Super Visa to Canada for Parents or Grandparents

Reunite with your loved ones in Canada temporarily. Bring your parents or grandparents to stay in Canada with you and your family for up to 5 years at a time.

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There are 2 avenues to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada temporarily…

Super Visa to Canada: Stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time

This is a perfect solution for those seeking to bring their loved ones for an extended period to visit children and grandchildren and enjoy spending time with the family in Canada.

Visitor Visa (TRV): Stay in Canada for up to 6 months

This pathway would work well for those who want to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada for a shorter period of time. It’s also a cheaper alternative to Super Visa.

When applying for Super Visa you must show your temporary intent.

When assessing Super Visa applications, similarly to the TRV applications, the immigration officer will look at multiple factors in determining whether you will leave Canada before the end of your authorized stay. You must show temporary intent even though Super Visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. These factors include your ties to your home country, the purpose of your visit, your financial stability, the overall economic and political situation in your home country, and other factors.

Eligibility Requirements for Super Visa

If you want to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada to stay with you for up to 5 years at a time you must meet the eligibility requirements. There are requirements for the host (a Canadian Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen), and there are also eligibility requirements for the applicant (a parent or a grandparent applying for Super Visa to Canada).

Eligibility requirements for the applicant

To be eligible for a Super Visa, you as an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Be outside Canada when you apply and when the application is approved

  2. Be admissible to Canada

  3. Must take an Immigration Medical Exam

    You must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (valid for 1 year) before you submit your Super Visa application. This exam is necessary to ensure that you do not pose any health risks to Canada and society.

  4. Must have a health insurance policy from a Canadian insurance company or foreign insurance company approved by IRCC:

    • The health insurance policy must be valid for a minimum of one year from your date of entry into Canada.

    • The policy must be paid in full or in installments with a deposit (quotes are not accepted).

    • The policy must cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.

    • The policy must provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency coverage.

Eligibility requirements for the host

To be eligible for a Super Visa, your host must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Relationship: Your host must be your child or grandchild.

  2. Status in Canada: Your host must be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident of Canada, or a Registered Indian.

  3. Age and Residency: Your host must be at least 18 years old and reside in Canada.

  4. Income Requirement: Your host must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income threshold. The threshold changes periodically.

  5. Invitation Letter: Your host must provide a Letter of Invitation for you to Canada which includes a promise to financially support you for the duration of your stay in Canada.

Determining the best option for you and your parents or grandparents…

The decision on whether you should apply for a regular Visitor Visa or a Super Visa depends on a myriad of factors. What works for one family, will not necessarily work for another.

We’re here to guide you and help you make the right choice. Our Canadian Immigration Lawyers will work directly with you to identify your long-term goals, analyze your eligibility, and review your previous immigration history to provide you with a plan for how you can bring your parents or grandparents to Canada for a temporary stay.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

You probably still have many questions about Super Visa to Canada. We’ve got some answers for you here:

  • The Super Visa is a long-term, multiple-entry visa designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents. It allows them to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit, with the visa being valid for up to ten years.

  • Unlike a regular Visitor Visa, which typically allows a stay of up to six months, the Super Visa permits parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years per visit. This makes it an ideal option for extended family visits.

  • To be eligible for a Super Visa, you must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, meet certain financial requirements, have valid health insurance, and provide a signed letter of invitation from your host (who will also financially support you) in Canada

  • Applicants need a valid passport, proof of relationship to the Canadian host, a letter of invitation, evidence of the host's income, proof of medical insurance, and results from a medical examination. Proof of temporary intent is also critically important in Super Visa applications. The host must also provide proof of their PR or Citizen status in Canada and financial ability to support the applicant.

  • No, Super Visa holders are not permitted to work or study in Canada. The Super Visa is intended solely for family visits, allowing parents and grandparents to spend extended periods with their family​ in Canada.

  • Yes, applicants must have health insurance that is valid for at least one year from a Canadian insurance company or an approved international provider. The insurance must cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of $100,000 CAD.

  • The Super Visa is a temporary residency option and does not lead directly to permanent residency in Canada. However, parents and grandparents can explore other immigration pathways, such as the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program, for permanent residency in Canada.

  • If your Super Visa application is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal. You can address the issues mentioned and reapply if you believe your circumstances have changed or if you can provide additional information to support your case. Alternatively, you can challenge the refusal if you believe it was unfair and unreasonable.

  • It really depends on your goals and circumstances. A Super Visa might be a better option for those who want to have their parents or grandparents stay in Canada for longer periods of time. If the duration of stay in Canada is not a primary concern, a regular Temporary Resident Visa might be a better option.