Missing your precious grandchildren or children who live in Canada? The Canadian government understands your emotions and wants to make it easier for parents and grandparents to visit their children! The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa helps eligible parents and grandparents to have extended stays in Canada without having to renew their visitor status.
What Is The Super Visa?
According to current regulations, most temporary visitors to Canada are allowed to stay for a maximum of six months when they enter the country on a visitor’s visa. This can be extended if required and additional processing fees have to be paid.
The Super Visa is a document that allows eligible visitors to extend their stay for up to two years without having to renew the original visa.
It is a multi-entry travel authorization that allows multiple exits and entries for a maximum period of 10 years. This is different from the normal 10 year multi-entry visa because it allows the person to stay for a maximum of two years at a time. Normal multi-entry visas have a status period of only six months at a time.
There are certain eligibility criteria that must be fulfilled to get the Super Visa.
Eligibility Conditions
Since this visa is specifically meant for parents and grandparents of those living in Canada, the eligibility conditions are focused on this aspect.
- Proof of being a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
- You must be eligible under normal visa requirements to enter Canada
- Your child or grandchild in Canada must meet the minimum income threshold specified
- Child or grandchild must provide written document that he/she will provide financial support while in Canada
- Have valid Canadian medical insurance for at least one year
- This should have been purchased from a private Canadian insurance company, and offer a minimum of $100,000 for hospitalization, treatment and repatriation
- Undergo a medical exam
- You should prove that you are a real visitor and will leave at the end of the visa period. This is supported by documents proving home ties (job, property, family), purpose of your visit, overall political and economic stability of your home country, your family and financial status
- Have a valid and current invitation from the Canadian host
- Dependents cannot be included in this application.
Some Common Reasons for Refusal
Strictly speaking, you don’t need a lawyer to help you with getting a Super Visa. However, since 2012, there have been reports that many Super Visa applications are being rejected. About 23% of these applications are being refused for various reasons.
Some of these could be inaccurate information provided, insufficient funds, inability to demonstrate strong ties to home country, doubt about whether they would return to their home country, etc.
Generally, these are the most common reasons for rejection of a travel document to Canada:
Criminal record: This is the most serious reason why an application is rejected. Even if you have undergone the requisite punishment and rehabilitation, this is deemed to be one of the criteria for inadmissibility into Canada. If the crime is one that would be awarded ten years or more of punishment under Canadian laws, chances are that you face a refusal.
Inaccurate Information: Omissions, mistakes, embellishments, gaps in sequence – these are all carefully examined by the visa officers. Concealing or misrepresenting facts knowingly or unknowingly can result in a rejection.
Inadequate proof of relationship: In the case of Super Visas, these are specially deemed to be for the use of parents and grandparents. The requisite proof as demanded by the visa application has to be provided. In case such documentation is not available, our experienced immigration lawyers can check on what alternate documents can be provided if any. This can help you present the right facts.
Health Status: This is one of the other reasons why Super Visas may be refused. Medical tests are a required part of the application process. If the tests reveal any communicable or serious illness, there are chances that the application may be rejected. The government is concerned about the visitor putting a burden on the Canadian health-care system.
How We Can Help
As an experienced team of multilingual immigration lawyers, we have the expertise and knowledge to assist you in all aspects of travel to Canada. This is a great opportunity, with immense potential to transform your life.
The paperwork involved can be confusing and intimidating to those who are unfamiliar with the filing procedures, deadlines, documentation and other processes.
As experienced and reliable professionals, we ensure that:
- We provide a genuine assessment of your qualifications, background and eligibility
- You meet the eligibility criteria
- We provide the right application process
- You have all the necessary documentation to support the information on your application
- We advocate for you and deliver high quality immigration law services
- In case you wish to convert your Super Visa status to permanent residency, we can assist you with that too
- We assist and guide you with all issues regarding settling comfortably in the country
Whether you want to make a temporary, short visit, study, work, have a vacation, visit friends and relatives, make a business trip or would like to settle in the country permanently, we provide the right kind of advice and help. A legal professional can ensure that the right package is sent to enhance your chances of acceptance.
