Complete Guide to Visas for Parents of Students in Canada

Introduction

Many families whose child is studying in Canada—or plans to study—would like the parents to be able to travel to Canada or obtain temporary residence so they can share the experience or become familiar first-hand with their child’s living conditions. Along this path, Canada offers several immigration and visa programs that can help. In this article, Amin Pardaz International explains, step by step, the conditions, requirements, key tips, and available options for a “visa for parents of a student in Canada,” so you can know which route suits you best and how to prepare.

Main options for parents to be in Canada

Before anything else, note that for parents who want to be in Canada—especially parents of a student—there are several options:

1. Visitor Visa / Temporary Resident Visa

2. Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

3. Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship (permanent residence)

4. In special circumstances, if parents want to study or work, other permits may be required (though this is not usually the case for parents of students).

We will examine each option in detail below.

1) Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa)

If you only want to come to Canada for a short time—for example, to visit your child or see family—you can use a Visitor Visa. The most important points:

• This visa allows you to enter Canada as a visitor; you may not work or reside long-term.

• If your child is a student, their university or educational institution may need to issue an invitation or documents confirming the child’s student status.

• You must provide evidence of your intention to return, i.e., ties to your home country, assets, family status, employment, etc.

• If parents intend to stay more than 6 months or want longer presence, the Super Visa may be more suitable.

Pros: Usually faster, with fewer requirements than permanent residence programs.
Cons: Time-limited, does not allow work or study, and typically cannot be converted to permanent residence.

2) Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

If a parent or grandparent wants to come to Canada for a longer period or multiple visits, the Super Visa is one of the most important routes. The official Government of Canada guidance states:

Key requirements

• The parent/grandparent must have a child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Status Indian.

• The child/grandchild must write an invitation letter undertaking financial support during the parent’s stay, and indicate the number of people in their household.

• This sponsor must meet the minimum income requirement (LICO) for their household size. (For example, for a one-person household, around CAD 30,526.)

• Private health insurance valid for at least one year is required, covering health, hospitalization, and repatriation.

• The applicant must apply from outside Canada and have the visa printed by the relevant visa office.

Advantages

• Multiple-entry is possible, for up to 10 years.

• Maximum length of stay per entry is up to 5 years.

Notes for parents of students
If your child is a student and you want to accompany them or make periodic visits, the Super Visa is a very suitable option because it allows a longer stay than a regular Visitor Visa.

3) Parents & Grandparents Sponsorship for Permanent Residence

If you want your parents or grandparents to live permanently in Canada, the Parents & Grandparents Program (PGP) exists.

Conditions and process

• You (the child/grandchild) must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, at least 18 years old, and residing in Canada.

• You must first receive an Invitation to Apply from the government. For example, in 2025, about 17,860 invitations were issued for approximately 10,000 complete applications.

• You undertake financial responsibility: a 20-year commitment outside Quebec (10 years in Quebec) to cover basic costs of the sponsored persons.

• Your income for the past three tax years must meet the minimum required for your family size.

Important points

• This program offers a long-term permanent residence pathway but has stricter conditions than the Super Visa.

• If you are not selected or do not receive an invitation, the Super Visa remains available.

4) Parents of a student: special notes

When your child is studying in Canada, different questions may arise. Here are some special notes:

• If your child holds a Study Permit, you as parents do not automatically receive status based on the student’s permit; you must use one of the routes described above.

• If you intend for parents to stay long-term with the student, the Super Visa is a more reasonable option than a short-term visitor visa.

• At the time of application, it is very important to prepare your child’s documents showing enrolment, study status, program length, financial capacity, and immigration status, as a visa officer may review these.

• Parents must also present financial status, insurance, and documents proving they will return or that they have significant ties to the home country.

• Plan whether parents will accompany (e.g., during holidays, annually) or intend to stay for the longest possible period. This choice affects which route to select (short-term visa, Super Visa, or permanent residence sponsorship).

5) Summary and recommendations from Amin Pardaz International

In conclusion, our recommendations are:

• Before choosing a route, carefully calculate your finances, your child’s study/employment situation, the accompaniment plan for parents, the length of intended stay, and the budget for insurance and expenses.

• Prepare your child’s documents (study status, enrolment, immigration status) completely, as they significantly affect visa issuance.

• If you plan to apply for a Super Visa, obtain valid health insurance from an insurer acceptable in Canada.

• If you plan for permanent residence sponsorship, be fully aware of key conditions such as invitation rounds, required income, and financial undertaking.

• Be sure to plan for translation and any in-country filing logistics so you can submit on time.

• It is advisable to use professional consulting from Amin Pardaz International or an immigration lawyer to avoid potential mistakes and increase your chances of success.

Conclusion

In short, if you have a student in Canada, there are multiple pathways for parents to be present. It’s important to define the type of presence (short-term vs. long-term) and then choose the appropriate option: Visitor Visa, Super Visa, or permanent residence sponsorship. Amin Pardaz International is ready to accompany you at every stage—from assessing your situation to completing documents and filing—so your immigration path is guided with the lowest possible risk.

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