How To Apply For A Super Visa

Are you planning on traveling to Canada - or having some visitors come to see you in the near future? If you are planning on bringing your parents or grandparents here, then applying for a super visa might make the most sense.

A super visa is different from a multiple entry visa or another type of visitor visa in that it is intended for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens who wish to visit Canada for longer than six months. 

In fact, under the guidelines of a super visa, you can stay in Canada for up to two years without needing to renew your status - as long as the purpose of the trip is to visit family. 

A form of a multi-entry visa, the super visa allows for multiple entries within a ten-year period, allowing for a stay of up to two years at a time. 

While it’s the most convenient option for many visitors to Canada, there are certain parameters you’ll need to meet in your application. 

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to apply for a super visa. 

Prepare the Required Documents

There are a few basic documents that need to be provided for the super visa application.

In addition to the application, supplemental forms from applicants are also needed. 

Letter of Invitation

This letter should be written by the child or grandchild who is residing in Canada as a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

The letter should specify any other family members that will be residing in the home, like the spouse, children, or dependents of the host person who is writing the letter. This letter should be accompanied by evidence of the parent or grandparent relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident they are visiting.

This might take the form of a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or another document indicating this relationship.

Proof of Income

There are several documents that can be furnished to show that the host child or grandchild meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum. 

The minimum varies depending on the family size. However, the documents that can be provided include things such as a:

• Recent copy of the Notice of Assessment
• A recent copy of the T4 or T1
• Original letter from an employer that clearly states job title, hiring date, job description, and salary
• Pay stubs from employment insurance
• Letter from an accountant confirming annual income (if self-employed)
• Other proof of income sources (such as pension statement, investment statements, etc)

Proof of Medical Insurance

When applying for a super visa, you must also provide evidence of private medical insurance (super visa insurance) coverage. This must be for at least one year, from a Canadian insurance company, with a $100,000 or more of coverage. A copy of the insurance confirmation (or, ‘declaration’) will be provided upon purchase, along with a copy of the policy wording; both documents to be submitted with the super visa application.

Immigration Medical Exam Confirmation

You will also need a document confirmation that you had an immigration medical exam. The results from this exam are only good for one year and it needs to be carried out by a doctor who is specifically approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) department. 

Passport

You will also need a passport. You’ll need to provide a valid passport or travel document number along with an issued and expiration date. Please ensure that you use a recent passport, as the super visa will only be valid until that passport expires.

Photograph

You will need to provide two photographs of yourself with your application. These need to meet specific conditions and be taken within the last six months. Here are more details on the photograph requirements. 

Document Checklist 

The document checklist only needs to be submitted if you are applying by mail. 

However, it can be helpful to have in your own files when it comes to putting together the list of required documents regardless, as this can help you avoid delays. 

Electronic Travel Authorization

You may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in order to travel to Canada. 

It allows you to travel to Canada as often as you want for short stays (up to six months at a time). You are exempt from this requirement if you are a US citizen or meet other requirements, as detailed here. Obtaining an eTA is a separate process from getting your visa so make sure you follow the steps carefully. 

Find out if you need an eTA here. 

Complete the Application

After gathering your documents and getting an eTA, it’s time to apply.

The application for a super visa can be completed online or by mail. However, registering an account on Canada.co is by far the fastest and easiest way to do so. It can help you avoid delays and mix-ups that often occur with paper applications.

These delays are even more pronounced due to the impacts of COVID-19. Applications from people who are exempt from travel residents are being prioritized as a result. 

If you must apply by mail, you will do so by sending your application to a Visa Application Center (VAC) that serves your area.

Otherwise, apply online by creating an account (you’ll use your GCKey user ID and password or your online Canadian banking information, if you have a partnering institution- you can also just register for an account) here. 

Pay the Fees

When you apply for a super visa, you will also be responsible for two types of fees. 

These include the application processing fee and a biometrics fee. 

You may not always need to give biometrics but if you do, you can expect to pay around $85 CAD per person (there are discounts for families applying together).

You will also be responsible for paying $100 CAD for the visa application fee per person. 

Fees can be paid with a credit or debit card and paid entirely online. The printed receipt you will receive is your proof of payment, so make sure you take the time to click the button and print the official receipt with the included barcode. Incorrect fees can delay processing so make sure your payment has gone through before continuing. 

Conclusion 

Applying for a super visa may not always be the easiest process, but with these tips, it can be smoother! Get started today - so you can start planning your family reunion ASAP.