Super Visa — multi-entry visa for parents / grandparents

Super Visa is a multi-entry temporary resident visa for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens / PRs. Issued under IRPR R179 + special administrative policy. Validity:

  • Up to 10 years (multiple entries)
  • Each entry: up to 5 years duration (extended from 2 years in 2022 policy update)
  • Renewable

It is distinct from PGP (permanent residence) — Super Visa keeps parents as temporary residents but allows long-term stays. Useful for:
  • Immediate parental presence (no PGP lottery wait)
  • Backup when PGP MNI not met
  • Parents who don't want full PR (retain home-country residency)

Draft a Super Visa application strategy for [APPLICANT_NAME] ([RELATIONSHIP] of [SPONSOR_NAME]).

§1 — ELIGIBILITY (180-220 words)

Applicant ([APPLICANT_NAME]) must:
  (a) Be a parent or grandparent of [SPONSOR_NAME] (Canadian citizen or PR)
  (b) Hold valid passport from country of citizenship
  (c) Meet TRV admissibility (no criminal / security / medical inadmissibility)
  (d) Have medical insurance:
      - Issued by Canadian insurance company OR authorised foreign insurer
      - Minimum CAD 100,000 coverage
      - Valid for at least 1 year from entry
      - Covers healthcare, hospitalization, repatriation
  (e) Pass immigration medical exam (Indian applicants — required; panel physician)
  (f) Demonstrate strong ties to home country (R216(1)(b) — intent to leave at end of stay)

Sponsor / host ([SPONSOR_NAME]) must:
  (a) Be Canadian citizen or PR
  (b) Provide written commitment of financial support
  (c) Meet Minimum Income Threshold (LICO 1.0, not 1.3 like PGP):
      Family of 2: ~CAD 25,310 (verify current)
      Family of 3: ~CAD 31,114
      Family of 4: ~CAD 37,776
      Family of 5: ~CAD 42,842
      (etc.)
  (d) Provide proof of income via NOA(s)
  (e) Reside in Canada

For [SPONSOR_NAME] with [SPONSOR_INCOME_LATEST]: confirm LICO 1.0 met for relevant family size.

§2 — APPLICATION PACKAGE (250-300 words)

Applicant submits:
  □ IMM 5257 — TRV application form
  □ IMM 5645 — Family Information
  □ IMM 5476 — Use of Representative (if RCIC retained)
  □ Passport bio + all stamps
  □ 2 photos (biometric standard)
  □ Application fee: CAD 100 (single-entry); CAD 200 (multi-entry, including biometrics)
  □ Biometrics receipt
  □ Cover letter from [APPLICANT_NAME]
  □ Letter of invitation from [SPONSOR_NAME] (see §3)
  □ Sponsor's proof of income (NOA, T4)
  □ Sponsor's proof of relationship to applicant (sponsor's birth certificate)
  □ Sponsor's proof of Canadian citizenship / PR
  □ Applicant's medical exam (panel physician)
  □ Applicant's insurance proof from [INSURANCE_PROVIDER]
  □ Applicant's home-country ties evidence
  □ Police certificates if requested

§3 — LETTER OF INVITATION FROM SPONSOR (200-250 words)

Format:

"To: Visa Officer, IRCC
Re: Letter of Invitation — Super Visa Application
Date: [TODAY]

I, [SPONSOR_NAME], a Canadian [citizen / permanent resident] residing at [ADDRESS], hereby invite my [RELATIONSHIP], [APPLICANT_NAME] (passport number [PASSPORT_NUMBER]), to visit me in Canada under the Super Visa program.

§1 — RELATIONSHIP
[APPLICANT_NAME] is my [RELATIONSHIP]. I confirm the relationship is genuine and supported by [BIRTH CERTIFICATES / MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES].

§2 — PURPOSE OF VISIT
[APPLICANT_NAME] will visit Canada to spend time with family. The intended initial duration of stay is 2 years. [APPLICANT_NAME] will reside at my residence at [ADDRESS] for the duration of the stay.

§3 — FINANCIAL SUPPORT COMMITMENT
I confirm that I will provide:
  • Accommodation: free residence at my home
  • Daily living expenses: food, transportation, healthcare not covered by insurance
  • Any additional costs incurred during the stay

Financial capacity:
  • Annual income (NOA Line 150 — most recent tax year): CAD [SPONSOR_INCOME_LATEST]
  • Family size (current + applicant + applicant's spouse if accompanying): [X]
  • Required income (LICO 1.0): CAD [Y]
  • Excess capacity: CAD [Z]

§4 — INSURANCE
[APPLICANT_NAME] has secured private medical insurance from [INSURANCE_PROVIDER] for CAD [100,000+] coverage, valid for at least 1 year from date of entry. Policy attached.

§5 — CONFIRMATION
[APPLICANT_NAME] understands the conditions of the Super Visa and intends to return to [HOME_COUNTRY] at the end of each authorised stay.

I declare the above is true and complete.

[SPONSOR_NAME]
[DATE]
[SIGNATURE]"

§4 — POST-ISSUANCE (60-80 words)

  • Super Visa issued: valid up to 10 years OR until passport expiry, whichever is earlier
  • Each entry: up to 5 years (CBSA officer at port of entry sets specific stay duration; default is 5 years)
  • Extensions / status changes during stay: possible via TRV extension applications
  • Cannot work in Canada (Super Visa is visitor class)
  • Cannot study in Canada (separate study permit needed)
  • Medical insurance must be maintained throughout stay

§5 — CONSIDERATIONS (60-80 words)

  • Super Visa is NOT a permanent residence pathway — parents remain temporary residents
  • If parents want to pursue PR: file PGP application separately
  • Super Visa + PGP can run in parallel — most strategic approach
  • Medical insurance cost: CAD 1,500-3,000 per year for elderly parent
  • Tax implications: parents on Super Visa are not tax-resident in Canada (unless 183+ days/year, varies)

End with: "DRAFT SUPER VISA APPLICATION — for RCIC review. Verify current LICO threshold against canada.ca; updated annually. Insurance providers approved for Super Visa coverage updated periodically — confirm [INSURANCE_PROVIDER] is currently accepted. Renewable; not a PR pathway."