You can apply for a super visa either online or by submitting a paper-based application. In both cases, you must establish that you are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Your application must include a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild, outlining plans for your care and providing information about the number of people living in their household in Canada. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you have private health insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is valid for at least one year. Your child or grandchild must also show that they have enough funds to support you during your visit by meeting the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum for their family unit size.

To qualify for a Super Visa in Canada, applicants must fulfill specific criteria tailored for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This visa permits them to stay in Canada for up to 5 years per visit. The key requirements are:

• Proof of Relationship: Applicants must provide documentation establishing their relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, such as birth or baptismal certificates.
• Medical Examination: Applicants must undergo a medical examination to ensure they are admissible to Canada on health grounds.
• Health Insurance: Applicants must obtain private medical insurance from a Canadian provider. The insurance must cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation, with a minimum coverage of $100,000, valid for at least 1 year from the entry date.
• Letter of Invitation: A letter from the hosting child or grandchild in Canada is required. The letter must include a commitment to provide financial support for the duration of the stay and a list of all household members.
• Financial Support Verification: The hosting child or grandchild in Canada must demonstrate that their household meets the low-income cut-off (LICO) threshold. This can be done through documents like recent tax assessments, pay stubs, or Employment Insurance benefit statements.

Super Visas allow holders to stay in Canada for up to two years. If you wish to extend your stay beyond two years, you must apply for an extension. It’s advisable to submit your extension application at least 30 days before your current status expires. If your visa expires while your extension application is under process, you can stay in Canada under implied status until a decision is made on your application.

Certain foreign nationals, depending on their citizenship, do not need a visitor visa to enter Canada, making them visa-exempt visitors. However, visa-exempt visitors are typically allowed to stay in Canada for a maximum of six months without needing to renew their status. For this reason, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are visa-exempt may find it beneficial to apply for a super visa. This visa allows them to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time, extending the duration they can spend with their family in Canada.

Visa-exempt parents and grandparents applying for a super visa must follow the same application process as outlined earlier. Upon approval, they will receive a letter to present to the border services officer when entering Canada, which serves as authorization for their stay instead of a visa. It’s important to note that visa-exempt visitors traveling to Canada by air must also apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA), even if they have been approved for a super visa.