Processing times for a Canadian Super Visa typically range from 8 to 20 weeks, depending on the applicant’s home country and medical exam schedules. The government fee is $100 CAD, but hiring a Canadian immigration lawyer to ensure your income and insurance documents are perfect generally costs between $1,500 and $3,500 CAD.
Reuniting with parents and grandparents is a deeply emotional milestone for many families living in Canada. The Canadian Super Visa is an incredible tool that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit for up to five years at a time. However, the waiting period can be a significant source of stress. The timeline fluctuates based on the efficiency of local visa offices abroad and how quickly you can gather the complex financial and medical documentation required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Because the Super Visa allows for such a long stay, IRCC strictly scrutinizes every application to ensure the host child can financially support their visiting parents. 📋 A single missing Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a delay in the medical exam can push your processing time back by several months. Most successful applicants in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia choose to hire a local lawyer or law firm to manage the paperwork, ensuring that no administrative errors delay their family reunion.
Step-by-Step Super Visa Process in Canada
Whether you live in Toronto, Calgary, or Vancouver, you are considered the “host” and the process is governed by federal IRCC rules. The applicant (your parent) applies from their home country, but the financial burden of proof rests on you in Canada.
Step 1: Proving the Host’s Income (LICO)
The very first step is ensuring you meet the Minimum Necessary Income, which is based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) table. 💵 You must prove to IRCC that your household income is high enough to support your own family plus the visiting parents. This requires gathering your most recent T4 slips, employment letters, and the official NOA from the CRA. If your documents are disorganized, your lawyer can help structure your financial proof to meet IRCC standards.
Step 2: Purchasing Private Medical Insurance
Unlike a standard visitor, Super Visa applicants must be covered by Canadian private medical insurance before the application is even submitted. You must purchase a policy from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year and provides a minimum of $100,000 CAD in emergency coverage. The policy must be paid in full or paid in monthly instalments as per the latest IRCC updates. Providing this proof upfront is mandatory.
Step 3: The Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
Your parents must undergo a medical examination performed by an IRCC-approved Panel Physician in their home country. 🔬 This step often dictates how long the process takes. If the clinic is fully booked or if the doctor requires further testing (such as a sputum test for tuberculosis), your processing timeline will be significantly paused until IRCC receives the final medical clearance.
Step 4: Application Submission and Biometrics
Once the LICO proof, insurance, and application forms are compiled, your lawyer will submit the package via the IRCC online portal. Shortly after submission, your parents will receive a biometric instruction letter. They must travel to their nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide their fingerprints and a photograph. The faster they complete this, the faster the local visa office can begin reviewing the file.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Bringing your parents to Canada requires a notable financial commitment, primarily due to the mandatory private healthcare requirements. 💵 Budgeting accurately is crucial before beginning the process.
- IRCC Application Fee: $100 CAD per person.
- Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD per person (or $170 CAD maximum per family).
- Law Firm Retainer: Generally ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 CAD depending on the complexity of your income proof.
- Medical Insurance: Typically $1,500 to $3,000 CAD per parent, per year, depending on their age and pre-existing conditions.
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (CAD) | Who Pays? |
|---|---|---|
| Government Filing Fee | $100 | Applicant / Host |
| Immigration Lawyer | $1,500 – $3,500 | Host in Canada |
| Panel Physician Exam | $150 – $300 | Applicant (in home country) |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Processing times vary wildly depending on the country of origin. As of June 2026, applications from countries with high volumes (like India or the Philippines) generally take 8 to 16 weeks, while other regions might take up to 20 weeks. Biometric collection delays and medical exam reviews are the most common reasons for a prolonged wait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is LICO for a Super Visa?
LICO stands for Low Income Cut-Off. It is the minimum gross income threshold set by the Canadian government that a host must meet to prove they can financially support their visiting parents without relying on social assistance.
Can a medical exam delay the Super Visa?
Yes, absolutely. If the IRCC Panel Physician flags a potential health issue, they may request specialist reports or additional testing. IRCC will not process the visa until the medical branch clears the file, which can add months to the wait.
Do I need to hire an immigration lawyer?
While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, the strict financial and insurance requirements cause many self-prepared applications to be rejected. A Canadian law firm ensures your paperwork meets all exact IRCC specifications.
How long can they stay in Canada once approved?
Under current rules, a Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 5 consecutive years per entry, without needing to renew their status or leave the country.
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