Canada Super Visa: Alternative to Parents and Grandparents Program

Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada will face changes in 2025. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a pause on new applications for the Canada Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2025. Instead, IRCC will prioritize processing applications submitted in 2024, with plans to process up to 15,000 PGP applications in 2025. In light of this change, the Canada Super Visa is an excellent alternative for families wishing to reunite with their loved ones.

What is the Parents and Grandparents Program?

The Canada Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residency. Due to its popularity, the PGP uses a lottery system to invite sponsors to apply, selecting individuals from those who submitted an Interest to Sponsor form.

Since 2020, IRCC has only issued invitations to those who applied during the 2020 intake, leaving many potential sponsors waiting. The pause in 2025 reflects the government’s efforts to manage immigration levels and address application backlogs.

Super Visa: An Alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program

The Canada Super Visa provides a flexible and viable solution for those unable to sponsor through the PGP. It allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for extended periods while maintaining their status in their home country. The Super Visa offers:

• Multiple entries for up to 10 years.
• Stays of up to five years at a time, with the option to extend for an additional two years.

This alternative ensures families can spend meaningful time together without the need for permanent residency.

Super Visa Application Requirements

To apply for a Canada Super Visa, both the host and the applicant must meet specific requirements:

Super Visa Host Requirements:

• Relationship: The host must be the applicant’s child or grandchild.
• Status: The host must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian.
• Age and Residency: The host must be at least 18 years old and reside in Canada.
• Financial Support: The host must provide a signed letter promising financial support for the visitor’s entire stay in Canada. If applicable, the host’s spouse or common-law partner, who is also a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, can co-sign this letter.
• Income Threshold: The host’s household income must meet or exceed the minimum necessary income, which varies based on family size. For example, for a family of four, the required income is $54,594.

Super Visa Application Requirements:

• Location: Applicants must be outside Canada when submitting their application.
• Entry Eligibility: Applicants must be admissible to Canada.
• Medical Examination: An immigration medical exam is required.
• Health Insurance: Applicants must have proof of health insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an approved international insurer. The policy must be valid for at least one year from the date of entry, cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation, and provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency coverage. Quotes are not accepted; the policy must be paid in full or through installments with a deposit.

Additional Considerations:

• Genuine Visitor Intent: Applicants must demonstrate their intention to leave Canada voluntarily at the end of their visit.
• Assessment Factors: Authorities will evaluate the applicant’s ties to their home country, the purpose of the visit, family and financial circumstances, and the overall economic and political stability of the home country.

How to Submit a Canada Super Visa Application

The Canada Super Visa application package includes several essential steps:

1. Gather Necessary Documents:

• Letter of Invitation: Your child or grandchild in Canada must provide a signed letter that includes:
  • A commitment to financially support you during your stay.
  • A detailed list of people in their household, including names and dates of birth, to determine family size.
• Proof of Relationship: Documents such as birth certificates or other official papers that confirm your relationship to your host.
• Proof of Host’s Status: Evidence that your child or grandchild is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian.
• Proof of Medical Examination: Confirmation that you’ve completed a medical exam with an approved panel physician.
• Proof of Health Insurance: Documentation showing you’ve purchased health insurance from a Canadian insurance company or an approved international insurer. The policy must:
  • Be valid for at least one year from your intended date of entry.
  • Cover healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.
  • Provide a minimum of $100,000 in coverage.
  • Be fully paid or have a deposit if paid in installments (quotes are not accepted).
• Proof of Host’s Financial Means: Evidence that your host meets the minimum necessary income requirements, which may include:
  • The most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency.
  • T4 or T1 slips from the last tax year.
  • Recent pay stubs covering the past 12 months.
  • Employment insurance benefit statements.
  • A letter from an employer detailing job title, description, and salary.
  • Bank statements or proof of other income sources, such as pension statements.

2. Apply Online:

• Create an Account: Set up an account through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Portal.
• Complete the Application: Fill out the online application form, ensuring all information is accurate and complete.
• Upload Documents: Submit all required documents electronically through the portal.
• Pay Fees: Pay the necessary application fees as prompted during the online submission process.
• Submit Biometrics: If required, provide biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection point.

3. Await Processing:

• After submission, your application will be reviewed by Canadian immigration authorities.
• Super Visa processing times vary per country. However, the IRCC is typically able to process them within six (6) months. Visit the IRCC website to check the Super Visa processing time for your country.
• You may be contacted for additional information or an interview if necessary.

4. Prepare for Arrival:

• If your application is approved, ensure you have all necessary documents ready for presentation upon arrival in Canada, including:
  • A valid passport.
  • Your Super Visa approval letter.
  • Proof of health insurance.
  • Proof of financial support.

It’s important to note that dependents cannot be included in the Super Visa application. Additionally, even individuals from visa-exempt countries can apply for a Super Visa to benefit from extended stays. If approved, they may need to obtain an electronic travel authorization (eTA) for air travel to Canada.

Why Choose a Canada Super Visa?

Even individuals from visa-exempt countries can benefit from the Canada Super Visa, as it permits extended stays of up to five years per visit. Additionally, visa-exempt applicants may need an electronic travel authorization (eTA) to enter Canada.

Let Nihang Law Help You

Navigating changes to immigration policies, such as the pause in the PGP, can be complex. At Nihang Law, we are committed to helping families reunite. Whether you need guidance on the Canada Super Visa application process or advice on immigration options, our experienced lawyers are here to support you.

Contact Nihang Law today at (416) 321-0353 or email info@nihanglaw.ca to book an appointment. Let us help you bring your loved ones closer.