Parent on a Super Visa Wants to Stay in Canada Permanently? Your Options in 2026
Updated: Oct 26
The short answer: A Super Visa is temporary. It can't turn into permanent residence on its own. On July 15, 2026, IRCC paused intake of new Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) applications and said it will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms or invite sponsors until further notice. For a parent already in Canada, the options include maintaining valid visitor status, waiting to see whether the PGP reopens, or, if their situation supports it, a humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) request. No option is guaranteed, and IRCC makes the decision.
This article is part of our humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) application guide.
Why so many families are asking this now
Many families brought a parent to Canada on a Super Visa, planning to sponsor them through the PGP later. Then the program stalled.
On July 15, 2026, IRCC announced that it is pausing intake of new PGP applications and will continue to process existing applications. IRCC says it plans to approve up to 15,000 people for permanent residence through the program in 2026, in line with the 2026-2028 Levels Plan.
At the same time, parents age. A father passes away. A mother's health declines. Families start asking whether there is any way for their parent to stay for good.
Your three main options
1. Keep your parent here on a Super Visa (temporary)
IRCC says a Super Visa holder can stay for 5 years at a time (for those who applied on or after June 22, 2023), on a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 10 years. To stay longer, a parent can leave Canada and re-enter before the authorized stay ends, or apply to extend their stay in Canada. IRCC's length of stay page explains how extensions work. For people who entered before June 22, 2023, it says an extension of up to 2 years can be approved, so check the page for your parent's entry date.
Good for: families who want to stay together now and see whether the PGP reopens.
Limits: it gives no permanent status. IRCC requires private medical insurance for a Super Visa application. See IRCC's requirements.
2. Wait for the Parents and Grandparents Program
IRCC has not announced whether or when the PGP will reopen. Its notice says it will not invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice.
Good for: families who can wait and want to watch for an IRCC announcement.
Limits: there is no announced reopening date, and sponsorship rules, including income requirements, may change if the program reopens.
3. Apply on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds
H&C allows IRCC to grant permanent residence, or an exemption from normal requirements, when a person's circumstances justify it. IRCC calls it an exceptional measure, and the applicant must show sufficient and compelling grounds. For older parents, requests often rest on facts such as:
A widowed parent with no family left in their home country
A parent with health conditions who depends on their child in Canada for daily care
A parent who has lived in Canada for years and is deeply tied to children and grandchildren here
A child in Canada who is the parent's only source of support
Good for: parents with genuine hardship and no realistic alternative.
Limits: H&C processing is very slow, so check IRCC's processing times tool. The parent should keep valid temporary status while waiting, because applying for H&C does not stop removal.
Who does this affect?
Parents and grandparents in Canada on a Super Visa or visitor record
Adult children who can't sponsor because the PGP is paused or they don't meet the income requirement
Families who were refused for a Super Visa or PGP before
What should you do?
Protect your parent's status first. Apply to extend before their authorized stay ends. Losing status makes everything harder.
Look honestly at the H&C factors. Is there family left in the home country? What are the parent's medical needs? Who provides daily care? How long have they lived here?
Start collecting evidence now, even if you're not ready to apply:
Medical records and doctor's letters
Death certificate of a deceased spouse, if applicable
Proof of your parent's time in Canada and community ties
Evidence of your own establishment: work, taxes, home
Letters from family, friends, faith community or healthcare providers
Get a professional assessment. H&C is discretionary and the wait is long. It's worth knowing whether your parent's case is strong before you file. See our page on H&C for elderly parents.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Super Visa be converted to PR?
No. A Super Visa is a temporary visa. PR requires a separate application, such as PGP sponsorship or H&C.
Is the Parents and Grandparents Program open in 2026?
IRCC paused intake of new PGP applications on July 15, 2026, and says it will not accept new interest-to-sponsor forms or invite potential sponsors to apply until further notice. It continues to process applications already submitted.
Can my parent apply for H&C while on a Super Visa?
An H&C application is made from inside Canada, so a parent who is in Canada on a Super Visa may be able to submit one. Whether H&C is appropriate depends on the parent's situation, and an approval is not assured.
What if I don't meet the income requirement for sponsorship?
H&C is a different kind of request from sponsorship, but IRCC's H&C guidance says issues such as financial inadmissibility should be resolved first where possible. Talk to a qualified representative about your parent's circumstances.
Key takeaways
A Super Visa can't become PR by itself.
IRCC paused new PGP intake on July 15, 2026, until further notice.
H&C may be an option for some older or widowed parents already in Canada, but it is not guaranteed.
H&C processing is very slow, so your parent should keep valid status while waiting.
Start gathering medical and family evidence now.
The bottom line
Watching a parent age far from family, or worrying they'll have to leave, is one of the hardest parts of immigration. While there is no shortcut, there are real options, and the right one depends on your parent's health, family situation and time in Canada.
Next steps
If your parent is in Canada and you are weighing the options, a case review can help you see which questions to ask and which documents to start collecting.
. E-Pathway Immigration can help you understand your options and what evidence may be relevant. A decision remains with IRCC.
Related guides
More H&C guides: H&C guide index
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources: IRCC notice: Parents and Grandparents Program (July 15, 2026); IRCC: Sponsor your parents and grandparents; IRCC: Super Visa; IRCC: Super Visa eligibility; IRCC: Super Visa length of stay; IRCC: Super Visa forms and documents; IRCC: Humanitarian and compassionate considerations; IRCC: Check processing times
This article provides general information only and is not legal advice. Immigration options and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified representative for advice about your situation.
About the author
Domonic Cheung is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), licence R711344, with E-Pathway Immigration in Vancouver, BC. You can verify his licence on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) public register.
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