Otherwise known as the Parent Visa in Canada or the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, this visa belongs to the Temporary Resident Visas. It allows these close relatives to visit their children and grandchildren for a set period of time. The children or grandchildren must be Canadian Permanent Residents or Canadian Citizens.

Whereas, the Canadian Visitor Visa could be used for this purpose, the Super Visa was created to lengthen the time that parents and grandparents could stay with their loved ones. The Canada Super Visa allows them to stay for up to 2 years at a time in Canada with their children and grandchildren if they fulfill the requirements.

During the time that parents and grandparents are in Canada with the Super Visa, they are not allowed to work or enroll in any part-time or full-time studies. They are also not allowed to try and get Canadian documents or Canadian benefits such as health care coverage. They are only allowed to stay with their relatives and visit the country.

Eligibility Criteria

Since the Super Visa for parents and grandparents allows them to stay for such long periods of time, the requirements are also more extensive than the ones for just the visitor visa.

In addition to the criteria set for all Temporary Resident Visas for Canada, applicants must also go through a medical examination to be considered eligible for the Super visa.

If the applicant does not meet these requirements, then the Canadian Consulate will ask for more evidence. If you cannot prove that you are eligible, then they will deny your Super visa.

How to Apply

There are several steps to complete the Super Visa application and they are listed and explained in detail below:

• Confirm your eligibility for a Super Visa.
• Compile the document file and application forms for a Canada Super visa.
• Submit the Super Visa Application.
• Wait for processing and respond to additional requests for information.
• Send your passport for stamping.

Documents needed

Within the Super Visa application, you will also have to submit the following supporting documents:

• The standard documents required for any visa for Canada.
• Your bank or other financial statements to prove you have enough funds for the trip to Canada.
• A travel itinerary if you have already booked your tickets, or just a description of what you plan to do once in Canada.
• A letter of invitation from your child or grandchild in Canada.
• Proof of relationship with the child or grandchild in Canada such as a birth certificate or other documents.
• The immigration statuses in Canada of your child or grandchild.
• Bank statements or other financial statements of your child or grandchild proving that they meet the Low-Income Cut Off minimum such as:
  • The latest copy of their Notice of Assessment.
  • The latest copy of their T4 or T1.
  • An original letter from your child’s or grandchild’s employer with their title, description, and annual salary.
  • Their employment insurance pay stubs.
  • If your child is self-employed, an accountant should confirm their annual income.
  • Proof of other sources of income such as investments, pensions, etc.
• A Declaration Letter from you to the Government of Canada where you explain why they should give you a Super visa.
• Two (2) photos in compliance with the Canada Photo guidelines.
• Your employment or education status through a resume or diplomas, as well as a letter from your employer stating that you have contractual obligations to fulfill and you must return to your home country;
• Other documents which prove you will return to your home country such as a lease, property deed, and so on.
• Documents that prove that you do not plan to work or study in Canada.
• Documents which prove that you have private medical insurance that is valid for a minimum of one year from a Canadian insurance company that covers the following:
  • Health care, repatriation, and hospitalization.
  • Has a minimum coverage of $100,000.
  • Has a validity for each entry to Canada.

All the documents must be translated into English or French and you must have certifications and proof that the translation is correct. Once you submit all the documents, you can then proceed to submit the application and pay the fees.