The “Super Visa” is a special type of visa introduced by the Canadian government that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians to visit Canada for up to five years at a time without the need to renew their visa. Unlike a regular visitor visa, under which most visitors can stay for up to six months at a time, the Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that can be valid for up to 10 years, depending on the applicant’s passport validity. Stays can be extended from inside Canada.
Key requirements and features of the Super Visa include:
Proof of relationship
Applicants must provide documentation proving their relationship to the Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian inviting them.
Financial support
The Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian must demonstrate they meet a minimum income threshold to support the visit of their parent or grandparent. This includes providing a letter of invitation and a signed promise of financial support for the duration of the visit.
Medical insurance
Applicants for the Super Visa must purchase comprehensive medical insurance (for example, visitors to Canada insurance) from a Canadian insurance company, or from an insurer outside Canada that meets the federal requirements, valid for at least one year from the date of entry and for each entry, with at least $100,000 of emergency coverage for healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation (IRCC’s requirement; check IRCC for the current requirement). The insurance can be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit.
Medical examination
Applicants must undergo and pass a medical examination by a doctor approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Application process
The application for a Super Visa involves submitting the necessary documentation, meeting the eligibility criteria, and undergoing a review by Canadian immigration officials. The process includes assessing the ties of the applicant to their home country and their overall purpose of visit.
The Super Visa program is designed to help families reunite in Canada for extended periods without the need for frequent renewals of a standard visitor visa.