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Emergency medical care Healthcare Ambulance transport Repatriation Dental accident |
While the name ‘super visa’ might conjure up images of masks, capes, radioactive insects or supernatural hammers, the reality is a bit less exciting. Unless, of course, you’re the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
In the decade following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) introduction of the ‘parents and grandparents’ visa, over 100,000 people around the world applied for and received authorization to reunite with family members living in Canada. The Canadian Super Visa lives up to its name!
Are you hoping to reunite with loved ones, but feel overwhelmed by the application process? You’re not alone. Below, we outline everything you need to know to apply for your Super Visa, including insurance requirements, processing times and application fees.
Summary
What is a Super Visa?
In simplest terms, the Super Visa program was designed to make travel to Canada for immediate relatives easier and less expensive. Rather than applying for a fresh Visitor’s Visa for each trip, parents and grandparents can instead apply for a single, multiple-entry visa valid for ten years.
And while regular visitors must change or renew their status after just six months, Super Visa holders can remain in Canada for up to two years before applying for a renewal.
Eager to reunite with loved ones in Canada? The Super Visa may be right for you if:
- You are the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- You wish to travel frequently to Canada to visit relatives;
- You intend to remain in Canada for periods of longer than six months when visiting;
- You have the funds to support yourself independently while living in Canada; and
- You have the funds to purchase insurance to cover your healthcare needs while living in Canada.
Below, we’ll explain each of these requirements and discuss how to select qualifying insurance that best fits your travel plans.
Who is eligible for a Super Visa?
Parents and grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident may apply for a Super Visa. This includes step- and adoptive parents and grandparents, as well as same-sex partners.
Dependents of your parents and grandparents, however, are not eligible to apply for a Super Visa.
Let’s take a look at two examples to understand how the rule works:
- Lee lives in Toronto and would like to invite his parents, Chun and Jinhai to visit him, his wife and his new baby daughter in Canada for six months. Lee’s 16-year-old younger brother, Junfeng, would also join in the family reunion. In this case, Chun and Jinhai are eligible for a Super Visa. Junfeng, however, will need to apply for a standard Visitor’s Visa.
- Jean-Luc and his partner, Aristide, would like to spend half the year in Paris and half the year with Jean-Luc’s daughter, Marie, in Montreal for the foreseeable future. Both Jean-Luc and Aristide are eligible for a Super Visa.
Who can apply for a Super Visa?
While the IRCC makes every effort to simplify the process of obtaining a Super Visa, it does require that applicants themselves sign and submit their own applications.
Of course, friends and family can certainly assist in completing the application form and collecting supporting documents to help a parent or grandparent apply for their Super Visa.
As a Canadian child or grandchild, the best support you can offer your parent or grandparent is to provide evidence that you meet the income requirements for a Super Visa. You can prove that you have the means to support your relatives by providing any of the following:
- Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 for the most recent tax year
- Employment Insurance stubs
- Employment letter, including salary and date of hire
- Pay stubs
- Bank statements
Here are the current Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) limits for applying for a Super Visa:
| Size of Family | Minimum necessary gross income |
|---|---|
| 1 person (a child or grandchild) | $25,921 |
| 2 persons | $32,270 |
| 3 persons | $39,672 |
| 4 persons | $48,167 |
| 5 persons | $54,630 |
| 6 persons | $61,613 |
| 7 persons | $68,598 |
| For each additional person add | $6,985 |
How long is a Super Visa valid?
The Canadian Super Visa allows parents and grandparents to enter Canada for up to two years at a time over a validity period of ten years.
Karen has received a Super Visa valid from June 1, 2022, to June 1, 2032, for example, has the right to enter Canada as many times as she likes during those ten years. She can travel freely between the US, where she lives, to Halifax, where her daughter resides, for months at a time.
If, however, Karen decides she’d like to remain in Canada for more than two years, she’ll need to apply to extend her stay, even if her visa remains valid. Karen’s daughter welcomes a baby on November 1, 2025. If Karen intends to live with her daughter full-time to help out, she’ll need to formally extend her stay beyond November 1, 2027, even though her Super Visa doesn’t expire until 2032.
What are the requirements for a Super Visa?
Requirements for a Super Visa, while not overly complex, may take some time to fulfill. Parents or grandparents who intend to apply may want to begin collecting documents several months in advance to ensure you’re ready to travel on schedule.
To apply for a Canadian Super Visa, you’ll need:
- Proof of your relationship to your Canadian child or grandchild;
- A letter of invitation from your child or grandchild confirming that they’re willing and able to host you during your visit;
- A copy of your child or grandchild’s Canadian identity document;
- Proof that your child or grandchild can financially support you during your visit; and
- Proof of medical insurance from a Canadian insurer to cover any healthcare costs during your stay.
In some cases, you may also need to include additional documents in your Super Visa application demonstrating strong ties to your home country. While the Super Visa is intended to allow for extended trips to Canada, it is not a pathway to permanent residence and the IRCC may want evidence that you don’t plan to stay in Canada for longer than the Super Visa allows.
What is Super Visa insurance?
Super Visa insurance is required medical insurance for at least $100,000 to cover emergency care while a Super Visa recipient is staying in Canada. Think of it as a sort of long-term travel insurance. Unless you lived or worked in Canada previously, you may be wondering how to go about finding the best policy to meet your needs and satisfy the Super Visa application requirements.
Not to worry, we’ll walk you through all the details and help you compare quotes from qualified insurers. Not sure if you can afford qualifying insurance? Children and grandchildren can purchase coverage on your behalf.
Are you ready to purchase Super Visa insurance? You can compare providers at the top of this page
What does Super Visa insurance cover?
At a minimum, your Super Visa insurance policy will need to include $100,000 of emergency medical coverage. Many insurers, however, offer policies tailored to the Super Visa application that also include basic healthcare and repatriation costs.
If you have pre-existing health conditions or require specific medications, it may be worth purchasing a policy that includes prescription drug benefits and additional medical assistance.
Remember that, as a visitor to Canada, you may not be entitled to subsidized health care, so it’s important to ensure that your Super Visa insurance policy addresses all of your healthcare needs. Many travellers prefer the peace of mind that comes with additional coverage, and policies of up to $1 million are a popular purchase.
Timing for Super Visa health insurance can be tricky. All Super Visa insurance policies must be valid for a minimum of one year; however, if you intend to remain in Canada for more than twelve months or to make multiple trips, your policy will need to cover the entire period of your stay or multiple entries.
How much does Super Visa insurance cost?
As with most other insurance policies, Canadian Super Visa insurance costs vary depending on factors such as your age, your overall level of health and your desired deductible.
To better understand the monthly cost associated with your specific scenario, we suggest having a look at our customizable comparator. In general, however, Super Visa insurance costs should fall within the following ranges:
| Visitor | Age | Health | Estimated annual price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single adult | 40s | no pre-existing conditions | $800 to $1,800 |
| Two adults | 40s | no pre-existing conditions | $1,600 to $3,600 |
| Single adult | 70s | no pre-existing conditions | $1,700 to $4,600 |
| Single adult | 70s | stable pre-existing conditions | Beginning at $2,200 |
Note that the above scenarios are based on a policy worth $100,000 and a deductible between $0 and $1,000. You can compare prices for specific policies and insurers at the top of this page.
Where can I buy Super Visa insurance?
Provided you purchase your policy from a Canadian insurance company, you’re free to either buy Super Visa insurance directly from your preferred insurer or work with a broker.
Many of the most reputable and well-known global insurance companies offer policies suitable for a Super Visa application. And while sorting through the different options may seem overwhelming at first, online calculators and comparators can help you identify the right Super Visa insurance policy for your needs and budget. Buying from the insurer can also save you money, as you’ll pay no commission.
Among the best-known insurers offering qualifying medical insurance for a Super Visa are:
- AIG Travelguard
- Allianz Global Assistance
- Atlas Travel
- AwayCare/True North
- BlueCross
- GMS
- Manulife
- Travelance
For a better understanding of what each insurer has to offer, and to get a personal Super Visa insurance quote and compare providers now.
If you’re in a hurry or have particular health needs, it may be worth the extra cost to work with an insurance broker who can help you select the best policy and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.
How do you apply for a Super Visa?
You may apply for a Super Visa to Canada either online or by submitting a paper application.
If you choose to apply online, you’ll pay your Super Visa application fees at the time that you upload your documents.
If you intend to submit a paper application to your local Visa Application Centre, you’ll need to pay the application fee online and include a printout of your receipt in your application package, together with your invitation letter, proof of insurance and other documents.
How much are the Super Visa application fees?
At the time of publication, the application fee for a Super Visa is $100 per person. You will also need to pay a fee to have your biometrics taken. This can range from $85 for one person, to $170 for two or more people applying simultaneously.
Where do I apply for a Super Visa?
Anyone applying for a Super Visa must do so from outside of Canada. This means that, if you’re already present in the country on a standard Visitor’s Visa, you’ll need to depart temporarily and wait to re-enter until your Super Visa application is approved.
For quicker processing times, the IRCC recommends submitting your Super Visa application online via its secure portal. According to IRCC, applying online helps the agency verify that you’ve submitted all the necessary documents quickly, saves on courier fees and allows you to hold on to your passport while your application is processed.
If you feel more comfortable applying on paper, however, IRCC also accepts Super Visa applications through the mail. After assembling all of your supporting documents, including a receipt for your application fees, you’ll need to locate the nearest Visa Application Centre and arrange to mail your Super Visa application package via courier.
Provided you’ve submitted all the correct documents, IRCC will send you a notice with an appointment for an immigration medical exam and fingerprint collection - also called ‘biometrics’. It’s important to save these notices and keep the appointments as scheduled.
What are the processing times for a Canadian Super Visa?
In general, however, you can expect to wait between three to six months to receive a decision on your Super Visa application.
Processing times for the Super Visa vary by country, as well as VAC workloads. If you reside in a country with high demand for a Super Visa, it may take slightly longer for the IRCC to review your application and issue an approval letter.
One of the best ways to keep things moving? Take the time to ensure that your application is complete before submitting documents and completing your medical exam and biometrics as soon as possible once notified by the IRCC.
How do I check my Super Visa application status?
The IRCC allows you to follow the status of your Super Visa application online via a secure portal.
How do I extend a Super Visa to Canada?
If you’d like to extend your stay in Canada beyond the maximum visit length of two years, you’ll need to apply for a document known as a Visitor Record. Note that requesting a Visitor Record is not the same as renewing your Super Visa. This Visitor Record grants a one-time extension to your current stay in Canada, while the Super Visa controls the period during which you can enter and exit.
Your Canadian Super Visa checklist
To keep things moving forward during the Super Visa application process, here is a checklist and timeline:
One Year Before Departure
- Request a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild
- Collect supporting documents
- Proof of your Canadian relative’s income
- Proof of your relationship to your child or grandchild
- Copies of your relative’s Canadian identity documents
- Purchase Super Visa medical insurance
- Minimum coverage of $100,000 annually
- Policy issued by a Canadian insurer
- Policy valid for a minimum of one year following your planned date of entry
- Pay Super Visa application fees
Six Months Before Departure
- Make your final travel arrangements
- Submit your Super Visa application
Three Months Before Departure
- Provide your biometrics when asked to do so by the IRCC
- Attend your IIRC medical exam appointment
- Upload any additional documents requested by IRCC to process your application
While processing times do vary, the above schedule should have you ready to travel to Canada within six months of submitting your application.