Super Visa

IRCC introduced the super visa on November 5, 2011. Super visa was introduced to facilitate multiple entries and longer-term stays for parents and grandparents who wish to visit their child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. The super visas are issued for 10 years with multiple entries and the parent or grandparent can stay up to a maximum of 2 years at each entry.

The key candidates for the super visa are Parents and grandparents whose child or grandchild are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Parents and grandparents cannot include their dependent children in the super visa application. If parents and grandparents’ spouse or common-law partner wants to come with them to Canada, they need to also submit an application

Mandatory Requirements: 

You must meet some requirements before you can apply for a super visa. The eligibility requirements are listed below:

• Parent or Grandparents:

Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.

• Letter of Invitation:

Have a signed letter of invitation from your child or grandchild in Canada. The letter must  include:

• a promise of financial support for the length of your visit
• the list and number of people in the household of this person
• a copy of your child or grandchild’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document.
  
  
• Medical Insurance:

You must have medical insurance at least $100,000 coverage from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry. The medical insurance must be paid for and have proof of payment.

Supportive Requirements:

• Apply for a super visa outside of Canada
• Medical Examination:

Parents and grandparents applying for a super visa must be in good health and be medically admissible to Canada. A medical examination is required.

• No criminal inadmissibility:

Parents and grandparents who want to come to Canada on a super visa must be law-abiding, have no criminal record, immigration-related convictions, or be a security risk.

• Proof of Ties

Parents and grandparents who want to come to Canada on a super visa must convince the immigration officer that they are genuine visitors who will leave at the end of their stay. The following are taken into consideration; ties to their country of nationality or residence. To prove that you have ties back to your home country, you can show proof of a job, home, financial assets, or family members that will take you back to your home country. Other factors considered include the purpose of the visit, family, finances, and the economic and political stability in the applicant’s home country.

• Financial support:

The child or grandchild who invites Parents and grandparents must prove that they meet the household’s minimum necessary income. The child or the grandchild must be able to provide basic needs such as food, housing, transportation etc.

• Photocopy of marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Purpose of travel
• Photocopy of current immigration status
• Any additional document required.

• Payment of fees:

The application fee for one visitor is $100. You might need to pay other third-party fees directly to the third party depending on your situation, including the Visa Application Centre fee and medical examination fee.

• Biometrics:

If required, you must give your biometrics. Fingerprints and photos will be taken. After you submit your application and pay the biometrics fee you will receive a letter that says you need to give your biometrics. The letter will tell you how and where to give your biometrics. You have up to 30 days to provide your biometrics. Visit this link to learn more about how to give your biometrics. Estimated Cost – $85 CAD Individual.

• Standard Processing Time for super visa applications:

The processing times for super visas vary from one country to another. Follow this link to check the processing time for your Country.

The low-income cut-off (LICO) table was updated in the year 2020. The child or grandchild may use the following income scale to assess their ability to meet the super visa’s income requirements.

Data Source: Low Income Cut- Off