For Canadians and permanent residents who wish to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada, the Super Visa is an attractive option. There is a 10-year validity period on the Super Visa, which allows you to enter the country multiple times.
Today, July 4, major reforms to the Super Visa went into effect. The following changes have been made:
In the old Super Visa program, the holder could only stay for two years in Canada each time. Furthermore, Canadian insurance providers were the only ones who could provide the medical coverage required for Super Visa applications.
As a result of the reforms, parents and grandparents can stay in Canada for five consecutive years without having to renew their visas. It also allows applicants to purchase medical insurance from countries other than Canada. According to Canadian politician Kyle Seeback, who initially proposed the reforms, the introduction of foreign medical insurance could save families thousands of dollars per year. Furthermore, Seeback said he is confident the government framework for international insurance companies will cover medical costs for Super Visa holders.
As an alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which offers permanent residency to its applicants, the Super Visa offers a range of benefits. The PGP is very popular, but the demand for sponsorships far exceeds the number of spots available. In spite of the fact that only 35,000 applications are available, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) receives about 200,000 interest forms each year. Critics say IRCC’s lotteries used to select candidates for PGP are unfair, since candidates who just joined the pool may be selected over those who have been waiting much longer.
There is no lottery to get a Super Visa, offering greater certainty to families. In addition, it takes less time to receive a Super Visa compared to a PGP. Processing a Super Visa can take months, while processing a PGP can take years. Last but not least, the Super Visa offers parents and grandparents more time in Canada and does not require renewal upon re-entry.