Canada Super Visa

Canada’s Super Visa is a special, multi-entry visa that allows for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This unique visitor visa allows eligible people to visit Canada for an extended period of time, letting families spend more time together without worrying about needing to leave the country. 

Unlike the traditional visitor visa, which only lets eligible people stay in the country for up to six months, the Super Visa lets them stay for up to two years at a time. Besides being able to stay for up to two years at a time, what makes this visitor visa so attractive is that once it’s issued, it’s valid for ten years, offering more flexibility for families to spend time together. 

If you have children or grandchildren in Canada that you plan on visiting frequently and for long periods, the Super Visa might be the best option for you. 

Canada Super Visa Eligibility Requirements 

The Super Visa has very specific eligibility requirements for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens. If you want to enter Canada with this type of visa, you’ll need to make sure that you meet the following requirements: 

• Relationship Requirements: You have to be the parent or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Financial Support Proof: Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want their family to visit with a Super Visa need to make sure that they meet the minimum income threshold, also known as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). This proves that family members in Canada can financially support their visitors while they’re staying in Canada. 
• Letter of Invitation: The Canada visa office requires that the host family in Canada provide a letter of invitation stating they want their family members, who are foreign nationals, to visit. It needs to include proof of financial support and the estimated duration of the family members’ stay. 
• Medical Insurance: All applicants need to provide proof of health insurance from a Canadian insurance company. The health insurance policy needs to be valid for at least one year from the expected entry date. It also needs to provide a minimum coverage of CAD 100,000. 

Medical Insurance Requirements

The Canadian government needs everyone applying for a Super Visa to have medical insurance coverage while they’re in the country. Since you’ll be visiting your family, who are permanent residents, for up to two years, the likelihood that you’ll get sick at some point or need medical care increases. 

When choosing a health insurance policy, you’ll need to ensure that your coverage is at least CAD 100,000 and that it covers at least a year from entering Canada. You’ll need to keep the insurance active throughout your stay, or you risk violating your visa terms and potentially not having coverage if you are injured or need medical care for an illness. 

The best way to find health insurance from an approved Canadian insurance company is to contact different Canadian companies directly for information on visitor insurance policies. You can also work with an insurance broker specializing in visitor health insurance or Super Visa policies. 

Income Requirements for the Sponsor

As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident inviting your parents and grandparents to visit with a Super Visa, you’ll need to meet the LICO. The income requirements for a Super Visa vary depending on household size. Here’s a breakdown of what the minimum income requirements are: 

Your family in Canada will have to prove that they meet the minimum income requirement based on their household size. They can provide supporting documentation to do this, like: 

• T4 slips or T1 General forms
• Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Bank statements showing consistent income deposits
• Recent pay stubs
• Employment letter with the job title, salary, and length of employment 

If your loved one lives with a spouse or common-law partner, they can combine their incomes to establish that they meet the minimum income requirement for their family member to qualify for the Super Visa. 

Super Visa Application Process

If you want to apply for the Canadian Super Visa, you’ll need to complete the application process thoroughly. It involves several steps. Super visa applicants will follow this process: 

• Complete all Application Forms: The visa office needs you to complete several forms to determine your approval. This includes the Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM 5257) and the Family Information Form (IMM 5645).  
• Gather Your Supporting Documents: Make sure you have your passport from your home country, proof of your relationship to the Canadian citizen you plan to stay with, proof of your child or grandchild’s income, etc. 
• Pay the Application Fee: You’ll need to pay the Super Visa application fee of CAD 100. 
• Submit Your Application: You’ll officially submit your Super Visa application through the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal or a designated Visa Application Center (VAC). 
• Have a Medical Examination: You’ll need to have a medical examination before entering Canada. 
• Provide Biometrics: Some applications must provide fingerprints and a photo before benign allowed entry.  

The application processing time takes about 12 weeks on average, but it can take less or more time, depending on several factors. To track the status of your Super Visa application, you can do to with your application number through the IRCC. 

Documents Required to Apply for the Canadian Super Visa 

To apply for this multiple-entry visa, you’ll need the following documents: 

• A valid passport from your home country 
• Proof of your relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident 
• A letter of invitation from your grandchild or child in Canada 
• Proof your family meets the minimum income requirement 
• Proof of health insurance coverage from a Canadian insurance company 
• Passport-sized photos that met the Canadian visa photo specifications 
• Completed IMM 5257 and IMM 5645 forms 

Renewing or Extending the Super Visa

While the Super Visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to two years and is valid for ten, you’ll have to renew or extend it at some point if you plan on returning after ten years. You can do this by: 

• Applying for an extension before your current Super Visa expires with the IMM 5708 form 
• Provide updated documents that you originally used when applying 
• Pay the extension fee of CAD 100 

The processing time for an extension is roughly 60 days, and you’re allowed to stay in Canada legally while your extension application is being processed as long as you have applied before your visa expires.