When your relatives come to Canada on a visitor visa, a natural question arises: how can you ensure that they can extend their stay in the country? This is a complex area of Canadian immigration, but with the right information, the process becomes quite manageable. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the possible ways to extend your relatives' stay in Canada, from a simple tourist visa extension to special programs for parents and grandparents.
The simple option: extending a tourist visa through the Visitor Record
The easiest way to allow your relatives to stay in Canada longer is to apply for an extension of visitor status through the Visitor Record system. This process is much less demanding than other options, but it has its limitations and requirements.
Each person who arrives in Canada as a tourist or visitor is usually granted the right to stay for up to six months from the date of arrival. If your relative plans to stay longer, they must apply for an extension of status before the end of this six-month period. It is very important to understand that the application must be submitted at least 30 days before the end of this period. If the application is submitted later, your relative risks losing their legal status in Canada.
To apply for an extension, you must complete form IMM 5708, which is the official form for “Application to change conditions, extend stay, or remain in Canada as a visitor or temporary resident.” The form can be completed online through the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) portal or sent by mail. The online method is usually cheaper and faster.
The fee for extending a tourist visa is CAD 100 per person. If five or more family members apply for an extension at the same time, the total fee will be CAD 500. This fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected, so it is important to make sure that your relative meets the criteria before applying.
When filling out the form, you will need to provide several documents. First, a copy of your relative's passport, including the photo page and all entry and exit stamps. Second, you will need a detailed letter explaining why your relative needs to extend their stay. This could be for the purpose of extended tourism, spending time with family, or medical treatment. Third, you must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your extended stay—bank statements for the last two to three months.
Proof of ties to your home country is a very important document. IRCC immigration officers want to make sure that your relative does not intend to stay in Canada permanently and has serious reasons to return to Ukraine. This proof can be documents of real estate ownership, employment contracts, education certificates, letters from close relatives, or transcripts from the children's schools at home.
If your relative has been in Canada for more than six months and has lived in certain countries in the last year, they may need a medical examination. This applies to people who have lived for more than six months in more than fifty countries, mainly in Africa and parts of Asia and South America. If your relative is from Ukraine, this measure will likely not apply.
The processing time for a tourist visa extension application is approximately 119 days, although this may vary depending on the IRCC's workload at the time. It is very important to take this into account when planning and submitting your application with sufficient time to spare. If you apply in time, before your relative's stay permit expires, they can remain in Canada while their application is being processed. This means that they retain their legal status while IRCC considers their request.
There is no legal limit to the number of times you can extend visitor status. However, an immigration officer will consider each application individually, taking into account your relative's travel history, the purpose of their stay, and the overall picture. If someone has applied for five extensions in four years, the officer may ask why this relative has not arrived to take up permanent residence, rather than continuously extending their tourist visa.
Super Visa for parents and grandparents: a long-term alternative
If simple tourist visa extensions are not enough and you want to allow your parents or grandparents to stay much longer, you should consider the so-called Super Visa. This is a special program for parents and grandparents of Canadians and permanent residents of Canada, which allows them to stay in the country for up to five years at a time without having to renew their status. In addition, it is valid for up to 10 years for repeat entries.
The Super Visa requires that the Canadian relative (your child or grandchild) have sufficient income to financially support their parents or grandparents. For 2025, the minimum income requirement will be the so-called LICO (Low Income Cut-Off) plus 30 percent. For example, if you are a single person in Canada and want to invite both of your parents, you need an income of at least $38,002 per year, calculated over the last three tax years. For a family of four, which includes two parents, the minimum income increases to $56,724.
To prove your income, you need to provide assessment notices from the Canada Revenue Agency, known as Notices of Assessment (NOA), for the last three tax years. If you are self-employed or have other sources of income, you can add your latest pay stubs and a letter from your accountant confirming your annual income. In addition, you should show bank statements that demonstrate the stability of your financial situation.
In addition, your parent or grandparent must undergo a medical examination by a doctor designated by Canada. This is necessary to ensure that they do not pose a risk to Canada's health and are able to enter the country. Many people worry that certain medical conditions may disqualify them, but this is not the case. The medical examination mainly determines the presence of infectious diseases, not common chronic health problems.
The most important requirement for supervisees is medical insurance. The parent or grandparent must have active private medical insurance that provides at least $100,000 CAD in case of an emergency, covers hospitalization and repatriation, and is valid for at least one year from the date of arrival in Canada. Until recently, this insurance could only be purchased from Canadian companies, which was expensive and limited in options. However, starting January 28, 2025, IRCC has allowed insurance to also be purchased from international insurers, provided they are recognized by the Canadian financial regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI). This has significantly expanded the options and often cheaper options for parents and grandparents.
To obtain a supervisory, you need a letter of invitation from yourself as the host with a promise of financial support. In this letter, you must clearly state that you are responsible for supporting your mother or father during their stay in Canada. Although technically a supervisa does not lead to permanent residence and the financial responsibility ends when they return to Ukraine, it is important to understand the significance of this commitment. If your parent becomes dependent on you and receives government assistance in Canada, you may have to repay those funds.
Supervision costs $100 per application. As with a tourist visa, the application can be submitted online or by mail, although online is the faster method. It is important to provide all the necessary documents with the application, including a letter of invitation, proof of income, insurance, and medical examination results.
When relatives become permanent residents: the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program
If you dream of having your parents or grandparents stay in Canada permanently as permanent residents, there is a Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program (PGP). However, this is a more complex procedure with more requirements and a special application process.
The PGP operates on a lottery system. Each year, IRCC invites potential sponsors to submit a form called “Interest to Sponsor.” In 2024, 35,700 potential sponsors were invited from among those who submitted this form in 2020. These individuals received invitations to submit a complete application by August 2, 2024. Currently, new applications are not being accepted.
To be eligible to participate in the PGP in future years, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Reside in Canada
- Exceed the minimum income threshold set by IRCC
- Promise financial support for 20 years in most provinces (10 years in Quebec)
The minimum income is calculated similarly to a super visa, but with sponsorship, you must continue to support your parent or grandparent after they have obtained permanent residence, even if they have enough money. If your parent receives social assistance in Canada, you will have to repay all the money they received, and until the debt is repaid, you will not be able to sponsor anyone else. This is a serious financial commitment that cannot be canceled or reduced under any circumstances. Applying for permanent residence through sponsorship requires significantly more documentation than simply extending a tourist visa. You will need medical assessments from Canadian doctors, extensive criminal record checks, and proof of all your financial expenses for the past three years. It is a complex process that often requires the assistance of an immigration consultant.## Letter of invitation: the foundation of any visa extension applicationRegardless of how you extend your relative's stay, the necessary document is a letter of invitation. This is a simple document that you write by hand or on a computer, inviting your relative to stay with you in Canada.In the invitation letter, you must include the name, address, and phone number of the person you are inviting (for example, your mother), as well as their date of birth. Then include your name, address, and phone number in Canada. Next, clearly state the invitation to visit you and indicate the expected length of stay, for example:> I am inviting my mother, Maria Ivanovna, to stay with me from June 15, 2026, to December 15, 2026.You must attach proof of your status in Canada to the letter of invitation. If you are a permanent resident, you need a copy of your permanent resident card. If you work in Canada, you will need a copy of your work permit and a letter from your employer confirming your employment and salary. If you have dependent children in Canada, this strengthens your invitation as it shows that you have serious ties to Canada.In addition, the package of documents includes your latest bank statements, which show that you have sufficient funds to support your relative. This is especially important if your relative is financially dependent on you. If your relative is financially independent, they can provide their own bank statements.## What to do if the visa has expired?It often happens that parents or other relatives forget to apply for an extension in time, and their permission to stay in Canada expires. What then?First, it would be very helpful if your relative kept track of the expiry date of their permit to stay. This date can be found on the stamp made in their passport upon arrival in Canada (usually 6 months from the date of arrival) or on the “Visitor Record” document if there has already been one extension.
If the period has indeed expired and your relative is still in Canada without a residence permit, they have the chance to apply for a so-called “restoration of status” within 90 days of the expiry date. However, this is a more complicated process, which often requires an additional fee of $239.75 per person. In addition, the application will be reviewed more thoroughly than a regular extension application.
If your relative remains in Canada without a residence permit ninety days after the expiry of their visa, they may be considered to be in the country illegally. This can have serious consequences for any future immigration applications, including applications for permanent residence. People who are in Canada illegally may be barred from returning for a period of one to five years, depending on the reasons for their violation.
Sponsorship as an alternative: when a visit becomes permanent residence
If you are ready to take a more serious step and want your parents or grandparents to stay in Canada as permanent residents (not just as visitors), you may want to consider the family sponsorship program. Unlike simply extending a tourist visa or super visa, sponsorship leads to permanent residence and allows parents and grandparents to work, study, and access the Canadian healthcare system.
To sponsor a parent or grandparent, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live in Canada (or, if a citizen, show intent to return to Canada)
- Meet minimum income requirements
Sponsoring parents and grandparents is particularly challenging because the process uses a lottery system, as described above. Even if you meet all the requirements, you must receive an invitation from IRCC to submit a complete application.
The sponsorship period usually means that the sponsor is responsible for supporting the selected relative for three to twenty years after their arrival. If the sponsor fails to fulfill this obligation and their parent receives government assistance, the sponsor may be required to repay all the money plus penalties.
Conclusion: choosing the best option
Extending your relatives' visas in Canada is a complex task that depends on your personal circumstances, financial situation, and long-term plans. If your parents want to visit you for a few months, a simple tourist visa extension will suffice. If they want to stay much longer and you have sufficient income, a supervisor can provide them with five years without the need for renewal. And if you want them to stay in Canada permanently as permanent residents, you should consider the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program, although this requires more serious commitments.
In any case, the most important thing is to plan ahead. Apply for an extension at least 30 days before your relative's residence permit expires. Gather all the necessary documents, including a letter of invitation, proof of income, and bank statements. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact an immigration consultant or check the official IRCC websites for the latest information.