Canada Super Visa Guide

What is a Canada Super Visa?

The Canada Super Visa is a multiple entry visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows current super visa holders to visit Canada for up to 5 years at a time.

The Canada Parent and Grandparent Super Visa also has some advantages over other types of visas, such as the standard visitor’s visa, which only lasts six months.

The visa is only available to children and grandchildren of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are over the age of 18. The Super Visa cannot be applied for by parents/grandparents who have resided in Canada for more than five years in the last 10 years, unless they meet certain requirements.

Who is Eligible for a Super Visa?

To qualify for a Super Visa, you must:

• Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Have a signed statement from your child or grandchild in Canada that includes: the number of people in this person’s household; names, dates of birth and citizenship/permanent resident status for all family members; and a promise of financial support for the length of your visit
• Have medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry, at least $100,000 emergency coverage, and have proof that you have paid for your insurance

In addition to these requirements, you need to:

• Apply for a Super Visa from outside Canada
• Have your visa printed outside Canada
• Are allowed to enter Canada
• Take an immigration medical exam
• Meet certain other conditions

Another thing to keep in mind is that you can’t include dependents, or who are not parents or grandparents in this application.

For the latest information on the requirements for the Canada Super Visa reach out to an immigration expert for support in making an application.

Documents Needed for the Super Visa

The following documents are amongst those required for the Super Visa application:

• Letter of Invitation: You will need to provide a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada that includes a promise of financial support for the duration of your visit, information about the members of your host’s household and a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document.
• Proof of Financial Income: Proof that your child or grandchild’s household meets the minimum income requirement for super visa.
• Proof of Medical Insurance: Proof of payment for medical insurance that is valid for at least 1 year and includes at least $100,000 in emergency coverage.
• Medical Exam: A document confirming that you had a medical exam for the purpose of immigration.

Super Visa Application Cost

The cost of applying for a super visa is $CAN 1,205. The fee is non-refundable. This cost covers the processing of your application. There may be other fees to pay as well as the Super Visa application cost such as medical examination charges.

If you have been granted a Super Visa and wish to extend it, you must submit an application no later than 90 days prior to its expiry date. The fee to extend your super visa is $CAN 1,205 per year

Super Visa Processing Time

The processing times for a Canada Super Visa will vary depending on the circumstances of the applicant.

The processing time for a new application varies depending on which country you are applying from and whether or not you have already applied for a Canadian visitor visa before. If this is the first time you have applied for a Canadian Super Visa, it can take between 2-6 months to process your application.

However, if you have previously been refused entry into Canada or had any other issues with previous visitor visas, this could impact your application time as well.

How to Apply?

To apply for a Super Visa, you must submit an online application with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Portal and be outside Canada when you submit it.

To begin an application for a visa with the IRCC department, log on to their website and create an account. If it’s your first time using the IRCC Portal, you need an invite code to create an account.

Next, complete the online form and upload supporting documents to prove your eligibility for a visa. Finally, pay your fees via credit card or prepaid card.

When you submit your visa application, you will be required to give your biometrics. You must pay the biometrics fee before giving your biometrics. If you have not paid the fee, your application may be delayed.

You can also apply on paper if you can’t apply online because of a disability, or if you are travelling with an identity or travel document issued to someone who is a refugee, stateless or non-citizen.

What Happens After you Apply for a Super Visa?

After you have provided your biometrics and your application has been submitted, the Canadian government may also ask you to do the following:

• Go for an interview
• Send more information
• Get a medical exam
• Get a police certificate

If your application is approved, a visa will be stamped in your passport. If you’re from a visa-exempt country, IRCC will issue you a letter to give to a border services officer when you arrive in Canada.

If your application is refused, you will receive an explanation including the reasons for refusal and your right of appeal.

How Can IAS Help?

IAS is here to help you with your Canadian Super Visa application. We know that the process can be confusing, and we want to make sure that you understand all of the steps involved and know what to expect.

Whether you’re just starting out or have already started the application process, we can help. We’ll work with you to assess your situation and talk through all the details of what’s required.

We’ll also help you gather the necessary documents so that we can submit them at the right time. If anything happens during our work together, we’ll be there for you every step of the way.

To get more information on the Super Visa, call us on 0333 305 9375 for immediate help and assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.