What is the Canada Super Visa?

This visa allows grandparents and parents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to stay in Canada for a maximum of two years without having to renew their status.

With the Super Visa, grandparents and parents can remain in Canada provisionally and later obtain permanent residence through sponsorship from their grandchildren or children.

Canada Super Visas were introduced in 2011 and have enabled several thousands of overseas grandparents and parents to apply for Canada immigration for an extended period of time. Several communities and families have benefited from it both economically and socially. It allows naturalized citizens and immigrants of working age to actively participate in the Canadian labor force. Parents and grandparents of adult children can use it to look after their infants.

In addition to spouses, common-law partners, or children of a Super Visa applicant, other dependents are not permitted.

It is important to note that the Super Visa can be obtained even while you are applying for Permanent Residence, depending on the country from which you are applying. You may also be required to submit biometrics.

A Super Visa differs from a Visitor Visa in the following ways:

The Canada Super Visa is a type of visitor visa that is offered only to grandparents and parents of permanent residents and citizens of Canada. The major difference between a visitor visa and super visa is the period permitted to remain in Canada. Usually, a Canada visitor visa authorizes a stay only for 6 months. You have to apply for an extension of your visa for prolonging your stay in Canada. Meanwhile, you can remain in Canada for a maximum of 2 years at a time without applying for the extension on a super visa.

How do I apply for a Canada Super Visa?

Super Visa applications can be submitted online or offline. You must prove that you are a grandparent or parent of a Permanent Resident or Citizen of Canada. In addition to your care plans, it should include details about the number of family members living in the household. You must include an invitation letter from your grandchild or child.

You will also need to prove that your grandchild or child has adequate finances to support your stay in Canada. They will need to prove that they have health insurance coverage for at least one year from a private insurer in Canada. A child or grandchild must sign the Invitation Letter inviting you to Canada, as well as meet the LICO – Low Income Cut-Off Ceiling.

As such, an Invitation Letter is not a guarantee of Visa approval. It is only a means for Visa Officers to determine if your application complies with Canadian immigration requirements.

Both the applicant and the sponsored individual must provide a written assurance of monetary support.

There is no annual ceiling for Canada Super Visa applications, as there is for PGP – Parent and Grandparent Program applications. A Super Visa applicant must however have medical insurance from a private company to qualify for approval. They are also processed more quickly. However, they do not have Permanent Residency status in Canada, whereas PGP-approved applicants do.

Those without a visa and those with a Canada Super Visa:

Some overseas nationals are not required to obtain a Visitor Visa in order to visit Canada based on their nationality. Visitors with visa exemptions may remain in Canada for a maximum of 6 months without having to renew their status. Visa exemption will allow grandparents and parents to spend more time with their families if they stay in Canada for 2 years at a time.

Applicants with visa exemptions must apply in the same manner as other Super Visa applicants. The Border Service Officer will require them to present a letter authorizing their stay in a place of a Visa upon arrival in Canada. In order to enter Canada, they must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization, regardless of whether they have been successful in their Super Visa application.

Extending a Super Visa:

A Super Visa must be extended for a period of more than two years if you wish to remain in Canada for longer than two years. You must apply for an extension 30 days before the current status expires if you wish to remain in Canada for longer than two years. While your application for an extension is being processed, your existing visa may expire, but you can still remain in Canada while you await a decision. This is known as implied status.

Can I apply for a Super Visa without insurance?

For the Canada Super Visa application, all applicants must purchase medical insurance from a private Canadian company before arriving in Canada. You will be guaranteed skilled insurance services if you choose the best insurance companies. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to compare a number of insurance providers so that you can choose the most appropriate policy for your needs.

How does a Super Visa application work?

The Canada Visa Office reviews the application after it is submitted, verifying that all the requested information is accurate and appropriate documentation is provided. If an interview is required, the place and time of the interview will be notified to the applicant by the Visa Representative. If the application is accepted, the passport and documents will be returned along with the visa. The passport and list of documents are returned to the applicant if the Visa application is rejected, together with an explanation for the rejection.

Note:

Even a Resident with valid travel documents and a Temporary Visa can be denied entry to Canada if any of the following conditions are met:

• ✅A new set of false data has been discovered about the application
• ✅The applicant’s situation has changed unexpectedly

Preparations for arriving in Canada

The CBSA protects Canada’s borders and points of entry. Upon arrival, a Border Services Officer (BSO) welcomes the applicant.

For the Canada Super Visa, a BSO will ask you for your passport, travel documents, and some additional documents. Children under 18 must also provide similar documents.

The officer will stamp your passport and specify how long you may remain in Canada if all vital documents are in a cabin bag.

If you are seeking professional immigration services for a Canada Super Visa, please contact:

Ease Immigration makes it easy for you to invite your family members to visit Canada for an extended period of time.

The process of applying for a Canada Super Visa requires a lot of paperwork and supporting documents. We can assist you in filling out the application, organising supporting documents, and completing other requirements.

Over the years, many applicants have chosen to utilise our ICCRC-accredited Immigration Advisors to ensure they receive expert and qualified assistance throughout the application process.

We have a dedicated team of Immigration Consultants and Process Specialists who are there to assist you throughout the entire application process.