Super Visa for Canada
The Super Visa is a special type of visa designed to allow parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit Canada for extended periods. This page provides essential information about the Super Visa, including its basic purpose, eligibility criteria, income requirements, insurance requirements, and the duration of stay.
Basic Purpose of the Super Visa
The Super Visa is intended to facilitate long-term visits by parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Unlike a regular Visitor Visa, which typically allows stays of up to six months, the Super Visa allows eligible individuals to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time without the need to renew their status. It is a multiple-entry visa, generally valid for up to 10 years, enabling multiple visits to Canada during this period.
Who is Eligible for the Super Visa?
To be eligible for a Super Visa, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
Parent or Grandparent: The applicant must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Note that spouses or common-law partners of parents or grandparents can be included in the application, but dependents cannot.
Letter of Invitation: The applicant must have a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada, who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The letter should include:
A promise of financial support for the entire duration of the visit.
A list of the number of people in the household of the Canadian host.
A copy of the Canadian host’s citizenship or permanent resident document.
Proof of Relationship: The applicant must provide proof of the relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, such as a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or other official documents.
Medical Examination: The applicant must undergo a medical examination and be found admissible on health grounds.
Ties to Home Country: The applicant must demonstrate that they have ties to their home country, such as family, property, or employment, and that they intend to return to their home country at the end of their visit.
What is the Income Requirement?
The Canadian child or grandchild inviting their parent or grandparent must meet a minimum income threshold known as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). This ensures that the host can support their visiting relatives during their stay in Canada.
The income requirement varies based on the size of the host’s household, including the visiting parents or grandparents. The LICO thresholds are updated annually by the Government of Canada.
What is the Insurance Requirement?
To be eligible for a Super Visa, the applicant must have valid medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company. The insurance must meet the following criteria:
Coverage Amount: The insurance must provide coverage of at least CAD 100,000.
Validity: The insurance must be valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry into Canada.
Comprehensive Coverage: The insurance must cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
This requirement ensures that parents and grandparents have access to medical care during their stay in Canada, without imposing financial burdens on the Canadian healthcare system.
How Long Can a Person Stay on a Super Visa?
The Super Visa allows eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years on their initial visit without needing to renew their status. Unlike a regular Visitor Visa, which permits a stay of up to six months, the Super Visa offers a much longer period of stay. After the five-year period, the individual may apply for an extension of their stay if they wish to remain in Canada longer.
The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa, typically valid for up to 10 years, enabling the holder to leave and re-enter Canada multiple times during this period.
For more detailed information and the latest updates on the Super Visa, it is advisable consult with an immigration expert.