For many Canadian families, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is the preferred route to bring parents or grandparents to Canada permanently. However, PGP applications can take considerable time to process, and the program is currently paused for new applications.
The good news is that parents and grandparents who have already submitted a sponsorship application can apply for a Super Visa while waiting for a decision on their PGP application.
IRCC expressly confirms this option on its current Super Visa eligibility page.
PGP and Super Visa serve different purposes
The first point to understand is that these are two different immigration programs.
PGP — Permanent residence
The Parents and Grandparents Program allows eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence.
IRCC has currently paused the PGP. As of July 15, 2026, IRCC is not accepting new applications, new interest-to-sponsor forms, or issuing new invitations until further notice. Existing applications continue to be processed.
Super Visa — Temporary residence
The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians.
A Super Visa can allow the parent or grandparent to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time, with the possibility of extending the stay by up to 2 years at a time from inside Canada. The visa can allow multiple entries for up to 10 years, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and passport validity.
Therefore, the Super Visa does not replace the PGP. One is a temporary residence option; the other is a permanent residence program.
Can someone apply for both?
Yes.
This is one of the most important points for families considering their options.
IRCC specifically states that if a parent or grandparent has already submitted a sponsorship application, they can:
- apply for a Super Visa while waiting for a decision on the sponsorship application; or
- withdraw the sponsorship application and apply for a Super Visa.
Therefore, a parent does not have to abandon an existing PGP application simply because the family wants to pursue a Super Visa.
For a family that wants the parent to eventually become a permanent resident but also wants the parent to spend substantial time in Canada while waiting, the two applications can serve different purposes.
What are the requirements for a Super Visa?
Having a pending PGP application does not automatically qualify someone for a Super Visa. The applicant must independently satisfy the Super Visa requirements.
The Canadian host must generally:
- be the applicant’s biological or adopted child or grandchild;
- be at least 18 years old;
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian;
- live in Canada;
- meet the applicable minimum necessary income requirement; and
- provide a signed invitation letter.
The parent or grandparent applying for the Super Visa must generally:
- apply from outside Canada;
- be admissible to Canada;
- complete an immigration medical examination; and
- have the required private health insurance.
The applicant must also satisfy the general requirements for temporary residence. IRCC considers factors such as the applicant’s purpose of travel, family and financial circumstances, ties to their home country and whether they are a genuine temporary resident who will leave Canada as required.
The income requirement changed in 2026
Families should pay particular attention to the Super Visa income rules because they changed effective March 31, 2026.
There are now two ways for the host to meet the financial requirement.
Option 1: The host’s total income, including a co-signer’s income where applicable, meets or exceeds the required amount in either of the two tax years before the application.
Option 2: The host’s income in the year immediately before the application is at least 75% of the required amount, with the visiting parent or grandparent’s income potentially being used to cover the remaining amount.
This second option may be particularly useful for families whose Canadian income falls short of the full threshold but whose parent or grandparent has qualifying income.
Health insurance remains an important requirement
A Super Visa applicant must provide proof of private health insurance meeting the program requirements.
The policy must generally provide at least one year of coverage from the date of entry and meet IRCC’s requirements concerning coverage and the insurance provider.
This can represent a significant additional cost compared with an ordinary visitor visa, particularly for older applicants or applicants with medical conditions.
Families should therefore consider the cost of Super Visa insurance before deciding whether the option makes financial sense.
Does applying for a Super Visa hurt a pending PGP application?
Not simply because the applicant has applied for a Super Visa.
In fact, IRCC expressly contemplates a person having a pending sponsorship application while applying for a Super Visa.
However, a Super Visa remains a temporary resident application. The applicant must satisfy the officer that the requirements for temporary residence are met.
Having a future or existing interest in permanent residence does not automatically prevent someone from obtaining temporary residence. The key issue is whether the applicant meets the applicable requirements and can satisfy the officer regarding their temporary stay.
This is particularly important where the applicant has strong family connections in Canada. Those connections should not simply be ignored. Instead, the application should present the circumstances accurately and explain the purpose and duration of the proposed visit.
What if the parent is already in Canada?
A Super Visa application must be made while the applicant is outside Canada. IRCC’s current application instructions specifically state that applicants must be outside Canada when they apply.
Therefore, a parent who is already in Canada on visitor status cannot simply submit a new Super Visa application from inside Canada.
Depending on the circumstances, the person may instead be able to apply to extend their temporary status in Canada, subject to the applicable requirements.
Is the Super Visa a “backup” for PGP?
It can be a practical temporary option, but calling it a “backup PGP” can be misleading.
The two programs have fundamentally different outcomes:
| PGP | Super Visa |
|---|---|
| Permanent residence | Temporary residence |
| Leads to PR if approved | Does not provide PR |
| Sponsorship required | Canadian child/grandchild acts as host |
| Program intake can be limited or paused | Currently available subject to eligibility |
| Processing can take significant time | Separate temporary-residence application |
| No requirement to purchase Super Visa insurance | Required private health insurance |
| Intended for permanent family reunification | Intended for extended visits |
The Super Visa can therefore be a bridge while waiting for permanent residence, but it does not guarantee that the parent will eventually receive PR.
What should families do?
For families with an existing PGP application, the decision is generally straightforward:
If the goal is permanent residence:
Keep the PGP application in process.
If the family also wants the parent to spend extended periods in Canada while waiting:
Consider whether the parent qualifies for a Super Visa.
If the parent does not qualify for a Super Visa:
A regular visitor visa may still be an option, depending on the circumstances.
If the family is considering withdrawing the PGP application:
Understand the consequences carefully. IRCC confirms that a person may withdraw the sponsorship application and apply for a Super Visa, but the Super Visa does not preserve the permanent residence application.
Bottom line
Yes — a parent or grandparent can apply for a Super Visa while waiting for a decision on an existing PGP sponsorship application.
The two applications serve different purposes. The PGP is for permanent residence, while the Super Visa is for extended temporary visits.
For families whose long-term objective is permanent residence, keeping the PGP application while exploring Super Visa eligibility may provide a way for parents or grandparents to spend substantial time with family in Canada during the wait.
However, a Super Visa application must still independently satisfy the temporary-residence requirements. A pending PGP application does not guarantee Super Visa approval.
Current PGP status: IRCC paused new PGP intake on July 15, 2026 and is not currently accepting new applications or issuing new invitations. Existing applications continue to be processed.
