Super Visa Extension to Five Years
Today, June 7, 2022, IRCC just released their plan for increasing the length of stay for parents and grandparents with a super visa from two years to five years! This new enhancement to the super visa program will also allow international medical insurance providers to qualify for providing coverage to super visa holders.
A super visa is a special type of visitor visa that may be issued to parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the requirements. A normal visitor visa typically allows a foreign national to remain in Canada for up to six months at a time. With a super visa, a parent or grandparent, in the past, could stay in Canada for up to two years at a time. However, starting July 4, 2022, those who hold a super visa will now be able to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time.
Super visa holders in Canada could also request an additional two year extension, which means they could potentially remain in Canada for up to seven years.
A super visa is a great alternative for permanent residents or Canadian citizens eager to have their parents or grandparents remain in Canada. The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) via the family sponsorship pathway allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply for permanent residence. However, this program is highly competitive and only a small number of applicants are invited to apply. This makes a super visa a more feasible option for those who want to see their parents or grandparents in the near future.
Private Medical Insurance Providers
One of the requirements of applying for a super visa is having private medical insurance. Currently, the applicant would need at least one year of medical insurance coverage from a Canadian insurance provider. Many regarded Canadian medical insurance as expensive for foreign nationals. Starting July 4, 2022, international private medical insurance providers could be designated as well to provide coverage.
The super visa extension is a step in the right direction. The pandemic separated families for an extended period of time. Nonetheless, in my opinion, it is incorrect to assert that parents and grandparents coming to Canada on a super visa are a burden to society. They are already covered by private medical insurance and contribute to the Canadian economy through spending money in Canada and also provide intangible benefits such as unity with a their family and extra support.
If you have any questions about coming to Canada, feel free to book a consultation by clicking the image below or visit the IRCC website.
