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Super Visas Lawyers


For many Canadian citizens and permanent residents, having parents or grandparents visit long-term is a great way to stay close. Although a standard visitor visa can allow for a stay of up to six months, Canada’s Super Visa program opens the door to longer, multi-year visits for parents or grandparents of Canadian residents. 

At Border Solutions Law Group, our Vancouver immigration lawyers have the experience to guide clients through every step of their super visa application process. We understand how super visas work and the eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet. This means we’re ready to help you explore your options and pursue the long-term stay in Canada you or your family are looking for. To get started with your application, schedule a consultation with our team today.

What is a Super Visa?

The Canadian super visa is a special type of multiple-entry visitor visa meant exclusively for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Eligible individuals may remain in Canada for periods much longer than the typical 6 months that a visitor visa grants. This can allow for benefits like greater family time, support with childcare, and more.

Key features of super visas include:

  • Long-Term Stays: While standard visitor visas allow up to six months (with exceptions) per entry, a super visa lets parents and grandparents stay for up to five years at a time without needing to renew their status.
  • Multiple Entries: Once a super visa is issued, it generally allows multiple entries into Canada. This allows the holder to travel between Canada, their home country, and other locations as much as they need without reapplying.
  • Financial Requirements: Canadian immigration authorities, including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), require that the sponsor (the child or grandchild in Canada) meets specific income thresholds to demonstrate that they can properly support their visitor.
  • Medical Insurance: Applicants for super visas must obtain private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance provider to cover any healthcare costs during their stay in the country.

It is important to note that parents or grandparents who enter Canada with super visas are not permitted to work or study in the country. In order to do so, they will need to apply for another type of visa, like a work permit or study permit. 

You should also check your passport expiry date before you apply for your super visa. The visa cannot extend beyond your passport validity, so renewing an older passport before your submission may be a good idea. This way, you can maximize the length that your super visa is valid for.

While super visa holders are granted up to five years per entry, if their circumstances change and they need even more time, they can apply to extend their stay. Approval of any extension requests are left to the discretion of immigration authorities.

Who is Eligible for a Super Visa?

Super visas are meant to help unify long-distance families in Canada, making them an appealing option for parents and grandparents who want frequent or long-term access to their relatives.

To qualify for a super visa, sponsors and applicants must meet certain criteria, including:

  1. Relationship Requirement: You must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Spouses or common law partners of the parent or grandparent can also be included on the same application if they also meet the general requirements.
  2. Letter of Invitation: Your child or grandchild living in Canada must provide a detailed invitation letter, which should include:
    1. Their written commitment to financially support you throughout your stay.
    2. Their family details, including their household size, number of dependents, and more).
    3. A copy of their Canadian passport, Canadian citizenship, or permanent resident document.
  3. Proof of Minimum Income (Low Income Cut-Off): The Canadian sponsor must demonstrate that their household income is at or above the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) threshold. In doing so, they can prove that they have enough money to support the person applying for the super visa during their stay. This can be shown through:
    1. Employment letters that state their salary
    2. Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4 slips
    3. Bank statements
    4. And other documents
  4. Medical Insurance: If you are applying for a super visa, you must buy private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer with coverage of at least CAD $100,000 for a minimum of one year. Your policy may need to include coverage for hospitalization, healthcare, repatriation, and more.
  5. Temporary Resident Purpose: As an applicant, you need to show that you genuinely intend to leave Canada once your visa runs out. This typically involves demonstrating that you have strong ties to your home country, such as family, property, or employment. 

Although meeting these eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval, it does form a foundational checklist for a successful super visa application. If you have questions about your eligibility for a Canadian super visa, contact our Vancouver immigration lawyers today and schedule a consultation.

What Do Immigration Officers Consider for Admissibility?

Beyond ensuring that you meet all general eligibility requirements, immigration officers might also evaluate additional factors before approving your application. If you’re working with an immigration lawyer, they can help you address any concerns you have about your application package.

Generally, Canadian immigration officers will consider things like:

  • Your Ties to Your Home Country: Immigration officers will look for evidence that parents or grandparents will definitely leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay. Owning property, continued employment, or other commitments in their home country can make their intentions more clear to the evaluating officer.
  • Travel History: If you can prove that you have only engaged in lawful travel to Canada or other countries in the past (with no overstays or immigration violations), it can boost your reliability in the eyes of the officer.
  • Insurance Verification: Officers will verify that your private insurance policy is genuine, will cover any potential healthcare costs, and has been purchased from a recognized Canadian provider.
  • Medical Exam (if required): In some cases, a medical examination will be requested to ensure that you do not pose a risk to public health. You should be aware that certain conditions (e.g., untreated infectious diseases) might trigger concerns or a medical inadmissibility finding.

Why You Need a Lawyer to Help With Your Super Visa Application

Choosing to work with an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer can help make your super visa application process less stressful. At Border Solutions Law Group, our Vancouver immigration lawyers are ready to help you by providing:

  • Tailored Application Strategies: Each applicant’s circumstances are unique. Our team understands this. Our lawyers will evaluate the size of your family, your financial standing, your ties to your home country, and more. This way, we can make sure that your package meets all IRCC requirements. 
  • Clear and Accurate Documentation: Errors, inconsistencies, and missing forms can lead to delays or refusals of your application. Our Vancouver super visa lawyers know what evidence is needed to demonstrate your eligibility properly.
  • Handling Challenges: If IRCC requests additional details or a medical exam, our team will help you respond quickly. If any difficulties emerge, like concerns about past travel violations, for example, our lawyers can suggest strategic measures.
  • Admissibility and Appeals: In rare cases where you’re facing inadmissibility issues (due to past overstays, criminal history, medical concerns, or another problem), our Vancouver immigration lawyers can explore solutions, appeal processes, or alternative immigration pathways available to you.

Do You Have a Parent or Grandparent Who Wants to Visit Canada? Speak to Our Vancouver Immigration Lawyers Today About A Super Visa

A super visa can open doors for parents and grandparents to spend meaningful, extended time with their families in Canada. This is often a more convenient and flexible option than continuously re-applying for short-term visitor visas. Our immigration lawyers in Vancouver help families craft strong super visa applications–walking you through every requirement, verifying your medical insurance coverage, and ensuring your sponsor meets the LICO threshold. Our priority is to remove obstacles in your way so that parents and grandparents can enjoy extended time in Canada with peace of mind.

If you or your loved ones are considering a super visa, contact our team at Border Solutions Law Group. You can call our Vancouver office toll-free at 877-341-6761, or fill out our online contact form.