Super Visa for Parents and Grandparents

The Canada Super Visa has always been a very popular program for visa applicants ever since its launch in December 2011. The popularity and enthusiasm about this visa comes from the fact that it allows parents and grand-parents to visit and stay in Canada continuously for a period of two years without a need to renew the visitor status. Once granted, this multiple-entry visa is valid for 10 years.

The Super visa for parents and grandparents has been created to help them avoid the lengthy sponsorship process for permanent residents so that the family can be united. A super visa only given to parents and grandparents and cannot include dependents they can apply for a Visitor Visa.

A Visitor Visa allows a stay up to six months at the first visit to Canada. A visitor who wishes to stay longer must apply for an extension, and a new fee. With a parents and grandparents Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents can visit family in Canada for up to two years without renewal of status. It is multi-entry visa that provides multiple entries for a period up to 10 years,

How can I get the Super Visa for my Parents or Grandparents?

The Super Visa eligibility criteria and the application process are generally as trouble-free and straight forward. Like most all Canadian immigration programs and initiatives, the Canada Super Visa program hinges on families proving to immigration Canada that their loved ones will not be a financial or physical burden to Canadian society.

To obtain a Super Visa, the applicant must:

• be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• be allowed to enter Canada
• meet certain other conditions, discussed herein further

An Immigration Officer considers several factors for deciding the application for a Super Visa, which includes:

• the ties of the applicant to the home country
• the purpose of the visit
• the family and finances
• the overall economic and political stability of the home countryan invitation from the Canadian host
• proof that the child or grandchild meets the minimum income threshold
• a written statement from the child or grandchild that he/ she will give financial support to the applicant
• report of the immigration medical exam
• Canadian medical insurance valid for at least one year

Does my income play a role in getting a Super Visa?

One key deciding factor in grant of a Super Visa is the financial ability of the Canadian citizen of the permanent resident living in Canada and inviting the parents and grandparents, to support them. The ability to support the family including the visiting parents and grandparents is based on a minimum necessary income, known as the Low Income Cut-Off or LICO. The chart below is used to decide the individual’s ability to support the family.

The minimum necessary income is updated each year on January 1. The table below is effective from January 1 to December 31, 2016.

SIZE OF FAMILY	MINIMUM NECESSARY INCOME
1 person	$24,328
2 persons	$30,286
3 persons	$37,234
4 persons	$45,206
5 persons	$51,272
6 persons	$57,826
7 persons	$64,381
For each additional person more than 7	$6,555

When applying for a parent and grandparents Super Visa, for calculating the family size, the following persons are to be included:

• the person inviting parents or grandparents
• the spouse of the person inviting
• the dependants of the person inviting
• the parents and grandparents being invited

What documents are required for Super Visa application?

The application process is similar to that for a regular TRV. However, additional documentation is required to ensure that the parents and grandparents will be well supported during their time in Canada. This requirement includes:

• A letter of invitation from the child or grandchild residing in Canada
• Documents that prove the child or grandchild meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum
• Proof of parental relationship with child or grandchild, such as a birth certificate that names him or her as a parent
• Proof of medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a Canadian insurance company, including:

1. Provides a minimum coverage of 100,000,
2. Covers health care, hospitalisation and repatriation, and
3. Is valid for each entry to Canada and be available for review by a port of entry officer.

What to include in an Invitation Letter for Super Visa?

The Letter of Invitation is one very important document accompanying the application for Super Visa. Writing the letter of invitation does not mean that the person becomes legally responsible for the applicant he or she gets to Canada. However, it is expected that the person writing the letter will make a plan to keep the promise made in the letter.

The letter must include the following information about the invitee:

• complete name
• date of birth
• address and telephone number
• the relationship of the author with the applicant
• the purpose of the trip
• how long the person pans to stay in Canada
• where the person will stay, and how he or she will pay for things
• when the person plans to leave Canada

Tips for Super Visa Applications

Income plays a vital role

Income of the applicant plays a very important role. It is important that the applicant has sufficient income to support his/her family along with the visiting parents/ grandparents.

Do not book flights for your family member too early

If refused for the Super Visa, you do not also want the bad news of being stuck with a non-refundable plane ticket that cost hundreds of dollars. Book the tickets after you actually get the visa stamped.

Processing times are quick but will vary depending on the region of the world where the application is submitted

The progress of the application is updated on regular basis on the website of CIC. You can visit the CIC website and check the status from time to time and know how fast you application is being processed.

Be sure to understand the details of your insurance plan

Make sure the insurance plan meets all minimum requirements i.e. the coverage is over $ 10,000 and it covers health care, hospitalization and repatriation. Also, the insurance is bought for the exact period of visit. Most Canadian insurance companies will refund you the months not used on the plan (i.e. when your family member leaves Canada). Check this and other points with the insurance company before purchasing.

Pay your fees upfront so that your file is processed immediately

You do not want to waste time by having your application be put on hold until your payment is received.

Be sure to fill out all forms carefully, accurately, and correctly

Your application will be returned, or worse refused, if the information provided is incorrect or missing. You do not want to lose time and opportunity for getting the Super Visa for mistakes in the application. This is one reason you might want to hire professional services to make the application for you.

You must provide reasoning for why your parent or grandparent deserves to come to Canada

This is a crucial point. Your application for a Super Visa must provide reasoning for your why your parent or grandparent needs to be in Canada with you for an extended period of time. You must advocate for your parent or grandparent by providing reasoning for why you require their presence in Canada. You cannot just fill out the forms and assume that on the basis of being your parent or grandparent, your family member deserves to come to Canada

What Akrami and Associates can do for you!!

A Super Visa is means to unite the family. It is a more advantageous way over a Visitor Visa for getting the Family to Canada and keeping them in Canada for a longer period of time. A proper application with the precise representation made by professionals not only installs confidence in the Immigration officers granting the visa but also, the parents and grandparents visiting their family. We have helped bring hundreds of families to Canada on Super Visa. We can help yours too. Whether you have a question, or are looking to book a consultation in person or over the phone with one of our representatives, feel free to give us a call today at 416-477-2545 or toll free at 1-877-820-7121.

If you are look forward to file the application for renewal on your own, we can still help you with our Do It Yourself Immigration Kit which you can purchase from us. The kit details the process for you. We do not leave you at that. If you buy the Do It Yourself Kit bundle, you get consultation and final review of your application by one of our representatives. We are there to help you throughout.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!