Are you planning to invite your parents to Canada? You might have applied for your Family Sponsorship to get your parents to Canada, and you might have not got the invitation from the draw. But you can still invite them to come to Canada through the Super Visa.
A Super Visa lets your parents and grandparents visit their children or grandchildren for up to 2 years at a time. It's a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period of up to 10 years. The "Super Visa" is a 10-year multiple-entry visa available for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The Super Visa allows the visitor to stay for up to two years at a time without having to apply for an extension.
Requirements for a Super Visa
You must meet some basic requirements to get a Super Visa. You must:
- Meet the usual requirements as those discussed under "Visitor Visa Requirements".
- Provide proof of family relationship.
- Prove there is a child or grandchild in Canada.
- Provide a written promise of financial support from the child or grandchild in Canada.
- Prove private health insurance coverage in Canada for a minimum of one year.
Citizens of most countries will require an immigration medical examination to apply for a visitor visa. This is an examination by a medical doctor approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. For more information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website under “Visit → Parents and Grandparents → Immigration Medical Examination” to find out whether you will require an immigration medical examination and how to locate approved doctors in your country.
The Super Visa also requires the Canadian child or grandchild to meet minimum income thresholds, ensuring they can pay all expenses for the visitor.
How does the Super Visa differ from a Multiple Entry Visa?
The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for 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 regular 10-year multiple entry visa only allows stays of six months per entry. Visitors who wish to stay longer under a regular visa must apply for an extension and pay a new fee.
With the parent and grandparent Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit family in Canada for up to two years without needing to renew their status.
Who's Eligible for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa?
- Be the parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Meet other eligibility requirements.
Dependents are not eligible for a Super Visa but can apply for a visitor visa to stay up to six months with a valid travel document.
Use of Super Visa
Super Visas are useful for long visits to Canada by parents and grandparents. They are multi-entry, long-term visitor visas with added requirements not needed for regular visitor visas, such as:
- Minimum income requirement for the Canadian child or grandchild.
- Written promise of financial support.
- Proof of family relationship in Canada.
- Immigration medical examination.
- Private health insurance coverage.
Other Conditions for a Super Visa
Applicants must be genuine visitors who will leave Canada at the end of their stay. Authorities will consider:
- Your ties to your home country.
- The purpose of your visit.
- Your family and financial situation.
- The overall economic and political stability of your home country.
You must also:
- Apply for a Super Visa from outside Canada.
- Be allowed to enter Canada.
- Take an immigration medical exam.
- Meet certain other conditions.
Note: You cannot include dependents in this application.