The Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, along with the Minister of Public Safety, has issued Ministerial Instructions regarding the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, also known as the super visa.
As someone interested in the super visa, you should know that it is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa (TRV) valid for up to 10 years, allowing a stay of 5 years per entry, as outlined in section A29(3). These instructions, based on subsection 15(4) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), became effective on September 15, 2023.
What You Need to Know:
Eligibility Criteria and Required Documentation
If you’re applying for a super visa, you must:
- Apply from outside Canada.
- Meet the requirements for temporary residence as a visitor.
- Provide documentation proving you meet the Ministerial Instructions.
Eligible Host and Co-signer
If you’re hosting your parent or grandparent, you’ll need to provide proof of:
- Your relationship with them (e.g., birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or similar documentation).
- Your status in Canada (e.g., citizenship certificate or permanent resident document).
- Your age (18 or older) and residence in Canada.
- Your income meeting or exceeding the minimum necessary income as per Statistics Canada’s low income cut-offs (LICO).
If your spouse or common-law partner is co-signing, they must also meet similar criteria and can combine their income with yours to meet the LICO.
Medical Admissibility
The applicant must:
- Undergo an immigration medical exam.
- Be admissible to Canada on health grounds (as per section A38).
Health Insurance Requirements
Applicants must provide valid health insurance covering:
- At least 1 year from the date of entry.
- Healthcare, hospitalization, and repatriation.
- A minimum of $100,000 emergency coverage.
Ensure the policy is issued by an authorized Canadian or international insurance company approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
Letter of Invitation
As a host, you must write and sign a letter of invitation for the applicant. If applicable, your spouse or common-law partner may co-sign. This letter should include:
- A promise to financially support the applicant during their stay.
- A list of individuals included in your family size calculation to demonstrate that you meet the income requirement.
Minimum Necessary Income
To prove you meet the financial requirements, provide documents such as:
- Your Notice of Assessment (NOA).
- Recent T4 or T1 forms.
- Pay stubs, bank statements, or a letter from your employer.
Family Size Calculation
When calculating family size, you need to include:
- Yourself and your spouse or partner.
- Your dependent children (and their dependents, if applicable).
- The super visa applicant(s).
- Any previously approved super visa holders or sponsored individuals.
Note that the family members of the super visa applicant are not included in the family size count for income purposes, unlike family class sponsorship.
By ensuring you meet all these requirements, you can successfully support your parent or grandparent in obtaining a super visa.
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