Super Visa

A Super visa is a multiple entry visitor visa specifically for the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows holders to remain in Canada for up to 2 years at a time without having to renew their status. 

Super visas are a kind of Canadian visitor visa that are only available to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. The most important difference between a Super visa and a visitor visa is the length of the time you are allowed to remain in Canada. Visitor visa is often valid for a stay of up to six months. To prolong your stay you have to get a visitor record after that initial period. With a Super visa you are allowed to stay in Canada for up to 2 years at a time.

You can apply for Super visa online, or by submitting a paper-based application. In any case, you have to prove that you simply are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Your application must include a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild who has plans for your care and information about the number of individuals living in their household in Canada. You will be required to demonstrate that you have private insurance from a Canadian insurance firm valid for a minimum of one year. Your child or grandchild also will be required to demonstrate that they have enough funds to support you during your visit by meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).

Depending on their country of citizenship, some foreign nationals do not require a visitor visa to come to Canada. These are mentioned as visa-exempt visitors. Visa-exempt visitors are only allowed to stay in Canada for a period of up to 6 months without renewing their status. So, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are visa-exempt should apply for a Super visa. This will allow them to stay in Canada for up to 2 years at a time, increasing the time they will spend with their loved ones in Canada.

Visa-exempt parents and grandparents who apply for a Super visa need to follow the application procedure mentioned above. However, successful applicants are going to be issued a letter to present to the border services officer once they enter Canada, which authorizes their stay, rather than a visa. Visa-exempt visitors who visit Canada by air are required to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), albeit they have successfully applied for a Super visa.

Super visas allow holders to stay in Canada for up to 2 years. If you would like to remain in Canada for longer than two years, you have to apply to increase your stay. You have to submit your extension application no later than 30 days before your current status expires. If your current visa expires while your extension application is being processed, you can remain in Canada when the application is processing. This is often called implied status. 

As an alternate to Super visa, which allows holders to remain in Canada temporarily, you can apply for Permanent Residence through the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program.