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Opportunity Lives Here

Canada Immigration Services

Foreign nationals who wish to visit Canada are most often issued a visa that allows them to visit Canada for up to 6 months and those who wish to stay beyond the six months must apply for an extension. The parent and grandparent Super Visa has its advantages as it allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit family in Canada for up to two years before they need to renew their status. The Super Visa allows parents and grandparents re-entry into Canada for a period of up to 10 years. Our Canada immigration services law firm can provide assistance and discuss your options.

Who is eligible?

In order to be eligible for a Super Visa, applicants must either be the parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident. Dependents of parents or grandparents are not eligible for the Super Visa (whereas they are under the federal Family Class Sponsorship Program).

Process and other requirements

Applicants must provide a letter of invitation from the child or grandchild who is either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (and proof of the relationship). The child or grandchild providing the letter of invitation must also sign a contract promising financial support to the super visa applicant and demonstrate that they meet the minimum level of income necessary (referred to as the Low Income Cut-Off). Applicants will also have to complete a immigration medical examination and prove that they will have Canadian medical insurance for at least up to one year (provided by a Canadian insurance company). Applicants may also have to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) unless they are exempt from such requirement. See more below with regards to TRV.

Before issuing a Super Visa, visa officers must believe that the applicant (parent or grandparent) is a genuine visitor and will leave Canada voluntarily at the end of their visit. Visa officers will consider the following factors in making this determination

  • the applicant’s ties to his or her home country;

  • the applicant’s family and financial situation;

  • the reason for the applicant’s visit;

  • the overall economic and political stability of the applicant’s home country; and

  • invitations provided by Canadian hosts.

Temporary Resident Visa

In order to be issued a Super Visa, applicants will need to also apply for a Temporary Resident Visa unless they are from a country that is exempt from this requirement. Having a TRV and Super Visa will allow for parents and grandparents to travel freely between Canada and their home country regularly without having to re-apply for a TRV each time they want to return to Canada. Applicants must request a multiple entry visa for up to ten years and pay the required multiple-entry fee with their application.

If applicants are from a country that does not require a TRV may also apply for a Super Visa, however, rather than being issued a TRV they will be given an official letter from the government of Canada to present upon entry which will allow them to remain in Canada for up to 2 years at a time.