There are two official paths and one practical one.
Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
The lottery-based PR route. Cap of ~30,000 invitations per year against hundreds of thousands of submissions. Plan for it but don't depend on it.
Super Visa
Ten-year multi-entry visa, stays of up to 5 years per visit, renewable. Requires private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer (minimum CAD 100,000) and proof you meet LICO.
The practical path
Most NRIs we've spoken to run on Super Visa for years before (or instead of) PR. The insurance is the friction point — premiums for parents over 65 with conditions can run CAD 4,000–8,000 per year.
Tips
- Apply for the Super Visa well before you need it; processing has stretched to 6 months in some VACs.
- The insurer must be Canadian. Indian insurance is not accepted.
- Re-entry is at the officer's discretion, even on a valid visa. Carry employment + relationship proof every time.