- Super Visa program is designed for the Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents intending to obtain temporary residence to visit their close relatives for extended periods than normal visitor’s visas.
- The maximum validity of a multiple entries Super Visa is ten years, or one month prior to the applicant’s passport expiry, whichever is earlier.
- Super Visa holders can remain in Canada for periods of maximum up to Two years at a time.
- Persons from visa exempt countries are ordinarily permitted to enter Canada for six months without obtaining a visitor visa.
- Parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident from a visa exempt country can apply, from outside of Canada, for a Letter of Introduction, which they can then present to a border official upon arrival to Canada. When presented with a Letter of Introduction, the Canadian border official will normally allow the individual to enter Canada for a period of Two years.
- Processing time of Parents and Grandparents Super Visa is approximately six to eight weeks.
- The application for this visa is made to a visa office outside of Canada and the applicant for a Parents and Grandparents Super Visa must meet following requirements:
- The applicant must be eligible for a regular visitor visa. This means that besides being in good health and having a valid travel document, the applicant must satisfy a Canadian immigration official that they will willingly leave the country at the end of their authorized stay, that they have sufficient ties to their home country such as a job, family or property, and that they have sufficient funds available to support themselves for the length of their stay.
- Show that they are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year, providing a minimum coverage of $100,000 for health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
- Undergo a medical examination.
- The holders of a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa cannot work or study while they are in Canada.
- The applicant’s family member in Canada must:
- Demonstrate that they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Provide the applicant with a letter of invitation. This is a letter that provides information about the applicant’s planned visit, about the child or grandchild’s occupation and economic situation in Canada.
- This letter must include a written and signed promise of financial support for the applicant for the duration of their visit;
- Demonstrate their income is above a predetermined minimum level.
