In the past couple of years, we have realized more than ever how important family connections are. Travel restriction and closed borders left many families apart for a long while, but fortunately, the situation is slowly starting to change. Canadian government realizes how important it is to see your family and offers a Super Visa: For Parents and Grandparents to bring families together. In this blog post, Imin Consulting will share an overview of the Super Visa application process and answer some of the most popular questions asked by our clients. Our blog posts come out twice a week, so follow us on social media to keep up with our engaging and educational content!
What is the Canadian Super Visa?
The holders of Super Visa get the chance to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada for up to 2 years at a time. It is a multi-entry visa, meaning that you can re-enter Canada multiple times while your visa is active.
Who is eligible to apply for a Super Visa?
To be eligible for a Super Visa:
- Must have a child or a grandchild who is a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident of Canada.
- Need to present a signed letter of invitation from the child, which icludes all of the following:
- child or grandchild agrees to financially support the applicant for the duration of their stay,
- the list of people in the child’s or grandchild’s household,
- and a document that proves this person’s legal status in Canada (proof of citizenship or permanent residency).
- Must have a Canadian insurance for the duration of their stay (or at least for a year from the date of entry), have $100,000 coverage, and present a proof of payment for the insurance.
There are several aspects you need to meet to apply for Super Visa: for Parents and Grandparents:
- Must apply from outside Canada.
- All the documents need to be in order, and must be allowed to enter Canada.
- Completion of the medical exam prior to arrival.
Furthermore, as with most temporary visas, it is important to remember the Canadian Immigration protocols to follow. The border officials will check for the ties to your home town and the purpose of your visit. The intent of the travel is crucial and must be formulated accordingly. Moreover, your personal financial and family information will be collected along with the political climate in your country.
How to apply for a Super Visa?
Firstly, make sure to have your documents ready to go!
Go through this checklist before starting your application:
- Letter of invitation from you children or grandchildren. It must include the following:
- a promise of financial support for the duration of the visit
- the list of people in the household
- and a proof of citizenship or permanent residency in Canada
- Proof that your child’s/grandchild’s houselod meets the minimum income threshold. To prove eligibility the following documents can be presented:
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 for the most recent tax year,
- Employment Insurance stubs,
- employment letter including salary and date of hiring,
- pay stubs,
- bank statements,
- Proof of Canadian insurance payment
- Proof of competing an immigration medical exam
How is Super Visa Different from a Multiple Entry Visa?
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years. The key difference is that the Super Visa allows an individual to stay for up to two years at a time in Canada, while a 10-year multiple entry visa would only have a status period for each entry of six months only.
That means that even though the provided period is the same, the holders of a multiple entry visa must leave the country every 6 months, while the holders of a Super Visa: For Parents and Grandparents can stay inbound for up to 2 years.
A helpful video overview of the Canadian Super Visa
Who can help with the application process?
Imin Consulting is here to assist you along the way! Professor Daniel Won, licensed member of the ICCRC, will help you make the application process as stres-free as possible. Reach out to us at admin@imin.ca or on our social media channels: