Applying for a Super Visa
Many families have been split apart as a result of children and grandchildren attempting to immigrate to Canada and start a new life. The government of Canada takes this into consideration and allows for a process called the super visa. The super visa is a visitor’s visa for parents and grandparents who wish to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada. This super visa allows for multiple persons to visit Canada for a period of 2 years at a time and with a status period of up to 10 years. This article will talk about who is eligible for a super visa, what to do if it is refused, super visa extensions, and financial requirements in order to allow for a parent/grandparent to obtain a super visa.
Eligibility required to apply for a super visa
- An applicant can apply for a super visa if they meet the requirements for temporary residence in Canada as a visitor and provide the proper documentation. They require documents such as:proof of their relationship to the child or grandchild (who must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
- proof of a medical examination and of being medically admissible into Canada
- evidence that the child or grandchild is able to provide financial support through meeting the low income cut-off (LICO) minimum (a co-signer may be added to meet the LICO minimum)
Application process of a super visa
After your application is sent, it will be processed at the visa office to make sure it has been done correctly and that it contains all the necessary documents. A visa officer will decide if an interview is necessary. If an interview is required, you will be notified about the interview. If your application is refused, your passport and other documents will be returned. You will also receive a letter telling you why your application was refused. If you sent forged or fake, they will not be returned to you. If your application is approved, your passport and other documents will be returned to you with your super visa. Note that a valid temporary resident visa (TRV) and a valid travel document do not guarantee you entry into the country. You may not be allowed to enter if you arrive in Canada and a Canadian official finds that you are no longer admissible because there has been new information about you which has appeared (such as a forged document).
Medical exams
You may need a medical exam to be allowed entry into Canada. If you do, a Canadian immigration officer will let you know and will send you instructions on what to do. A medical exam can lengthen the processing time of your application.
Can you extend your super visa
It is possible to extend a super visa with the correct steps and documentation provided. Usually, a visitor’s stay with a super visa carries a duration of 2 years at a time. You can apply for an extension 30 days prior to the two year expiration date. An immigration officer will look at your appeal, and if they see that you needed an extension for certain circumstances or an emergency, you may be allowed an extension on top of the 2 year limit.
There are two ways you can apply:
Apply online:
Determine your eligibility and apply online.
or
Apply on paper:
1. Get the application package
The package includes the application guide and all the documents required you need to fill it out. Download the application package. The application form contains instructions. Read the instructions, and provide the required paperwork. If documents are missing, or found to be fake or forged, the application process will be delayed. The application processing fee is $75 CAD; this can be paid online through the Canadian government website. This information seems straightforward, but it may get confusing sometimes and some legal documents may be needed which you are not aware of. This is why seeking professional legal help is necessary, and this is why we are here to help! You can find information on Processing times and how long it will take to process your application online. If you submitted your application to an office outside of Canada, take note that the Call Centre does not have information about your application.
Financial Requirements for a super visa (LICO)
In order to host a parent or grandparent in Canada, you must meet certain financial requirements in order for the super visa to be accepted. LICO means “low income cut-off”. LICO is an income limit below which a family will likely use a larger portion of its income on the necessities of food, shelter and clothing than the average Canadian family. To determine whether a family is low income, the appropriate LICO (family size is taken into consideration) is compared to the income of the family's economic group. If the economic group income is below the cut-off, all individuals in that family are considered to be in low income. Being considered low income can affect your chances of being able to obtain a super visa and hosting your loved ones in Canada. If you or someone you know is in this situation, it is recommended that you seek out professional legal help in order to be able to obtain your super visa. You may be classified as low income without knowing. We are here to help advise you and provide all your legal necessities and documentation in order for you to be able to bring your parents or grandparents into Canada without a hassle!
Contact Akrami & Associates
The super visa is a great option for families which are split and are looking to find a way to re-unite and see each other in Canada. The super visa is a visitor’s visa for parents and grandparents who wish to visit their children or grandchildren in Canada. Sometimes, it can be hard to go through all the legal documentation, proving that you are not low income, or even attempting to extend your super visa stay. Akrami and Associates have many years of experience of dealing with clients from all backgrounds which have had trouble processing their super visa application due to many factors leading to the application’s failure. We are determined to save you the headache and assist you in providing the legal documents and how to go about processing your application so that your application is successful. For further questions and inquiries, please call us at (416) 447-2545. We can provide legal assistance or consultation with an immigration professional for you or your loved ones.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!