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Super Visa
The Canada Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their family in Canada for up to five years without the need to renew their status. The key advantage of the Super Visa over the regular visitor visa is its long validity period of up to 5 years and the opportunity for the holder to remain in Canada for up to 2 years at a time.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Super Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Applicant Relationship: Must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
Letter of Invitation: A written statement from their child or grandchild pledging financial support for the duration of their visit.
Financial Support: The child or grandchild in Canada must meet a minimum income threshold, known as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). Learn more about financial requirements.
Medical Insurance: Must have Canadian medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a minimum coverage amount of $100,000.
Immigration Medical Examination (IME): Must complete an IME by a doctor approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Learn more about immigration medical exams.
Admissibility: Must be legally admissible to Canada and not under any entry prohibitions.
Applicant Relationship: Must be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
Letter of Invitation: A written statement from their child or grandchild pledging financial support for the duration of their visit.
Financial Support: The child or grandchild in Canada must meet a minimum income threshold, known as the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). Learn more about financial requirements.
Medical Insurance: Must have Canadian medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a minimum coverage amount of $100,000.
Immigration Medical Examination (IME): Must complete an IME by a doctor approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Learn more about immigration medical exams.
Admissibility: Must be legally admissible to Canada and not under any entry prohibitions.
Application Process
The application process for a Canada Super Visa involves several steps, including the following:
Complete the Application Form: Applicants are required to fill out the appropriate application form and provide accurate and honest information about their personal details, purpose of visit, and other relevant information.
Gather Supporting Documents: Applicants must gather supporting documents, such as a valid passport, photographs, proof of financial support and income requirements, medical insurance, and any additional documents required based on their specific circumstances.
Submit the Application: Once the application and supporting documents are complete, applicants can submit their application online (required) or through a Visa Application Center (VAC) in their country (under some circumstances).
Biometrics and Medical Examination: Depending on their nationality and other factors, applicants may be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) and undergo a medical examination as part of the application process.
Wait for Processing: After submitting the application, applicants will need to wait for processing. Processing times may vary based on the volume of applications and other factors.
Receive a Decision: Once the application is processed, applicants will receive a decision on their Super Visa application.
Complete the Application Form: Applicants are required to fill out the appropriate application form and provide accurate and honest information about their personal details, purpose of visit, and other relevant information.
Gather Supporting Documents: Applicants must gather supporting documents, such as a valid passport, photographs, proof of financial support and income requirements, medical insurance, and any additional documents required based on their specific circumstances.
Submit the Application: Once the application and supporting documents are complete, applicants can submit their application online (required) or through a Visa Application Center (VAC) in their country (under some circumstances).
Biometrics and Medical Examination: Depending on their nationality and other factors, applicants may be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) and undergo a medical examination as part of the application process.
Wait for Processing: After submitting the application, applicants will need to wait for processing. Processing times may vary based on the volume of applications and other factors.
Receive a Decision: Once the application is processed, applicants will receive a decision on their Super Visa application.
Important Considerations
Before applying for a Canada Super Visa, there are several important considerations that prospective applicants should keep in mind:
Processing Times: It’s important to be aware of the current processing times for Super Visa applications, as these can vary based on the applicant’s country of residence and other factors.
Travel Restrictions: Applicants should stay informed about any travel restrictions or advisories related to visiting Canada, especially during the application process.
Validity Period: The validity period of a Super Visa can be up to 10 years to enter Canada. Once in Canada, the super visa status would be valid for five years.
Extensions and Renewals: It may be possible to extend or renew a Super Visa status while in Canada. Applicants should be aware of the requirements and procedures for doing so.
Driving in Canada on a Super Visa: If you have a valid licence from your home country, you may be able to use this to drive in Canada for a short duration. Check with the government of your province or territory for details. If you plan to use a foreign driver’s licence in Canada, you would need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.
Processing Times: It’s important to be aware of the current processing times for Super Visa applications, as these can vary based on the applicant’s country of residence and other factors.
Travel Restrictions: Applicants should stay informed about any travel restrictions or advisories related to visiting Canada, especially during the application process.
Validity Period: The validity period of a Super Visa can be up to 10 years to enter Canada. Once in Canada, the super visa status would be valid for five years.
Extensions and Renewals: It may be possible to extend or renew a Super Visa status while in Canada. Applicants should be aware of the requirements and procedures for doing so.
Driving in Canada on a Super Visa: If you have a valid licence from your home country, you may be able to use this to drive in Canada for a short duration. Check with the government of your province or territory for details. If you plan to use a foreign driver’s licence in Canada, you would need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) in your home country. An IDP will give you a translation of your licence into French and English.
You cannot request a new super visa from inside Canada. Learn more about visa and status.