The super visa income requirement just became easier to meet. Starting March 31, 2026, IRCC changed how it calculates family income for the parents and grandparents super visa, and two new options mean families who previously fell short may now qualify.
A quick refresher: what the super visa is
The super visa is a multiple-entry visa that lets parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents visit for extended stays, far longer than a regular visitor visa allows. The catch has always been the financial test: the host (the child or grandchild in Canada) must prove enough income to support their visiting family members.
The two new ways to meet the super visa income requirement
1. A two-year lookback. Hosts (and a co-signer, if applicable) can now qualify by meeting the income threshold in either of the two taxation years before the application. Previously only the single most recent year counted, one slow business year or parental leave could sink an application.
2. The visitor’s own income can count. If the host and co-signer reach the required minimum percentage of the income threshold, the visiting parent or grandparent’s own income can be added to cover the remaining amount. For families whose parents have pensions or investment income, this is significant.
Who this applies to
Everyone with an application in processing on March 31, 2026, and everyone applying after. Families who qualified under the old rules still qualify. If you want to rely on one of the new options, you must include documents proving the income for your family size.
A lawyer’s note
Income calculations are where super visa applications fail, the definitions of what counts, for which year, and for which family size are precise. If your family was refused before, the new rules may change your answer. See my visitor visa and super visa services or read about parent and grandparent sponsorship if permanent residence is the real goal.
Source: IRCC Notice, March 20, 2026
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different: book a consultation to discuss your situation.
About the author
Miguel Martins Pereirinha is a Canadian immigration lawyer and partner at Slayen Immigration Law in Vancouver, British Columbia. He practises Canadian immigration law exclusively — work permits, permanent residence, family sponsorship, citizenship and inadmissibility — and works with clients in English and Portuguese.
