Super visa for parents and grandparents

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to obtain temporary residency to visit their close relatives can apply for extended visitor visas known as Super Visas. The maximum validity date for multiple entries is 10 years, or one month before the applicant’s passport expires, whichever comes first. Meanwhile, super visa holders can stay in Canada for periods of up to two years. In comparison, a regular visitor visa is usually valid for a maximum of 6 months.

For individuals who are citizens of visa-exempt countries, the Super Visa program can still be beneficial. Usually people from visa-exempt countries are allowed to enter Canada for a period of 6 months without obtaining a visitor visa. Under the new program, the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of a visa-exempt country can apply from outside Canada for a letter of introduction, which they can then present to the border official upon arrival in Canada. Upon presenting a letter of introduction, the Canadian border officer will usually allow the individual to enter Canada for two years.

Another advantage of the Super Visa is that the processing time is relatively short, which is around 8 weeks.

Eligibility

The application for this visa is submitted to a visa office outside of Canada. An applicant for a Parents and Grandparents Super Visa must meet certain criteria.

First, the applicant must be eligible for a regular visitor visa. This means that in addition to being in good health and having a valid travel document, the applicant must convince the Canadian immigration official that he/she will willingly leave the country at the end of his/her authorized stay, that he/she has sufficient ties to his home country such as work, family or property, and that he/she has sufficient funds available to support himself/herself for the duration of his/her stay.

Additionally, the individual applicant must:

  • Prove that he/she is the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company valid for at least one year, with coverage of at least 100,000 USD for health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
  • Undergo a medical examination.

The applicant's relative residing in Canada must:

  • Prove that he/she is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Provide the applicant with an invitation letter, which is the letter that provides information about the applicant’s planned visit, the profession of the child or grandchild and the economic situation in Canada. Most importantly, this letter must include a signed written pledge of financial support for the applicant for the duration of his/her visit.
  • Prove that their income is higher than the pre-set minimum

Note: holders of a super visa have the rights and restrictions of the regular tourist visa holder, and therefore they cannot work or study during their stay in Canada.

Another note: It is possible to obtain a super visa even when the permanent residency application is still pending.

Individuals interested in applying for a super visa can complete a free online assessment to assess their eligibility.

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