Health insurance glossary
Co-signer (super visa)
Plain-English definition
On a super visa application, a co-signer is a second person who signs the host's letter of invitation and adds their income to help meet the minimum necessary income. Only one relationship qualifies: the host's spouse or common-law partner, and only if they are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a registered Indian. Siblings and other relatives cannot co-sign.
By the HealthRate editorial desk
Where this applies: Super visa (federal).
How it works
IRCC states: “Your child or grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the letter if they’re a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or registered Indian. Other family members of your host, such as siblings, can’t co-sign.”
If a co-signer is used, their status document is included alongside the host's.
Confirm the co-signer's status before relying on combined income; it decides whether their income can count at all.
Why it matters
Families often plan to combine incomes to clear the threshold. Only a spouse or common-law partner with the right status can be added, however willing another relative is.