If you are a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may be able to bring your parents or grandparents visit you. On a regular Visitor Visa (also known as Temporary Resident Visa) the usual six-month stay granted might not seem long enough. It could be that you’re missing some special family time.
Fortunately, there is another option specifically targeted to parents and grandparents – Super Visa that creates a flexible arrangement for families to meet and stay in Canada for longer durations.
What is A Super Visa?
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a temporary visa that allows the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to come to Canada to visit Canada for extended periods.
Super visas usually grant entry to Canada for up to two years, with the ability to apply for extensions of one year at a time.
Important Criteria to Apply For A Super Visa
Simply being parents or grandparents of a Canadian citizens and permanent resident doesn’t automatically make people eligible for a Super Visa. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has very specific requirements set for Super Visas.
Since this type of visa is not for the purposes of living in Canada as permanent resident, IRCC wants reassurance that the visitor will return to his or her country before the expiration of their visa. To prove that, applicants must establish legitimate ties to their home that includes stating their financial situation and listing family members living in that country.
Besides, IRCC could also consider the applicant’s purpose of the visit; his or her family and financial situation; the overall economic and political stability of the home country, among others.
The Application Process
Applicants are required to apply for a super visa from outside Canada. The application process is almost similar to that for a regular TRV. However, additional documentation is required to make sure that the parents and grandparents will be well-supported during their time in Canada. This requirement includes:
- A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada;
- Documents that prove the child or grandchild meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum (see table below);
- Proof of parental relationship with child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate that names applicant as a parent;
- Provide evidence of medical insurance coverage (at least $100,000 coverage) with a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry; and
- A document confirming that applicant had an immigration medical exam
Minimum Income Requirements
The child or grandchild of the applicant must meet the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) under the Super Visa eligibility criteria. The size of the family unit includes the parent(s) or grandparent(s) being sponsored.
| Size of family unit | Minimum necessary income (CAD) |
| 1 person (the sponsor) | $24,949 |
| 2 persons | $31,061 |
| 3 persons | $38,185 |
| 4 persons | $46,362 |
| 5 persons | $52,583 |
| 6 persons | $59,304 |
| 7 persons | $66,027 |
| More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add | $6,723 |