Super Visa

Overview

The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for up to five years per entry, and they can renew their stay for up to two years at a time. This differs significantly from a regular visitor visa, which typically permits a stay of up to six months. The Super Visa is valid for up to ten years allowing for multiple entries.

How it works

To be eligible for a Super Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria, including demonstrating financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada, purchasing Canadian medical insurance, and undergoing a medical examination. The primary purpose of the Super Visa is to facilitate family reunification for extended visits without requiring the sponsored individuals to apply for permanent residency.

Who it's for

This program is intended for parents and grandparents who wish to spend considerable time with their family in Canada without becoming permanent residents. It is suitable for those who want to avoid the complexities and longer processing times often associated with permanent residency applications, while still enjoying prolonged stays with their loved ones. It is not designed for individuals who intend to work or reside permanently in Canada.

To be eligible for a Super Visa, both the applicant (parent or grandparent) and their child/grandchild in Canada must meet certain conditions:

For the Applicant:

• Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident: This is the foundational relationship requirement.
• Have a signed invitation letter from their child or grandchild: The letter must include a promise of financial support and a list of all dependents of the inviting child/grandchild.
• Meet the income threshold of the inviting child/grandchild: The inviting Canadian citizen or permanent resident must meet or exceed the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) for their household size.
• Have valid Canadian medical insurance: The insurance must meet specific criteria:
  • Be valid for at least one year from the date of entry.
  • Provide at least CAD $100,000 in emergency coverage.
  • Be issued by a Canadian insurance company.
  • Be paid for (not just a quote).
  • Cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.
• Undergo an immigration medical examination: This is a standard health check to ensure the applicant does not pose a public health risk.
• Intend to leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay: Applicants must demonstrate to the visa officer that their main purpose for coming to Canada is temporary and they will return to their home country.
• Have strong ties to their home country: This helps to satisfy the visa officer that the applicant will return after their visit. Ties can include property ownership, family remaining in the home country, or employment.

For the Inviting Child/Grandchild in Canada:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident: This confirms their status and ability to invite family members.
• Provide a written and signed invitation letter: This letter must explicitly state the commitment of financial support for the entire duration of the Super Visa holder's stay.
• Meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO): They must demonstrate that their income meets or exceeds the minimum LICO for their household size.
• Provide proof of income: Acceptable documents include the most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 slips, employment letter, and pay stubs.

Applicants for a Super Visa must provide a comprehensive set of documents to support their application. These typically include:

• Completed application forms: Specific forms for temporary resident visas, family information, and statutory declarations.
• Valid passport: The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the applicant's intended date of departure from Canada.
• Invitation letter from Canadian child/grandchild: This letter must be signed and include a promise of financial support, as well as the number of people in the inviting family's household.
• Proof of financial support from the Canadian child/grandchild: This can include official income documents such as:
  • Most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 slips.
  • Letter from employer stating title, description, and annual salary.
  • Pay stubs.
  • Bank statements.
• Proof of relationship to the Canadian citizen/permanent resident: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other official documents demonstrating the parent/grandparent-child/grandchild relationship.
• Proof of Canadian medical insurance: A policy document from a Canadian insurance company showing coverage of at least CAD $100,000 for emergency medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation, valid for at least one year and paid for.
• Results of immigration medical examination: Official documentation from a panel physician.
• Documents demonstrating ties to home country: Examples include property deeds, lease agreements, employment letters, or bank statements in the home country.
• Digital photos: Adhering to IRCC specifications.
• Police certificates: If required by IRCC based on country of residence.

1. Gather required documents: Collect all necessary documents from both the applicant and the inviting child/grandchild, including financial proofs, the invitation letter, proof of relationship, and medical insurance.
2. Complete application forms: Fill out all relevant IRCC application forms accurately and completely. Ensure all required signatures are present.
3. Undergo medical examination: The applicant must arrange and complete an immigration medical examination with a panel physician approved by IRCC.
4. Pay government fees: Pay the applicable processing and biometrics fees online through the IRCC portal.
5. Submit the application: Applications can typically be submitted online through the IRCC secure account. In some cases, paper applications may be submitted to a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
6. Provide biometrics: After submitting the application, the applicant will receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter and must attend a VAC to provide fingerprints and a photo.
7. Await decision: IRCC will review the application and make a decision. This may involve an interview or request for additional documents.
8. Receive Super Visa: If approved, the Super Visa will be affixed to the applicant's passport. The applicant can then travel to Canada.

The Super Visa is specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It does not directly extend to their spouses or dependent children. If a parent or grandparent wishes to bring their spouse, the spouse must also apply for their own Super Visa, meeting all the individual eligibility requirements, including the financial support and medical insurance criteria. Dependent children of the applying parent/grandparent are generally not eligible for a Super Visa and would need to explore other temporary resident visa options if they wish to visit Canada.

Holders of a Super Visa are permitted to visit Canada for extended periods but are generally not allowed to work. The Super Visa is a temporary resident visa, strictly for visitation purposes. To work in Canada, a separate work permit application is required, which has its own distinct eligibility criteria and application process. Engaging in unauthorized work while on a Super Visa can lead to serious consequences, including removal from Canada and future inadmissibility.

The Super Visa does not offer a direct pathway to permanent residence in Canada. It is a temporary resident visa, intended solely for extended visits. Individuals who wish to obtain permanent residence in Canada must apply through a separate immigration program, such as family sponsorship (if a Canadian citizen/permanent resident child or grandchild is eligible and willing to sponsor), or economic immigration programs. While being in Canada on a Super Visa allows for prolonged stays with family, it does not confer any special advantage or points towards permanent residency applications.

Super Visa applications can be refused for several common reasons, often related to the applicant's ability to demonstrate their temporary intent or the inviter's financial capacity:

• Insufficient funds from the inviting child/grandchild: If the inviting family member does not meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), the application will likely be refused.
• Lack of genuine intent to leave Canada: If the visa officer believes the applicant may overstay their visa or intends to remain in Canada permanently, the application will be refused. This is often assessed by looking at ties to the home country.
• Inadequate medical insurance: Failure to provide proof of valid Canadian medical insurance that meets all the specified requirements (coverage amount, duration, Canadian issuer, paid status).
• Health inadmissibility: If the applicant fails the immigration medical examination or is deemed to pose a risk to public health or safety.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or withholding material facts on the application can lead to refusal and a ban from reapplying for several years.
• Criminal inadmissibility: A criminal record, either in Canada or abroad, can lead to refusal.
• Incomplete application: Missing documents or improperly completed forms can result in delays or outright refusal.