Indians residing in Canada who wish to bring their parents and grandparents to stay with them have the option to sponsor them through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) or apply for a Super Visa. In 2025, Canada plans to accept up to 10,000 complete sponsorship applications under the PGP.
The PGP allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. Sponsors must be at least 18 years old, meet the required income threshold, and sign an undertaking to provide financial support. Those who have obtained Canadian citizenship can also sponsor their parents and grandparents to live and work in the country. Processing times for PGP applications as of February 5, 2025, were approximately 24 months for applicants outside Quebec and 48 months for those applying within Quebec due to the province’s limited family class admission targets.
For families seeking to reunite for extended periods without permanent residency, the Super Visa remains an option. It allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry and provides multiple entries over a period of up to ten years. Recent changes to the program have made it more accessible by allowing applicants to obtain health insurance from approved providers outside Canada.
To be eligible for a Super Visa, applicants must apply from outside Canada and meet the requirements for temporary residence. A host child or grandchild who is a registered Indian under the Indian Act can sponsor an applicant, and the Certificate of Indian Status is sufficient proof of eligibility. Officers processing these applications do not require additional proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence from the host.
Applicants must provide valid health insurance from a Canadian insurance provider or an approved international company. Maintaining health insurance is mandatory throughout their stay in Canada, and if the coverage expires before departure, it must be renewed. Super Visa holders are not eligible for provincial or territorial healthcare plans, making private health insurance a key requirement.
For those planning a shorter visit of six months or less, a standard visitor visa is recommended. However, for longer stays, the Super Visa offers flexibility with the possibility of extending the duration while in Canada.
