Parents and Grandparents Program vs. Super Visa: Understanding Your Options

Two main pathways allow parents and grandparents of Canadians to come to Canada: the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) for permanent residence, and the Super Visa for extended temporary visits. This resource compares both options clearly.

This resource compares the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which offers a pathway to permanent residence, with the Super Visa, which provides long-term temporary resident status. It covers eligibility, processing timelines, costs, and strategic considerations to help families determine which option best fits their situation.

Many Canadian families are not aware that two distinct programs exist for parents and grandparents, with meaningfully different outcomes and processes. The PGP is the right choice for families where the parents or grandparents intend to reside permanently in Canada. The Super Visa is better suited for those who want to visit for extended periods while maintaining their primary residence abroad. Choosing the wrong program — or applying for both without a clear strategy — can lead to complications.

• The PGP grants permanent resident status — parents and grandparents can live, work, and stay in Canada indefinitely and eventually apply for citizenship
• The PGP involves an annual invitation-based application pool — not all interested sponsors are selected in a given year
• Income requirements for PGP sponsorship are stricter and apply for a multi-year undertaking period
• The Super Visa grants temporary resident status for stays of up to 5 years per entry — parents and grandparents maintain their primary residence abroad
• The Super Visa does not lead to permanent residence on its own