Are you a parent or grandparent who longs to visit your children or grandchildren in Canada and spend quality time with your loved ones? The Super Visa is your answer, allowing you to visit for up to 5 years at a time, and it’s valid for multiple entries over a span of up to 10 years.

What is a Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a unique Canadian visa designed for parents and grandparents, ensuring they can spend extended periods with their families in Canada. It offers the flexibility of staying for up to 5 years, providing a remarkable opportunity for family bonding and creating cherished memories.

However, to qualify for a Super Visa, you must meet specific requirements, and health insurance is one of them. As a Super Visa holder, it’s your responsibility to:

• Renew or maintain your health insurance while in Canada and on re-entry.
• Ensure your passport is valid throughout your stay in Canada.
• If your intended visit is for 6 months or less, you should apply for a regular visitor visa.

How Long Can You Stay in Canada with a Super Visa?

A Super Visa allows you to stay in Canada for up to 5 years at a time. This means you can experience the joys of family gatherings and celebrations over an extended period.

Eligibility
To be eligible for a Super Visa, you must have a host who meets the following criteria:

• Your host must be your child or grandchild.
• They should be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or registered Indian. Proof of their citizenship or permanent residency is required.
• The host must be at least 18 years old and residing in Canada.
• They need to meet or exceed the minimum necessary income to support your visit.
• Your host must sign an invitation letter, committing to provide financial support for the duration of your stay.
• In some cases, your child or grandchild’s spouse or common-law partner can co-sign the invitation letter if they are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Additionally, you should:

• Be outside Canada when you submit your Super Visa application.
• Have your visa printed by a visa office outside Canada, following the provided instructions.
• Be allowed to enter Canada.
• Undergo an immigration medical exam.
• Meet certain other conditions.
• You cannot include dependents in this application.

Health Insurance

One of the essential requirements for a Super Visa is having health insurance. You must provide proof of a health insurance policy from either:

• A Canadian insurance company.
• An insurance company outside Canada that is approved by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Your health insurance policy should:

• Be valid for a minimum of 1 year from the date of entry.
• Be fully paid or paid in installments with a deposit (quotes aren’t accepted).
• Cover health care, hospitalization, and repatriation.
• Provide a minimum of $100,000 of emergency coverage.

As a Super Visa holder, it’s essential to maintain valid health insurance while in Canada. If your health insurance is set to expire before your departure from Canada, you may need to renew it to ensure you’re covered during your stay.

Other Considerations
When assessing Super Visa applications, authorities consider various factors:

• Your ties to your home country.
• The purpose of your visit.
• Your family and financial situation.
• The overall economic and political stability of your home country.

Even if you’re visa-exempt, you can still apply for a Super Visa. If you don’t require a visitor visa to enter Canada, you can apply for a Super Visa to enjoy an extended stay. If your application is approved, you’ll receive a letter to present to a border services officer upon arrival in Canada.

For air travel, you may also need to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) separately, which allows you to enter Canada. The eTA will be electronically linked to your passport, so ensure you travel with the passport used for your eTA application and any supporting documents for your Super Visa application.