As you may know, you could previously sponsor your parents under the family class sponsorship stream. This was a well-used opportunity, unfortunately though, the government has chosen to remove this program from the family class sponsorship program. They have not done this without providing an alternative, though, it is important to understand the changes which have occurred, to ensure you spend time preparing the correct type of application, so that you may ultimately be re-united with family on a more-regular basis. To replace the parents and grandparents sponsorship stream, the Canadian government has announced super visas. A super visa is a type of multiple entry visa, which is only available to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Throughout this article, we will discuss all the ins and outs of super visas, to help you spend more time with your parents and grandparents.
Well, the main difference is that with a super visa, the parents or grandparents of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident they intend on visiting will never become permanent residents. Through the parent and grandparents sponsorship program, the applicants were applying for permanent residence. This change comes with pros and cons. Obviously it is unfortunate that the applicants can never become permanent residents through this program, if they wish to live in Canada with their loved ones forever. Though, this change broadens the target audience of the number of individuals who will be willing to take advantage of the program available. Not everyone who wants to come spend significant time with their children also wants to immigrate to Canada permanently, so, with the option of a super visa, they are able to do both.
First and foremost, you must be eligible to apply for a super visa. To be eligible for a super visa, you must be the parent, or the grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Obviously, you must have an invitation and arrangements to come and visit your parent or grandparent, and for the purposes of your application, you must get a formal invitation letter together, detailing the arrangements. Beyond this, there are lower eligibility requirements than previously under the sponsorship program, because the application is still for a temporary visit. Though, you must have valid Canadian Medical Insurance Coverage for at least one year from the time you intend to arrive in Canada, as you will not have access to public health services only being a visitor to Canada. Finally, your children (those inviting you to Canada), must prove they have the necessary funds available to support your parents’ or grandparents’ stay in Canada. In other words, they must meet the minimum as indicated in the Low Income Cut Off requirement.
Currently, the minimum funds the inviter must have to be successful in helping their parents or grandparents obtain a super visa are dependent on the individual’s personal situation. Please refer to the following chart to determine the minimum necessary income you must have, to properly meet the LICO requirement. This chart is taken from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website and is effective from January 1 to December 31, 2018.
| Size of Family Unit | Minimum necessary income |
| 1 person (your child or grandchild) | $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 |
Well, a super visa is very similar to a multiple entry visa. A multiple entry visa is a type of visitor visa, which allows for multiple entries into the country, on the same visa. This is not allowed on a typical temporary resident visa. A multiple entry visa is typically valid for 2 years, and allows visitors to stay for up to 6 months at a time. A super visa on the other hand, is a multiple entry visa insofar as it allows holders to enter the country many times on the same visa. Though, it allows individuals to come to Canada and stay for a maximum of 2 consecutive years, and is valid for a total of 10 years.
It is important to include many things which are also important in a regular temporary resident visa, when applying for a super visa. Your application for a super visa is a request to enter the country temporarily, remember, therefore, it is important to prove the applicant has strong ties with their home country, and does not intend to stay permanently. If the applicant cannot prove they do not intend to overstay their welcome in Canada, the application will not be approved. This is a very important aspect of the application. Applicants can also keep in mind, showing you have complied with other countries visitor regulations, may be beneficial to proving you will also obey Canada’s regulations, and should be permitted to visit. Furthermore, it is important, as mentioned, to provide a letter of invitation and a letter detailing the plan for financial support of the visit. Finally, the applicant should be admissible to Canada, or, they should apply to overcome their inadmissibility.
If you have any further questions or feel unclear about whether a super visa is the right way for you to travel to Canada and visit your loved ones, it is important to have all your questions answered, before you begin the application process. Remember, it is essential that you a child or grandchild in Canada that is a citizen or permanent resident to be eligible to apply a Super Visa. If you do not, your application will not be successful. Visa applications are some of the most difficult applications to fill and complete accurately, so, it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to submit the application. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients apply for a super visa successfully, and be able to visit their family in Canada. If you believe that you might be eligible, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advise.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!
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