What Are Your Alternatives for Bringing Parents to Canada in 2026?
Short answer: Three alternatives exist while the PGP is frozen. The Super Visa is the best option, allowing stays of up to 5 years per entry on a 10-year multi-entry visa with no lottery and new March 2026 income flexibility. A regular visitor visa permits stays of up to 6 months with fewer insurance requirements. The third option is to wait for a possible 2027 PGP intake, which IRCC has not confirmed.
1. Super Visa (Best Option)
The Super Visa allows your parents or grandparents to visit Canada for up to 5 years per entry, with a visa valid for up to 10 years. Key advantages:
- No lottery – apply anytime
- Long stays – up to 5 years per visit without extensions
- Multiple entries – come and go freely
- New income flexibility (as of March 31, 2026): hosts can qualify using either of the two most recent tax years, and the visitor's own income can supplement the host's
The Super Visa requires private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer or, since January 28, 2025, a foreign insurer authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), and proof that the host meets the minimum income threshold.
2. Regular Visitor Visa
A standard visitor visa allows stays of up to 6 months. Less ideal for long-term family reunification, but simpler to obtain and does not require medical insurance.
3. Wait for 2027
IRCC has not confirmed whether a PGP intake will open in 2027. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused the program until further notice. The 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan keeps a target of 15,000 PGP admissions for 2027, but an admissions target is not an intake: IRCC would first have to announce new interest to sponsor forms or invitations, and it has not. A 2027 intake is possible but not guaranteed. Any reopening will be announced on IRCC's parents and grandparents page. If you are not sure which route fits your family, start with our free immigration assessment.
How Much Income Do I Need for a Super Visa for My Parents in 2026?
Short answer: IRCC's current minimum income table, updated July 29, 2025, is: 2 persons $38,002, 3 persons $46,720, 4 persons $56,724, 5 persons $64,336, 6 persons $72,560 and 7 persons $80,784, plus $8,224 for each additional person. As of March 31, 2026, you can meet the threshold using income from either of the two most recent tax years, and your parent or grandparent's own income can count toward the total if you and your co-signer fall short.
The income threshold for hosting parents or grandparents on a Super Visa depends on your family size. See the full income requirements on canada.ca:
| Family Size | Minimum Income Required |
|---|
| 2 persons | $38,002 |
| 3 persons | $46,720 |
| 4 persons | $56,724 |
| 5 persons | $64,336 |
| 6 persons | $72,560 |
| 7 persons | $80,784 |
| Each additional person | $8,224 |
New for 2026: You can now qualify by meeting the threshold in either of the two most recent tax years (not just the most recent). If you and your co-signer fall short, your parent's or grandparent's own income can also count toward the total.
