Canada Parents and Grandparents Super Visa stay period has been extended to 5 years.

As we work to recover from the pandemic, the Government of Canada continues to prioritise family reunification so that we can attract, retain and integrate the immigrants who contribute to our country's success.

The Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced an increase in Canada's Super Visa program. These enhancements will make it easier for Canadians to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada and allow super visa holders to stay longer. These changes will be applicable from July 4 2022.

• Extend the length of stay in Canada to 5 years per entry for Super Visa holders
• Those holding a Super Visa can also request an extension of their stay in Canada for up to 2 years.
• Let the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship designate international medical insurance companies to provide coverage to future super visa applicants.
• Currently, only Canadian insurance providers can provide the necessary medical coverage that Super Visa applicants must have. Information about any designated medical insurance companies based outside Canada will be notified later on the IRCC website.

Super Visa Vs Visitor Visa

A super visa is a Canadian visitor visa available only to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The most significant difference between a super visa and a visitor visa is that you are allowed to stay in Canada. Generally, a visitor visa can be valid for a stay of up to 6 months. To prolong your stay in Canada, you will need to apply for an extension of your visa. With a super visa, you may be able to stay in Canada for two years at a time without needing to apply for an extension.

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa: Eligibility

Application for the visa is accepted outside Canada at the Visa Office. However, parent and grandparent super visa applicants must fulfil the conditions set aside to meet the desired requirements.

All eligible standard visiting visa holders can apply for the super visa. In addition to having good health and valid travel documents, the applicant must satisfy the terms of the Canadian Immigration that they will leave the country voluntarily at the end of their authorised stay. It further commits that they have a stable dependency on their home country, holding a decent job, family income or property and adequate funds available to sustain themselves for their stay.

In addition, the individual applicant must:

• They must indicate that they are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company (or designated international companies as of July 4, 2022) that is valid for at least one year, providing a minimum coverage of $100,000 for health care, hospitalisation and repatriation ;
• Undergo a medical examination.

Finally, to the applicant's family member in Canada:

• Demonstrate that they are citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
• Provide the invitation letter to the applicant. This letter provides information about the applicant's planned travel, the child's or grandchild's occupation, and economic status in Canada. Most importantly, this letter must include a written and signed promise of financial assistance to the applicant for the duration of their travel;
• Demonstrate that their income is above a predetermined minimum level.

How to Apply for Super Visa

You can apply for Super Visa online or by submitting a physical application. In either case, you must prove that you are a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Your application should include an invitation letter from your child or grandchild with information about your care plan and the number of people living in their homes in Canada. You must also show that you have private health insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year. Your child or grandchildren must also demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support you throughout your journey by meeting the minimum low-income cut-off (LICO) for the size of your family unit.

Super Visa for Visa-Exempt Visitors

Some foreign nationals do not require a visiting visa to visit Canada, depending on their country of citizenship. These are known as Visa-Exempt Visitors. Visa-Exempt Visitors can only stay in Canada for up to six months without renewing their status. Therefore, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are visa-exempt may still wish to apply for a super visa. This would allow them to live in Canada for two years at a time, allowing them to spend time with their loved ones in Canada.

Visa-exempt parents and grandparents who apply for a Super Visa must follow the same process described above. However, successful applicants will be issued a letter to present to a border service officer upon entry into Canada, authorising their stay instead of a visa. In addition, visa-exempt visitors who travel to Canada by air must apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), even if they have successfully applied for a super visa.

Super visa extension

Allows super visa holders to stay in Canada for up to two years. If you want to stay in Canada for more than two years, you will need to apply for an extension of your stay. You must submit your extension application no later than 30 days before your current position expires. If your current visa expires while your extension application is still being processed, you can remain in Canada while waiting for a decision. This is called an implicit condition.