Differences Between Canada’s PGP and Super Visa

Posted by Nationwide Immigration Services on April 9th, 2024

Do you plan to bring your parents and grandparents to Canada? Well, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) and Super Visa are the two valid options. 

While PGP allows permanent residents and citizens of Canada to sponsor their parents and grandparents as PR, Super Visa allows you to do the same – but they will be allowed to stay in Canada temporarily. 

Wondering which one should you apply for? Let’s find out in this article. 

What is PGP?

If you are thinking about how your parents and grandparents can immigrate to Canada from India, PGP is your answer. You can sponsor them as a PR holder or as a citizen under PGP, a part of the Family Sponsorship Class. 

You have to meet certain requirements to be able to submit an interest-to-sponsor form. Not anyone can invite their parents and grandparents to Canada. IRCC conducts a draw among sponsors – once a year – and if you are selected (if you qualify and meet all requirements), you are invited to submit a complete sponsorship application.

Not just the sponsor but parents and grandparents also have to meet the requirements regarding medical exams, security checks, and others. 

If and when your application is approved, they can immigrate to Canada and enjoy the benefits that a PR gets. 

Did you know? IRCC aims to welcome 32,000 newcomers through PGP in 2024. That’s right! These numbers will rise to 34,000 in 2025 and 2026. 

Who is eligible under PGP Canada? 

You can be eligible to bring your parents and grandparents to Canada under PGP if you meet the following requirements: 

• Be a permanent resident, citizen in Canada, or an Indian registered under the Canadian Indian Act. 

• Your age is at least 18 years. 

• Your current place of residence is Canada. 

• You do not exceed the minimum necessary income requirement. 

• You have enough money to support yourself and sponsored individuals. Also, sign an undertaking to take care of them for 20 years. 

• Commit to the Government of Canada that you’ll repay any social assistance benefits paid to the sponsored family members for 20 years.

• Sign an additional agreement if you’re living in Quebec. 

What is a Super Visa? 

Super Visa is also for sponsoring parents and grandparents to Canada. The only difference is this visa is for a temporary stay. A super visa is a Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) – a type of visitor visa only, which enables parents and grandparents of citizens and permanent residents of Canada to visit their families.

This visa is valid for 10 years only, which allows parents and grandparents to enter Canada as many times as they want & stay for 5 years per entry, without renewing their visitor status. 

Who is eligible under PGP Canada?

If you are applying for a Super Visa, the spouse or partner of the sponsored person may also be included in the application. No dependents can be included. For more clarification on the same, connect with the best immigration consultants in Delhi, who will be able to give you professional advice due to their in-depth and extensive knowledge of Canadian immigration laws. 

The person being sponsored has to meet the following requirements: 

• They must get a letter of invitation from their host in Canada, meaning their child or grandchild.

• They have to provide proof of parental relationship with the host. It can be in the form of: 

• Copies of the birth certificate of the host

• Baptismal certificate

• Other documentation where the sponsored person is mentioned as a parent. 

• They must also provide proof of medical insurance, which should be valid for at least one year.  The medical insurance must:

• Be approved by a Canadian insurance company 

• Cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation

• Have a minimum of 0,000 of emergency coverage

• Be valid for each entry to Canada

• Be accessible to review at Canadian port of entry

Furthermore, the sponsor must meet these: 

• Show they meet the minimum income criteria

• They are willing to take financial responsibility for the visitor during their stay in Canada.

Now the decision is yours!

Canada PGP and Super Visa are the best options if your parents and grandparents want to immigrate to Canada, permanently or temporarily. Canada also offers spouse visa, which takes 12-14 months to process, under the Family Class Sponsorship program. Once the spouse is living and working in Canada as a PR, they will be eligible to apply for a dependent visa for Canada work permit, among other benefits PRs get in Canada.