If you’ve recently come across the term ‘Super Visa’, continue reading. This article will help you understand what a super visa in Canada means and how it can help you!
In Canada, the term super visa refers to the ‘Parent and Grandparent Visa’ of the Canadian government. Through this type of visa, the parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents and citizens are allowed to visit them and stay in Canada for up to five years at a time.
The Canadian Immigration Minister announced changes to the super visa guidelines that now allow parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents and citizens to stay in the country for up to five years per entry which was initially just 2 years (the policy changed June 7 2022). The Canadian Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, announced these changes that have been implemented since the 4th of July. These super visa guidelines are said to benefit Indians the most!
What Is A Super Visa?
A super visa, as stated above, is a multi-entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents and citizens for upto 10 years. The prime difference is that up till now the super visa allowed any individual to visit and stay for upto 2 years in Canada. On the contrary, within10-years, multiple entry visa would only allow each individual to have a status period for entry of six months only.
Any individual that enters the country as a visitor can visit for upto 6 months upon their first entry, and if they wish to stay longer, they must pay a new fee and apply for an extension.
With the super visa in effect, parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents and citizens can visit and stay with the family in Canada for upto five years (according to the new extension to 5 years from the initial two years) without the need to renew their status or visa.
Super Visa Eligibility:
To be eligible for a super visa, an individual must:
- Be a parent or grandparent of an individual residing in Canada with the status of a permanent resident or citizen
- Have a signed letter from their child or grandchild who invites them to Canada. This letter must include:
- A promise for financial support for the time period of the entire visit
- The number of family members in the household
- Proof of the person’s Canadian permanent resident status or citizenship status
- Possess medical insurance from an insurance company that is a Canadian company
- At least $100,000 of medical coverage
- Valid for a year from the date of entry
- Proof of insurance payment
Super Visa Canada Requirements:
- One must apply for a super visa from outside Canada
- An immigration medical exam is mandatory
- One must pass the security and health eligibility check
- One cannot be inadmissible to Canada
- Dependants cannot be included in this visa
How To Apply For A Super Visa?
If you’re wondering how to apply for a super visa for parents in Canada, this is it! There are many forms and steps that an applicant must comply with. Here are the steps:
- Confirm eligibility for super visa Canada
- Follow the Canadian government requirements to obtain medical insurance
- Submit your super visa Canada
- Complete all documents required for super visa Canada
- Send passport for stamping
- Wait for processing and comply with any additional requests that might be asked for
Processing Time For Super Visa Canada
The processing time for super visa application status is estimated to be around 272 days or 9 months approximately.
The total processing time can be calculated from the day that IRCC receives an applicant’s complete application to the day of arriving at a decision based on the person’s Canadian super visa application status.
The super visa processing time after medical also stays the same as it makes a complete super visa application.
Tips For Super Visa Application
A super visa is the perfect way for families to spend time with each other. Here are a few tips that we have found to be helpful based on years of experience!
- Get A New Passport
It is crucial to make sure that before you apply for a super visa for your parents or grandparents, their passports will have a significant amount of time left before it expires. Super visa benefits state that it will be issued for a maximum of ten years or until the passport of the individual expires. So, if you notice that their passport is nearing the expiry date, just issue a new one to avoid complications.
- Plan Your Travel
The IRCC manual for super visa applications states that this particular visa will enable the holder to visit the country for upto two years each trip. Although, in reality, we have learned that the first entry is provided for two years along with a visitor record being issued. If your parents or grandparents leave the country before two years, re-entry before the completion of 2 years is allowed. If they enter Canada post the completion of two years, their second entry will most probably have a 6-month limit.
- Extend The Visit
You can extend your parent’s and grandparent’s visit to the country for two years by submitting all the documents used to apply for a super visa. This means that their second entry time limit (6 months) can be extended as long as you apply for the extension before their status expires.
- Remembering That The Visit Is Temporary
The important thing is to remember that all super visa benefits are temporary. To secure these super visa benefits, you will have to prove that your parents and grandparent have a strong tie to their home country and will most definitely return.
How Will The Changes To Super Visa Benefit Canada?
According to Times Of India, Indians are set to benefit the most from this super visa Canada changes since India is the largest source of permanent residents in Canada under their Express Entry programme. Reports state that Indians have topped the charts for the latest few years for the most number of invites and applications for permanent residentship.
Out of the recorded 4,05,000 new immigrants admitted to Canada in 2021, about 1000+ applicants were given permanent residentship in Canada.
FAQ
- Can I apply for my parents’ super visa from Canada?
One must apply for a super visa on the IRCC portal and should be outside the country. One cannot apply for a super visa while in Canada.
- Can you work on a super visa in Canada?
No, you cannot work on a super visa in Canada.
Reach out to one of our legal professionals to know more about Super visa and how it can benefit your parents and grandparents.