A highly effective way to bring Parents and Grandparents to Canada is through the Super Visa
program. This program enables family members to visit Canada as long-term visitors with a multiple entry visa
that can be valid for up to 10 years. The Super Visa remains valid for 5 years before requiring renewal.
This option is particularly beneficial for Canadian Citizens and Canadian Permanent Residents who are waiting to
sponsor their parents for Permanent Residence (PR) or those who currently do not meet the requirements for
Parental PR sponsorship.
The financial criteria for a Super Visa are less stringent compared to PR sponsorship. The minimum necessary
income (MNI) is 30% lower than that of PR sponsorship, and only 1 year of gross income needs to exceed the MNI,
whereas PR Sponsorship requires 3 years.
To qualify for a Super Visa:
- The sponsor must meet the minimum necessary income (for Super Visa) requirement and provide the most recent Canadian tax return (Notice of Assessment) showing that line 150 meets or exceeds this amount.
- Purchase Canadian healthcare insurance with coverage of at least $100,000 for a minimum of 1 year. You can check the cost of insurance here (approximately $2,000 – $3,000 CAD per year).
- Undergo a medical examination.
- Provide a written commitment of financial support from the Sponsor (child or grandchild).
Depending on the sponsored person’s citizenship, a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) may also be required for non-visa-exempt countries. If a TRV is necessary, it’s important to note that there is a thorough screening process, and individuals who apply on their own often experience a high rate of refusal. To determine if a TRV is required, refer to the list of countries that require a TRV. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the common reasons for TRV refusal.