Canada Super Visa: Extended Family Reunion for Up to 5 Years

Canada's Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of citizens or permanent residents to stay up to 5 years per visit with multiple entries allowed over 10 years. The visa is not a permanent residence pathway and does not grant work rights or access to public benefits. Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having valid medical insurance, clearing a medical exam, and providing a signed letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada.

Canada's Super Visa offers a unique opportunity for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to stay in the country for extended periods. This visa allows multiple entries over a period of up to 10 years, with each visit lasting up to five years. It is not a pathway to permanent residency and does not grant work rights or access to public benefits.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for a Super Visa, applicants must meet specific criteria:

- Relationship: The applicant must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Medical Insurance: Applicants must have valid medical insurance from a Canadian provider, covering at least CAD $100,000 for a minimum of one year.
- Medical Exam: Applicants must clear a medical exam and prove their intent to return to their home country.
- Letter of Invitation: A signed letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada is required.
- Application from Outside Canada: The visa must be applied for and received from outside Canada.

Application Process

The application process involves several steps:

1. Sponsorship Letter: Send a letter to sponsor your parents or grandparents, including details such as the applicant's name, date of birth, purpose and duration of the visit, and address in Canada.
2. Online or Paper Application: Choose whether to apply online or on paper.
3. Supporting Documents: Collect all necessary documents, including a passport, birth certificate, proof of medical insurance, and the letter of invitation.
4. Application Form: Fill out and submit the Super Visa application form.

Processing Time and Costs

The average processing time for a Super Visa application from India is about 78 days, but this can vary. The costs involved are:

- Application Processing Fee: CAD $100 per applicant
- Biometrics Fee: CAD $85
- Medical Exam Fee: CAD $200 to $300

Super Visa vs. Regular Visitor Visa

The Super Visa differs from a standard visitor visa in several ways:

- Number of Entries: A visitor visa allows single entry for a short visit, while the Super Visa allows multiple entries over 10 years.
- Stay Duration: Visitor visa holders can stay for up to six months per visit, while Super Visa holders can stay for up to five years at a time.
- Eligibility: Anyone can apply for a visitor visa, but the Super Visa is strictly for parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Purpose: Visitor visas are issued for general tourism or short visits, while the Super Visa is tailored for extended family reunification.

Super Visa and Permanent Residency

While the Super Visa is not a direct pathway to permanent residency, it can be part of a long-term immigration strategy. If your child or grandchild eventually sponsors you under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), that’s when the Super Visa to PR Canada can materialize.

References

[1] https://medium.com/@iraimmigration777/canada-super-visa-requirements-12ac13fab4f8
[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/sponsor-parents-grandparents.html
[3] https://www.business-standard.com/immigration/canada-super-visa-parents-of-immigrants-can-stay-up-to-5-years-per-visit-125072000246_1.html