Super Visa in Canada; 8 Eligibility Criteria!

Are your parents or grandparents already enjoying time with you in Canada on a Super Visa, but the expiration date is looming closer? You don’t have to say goodbye just yet! With a straightforward extension process, you can keep them by your side longer. 

Find out how you can extend their stay hassle-free and ensure more quality time together. Learn the essential steps to apply for a super visa in Canada extension today. 

With the Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit their family in Canada for up to two years without renewing their status.

Moreover, the super visa in Canada is valid for ten years. Longer than other types of Canadian travel visas. However, there are specific criteria and eligibility requirements to apply.

What is the Super Visa in Canada Application Process?

The application process for the Super Visa involves several key steps:

1. Check Eligibility: Ensure that the applicant is a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The host must also meet certain financial requirements (such as the Low-Income Cut-Off) to support the visiting family member during their stay.

2. Obtain Necessary Documents: Compile all the required documentation, including:

   – A letter of invitation from the host in Canada.

   – Proof of relationship with the host (such as birth certificates).

   – Medical insurance from a Canadian provider with at least CAD 100,000 coverage for one year.

   – Financial proof that the host meets the income threshold to sponsor the stay.

3. Submit the Application: Apply from outside Canada by completing the application package. Submission can be done online, which is generally recommended for faster processing and ease of communication with immigration authorities.

4. Medical Examination and Biometrics: If required, applicants need to undergo a medical examination and provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo). The immigration office will provide instructions on how and where to complete these requirements.

5. Wait for Processing and Decision: Processing times vary based on the completeness of the application, the country of submission, and other factors. After approval, the visa is stamped on the passport, or an approval letter is sent if the applicant is from a visa-exempt country.

6. Receive Visa and Travel: If the application is approved, applicants will receive their passport back with the visa stamped inside or a confirmation letter. This document needs to be presented to the Canada Border Services Officer upon arrival.

This step-by-step process ensures that applicants understand the requirements and gather all necessary documents to apply successfully for the super visa in Canada.

Super Visa vs Visitor Visa

Here’s a comparison between the super visa in Canada and the Visitor Visa for Canada. It can help you understand which option might work best for your family:

1. Length of Stay:

Super Visa: This visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit, with the possibility of multiple entries over 10 years. It’s ideal for families wanting to spend a long time together without the need for frequent renewals.

Visitor Visa: Typically permits stays of up to 6 months at a time. If someone wishes to stay longer, they would need to apply for an extension, which involves extra fees and paperwork. This visa is good for short visits or tourism purposes.

2. Eligibility:

Super Visa: Exclusive to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It is a great option for long-term visits, especially as there is no lottery involved, unlike the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which provides greater certainty for family reunification.

Visitor Visa: Available to anyone wishing to visit Canada temporarily for tourism, business, or family visits, making it a broader option.

3. Financial and Medical Requirements:

Super Visa: Applicants need to provide medical insurance from a Canadian company that covers at least CAD 100,000 for a minimum of one year. Additionally, the host in Canada must meet the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) to prove they can support the visitors financially. A medical examination is also required.

Visitor Visa: This does not have a strict medical insurance requirement, though having travel health insurance is highly recommended. Financial support proof is needed, but it is not as strict as the super visa in Canada requirements.

4. Application Complexity:

Super Visa: The application process is more detailed, involving a medical examination and proof of private medical insurance, which ensures the applicant is well-prepared for an extended stay.

Visitor Visa: The process is simpler and quicker, with fewer requirements, making it a convenient choice for short-term visits or for those who want to travel to Canada on short notice.

5. Purpose:

Super Visa: Primarily for family reunification. It’s perfect if parents or grandparents want to spend extended time with their family in Canada.

Visitor Visa: Suitable for varied purposes such as tourism, business meetings, or visiting family for shorter periods.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose the super visa in Canada if your parents or grandparents plan to stay for an extended period (more than 6 months) and if you can meet the medical and financial requirements.

This visa eliminates the hassle of frequent renewals and ensures a longer stay without the need to reapply.

Choose the Visitor Visa for shorter visits or if you’re looking for a simpler application process. It’s a good option for those who do not need an extended stay or find the financial requirements for the Super Visa challenging to meet.

In short, the super visa in Canada is a great way to reunite with family members for a longer time, while the Visitor Visa offers flexibility for shorter visits with fewer requirements.

Super Visa for Visa-Exempt Visitors

If your family member is from a visa-exempt country and has a Super Visa, there are some flexible options for entering Canada.

A Super Visa is intended for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, allowing them to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with a maximum validity of ten years. 

However, if your family member intends to visit for a short period (less than six months), they do not necessarily need to use the super visa in Canada for that visit. They can enter Canada as a visa-exempt visitor instead.

This means they won’t need to show their Super Visa or buy the mandatory one-year medical insurance unless they plan to stay for a longer duration in Canada.

For example, if your parents are from a visa-exempt country and they only intend to stay for three months, they could simply enter Canada as a visa-exempt visitor without activating their super visa in Canada. 

This flexibility helps save on medical insurance costs, as the Super Visa requires a full year of insurance coverage, even if the actual stay is shorter.

If you do decide to use the Super Visa later for an extended stay, all the required documentation, including the medical insurance, should be in order when entering Canada.

Who Can Apply for the Super Visa?

To be eligible to apply for a super visa in Canada, here are the key requirements:

1. Relationship to Host: The applicant must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Dependents cannot be included in the Super Visa application, though a spouse or common-law partner may be included.

2. Host in Canada: The host (your child or grandchild) must be at least 18 years old and must provide proof of their citizenship or permanent residency. 

They must also meet or exceed the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) to demonstrate that they can financially support the applicant during their stay. This includes providing documents such as tax returns, proof of income, and a signed letter of invitation.

3. Health Insurance: Applicants must have private medical insurance from a Canadian company with a minimum coverage of CAD 100,000 that is valid for at least one year. This ensures that health care, hospitalisation, and repatriation costs are covered during their stay in Canada.

4. Medical Examination: Applicants must undergo a medical examination to prove they are in good health and do not pose a health risk to Canadians. 

5. Proof of Ties to Home Country: Immigration officers need to be convinced that applicants are genuine visitors who will return to their home country at the end of their visit. This assessment includes considering factors like family ties, finances, and the purpose of the visit. 

6. Application Submission: The application must be submitted from outside Canada, and the applicant should wait for a visa office to provide instructions on how to proceed after submitting the required documentation. 

These requirements are designed to ensure that parents and grandparents have a safe, supported stay in Canada while also demonstrating a genuine intent to return home afterward. 

If all conditions are met, the super visa in Canada allows the applicant to stay in Canada for up to five years per entry, with multiple entries allowed over 10 years.

How to Apply for a Super Visa in Canada

Have all the documents ready. Here you have a quick checklist: 

Letter of invitation. Must be from your child or grandchild as a permanent resident or citizen. 

Prove your child or grandchild’s household meets the necessary income.

Show your Canadian medical insurance.

Take your medical exam.

How to Help Your Family to Get the Visa

Since the super visa in Canada in Canada is exclusive for parents and grandparents of permanent residents and citizens, you need to write an invitation letter. It must include your citizenship number or permanent residency.

Besides, you need to promise to financially support your parents for their entire stay in Canada in that letter. Also, to qualify, you must prove that your income meets or exceeds the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO). To do it, you have to list all the people in your home, as the LICO is defined by family size.

Furthermore, your parents or grandparents need to have medical insurance from a Canadian company with a minimum coverage of $100,000. Make sure it is for at least one year from arriving, and prove the insurance is paid.

Applicants must apply for the Super Visa from outside Canada. They must be admitted to Canada and take an immigration medical exam, among other requirements.

Applications for a Super Visa can be made online or at your closest visa application centre.

Eligibility criteria and documentation requirements

So, before making plans to invite your family to Canada, check the eligibility criteria for the super visa in Canada. Firstly, applicants must be the grandparents or parents of Canadian permanent residents or citizens, and they must meet the conditions to be admitted to Canada.

Officers need to believe the candidate is a reliable visitor to Canada who will go at the end of the visit. To demonstrate it, an applicant must prove: 

Ties to his or her home country

Purpose of the visit

Family and financial situation

Invitations from Canadian hosts.

Remember, dependents of parents and grandparents can’t apply for the super visa. However, they can get a regular visitor visa.

What are the Super Visa Eligibility Requirements for the Sponsor?

If you want to sponsor your parents or grandparents for a Super Visa to Canada, there are specific eligibility requirements you need to meet to ensure that your loved ones can visit you for an extended stay.

1. Relationship Requirement: You must be the child or grandchild of the applicant. This visa is specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Dependents like siblings cannot be included in the application, although your spouse or common-law partner may co-sign the application.

2. Minimum Age: The sponsor must be at least 18 years old and currently residing in Canada. You need to be in Canada to provide the required support.

3. Financial Requirements: The most critical requirement is proving that you can financially support your parents or grandparents during their stay in Canada.

This involves:

Meeting the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO): You must meet or exceed the LICO level for your family size, which includes your household plus the visiting parents or grandparents. This is to ensure that you can adequately support them without any financial strain.

Proof of Income: You can prove your income by providing documents such as:

The most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 from the Canada Revenue Agency.

An employment letter stating your job title, salary, and start date.

Pay stubs or other sources of income such as pensions or investments.

The LICO requirements are updated annually, so make sure to check the latest figures to confirm you meet the threshold.

4. Letter of Invitation: You need to provide a letter of invitation that includes:

A signed promise of financial support for the entire duration of your parent’s or grandparent’s stay.

Information about your household, including the number of people living there and their details (name, date of birth). Proof of your status in Canada (Canadian citizenship or permanent residency).

5. Health Insurance Requirement: The applicants must also have private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance provider. This policy should cover:

At least CAD 100,000 for health care, hospitalisation, and repatriation. Be valid for a minimum of one year from the date of entry.

6. Genuine Visitor Requirement: The visiting parent or grandparent must also be considered a genuine visitor, which means they should have sufficient ties to their home country, like family, finances, or employment, to indicate they will return after their stay.

By fulfilling these requirements, you can ensure that your parents or grandparents will be eligible for the super visa in Canada, allowing them to stay with you in Canada for up to five years per visit, with the possibility of extending their stay.

Super Visa Extensions

If your parents or grandparents are in Canada on a Super Visa and wish to extend their stay beyond the initial permitted period, it’s entirely possible to apply for an extension.

1. Duration of Extension: The super visa in Canada allows for an initial stay of up to five years per visit. If your parents or grandparents want to stay longer, they can apply for an extension for up to an additional two years per extension. This gives them the flexibility to stay in Canada longer without the need to leave and re-enter the country.

2. When to Apply: It’s best to apply for an extension at least 30 days before the current authorised stay expires. This allows time for processing and helps avoid any complications. The extension application is made by applying for a visitor record. This document will indicate the new length of time they are allowed to stay in Canada.

3. Application Process: To apply for an extension, your parents or grandparents will need to: Complete an application for a visitor record. Provide proof of medical insurance that covers them for an extended period, with a minimum coverage of CAD 100,000.

Pay the application fee for the extension, which is typically CAD 100 per person. Submit documents that prove they continue to meet the financial requirements, demonstrating that their host (you) can still support them during their extended stay.

4. Medical Insurance Requirement: Maintaining valid private health insurance is crucial when extending a super visa to Canada.

The insurance policy must cover healthcare, hospitalisation, and repatriation, and must be valid for the entire extended period of their stay. The minimum coverage remains CAD 100,000, and the policy must be from a Canadian insurance provider.

5. Processing Time: The processing time for a super visa in Canada extension varies based on the volume of applications received and the applicant’s country of origin. It’s important to apply well in advance to avoid overstaying. 

During the application process, your parents or grandparents can remain in Canada under implied status, which allows them to stay legally until a decision is made on their application.

6. Maintaining Status in Canada: While waiting for the decision on their extension, your parents or grandparents will be under implied status. This means they can stay in Canada legally, even if their original visa expires during the processing period. 

They mustn’t leave Canada while under implied status, as they may not be able to re-enter without a valid visa.

Extending a Super Visa is a great way to keep your loved ones close for a longer period without the hassle of multiple re-applications. Just make sure to follow the steps carefully and apply on time to ensure a smooth extension process.

Conclusion

Extending a super visa in Canada allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for an additional two years per extension. Make sure to apply at least 30 days before the current visa expires, provide proof of health insurance, and meet financial requirements. 

With careful planning, you can enjoy more time with your family without interruptions.