If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident looking to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada, you have two primary options: Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and Super Visa. Both options have unique benefits and limitations, so it is essential to understand which pathway suits your family’s needs. It is worth noting that the PGP is still active but is currently closed for new applications in 2024.

Super Visa vs. PGP: What Are the Differences?

1. Super Visa:

• • Status: Temporary resident visa, valid for multiple entries over ten years. Each visit can last up to five years without requiring status renewal.
  • Processing Time: Typically takes about three months for approval.
  • Stay Duration: Up to five years per entry, with the option to extend the stay by an additional two years.
  • Eligibility: Open year-round with no lottery system, making it more accessible for families. Applicants must pass a medical exam and purchase private health insurance.
  • Cost: Less expensive upfront compared to the PGP but requires proof of sufficient financial support and health insurance.

2. Parents and Grandparents Program:

• • Status: Provides permanent resident status, allowing sponsored individuals to live, work, and study in Canada indefinitely.
  • Processing Time: The wait can stretch up to six years or longer. For example, individuals who submitted interest in 2020 are just now receiving invitations in 2024.
  • Eligibility: The PGP operates through a lottery system, with limited intake each year. Sponsors must meet specific income thresholds for three consecutive years and commit to supporting their relatives financially for 20 years (or 10 years if residing in Quebec).
  • Cost: The PGP comes with higher application fees, but it grants permanent residency.

Which Option Should You Choose?

• • Super Visa is ideal if your parents or grandparents are looking for longer-term visits (up to five years at a time) and prefer flexible entry and exit. It is particularly useful for those who do not qualify under the PGP lottery or are not looking for permanent residency.
  • PGP is more suitable for those who want their parents or grandparents to live permanently in Canada. However, due to the program’s limited intake and long wait times, it may not be the fastest solution. The PGP also provides access to Canadian healthcare and social programs, but sponsors need to assume financial responsibility for their relatives for up to two decades.

Eligibility Requirements

For the Super Visa, applicants must be the parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, provide proof of private health insurance, and meet specific income requirements. The Super Visa is more accessible, with no cap on the number of visas issued annually.

For the PGP, only individuals who submitted an “Interest to Sponsor” form during the designated intake period are eligible to apply. Sponsors must meet a minimum income requirement, demonstrate their ability to support their relatives, and submit a detailed application upon receiving an invitation.

Financial Considerations

Both the Super Visa and PGP have financial obligations. Super Visa sponsors must meet minimum income thresholds and provide a formal promise of financial support. For 2024, income thresholds vary based on family size. For example, a family of four must show an income of at least $66,466. Health insurance is also mandatory for Super Visa applicants and must provide coverage for at least $100,000.

The PGP requires proof of income for the past three years. Income requirements are higher than those for the Super Visa and vary based on the number of family members being supported.

Wait Times and Availability

PGP applicants may face long waits. Those selected in the 2020 pool are only now receiving invitations, with processing times extending up to two years once the application is submitted. In contrast, Super Visa applications are processed in about three months, making it a more efficient option for families looking for a shorter turnaround time.