What is meant by a Super Visa?
Super Visa is a particular type of visa that is exclusive to older people. Persons who can identify themselves as parents and grandparents of working children can apply for a special visa. This visa allows them two years to be able to go and meet their children and grandchildren. This type of visa allows multiple entries, and it remains valid for ten years.
Sometimes, the parent or grandparent wants to visit for six months or less. In such cases, they should apply for a visitor visa instead.
The fee of applying for a super visa is 100 dollars. The processing time is fast, but it depends on the country. Additional information such as biometrics may also be required with the initial visa application. It is to be noted that the time necessary to provide such information is not included in the processing time.
Who Are Eligible To Apply
Eligibility Criteria
Only a specific group of people can apply for the super visa. The eligibility criteria are as follows-
- The applicant has to be either a grandparent or a parent of a citizen or a permanent Canadian resident.
- The applicant should have an authorized letter from their grandchildren or children who have invited them to Canada. Additionally, the letter must specify if there is any financial support promised during the total duration of the visit. Also, there should be mention of the total number of people present in the household. Finally, a copy of Citizenship & proof and document of the person needs to be produced.
- The applicant should have valid medical insurance, insured under an insurance company from Canada. The insurance should have a validity period of 1 year or more from the entry data in Canada. Also, the insurance needs to cover a minimum amount of 100,000 dollars. Proof of insurance payment also needs to be produced.
Some additional things that also need to be kept in mind are-
- The applicant must be outside Canada when applying for the super visa
- The applicant should be legally allowed to come inside Canada
- The applicant has to participate in the medical exam for immigrants compulsorily
- Some other conditions need to be followed too.
It is to be noted that dependents cannot be included in the super visa application process by any means.
Proof of Funds or Financial Support
Many people apply to travel, study, work, do business, or immigrate to Canada. If the working person wants to invite their parents or grandparents, they need to provide funds. This includes providing proof that the household earns the necessary minimum income. This is to make sure that the person can provide financial support. Multiple documents can be used as proof of funds. Some of them are as follows-
- The NOA or the Notice of Assessment, or the T4/T1, by the latest tax year
- Details of employment insurance
- The letter of employment that includes the hiring data and the salary details
- Paycheck records
- Statements from banks
Other Conditions That Are Considered
A lot of other things are decided before finalizing whether a person can come to Canada or not. One of the most important conditions is that the person coming to Canada needs to be a visitor. That means they will leave Canada on their own after their visit.
After the super visa applications, some of the things that are looked upon include-
- The applicant’s visiting purpose
- The applicant’s ties and relationship with their home country
- The applicant’s financial and family details
- The applicant’s home country’s stability in terms of political and economic conditions
How to Apply For a Super Visa
There have been some border changes from 7th September 2021. As of this date, discretionary travel is allowed in Canada for some foreign nationals. The people have to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and need to have traveler exemption.
Documents Needed to Apply for a Super Visa
The following documents are needed before an individual can apply for a super visa-
- The applicant must have an invitation letter from their grandchildren or children in Canada. These children and grandchildren should also have a permanent Canadian residence or should be legal Canadian citizens. This letter should include a financial support statement for the application during the visit period. The number and list of people present in the household should also be mentioned in the letter. A copy of permanent residence proof or Canadian citizenship proof of the children or grandchildren should also be produced.
- The visiting household should meet the minimum income that is deemed necessary to host their parents or grandparents. Proofs of completing the income of minimum required include a statement from banks, paychecks, and a letter of employment with the date and salary details. Also, the latest tax year should be evaluated to produce the T4/T1, or the NOA.
- The applicant also needs to produce the payment proof for having medical insurance from an insurance company in Canada. This insurance should have a minimum coverage of 100,000 dollars. Also, it should be valid for at least a year from the entry date.
- The applicant also needs to show a document that confirms that they have taken the necessary medical exam for immigrants.
After Processes
After the application process is complete, the applicant may need to provide their biometrics. This is a must for the applicants applying for a Canada Visa or Super Visa from a visa required nation. Such applicants will need to provide their photos and fingerprints additionally.
Super Visa Application for Visa Exempt People
Some people do not necessarily need a visitor visa to come inside Canada. However, those people can apply for a super visa if they want to stay for two years in Canada. Once the application gets approved, the applicant will receive a letter. Upon arrival in Canada, this letter can be produced in front of the border services officer.
For aerial travel, the applicant may need to apply for eTA or an Electronic Travel Authorization. This application has to be done separately, and it may be required to enter Canada by air. The applicant’s passport will have a link with the eTA electronically, and carrying the passport is a must. Along with the passport, the letter is also an important thing to carry before entering Canada.
Super Visa Application
The application for the super visa has to be done while the applicant is outside Canada. The application can be made in both paper or offline mode and online mode.
The Visa Application Centres or VAC can help with the application in case any help is needed. For further assistance, consultations from any immigration consultant are also an option.
Why Should the Super Visa Application Be Done Online?
The main reasons why the applications for a super visa should be made in online mode are as follows-
- In the online mode, the application is delivered instantly. As a result, there is no need for any extra delivery time of the mail or any additional courier fees.
- The applications done online are usually processed in much quicker succession.
- The processing delays are avoided. In case of any incomplete application, the application is returned to the applicant. With online applications, only finished applications can be submitted.
- In case the applicant needs to submit or provide more documents, they can quickly do it online.
- Passport submission for online applications is not required unless asked.
- The application status and updates are reflected quickly in the online account created by the applicant.
After The Super Visa Application
Many people want to be permanent residents of Canada for job purposes. You can apply for permanent residence, citizenship or sponsor your family member with a Canada visa. You can also invite your parents and grandparents to come to visit you for two years with a super visa application.
Once the application for the super visa is made, it usually gets processed within some weeks. The time for processing may vary with the visa office involved and the country from where the application was submitted.
Biometrics Details
The biometrics mainly include the photo of the applicant and the fingerprints. There have been some changes with the requirement of biometrics recently. Usually, the applicants need to provide biometric information if they have not provided any information over the last decade. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the nearest visa application center may not be open. In such cases, biometric measures can be taken from different temporary places.
Processing the Super Visa Application
The applications will be checked thoroughly to be sure that all the required documents are present. In case the application is incomplete, it will be returned without getting processed.
Some additional information may also be asked. These are as follows-
- The applicant may need to attend interviews with the officials in their home country
- The applicants may need to provide more details regarding the furnished information
- The medical exam required for the applicants
- Applicants may also need to produce a police certificate
Applicants will be instructed with the details of this task if and when they need it.
The applications are usually processed within a few weeks. Depending on the visa office and any input of additional information, the processing time may vary.
Once the application gets processed, the passport and the original documents of the applicant will be returned. Only the original bank statements or any fake documents will not be returned.
When the application gets the seal of approval, the visa stamp will be done inside the passport. If the applicant comes from a country that does not need a visa, a letter will be issued. Upon arrival in Canada, this letter needs to be shown to the border services officer.
By any chance, if the application gets refused, a proper explanation will be provided to the applicant.
Arrival in Canada
Few things need to be kept in mind upon the applicant’s arrival in Canada.
Using ArriveCAN is Mandatory
The applicants need to use ArriveCAN mandatorily before entering Canada. Using ArriveCAN will help the applicant to provide necessary details and information before entering Canada.
Also, the applicants must make sure that they are using the latest version of ArriveCAN. If the applicant has already submitted the necessary information using an older version of ArriveCAN, they must resubmit the information. While resubmitting, the latest version of ArriveCAN has to be used.
Checking the Identity
Even if the applicant has a travel document and valid super visa, entry to Canada isn’t guaranteed.
Upon the applicant’s arrival, their identity will be checked. This is done to ensure that the applicant and the person who has arrived in Canada are the same people.
Some of the identity checking roles are as follows-
- The applicant can enter Canada through one of the ten significant airports present in the country. In such cases, the primary inspection kiosk will check the fingerprints automatically. After that, the system will be reviewing the applicant’s identity against the information provided in the application.
- The applicant can also enter Canada through all land ports and smaller airports. In such cases, fingerprint checking may be done upon secondary inspection. Here, the fingerprint will be checked by a fingerprint verification device. The border services officer will carry out this inspection.
Keeping the Documents Ready
The CBSA or the Canada Border Services Agency will keep their officer to greet the applicant upon arrival in Canada.
The applicant will need to show the officer the required travel documents and the passport. Other documents that need to be delivered may include a medical insurance copy.
The applicants are advised not to pack these documents in the luggage. This way, the process of entering Canada will be faster.
As stated earlier, travel documents such as a passport, certificate of identity, and even a valid super visa don’t guarantee entry to Canada.
Rules Regarding Minors
Children under 18 years of age have the exact requirements for entry to Canada as adults. Hence, they will also need to have the proper documents. If the child travels alone or with someone, the border service officer may ask for more identification documents. Minor children have some specific requirements, which should be covered beforehand.
Upon Entering Canada
Once the applicant has passed the identity check and shown the required documents, their entry will be authorized by the border services officer. The passport will be stamped, and their duration of stay will be specified. With a super visa, applicants will be able to stay in Canada for two years.
The officer may also limit the staying period or extend it, depending upon the visit purpose. Applicants are advised to ask questions if they do not understand anything.
Also, entry to Canada will be denied if the applicant provides information that is incomplete or false. The officer needs to be convinced of the following points-
- The applicant is eligible to enter Canada
- The applicant will willingly leave Canada after the said duration
Staying in Canada
The applicants are advised to know everything about Canada before arriving. This includes information about people, climate, geography, lifestyle, government, and so on. Canada will be much different than their home country. Hence, knowing Canada beforehand can be very helpful.
Studying or Working in Canada
As for Canadian visitors, a permit is required if they plan to study or work in Canada.
If the person visiting Canada has a legal status in the country, they can work and study with permits. The options regarding this are as follows-
- In case of a work permit, the applicants can apply from outside Canada. It can be from their home country or from any country in which they are admitted lawfully. Otherwise, the application can be sent by mail or person to the closest visa application center.
- In case of a study permit, the applicants can apply outside Canada and any lawfully admitted country. This application can also be sent to the closest VAC via mail or in person.
There are exceptional cases where permits are not required for studying or working in Canada. There are exceptions in learning and jobs which do not require any permit. For better guidance contact Overseas Haven Immigration.