Canada
In Canada, the current regulations allow most visitors to stay for up to 6 months upon their initial entry. Those desiring a longer stay must seek an extension by submitting an application and paying a separate fee.
For eligible parents and grandparents who intend to spend more extended periods with family in Canada, the parent and grandparent super visa offers a valuable option beyond the regular visitor visa.
This super visa facilitates multiple entries and remains valid for up to 10 years. Notably, it permits an individual to stay for 5 years continuously during each visit, a considerable enhancement compared to the standard 10-year multiple entry visa, which permits a status period of only 6 months per entry.
However, meeting specific criteria is imperative to secure a super visa. To qualify:
- You must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Additional eligibility requirements must be met.
Dependents do not qualify for the super visa but can apply for a regular visit of up to 6 months with the appropriate travel documentation.
Eligibility entails:
- Being a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Possessing a letter from your child or grandchild inviting you to Canada, assuring financial support for your stay.
- Providing details about the household members and size of the inviting person’s family.
- Submitting a copy of the Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document of the inviting person.
- Furnishing proof of private medical insurance from an approved Canadian insurance provider or a foreign insurance company endorsed by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship.
Further details regarding approved foreign insurance companies will be accessible in the upcoming months.
This medical coverage must:
- Be fully paid or paid in installments with a deposit (quotations are not accepted).
- Remain valid for at least 1 year from your intended entry date into Canada.
- Encompass health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- Provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency coverage.
Importantly, the private health insurance should remain valid for every entry into Canada. It is advisable to have proof of your paid insurance ready to present to a border services officer upon entering Canada, if requested.
Applying for a Super Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
Gather Your Documents
Before initiating your super visa application, ensure you have the following:
- A letter of invitation from your Canadian citizen or permanent resident child or grandchild, outlining:
- A commitment to financially support you throughout your visit
- The household’s composition and member count
- A copy of the inviter’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document
- Evidence verifying your child or grandchild’s household meets the minimum required income, such as:
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 documents for the latest tax year
- Employment Insurance benefit statements
- Employment letter detailing salary, job title, responsibilities, and hiring date
- Pay stubs
- Bank statements
- Confirmation of medical insurance payment from either a Canadian insurance company or a foreign insurer endorsed by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, meeting the following criteria:
- Validity of at least 1 year from your entry date
- Emergency coverage of at least $100,000
- Documentation proving you underwent an immigration medical exam
Even if you are visa-exempt, you can still apply for a super visa to stay in Canada for up to 5 years. If approved, you’ll receive a letter to present to a border services officer upon your arrival. For air travel, consider obtaining an electronic travel authorization (eTA) separately to facilitate your journey to Canada. Your eTA will be linked electronically to your passport, so carry the passport used for your eTA application, along with your entry letter, to streamline your travel experience.
Initiate Your Super Visa Application
To apply for a super visa, exclusively use the IRCC Portal and make sure you are outside of Canada when applying. Here’s how to proceed with your online application:
Register and Log In
- For newcomers to the IRCC Portal, provide your email and receive a code to initiate your account registration.
- Fill out the Online Form and Upload Documents
- Once you’ve addressed all inquiries, a document checklist will be generated for necessary uploads, encompassing the materials vital for substantiating your visa application.
- Payment via Credit Card
- You can payments via Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, JCB®, and UnionPay® credit cards, as well as prepaid cards.
Furthermore, to secure a super visa, you must:
- Apply from outside Canada.
- 1. Wait for instructions from the visa office for printing your visa outside Canada.
- 2. Be admissible to enter Canada.
- 3. Undergo an immigration medical examination.
- 4. Fulfill other specified conditions.
It’s important to note that dependants cannot be included in the super visa application.
For comprehensive information regarding the super visa and eligible candidates, additional resources are available to provide further clarity.
Verification of Financial Support
The child or grandchild extending the invitation must validate that their household’s income meets the stipulated minimum requirement. Here are illustrative examples of documents acceptable as evidence of sufficient funds:
- 1. Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 forms for the most recent tax year
- 2. Statements of Employment Insurance Benefits
- 3. Employment letter containing details such as salary, job title, job responsibilities, and hiring date
- 4. Pay stubs
- 5. Bank statements
Additional Criteria
To be eligible for the super visa, you must genuinely intend to visit Canada and willingly depart by the conclusion of your visit. Various factors, including the following, will be considered:
- 1. Your connections to your home country
- 2. The purpose behind your visit
- 3. Your family and financial circumstances
- 4. The overall economic and political stability of your home nation
Post-Application Procedures and Arrival in Canada
Following Application Submission
The processing duration for most super visa applications typically spans a few weeks or less, contingent on the specific visa office. It’s advisable to schedule your biometrics collection appointment promptly to circumvent processing delays. To secure your appointment, learn how to provide biometrics.
Application Processing
Upon receipt, your application will be reviewed to ensure that all essential documents are included. Should your application be incomplete, it will be returned it without processing. Additional actions that may be required of you include:
- Attending an interview with officials in your home country
- Submitting further information
- Undergoing a medical examination
- Obtaining a police certificate
Guidance will be provided on the necessary steps, if applicable. Generally, most applications are processed in a few weeks or less, varying based on the specific visa office and potential additional requisites.
Upon processing, passport and original documents would be returned, excluding original bank statements or any deemed fraudulent.
Application Outcome
If your application is approved, the visa will be endorsed within your passport. For individuals from visa-exempt countries, a letter will be issued for presentation to a border services officer upon entry into Canada.
Identity Verification
Although possessing a valid super visa and travel document is essential, it does not guarantee entry into Canada. Upon arrival, an identity check will be conducted to verify your identity aligns with the approved travel credentials.
- At major Canadian airports, fingerprint checks occur automatically at primary inspection kiosks.
- Smaller airports and land ports of entry may involve fingerprint checks if referred to secondary inspection.
Readiness of Documents
Upon arrival, a representative from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will greet you. It is advisable to have your passport, travel documents, and pertinent documents, like medical insurance copies, easily accessible and not stored within your luggage. This expedites your entry process.
Accompanying Minor Children
Children below 18 years old must comply with appropriate documentation and entry prerequisites similar to adults. Depending on whether a minor child is traveling alone or with someone, additional documents may be requested by the border services officer.
Entry into Canada
Satisfying the identity check and entry requirements allows the border services officer to stamp your passport or specify your permitted stay duration in Canada. A super visa may authorize a stay of up to 5 years. It is essential to provide accurate and complete information as falsification may lead to denial of entry. Convincing the officer of your eligibility for entry and your commitment to departing Canada at the end of the authorized stay is crucial.
Residing in Canada
Canada’s distinct characteristics may differ significantly from your home country, prompting the need to familiarize yourself with aspects such as climate, culture, governance, and lifestyle before arrival.
Working or Studying in Canada
If you plan to work or study in Canada, a permit is typically required. For visitors seeking work or study opportunities while maintaining legal status in Canada, various options are available. To acquire a work or study permit, you can apply from your home country or another lawfully-admitted country, or directly at the nearest visa application centre (VAC). In select cases, working or studying without a permit is permissible.
Source: Government of Canada Immigration website www.canada.ca. Please check the government website for updates.
