Government Increases Financial Requirements to Host Parents and Grandparents in Canada

The Canadian government has introduced updated financial requirements for citizens and permanent residents wishing to host their parents or grandparents under the Super Visa program. Effective July 29, 2025, hosts must demonstrate a higher minimum gross annual income, reflecting a 3.9% increase from the previous year. This adjustment aims to account for inflation and changing economic conditions, ensuring that hosts can adequately support their visiting family members without reliance on Canadian social services.

The Super Visa program allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada as long-term visitors. It offers a visitor status for up to 10 years, with the flexibility to stay for up to 5 years at a time for each visit. The program is a popular option for families seeking to reunite with loved ones while maintaining their temporary status in Canada.

New 2025 Minimum Income Requirements

To be eligible to host parents or grandparents on a Super Visa, the host must meet the following gross annual income thresholds, which vary based on family size:

These amounts represent the minimum gross annual income required for hosts to support their visiting relatives under the Super Visa program. The income thresholds apply to the host’s total family size, including themselves, their spouse or partner, dependent children, and the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s).

If the primary host does not meet the income requirement alone, their spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the application. In this case, both partners’ incomes are combined to reach the required threshold.

About the Super Visa

The Super Visa is designed to facilitate family reunification for Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It offers a flexible and long-term solution for parents and grandparents to visit their families in Canada without the need for frequent visa renewals. Key features of the Super Visa include:

• Visitor status for up to 10 years
• Stays lasting up to 5 years at a time for each visit

While the Super Visa provides a convenient option for temporary visits, it is distinct from the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which allows for permanent residency. The PGP has significantly higher income requirements, with sponsors needing to demonstrate proof of income for three consecutive tax years.

Purpose of the Increase

The adjustment in income requirements aims to ensure that hosts are financially capable of supporting their visiting family members and that visitors will not rely on Canadian social services during their stay. By aligning the requirements with current economic conditions, the government seeks to maintain the integrity of the Super Visa program while protecting public resources.

Key Differences Between Super Visa and PGP

For those considering sponsorship options, it’s important to understand the differences between the Super Visa and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The PGP allows for permanent residency, but it comes with higher financial obligations. Sponsors under the PGP must meet income requirements for three consecutive tax years, with amounts significantly higher than those for the Super Visa.

As shown in the table above, the Super Visa requirements are lower compared to the requirements for those intending to sponsor parents or grandparents for immigration as permanent residents. This reflects the different purposes and durations of the two programs.

Summary

In summary, as of July 29, 2025, hosts in Canada must meet raised income requirements to invite parents or grandparents on a Super Visa. The increase is intended to reflect cost-of-living changes and to ensure financial responsibility for visiting relatives during their stay in Canada. This adjustment ensures that the Super Visa program remains sustainable while maintaining its goal of facilitating family reunification for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Related Programs: Sponsoring Permanent Residency

For those intending to sponsor parents or grandparents for permanent residency, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) offers an alternative pathway. However, this program comes with significantly higher financial requirements. Sponsors must demonstrate proof of income for each of the three tax years preceding their application. The required amounts are substantially larger than those for the Super Visa program.

For example, a sponsor supporting two people must have earned $47,549 in 2024, $44,530 in 2023, and $43,082 in 2022. This multi-year financial commitment ensures that sponsors can support their family members permanently in Canada.

The PGP is designed for those who wish to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada as permanent residents, offering a pathway to eventual citizenship. Unlike the Super Visa, which is for temporary visits, the PGP requires a long-term financial commitment, reflecting the responsibilities associated with permanent residency.

Conclusion

The Canadian government’s update to the Super Visa program’s financial requirements reflects its commitment to balancing family reunification with economic responsibility. As of July 29, 2025, hosts must meet higher income thresholds to ensure visiting parents and grandparents are adequately supported without relying on public resources. This adjustment aligns with inflation and maintains the program’s integrity, offering a flexible solution for temporary visits. For those seeking permanent residency, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) remains an option, though it requires a more substantial financial commitment over three years.

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