IRCC Super Visa Requirements 2026:
Insurance Rules Explained

1 What Is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa that allows the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods. It was introduced in 2011 as a way for families to stay connected while the permanent Parents and Grandparents Program sponsorship queue remains closed or restricted.

The Super Visa allows eligible visitors to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per entry, with the option to extend that stay by up to 2 additional years while still in Canada. The visa itself is typically valid for up to 10 years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, allowing multiple entries throughout that period.

Because Super Visa holders are not eligible for provincial or territorial health coverage, IRCC requires proof of private health insurance before the visa can be approved. This insurance requirement is mandatory and non-negotiable.

2 IRCC Insurance Requirements for Super Visa 2026

IRCC specifies four insurance conditions that must all be met simultaneously. A policy that fails any single condition will result in the Super Visa application being refused. These four conditions have not changed since the Super Visa was introduced, with one important update in January 2025 expanding the eligible insurers.

3 Insurance Conditions: Full Detail

Payment Structure

IRCC requires the insurance to be paid in full or in installments with a deposit. Quotes are not accepted. The actual policy must be purchased and in force before the insurance letter can be issued. Most families pay upfront annually, or use the monthly installment structure: an initial deposit covering two months of premium plus a one-time non-refundable setup fee, followed by 10 monthly payments for the remaining balance.

What the Insurance Letter Must Show

• The insured person's full name exactly as it appears on their passport
• Policy number and the name of the qualifying Canadian insurer
• Coverage amount confirmed as at least $100,000 CAD
• Policy start date on or before the expected entry date
• Policy end date at least 365 days after the start date
• Explicit confirmation of coverage for emergency health care, hospitalization, and repatriation

OSFI-Authorized Foreign Insurers

As of January 28, 2025, IRCC allows foreign insurers authorized by OSFI under the Insurance Companies Act to issue qualifying Super Visa insurance. To qualify, the foreign insurer must appear on OSFI's publicly available list and must issue the policy through its Canadian insurance operations. In practice, very few foreign insurers meet all three conditions. Popular foreign insurers such as LIC, Star Health, and ICICI Lombard are not on the OSFI list and do not qualify. Always verify OSFI authorization before purchasing from a foreign insurer.

4 Income Requirements and LICO Table 2026

The Canadian host must demonstrate that their household income meets or exceeds the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold for their family size. The MNI is based on Canada's Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) plus 30 percent, updated annually by Statistics Canada.

Family size includes: the host, their spouse or common-law partner, all dependent children, and all parents or grandparents being invited under the Super Visa application.

2026 LICO Income Thresholds

Family Size Calculation Example

A Canadian permanent resident inviting both parents, who lives with a spouse and two dependent children: family size equals 6 (host + spouse + 2 children + 2 parents). The minimum income required is $72,560. If only one parent is being invited, family size is 5 and the minimum income required is $64,338.

Proof of Income Documents

• Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency for the qualifying tax year, showing Line 15000 total income
• T4 slips, pay stubs, or employment letters as supplementary evidence
• For self-employed hosts: business financial statements and a letter from a certified accountant verifying annual net income
• For co-signing spouses: a separate NOA may be required to demonstrate combined household income

5 March 2026 Income Rule Changes

On March 20, 2026, IRCC announced two significant changes to how income eligibility is assessed for Super Visa applications. These changes took effect March 31, 2026 and apply retroactively to all applications already in processing on that date. These are the most meaningful updates to the Super Visa program in years.

Change 1: Two-Year Income Assessment Window

Previously, hosts had to meet the LICO threshold based solely on their most recent taxation year. If that year was difficult due to a career change, maternity leave, layoff, or commission-based income fluctuation, the application could fail regardless of the host's typical earnings.

Under the new rules, hosts can now use income from either of the two preceding taxation years. If your 2025 income was lower than required but your 2024 income met the LICO threshold, you can use 2024 and qualify. This benefits hosts in seasonal industries, self-employment, and commission-based roles.

Change 2: Parent Can Contribute Their Own Canadian Income

The visiting parent or grandparent can now contribute their own Canadian-source income toward meeting the LICO threshold. If the Canadian host's income falls slightly below the required amount and the visiting parent has verifiable Canadian income, such as Canadian pension payments or Canadian investment income, that income may be combined with the host's income to satisfy the threshold.

Only Canadian-source income counts. Foreign income from the parent's home country, regardless of how substantial, does not qualify under this rule.

6 Other Eligibility Requirements

Requirements for the Visiting Parent or Grandparent

• Must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Step-parents and adoptive parents qualify.
• Must be outside Canada at the time the application is submitted to IRCC. The Super Visa application cannot be submitted from within Canada.
• Must be admissible to Canada. No criminal record, outstanding immigration violations, or health conditions that pose a danger to public health or safety.
• Must complete a medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician. The medical exam is valid for 12 months.
• Must demonstrate ties to their home country through property ownership, employment, close family members remaining home, bank accounts, or other financial assets.
• Must have valid travel documents including a passport valid for the duration of the intended stay in Canada.

Requirements for the Canadian Host

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is 18 years of age or older and residing in Canada.
• Must provide a signed invitation letter confirming the relationship, financial support, and invitation to visit Canada.
• Must meet the minimum income threshold for their family size. A spouse or common-law partner can co-sign so combined income is assessed.
• Must provide proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status such as a Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, or PR card.

7 Complete Super Visa Application Checklist 2026

Use the following checklist to ensure all required documents are in order before submitting the Super Visa application to IRCC.

8 Common Reasons for Super Visa Refusal

Understanding why Super Visa applications are refused helps families avoid the most common mistakes.

• Insurance does not meet all four IRCC conditions. The most preventable cause of refusal. Using a licensed broker like EGE Insurance eliminates this risk entirely, as every plan is verified against all four conditions before purchase.
• Insufficient proof of income. The host's income does not meet the LICO threshold, or documentation is incomplete. Under the March 2026 rules, using the better of two preceding tax years may resolve this. Always submit a complete NOA, not just a T4 or pay stub.
• Incorrect family size calculation. Miscounting results in using the wrong LICO threshold. Include all dependent children, the host's spouse, and every parent or grandparent being invited.
• Insufficient ties to the home country. IRCC must be satisfied that the visitor will return home after their stay. Include multiple forms of evidence such as property ownership, employment, and close family members remaining in the home country.
• Medical inadmissibility. A health condition identified in the medical examination that poses a danger to public health or places excessive demand on Canadian health services.
• Incomplete or incorrect application forms. Errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in the application forms can result in refusal without review of the substantive merits.
• Prior immigration violations or overstays. Any history of immigration violations, overstays, or misrepresentation in previous Canadian visa applications is a significant negative factor.

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Below are the most common questions about IRCC Super Visa requirements in 2026.