Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified how long foreign nationals who qualify for a super visa can remain in the country. The duration of stay depends on when the applicant applied for the visa and, in some cases, when they entered Canada.
Five-Year Stay for Recent Applicants
For those who applied for a super visa on or after June 22, 2023, eligible holders can stay in Canada for up to five years at a time. The same five-year period applies to those who entered Canada on or after that date, even if a border officer does not stamp their passport upon entry.
The super visa is designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Holders must either leave Canada or apply to extend their stay before their status expires, and maintaining valid visitor status remains the individual's responsibility.
Rules for Earlier Applications
The rules are more nuanced for applicants who submitted their super visa before June 22, 2023. In those cases, the duration of stay granted depends on when the holder entered Canada. Those who entered the country before June 22, 2023 are only permitted to stay for the period approved by the border officer at the time of entry. A holder who was granted two years, for example, may only remain in Canada for that duration.
However, two options exist for those seeking a longer stay. The first is to leave Canada before the authorised period ends and then re-enter. The second is to apply for a stay extension, which can be approved for up to two additional years. A border officer may also grant a five-year stay if the applicant still meets all the eligibility requirements for the super visa at the time of re-entry.
Related Immigration Updates
Meanwhile, Canada's Rural Community Immigration Pilot released a full list of 26 priority occupations eligible for permanent residence in 2026. The programme targets skilled workers in healthcare, construction, engineering, and technology who are willing to settle in rural areas.
