SUPER VISA: For Parents and Grandparents

Potential sponsors may be unable or unwilling to submit an application under the Parent and Grandparent Program. This may be because they were not invited to apply, or want to bring their parent(s) or grandparent(s) to Canada sooner. Fortunately, there is another way. IRCC allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to enjoy extended visits to Canada under the Super Visa program.

Currently, most visitors to Canada may visit for up to six months when they first enter Canada. Visitors who wish to stay longer must apply for an extension, and pay a new fee. With the parent and grandparent super visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit family in Canada for up to two years without the need to renew their status.

The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years. The key difference is that the Super Visa allows an individual to stay for up to two years at a time in Canada, while a 10-year multiple entry visa would only have a status period for each entry of six months only.

To be eligible under the Super Visa Program, you must:

• be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada,
• have signed a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild,
• have medical insurance
• apply for the super visa from outside Canada.

In addition, your Canadian child or grandchild will have to prove that their household meets the minimum necessary income.