Spending quality time with children and grandchildren never seems enough for grandparents, especially if they live in separate countries. The time period of the visitor’s visa, which is six months at a time in Canada, restricts you from being with your family for long. And, applying for an extension of another six months requires a fee. As a result, you crave to be with your family and play with your grand kids. Fear not! The answer to all your questions is a Super Visa.
Go through this post by an experienced immigration lawyer in Brampton to learn about Super Visa and how you can apply for it.
Super Visa: Meaning, Eligibility and Application Process
What Is Super Visa?
A Super Visa is given to the parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It is a temporary resident permit with multiple-entry that allows parents or grandparents to stay in Canada for up to 2 years at a time without renewing their status, unlike the regular visitor’s visa that allowed stays of up to six months. The best part is the holders can leave and re-enter the country during the validity of the super visa, which is 10 years.
Who Is Eligible for Super Visa?
It is not like that the Canadian government allows parents or grandparents of all adults who live in Canada to have a Super Visa. There are specific requirements laid down by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that need to be fulfilled for eligibility. Here are the eligibility criteria you need to fulfill to apply for Super Visa.
• You must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent citizen
• You must be allowed to enter Canada
• You must be a real visitor to Canada who will leave by choice at the end of your visit
To ensure the last criteria is fulfilled, an officer will verify the following things:
• Your purpose of the visit
• Your ties to your home country
• Your family and financial situation
• Your overall economic and political stability in your home country
• Your invitation from a Canadian host
The person applying for the Super Visa must also do the following:
• Provide a proof that your child or grandchild living in Canada meets a minimum income threshold
• Provide a written statement from your child or grandchild that he/she will financially support you during your stay in Canada (the statement must also include the number of people living in the household and a copy of your child or grandchild’s citizenship or permanent resident document)
• Have an immigration medical examination
• Provide a valid Canadian medical insurance coverage of at least $100,000 valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry.
How to Apply for Super Visa?
If you’re eligible to apply for Super Visa, you can submit your application from outside Canada (either online or on paper) by paying the fee of $100. However, online application is preferred as it may be processed more quickly and additional documents can be submitted conveniently. Here’s the online application process.
• Get all your documents ready (including the documents mentioned in the eligibility section)
• Give your biometrics; fingerprints and photo (in most cases)
• Fill the online application form
• Upload all required documents
• Pay application fee either using your online banking login (Sign-In Partner) or through a Government of Canada login (GCKey)
• Submit application form
If you’re having difficulty in filling the application form and arranging the required documents, you can ask an immigration lawyer for help.
After you complete your application, it may take up to 5 days to appear in your account. The application is reviewed at the visa office by an officer. If an interview is required, the applicant will be notified of the time and place. If the application is rejected, you’ll receive an explanation of why the application was refused.
Super Visa is a convenient way of getting more time to live with your children and grandchildren without worrying about extending your visitor’s visa. It is easy to apply for it if you know all the requirements and have the necessary documents. However, it is advisable to consult an experienced immigration lawyer as it can greatly increase the likelihood of getting a Super Visa.