September 28, 2026
Canada visit visa vs super visa is the first question many Pakistani families ask when parents want to visit children in Canada. The main difference is time. A visitor visa usually allows a stay of up to 6 months, while the super visa allows parents and grandparents to stay up to 5 years at a time.
The super visa also asks for more. The host in Canada must show enough income and the visiting parent must hold Canadian medical insurance. This page compares the two visas side by side and for the full super visa steps you can read our Canada super visa from Pakistan guide.
Canada Visitor Visa vs Super Visa: Comparison at a Glance
The visitor visa is easier and open to many people and the super visa is stricter but gives far longer stays. Here is the quick view.
Point | Visitor Visa | Super Visa |
Who can apply | Any genuine visitor | Parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident |
Stay per entry | Usually up to 6 months | Up to 5 years |
Visa validity | Up to 10 years (not beyond passport expiry) | Up to 10 years |
Host income proof | Not fixed | Required (minimum income rule) |
Medical insurance | Not required, but smart to have | Required, at least CAD 100,000 for 1 year |
Government fee | CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics | CAD 100 + CAD 85 biometrics |
Processing for Pakistan (IRCC estimate, Sept 2026) | About 75 days | About 95 days |
Leads to PR | No | No |
What a Canada Visitor Visa Allows
A visitor visa, also called a Temporary Resident Visa, lets you enter Canada for tourism, family visits or short business trips. It does not allow you to work or study long term. Our Canada visit visa from Pakistan guide covers the full application.
Who Can Apply
Almost anyone can apply if they show they are a genuine visitor. Officers want a clear reason for travel, enough funds and strong ties to Pakistan, like a job, business or family. Pakistani passport holders need this visa before travel.
Length of Stay and Visa Validity
The officer at the border decides how long you can stay and the usual limit is 6 months. The visa itself can be valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, but never beyond your passport expiry date.
What the Canada Super Visa Is and Who Qualifies
The Canada super visa is a multiple entry visa made only for parents and grandparents. Your child or grandchild in Canada must be a citizen, a permanent resident or a person registered under the Indian Act. You can read the official rules on the IRCC super visa eligibility page.
Host Requirements
The host must be 18 or older and live in Canada. They sign a letter of invitation that promises financial support for the whole stay. Their spouse or common-law partner can co-sign so both incomes count.
Applicant Requirements
The parent or grandparent must apply from outside Canada. They also need an immigration medical exam, proof of relationship and a paid insurance policy.
Length of Stay: 6 Months vs 5 Years per Entry
A visitor visa gives about 6 months per entry and a super visa gives up to 5 years per entry. For a parent who wants a long season with family, that gap saves many trips and many extension forms.
How Your Application Date Affects Your Stay
If you applied on or after June 22, 2023, you can stay 5 years at a time. Older applications follow different rules based on the date of entry, as shown on the IRCC length of stay page. It is your job to keep your status valid, so leave or apply to extend before it expires.
Parents Super Visa Canada: Income Requirement
The parents’ super visa Canada rules ask the host to meet a minimum income based on family size. For example, a host with no spouse or children who invites one parent (family size 2) needs CAD 38,002 on IRCC’s table.
Since March 31, 2026, a host can meet the full amount in either of the last two tax years, or show at least 75% and add the parent’s income for the rest. Check the latest amounts on the IRCC proof of financial support page and see the full table on our super visa page.
Not sure if your family meets the income rule? Call or WhatsApp the AIRCS team on +92 311 4464274, or book an appointment and we will review your file before you apply.
Super Visa Medical Insurance Requirements
Super visa insurance must give at least CAD 100,000 in emergency cover for at least one year from the date of entry. You need proof of payment, not just a quote. A visitor visa has no fixed insurance rule, but cover is still a wise choice. Insurer rules and monthly payment details are on our super visa page.
Documents Required: Visitor Visa vs Super Visa
Both visas need a passport, a photo, proof of funds, proof of ties to Pakistan and a clear reason for the trip. The super visa adds the host’s letter of invitation, proof of relationship, the host’s status and income papers, paid insurance proof and the medical exam result. The complete checklist sits on our super visa page.
Fees and Biometrics
The government fee is the same for both visas, at CAD 100 per person plus CAD 85 for biometrics. That is CAD 185 for one adult, which is about PKR 36,000 to 37,500 at late September 2026 exchange rates. The rate moves daily, so check it before you pay.
Biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in Islamabad, Karachi or Lahore. Once given, they stay valid for 10 years. The super visa also has outside costs, which are the insurance premium and the panel physician’s exam fee.
Processing Times for Visitor Visa and Super Visa Applications
IRCC’s estimate for Pakistan in September 2026 was about 75 days for a visitor visa and about 95 days for a super visa. These figures change every week, so look at IRCC’s live processing times tool before you plan travel.
The clock starts once IRCC has a complete file, so gather documents, insurance and the medical exam early. Waiting for a biometrics slot adds extra time on top.
Super Visa vs Parents and Grandparents Program
The super visa is temporary, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is for permanent residence. A super visa never turns into PR on its own. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused new PGP applications until further notice, so the super visa is the practical option for most families today. See the IRCC PGP page for updates.
Which Visa Should You Choose?
Pick the visitor visa for short trips and pick the super visa for long family stays.
- Choose a visitor visa if your parents plan a few weeks or up to 6 months, or if the host cannot meet the income rule yet.
- Choose a super visa if your parents want to stay many months or even years and you can meet the income and insurance rules.
- Want permanent residence? Both visas are temporary, so talk to AIRCS about your long term plan.
Common Reasons Super Visa Applications Are Refused
Most refusals come from weak income proof, wrong insurance or messy papers. Watch for these.
- Host income below the table amount, or income proof that does not match
- Insurance that is a quote only, shorter than one year or from an insurer IRCC does not accept
- Missing family members in the invitation letter, which gives the wrong income target
- A medical issue that officers flag under health rules
- Weak ties to Pakistan, so the officer doubts the parent will return
- Applying from inside Canada, because the application must be made from outside
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my parents stay 5 years on a visitor visa?
No. A visitor visa usually allows up to 6 months per entry. Only the super visa gives up to 5 years per entry.
Can my parents switch from a visitor visa to a super visa while in Canada?
No. A super visa must be applied for from outside Canada, so your parents would need to leave and apply from Pakistan.
Where do my parents give biometrics in Pakistan?
At a VFS Global centre in Islamabad, Karachi or Lahore. Biometrics stay valid for 10 years.
Can I invite my step-parent on a super visa?
Yes. You can invite the spouse or common-law partner of your parents, but you must add proof of their relationship, like a marriage certificate.
Can my parent’s income count toward the requirement?
Yes. The host must show at least 75% of the required amount first and the parent’s income can cover the rest.
Ready to Apply? Talk to AIRCS
Choosing between a visit visa and a super visa is easier with the right file from day one. The AIRCS team can check your income, insurance and documents before you submit. Call or WhatsApp us on +92 311 4464274 or book an appointment to start.
