Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents

If you are a Canadian permanent resident or a citizen, one of the ways your parents or  grandparents can come to Canada to visit you is by getting a super visa. This unique visa lets your  parents or grandparents (the applicants) to visit you for 5 years at a time, and provides multiple  entries for a period of up to 10 years. However, there are certain requirements for a super visa,  such as the need for a medical examination among others. This brief article will touch upon the  basic criteria for a super visa and the eligibility requirements associated with it.  

The primary difference between a visitor visa and a super visa is that the applicants can stay in  Canada for up to 5 years at a time. Although visitor visas are also usually issued long-term, a  person can only stay for up to 6 months with a visitor visa unless they have a different permit. In this  regard, super visa is arguably one of the most flexible visa types issued by Canada. 

The first criterion is for you to be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen who is at least 18 years old. This is an important requirement because you will have to provide  the relevant documentation for the applicant to include in their application. You may still be able  to invite your parents or grandparents if your status in Canada is not one of the above, however,  they’ll likely need a visitor visa in that case, which has different requirements. The second  important factor is for you to be able to meet or exceed the required minimum necessary income.  For instance, if you live with a spouse or a partner and you wish to invite your parents (2 people),  this means that the total family size would be considered as 4 people, and your total household income should not be less than $54,594 (as of November, 2024). More information about the minimum necessary income and a calculation chart can be found on Government of Canada’s  website. Be sure to include yourself, partner or spouse, your children, and the total number of  applicants in the “family members” count when checking the relevant income needed. 

The third step is to prepare an invitation letter with a promise to financially support the applicant(s) during their stay in Canada. This letter can be co-signed by your spouse or common law partner if they’re also a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. You will also need to  provide documentation to prove relationship with the applicant(s). This is especially important in cases where the last names of the inviter and the applicant is not the same. 

Before they submit their application, the applicant(s) would also need to obtain a health  insurance from a Canadian insurance company, or an insurance company outside Canada that is approved by the IRCC. The insurance policy should be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date  of entry, be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit, and provide a minimum of $100,000 of emergency coverage. If you wish, you can also help them obtain the insurance or pay for it on  behalf of the applicants. 

Finally, they will also be required to go through a medical examination at a clinic designated by  the IRCC in the country of application. The medical examination is usually performed after the  applicant(s) receives a letter in this regard. Like all other Canadian visas, factors such as ties to the  home country, purpose of the visit and financial situation of both the inviter and the applicant(s)  will all play a role in the eventual decision. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that a complete  application tailored to the specific situation of the applicant(s) is prepared before submission.  

If they have not applied for a Canadian visa before, the applicant(s) will receive a letter soon after submitting the online application to visit the nearest biometrics collection center in the country of application. However, they may be exempt from providing fingerprints and their photo taken if they had applied for a Canadian visa in the past and their biometrics are still in the system. It’s imperative that they provide the biometrics within 30 days of receiving this letter, as the application can only be reviewed after biometrics are in the system.  

Finally, even those who do not require a visa to enter Canada can get a super visa if they would like to stay up to 5 years at a time. The process for visa-exempt applicants is slightly different, as they won’t receive a sticker on their passports, and instead, will receive a letter to give the border 

services officer when entering Canada. These applicants may also need an electronic travel  authorization (ETA), which can also be applied online.  

If you have any other questions about the super visa or would to inquire about an application,  please feel free to contact us at mail@atasoylaw.ca!

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this post does not create a solicitor-client relationship. Refugee and immigration law is complex and fact-specific; outcomes can vary depending on individual circumstances. For legal assistance regarding super visa, please contact our office directly.