It’s one of the most emotional parts of immigration: trying to bring your parents or grandparents to live with you in Canada. And while there are two main pathways—Super Visa and Sponsorship—they come with vastly different timelines, expectations, and results.

The Super Visa is a temporary program. It allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit and offers multiple re-entries over a ten-year period. For many families, it provides a quicker way to bring loved ones in, especially when the permanent sponsorship route is delayed or uncertain. That said, the Super Visa doesn’t lead to PR, doesn’t allow for employment, and doesn’t provide access to provincial healthcare. Families must purchase private health insurance and prove they meet IRCC’s minimum income cut-off.

Sponsorship, on the other hand, offers permanent residency—but with much more complexity. Every year, IRCC invites citizens and permanent residents to submit interest forms. Only a fraction are randomly selected to proceed. If selected, sponsors must show a 3-year income history above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) and commit to 20 years of financial responsibility. The process is slow—often taking 2 to 3 years—but it results in healthcare, stability, and eventually, citizenship.

When clients ask what’s best, the honest answer is: it depends.

Super Visa pros:

  • Much faster processing
  • Less financially demanding upfront
  • Doesn’t require winning a lottery

Sponsorship pros:

  • Leads to PR and health coverage
  • Provides long-term security
  • Allows your parents to settle without renewal

At Marwah-Jad, we help clients prepare for both. Many families begin with a Super Visa to bring their parents quickly, while waiting for a sponsorship invitation in the background. Others focus entirely on PR, knowing it’s a long game.

Both options have merit—but making the wrong choice can cost time, money, and peace of mind.