Government Raises Income Thresholds for Hosting Parents and Grandparents in Canada

As of July 29, 2025, Canadian hosts wishing to bring their parents or grandparents under the Super Visa program must meet higher minimum income thresholds, reflecting a 3.9% increase over 2024 levels.

💰 New Income Requirements by Family Size (Canadian Dollars)

Sponsors may combine incomes with their spouse or common-law partner to meet this requirement.

🛂 Key Details : How the Super Visa Works

• The Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit Canada multiple times over a 10-year period. Each entry permits a stay of up to 5 years, with the option to apply for a 2-year extension while in Canada.
  To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must:
  •  Apply from outside Canada
  •  Have valid private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an insurer approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)
  •  Undergo and pass an immigration medical examination
  •  Provide proof of relationship to their Canadian child or grandchild
  •  Show that their host in Canada meets the minimum income requirement to support their stay

🧾 What Counts Toward Family Size?

IRCC defines family size broadly. Sponsors must count:

• Themselves,
• Their spouse or common-law partner,
• All dependent children,
• All Super Visa applicants,
• Any previously sponsored individuals still under an active undertaking or visa.

✅ Example: If a Canadian sponsor, their partner, and one child invite one parent, the total family size is four, and the sponsor must earn at least $56,724 in 2025.

🔍 Why the Income Increase?

The updated thresholds mirror changes to Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) measures, which are adjusted annually for inflation and economic shifts. The 2025 increase is approximately 3.9% compared to the previous year.

🧩 Permanent Sponsorship vs. Super Visa

• Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP): Grants permanent residence status, available via invitation rounds such as the July 2025 intake. Sponsors must meet income criteria for the previous three years. This year, IRCC issued ~17,860 invitations to reach a goal of 10,000 complete applications; eligible sponsors must apply by October 9, 2025.
• Super Visa: A temporary but flexible alternative open year-round, ideal for extended family visits without permanent immigration goals.

📌 What This Means for Families

• Hosts and sponsors should review their total household composition—including all dependents and applications—to determine if they meet thresholds.
• Those unable to meet income requirements for the Super Visa may consider the PGP, if they’ve received an invitation.
• Sponsors should prepare a compliant letter of invitation and ensure proper health insurance coverage.

✅ Summary

• Starting July 29, 2025, Super Visa hosts in Canada face higher income thresholds, now ranging from $30,526 to $80,784 depending on family size.
• The increase, put in place to keep pace with cost‑of‑living adjustments, applies to all Super Visa applicants.
• Families must ensure they accurately calculate household size and meet all financial, insurance, and admissibility requirements.

If you’re eligible and interested in permanent residency sponsorship, note that the PGP intake is open from July 28 – October 9, 2025, and invitations are being issued only to those who submitted interest forms back in 2020.

Let me know if you’d like help calculating your eligibility—or comparing the Super Visa vs PGP pathways!