Canada Raises Income Rules to Invite Parents & Grandparents on Super Visa

Starting July 29, Canadian citizens and permanent residents must earn more money to invite their parents or grandparents on a super visa. The government increased the minimum income hosts need to qualify, based on family size. For example, a single person now needs at least $30,526 a year, up from $29,380 last year. For larger families, the amount goes higher. The sponsor’s spouse or partner can combine incomes to meet the new rule.

What Is a Super Visa?

The super visa lets parents and grandparents visit Canada for up to 10 years. They can stay in the country for up to five years at a time. It is a popular way to keep families together without applying for permanent residence. But the hosts must prove they earn enough money to support their visitors.

How Is Income Calculated?

The government calculates income using a standard called the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). This amount changes each year. This year, the income requirements went up by 3.9%. The family size includes the sponsor, their spouse or partner, dependent children, the parents or grandparents applying for the super visa, any other super visa holders in the family, and even people the sponsor has sponsored before, if the sponsorship is still active.

Counting Family Members Matters

To figure out the income needed, the host must count all relevant family members. For example:

• Maria wants to invite her parents. She has two kids and is divorced. Even though she shares custody, she counts her children too. That means 5 people in her family. She must make $64,336 a year or more.
  
• Arjun wants to invite his grandmother. He is married, has one child, and his spouse already hosts her parents on super visas. Counting everyone, he has 6 family members. He needs to earn $72,560 or more.
  
• Chinonso invites his two parents. He is married, has one child, and previously sponsored his former spouse’s parents, which still counts. That means 7 family members. He must earn $80,784 or more.
  

Proof of Income

To prove income, hosts can submit these documents:

• The latest Notice of Assessment from the tax agency
  
• T4 or T1 tax forms
  
• Pay stubs from the last 12 months
  
• Employment Insurance benefit papers
  
• A letter from an accountant (for self-employed)
  
• Pension or other income statements
  
• Employer letters stating salary and job details
  
• Bank statements
  

Super Visa vs. Parents and Grandparents Program

The super visa and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) are different. The PGP offers permanent residence, allowing parents and grandparents to live, work, and study in Canada forever. They can also get health insurance in their province. But the PGP opens only once a year and uses a lottery system. Only those who applied in 2020 currently get invitations.

The super visa allows long-term visits but does not grant permanent residence. Visitors cannot work or study, and usually cannot get health insurance. However, the super visa is open all year. Hosts and their parents or grandparents can apply anytime.