Visitor Visa vs. Super Visa In Canada, Key Differences?
If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident hoping to bring your parents or grandparents for an extended stay, understanding the options is helpful to make an informed decision. Canada’s Visitor Visa is a general entry permit for short trips, while the Super Visa is a specialized multiple-entry visa tailored for parents and grandparents, allowing longer visits without the hassle of frequent renewals. Both fall under temporary resident visas, but they differ significantly in processing times, requirements, and costs. Let’s break it down.
Processing Time
Different application types have processing times that vary by your country of residence and application volume. Always check the latest processing estimates on the IRCC website, as times are updated weekly.
FALL 2025: Canada Immigration Processing Times
Around the date of this post, processing times are very delayed.
Visitor Visa Processing Times
- South Africa – 374 days
- India – 77 days
- Jamaica – 32 days
- China – 21 days
- Mexico – 63 days
- Pakistan – 50 days
- Philippines – 18 days
- Syria – 289 days
- United Kingdom – 49 days
- Vietnam – 35 days
Super Visa Processing Times
- South Africa – 156 days
- India – 157 days
- Jamaica – 61 days
- China – 56 days
- Mexico – 80 days
- Pakistan – 152 days
- Philippines – 71 days
- Syria – 533 days
- United Kingdom – 136 days
- Vietnam – 75 days
ORDINARILY: Canada Immigration Processing Times
Visitor Visa: Typically 2-4 weeks for online applications from low-volume countries, but can extend to several months from high-volume areas like India (around 30-60 days). Biometrics add 1-2 weeks.
Super Visa: Averages 3-6 months overall. For example, it’s about 94 days from India, 61 days from Nigeria, and up to 191 days from Nepal. Expect delays if medical exams or extra documents are needed.
Eligibility Requirements
Visitor visa requirements
- for any applicant
- travel itinerary and plan needed
- demonstrate funds to cover visit
- demonstrate intent to return to homeland
- visit no longer than 6 months at a time
Super visa requirements
- only for parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- family in Canada must demonstrate Low Income Cut Off (see minimum requirements below)
- applicant must pass medical exam
- applicant must obtain a medical insurance ($1,500-$2,000)
- visits can span for years at a time
Cost
Both visas keep government fees low, but the Super Visa’s extras can add up.
Visitor Visa: CAD $100 application fee per person. Biometrics (if needed): CAD $85. Family applications (5+ people) drop to CAD $500 total.
Super Visa: Same CAD $100 fee, plus biometrics CAD $85. Additional: Medical exam (CAD $200-500, varies by provider) and mandatory health insurance (CAD $1,500-3,000/year for seniors).have a travel plan
In summary, choose the Visitor Visa for quick, short stays, but opt for the Super Visa if you’re planning meaningful, multi-year reunions—it’s worth the wait and investment. However, at the date of this post – if you live in South Africa, a Super Visa might be worth considering as the visitor visa processing time is unusually long.
