Photo from Business Standard
Starting May 21, 2024, Canada will commence issuing Super Visa invitations for parent sponsorship, facilitating extended visits for grandparents. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to extend invitations to about 35,700 potential sponsors from the remaining interest-to-sponsor forms submitted in 2020.
Individuals who submitted an interest-to-sponsor form in 2020 are advised to monitor their email for updates. Meanwhile, those who missed the 2020 submission deadline can still enable their parents and grandparents to visit Canada for an extended duration by applying for a Super Visa. This visa allows them to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time, with the option to extend their stay while in the country.
To qualify for a Super Visa, the applicant must be the child or grandchild of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian. This visa permits multiple entries for a period of up to ten years, with each entry allowing a stay of up to five years.
It's important to distinguish the Super Visa from a regular visitor visa, as it grants qualifying parents and grandparents the opportunity to visit family in Canada for longer durations. Only biological or adopted children can invite their parents or grandparents on a Super Visa, and they may also invite their parents' or grandparents' spouses or common-law partners.
For hosts who are registered Indians, only a Certificate of Indian Status is required as proof of citizenship or permanent residence. Additionally, the host must demonstrate financial capability to support the applicant during their stay, meeting or exceeding the minimum necessary income based on Statistics Canada's low-income cut-offs.
Furthermore, parents or grandparents must provide valid health insurance documentation from a Canadian or non-Canadian insurance company certified by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. This initiative aims to promote family reunification while ensuring the well-being of visitors and hosts alike.
Overall, this announcement is highly anticipated and provides an opportunity for families to reunite and spend extended time together in Canada.
