Maple News reports that Canadian citizens and permanent residents hoping to bring their parents or grandparents to live with them in Canada have two primary options: the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) and the super visa. Both avenues serve different purposes and come with distinct advantages, depending on the needs and long-term intentions of your loved ones.
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with a validity period of up to 10 years. As of June 2023, this visa is open for applications year-round and is designed for quicker processing, with typical wait times averaging around three months. However, it grants visitor status only, meaning it does not offer a pathway to permanent residency.
In contrast, the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) permits eligible Canadians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. This program provides unrestricted stay and all the benefits associated with permanent resident status, such as healthcare and legal employment rights. However, it operates through a limited intake lottery system, making it significantly harder to access. The wait time can be extensive—data from the 2020 intake shows some families receiving invitations as late as 2024. Even then, current processing at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is estimated at an additional 24 months.
Understanding which option is best depends largely on your family’s long-term plans. If your parents or grandparents intend to stay in Canada for an extended visit but do not plan to settle permanently, the Super Visa may be the most accessible and immediate option. On the other hand, if they wish to relocate permanently and become part of Canadian society through healthcare, work opportunities, and accessibility to other benefits, then applying through the PGP would be more appropriate—despite the lengthy wait.
For short stays of up to six months, parents and grandparents can also enter Canada with a regular visitor visa, which is easier and faster to obtain but does not support long-term residence.
To qualify for the Super Visa, applicants must pass a medical exam, possess valid medical insurance from a Canadian insurer, and prove financial support from their host child or grandchild in Canada, meeting the minimum income threshold. Requirements for the PGP include being selected through the lottery system and meeting additional financial and sponsorship conditions.
These programs highlight Canada’s commitment to family reunification, while also addressing immigration management through controlled intake and timelines.
Maple News continues to monitor updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to keep families informed about evolving opportunities to reunite in Canada.