The inland processing fee is $100 CAD, while hiring a local lawyer to navigate maintained status issues typically costs between $1,500 and $3,500 CAD.
Many parents and grandparents initially travel to Canada on a standard Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit their families. However, a standard visitor is generally only allowed to stay for up to 6 months at a time. When families realize they want their parents to stay longer-to help with grandchildren or simply to spend more time together-they often wonder if they must send their parents back home to apply for a Super Visa. 📍 Fortunately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows eligible parents to apply for the Super Visa from inside Canada.
Applying inland is incredibly convenient, but it introduces the complex concept of “maintained status” (formerly known as implied status). If your parent’s initial 6-month stay expires while the inland Super Visa is still processing, they must not leave the country, or they will lose their legal standing to remain. Navigating the exact timing of the submission, securing the mandatory Canadian insurance, and proving your LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) while the parents are already living with you is a delicate task. Most hosts choose to retain a Canadian immigration law firm to ensure no mistakes result in a deportation order.
Step-by-Step Inland Super Visa Process
Whether you are hosting your parents in Montreal, Winnipeg, or Halifax, the inland Super Visa application is processed federally through IRCC’s Canadian processing centres. Here is how the inland process typically unfolds.
Step 1: Checking Current Legal Status
Before applying, you must verify that your parents have valid temporary resident status in Canada. ⌚ If their 6-month visitor visa has already expired and they did not apply for an extension, they are out of status. In this case, your lawyer must first apply for a Restoration of Status within 90 days of the expiry, which adds complexity and a $225 CAD fee to the process.
Step 2: Securing the Mandatory Insurance and LICO
Just like an overseas application, you must prove you meet the LICO threshold using your CRA Notice of Assessment. Furthermore, your parents must have a valid Canadian private medical insurance policy of at least $100,000 CAD that covers them for a minimum of one year from the date the Super Visa is expected to be issued. Because they are already in Canada, ensuring the start date of the policy is correct is critical.
Step 3: The Upfront Medical Exam (IME)
To speed up the inland processing, it is highly recommended to complete an upfront Immigration Medical Exam (IME). 🔬 You will need to book an appointment with an IRCC-approved Panel Physician located in your Canadian city (e.g., in Toronto, Vancouver, or Edmonton). The doctor will submit the medical results directly to IRCC, and you will include the tracking sheet with your inland application.
Step 4: Applying Online to IRCC
Your lawyer will compile the forms, the medical tracking sheet, the LICO proof, and the insurance policy, submitting everything through the IRCC Secure Portal. By applying before their current visitor status expires, your parents benefit from maintained status. They are legally allowed to remain in Canada under the conditions of their original visitor visa until IRCC makes a final decision on the Super Visa.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Applying inland saves on flight costs, but the legal and insurance fees remain identical to applying from overseas. 💵 You must also account for the cost of a medical exam performed by a Canadian clinic.
- IRCC Super Visa Fee: $100 CAD per person.
- Biometrics Fee (If not previously given): $85 CAD per person.
- Law Firm Retainer: Typically between $1,500 and $3,500 CAD to manage the inland application and maintained status.
- Canadian Medical Exam: Approximately $200 to $350 CAD, depending on the local provincial clinic.
| Requirement | Average Cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government Filing | $100 | Paid to IRCC online |
| Private Health Insurance | $1,500 – $3,000+ | Mandatory 1-year coverage |
| Legal Representation | $1,500 – $3,500 | Highly recommended for inland |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Inland processing times are often more predictable than overseas applications. As of June 2026, an inland Super Visa application generally takes 60 to 120 days. Because your parents have maintained status during this wait, the length of the processing time does not force them to leave Canada, provided they do not cross the border while waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is maintained status for visitors?
If your parents apply for a Super Visa before their current 6-month visitor status expires, they are granted maintained status. This allows them to legally stay in Canada until IRCC processes the new application, even if the original 6 months pass.
Can my parents leave Canada while waiting for the inland Super Visa?
It is highly discouraged. If they leave Canada, they immediately lose their maintained status. When they attempt to re-enter, a CBSA officer will reassess them as standard visitors, which could complicate or cancel their pending application.
Do they need a new medical exam if they already had one?
IRCC medical exams are generally valid for 12 months. If your parents had an IME done more than a year ago for their initial entry, they will absolutely need to complete a new one with a Panel Physician in Canada.
Can a lawyer help if my parents are already out of status?
Yes. If their status expired less than 90 days ago, a lawyer can help apply for a Restoration of Status alongside the Super Visa application. If it has been more than 90 days, the situation is legally complex and requires immediate legal consultation.
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