Canada Super Visa: Check Eligibility, Medical Insurance Requirements and How to Apply

The Canadian Super Visa allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their foreign parents and grandparents to Canada for up to five years without having to renew their visitor status.

This visa has several advantages over other immigration options, such as the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), and is a popular choice for reuniting families.

Eligibility Requirements for the Super Visa

In order to be eligible for the Super Visa, the applicant must meet certain criteria, including:

• Being the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Having a signed letter from their child or grandchild inviting them to Canada.
• Providing documents that prove the child or grandchild meets the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum.
• Having proof of the parental relationship with the child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate.
• Having proof of medical insurance coverage that meets specific requirements.

Medical Insurance Requirements

The most important requirement for the Super Visa is medical insurance coverage. The insurance must cover the applicant for health care, hospitalization, and repatriation and must provide a minimum of $100,000 in emergency coverage.

The insurance must also be valid for at least one year from the date of entry into Canada and be available for review by a border services officer upon request during re-entry into Canada.

Pay for Medical Insurance in Monthly Instalments

In August 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would require annual up-front payments for medical insurance coverage. This change received backlash from families who argued that it was financially burdensome and punished families who could not afford to pay for an entire year’s coverage upfront.

In December 2022, IRCC reversed the policy and applicants are once again able to pay for insurance coverage in monthly instalments.

How to Apply for the Canada Super Visa

The application for the Super Visa is processed at the Canadian visa office in the applicant’s place of residence outside Canada. The application is then assessed based on factors such as the purpose of the visit to Canada and whether the family member has sufficient ties to their home country. Some visa offices may require additional documentation.

Bottomline

The Canadian Super Visa is a great option for families looking to be reunited in Canada. With its eligibility requirements and application process, the Super Visa offers a quicker and more certain path to reuniting with loved ones.