There are various immigration options offered in Canada to help families meet with their loved ones. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is one of the best options available to parents and grandparents! This is especially useful because this way, we can avoid the regular tourist visa that only allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to visit for short stays. However, like any immigration program, the Super Visa also comes with its requirements and red tape. The most common question people tend to ask is: How long would a Super Visa allow parents to stay in Canada?
In this blog, we will discuss this question and also look at some other important details about the Super Visa, including the significance of medical insurance policies and how to make sure you fulfill all the requirements for approval.
Understanding the Super Visa
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is designed specifically for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Compared to a tourist visa, which usually only permits visits of up to six months, the Super Visa provides a greatly extended duration. This Visa allows parents or grandparents to remain in Canada for a period of 2 years without renewal.
For families looking to spend extra time with those they love, this prolonged stay is simply perfect. Whether hosting for the holidays, assisting with childcare, or simply wanting to enjoy family time, most families would prefer to spend more time together, and the Super Visa enables families to do just that, adding a sense of comfort and stability to those families.
How Long Can Parents Stay on a Super Visa?
A Super Visa is valid for up to 10 years, and parents or grandparents can visit Canada for as long as two years at a time. This is significant because a standard visitor visa gives you only six months to stay. After that two-year period, parents may apply for an extension if eligible and approved by Canadian immigration officials. The extension is not guaranteed, and applicants must still demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the Super Visa.
Any applicant must then apply for an extension if he or she wants to stay longer than the two years permitted. We will consider whether to approve the extension based on certain criteria, including evidence of ongoing eligibility. However, it may not always be easy for parents or grandparents to get an extension approved, so be sure to plan ahead and meet all eligibility criteria.
Requirements for the Parent Super Visa
In order to qualify for the Parent and Grandparent Super, applicants must meet several key requirements. These requirements ensure that both the visitor and the host (the Canadian child or grandchild) are prepared for the visit. Let’s review the key criteria:
Child or Grandchild: The Eligibility
The applicant’s child or grandchild who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada must also be living outside Canada when applying. They must further sponsor the applicant’s Super Visa application.
Proof of Financial Support
The applicant can provide proof will be provided by the child or grandchild regarding the financial support of the applicant for the period he/she will stay in Canada. This requirement ensures that the applicant will not be dependent on Canadian social services. The financial support proof documents may be job letters, tax returns, and income proof.
Medical Health Insurance
Having sufficient medical insurance is one of the most crucial and obligatory conditions for a Super Visa. The applicant should have Canadian provincial medical coverage or purchase health insurance from a Canadian insurance company. The insurance should have a minimum limit of $100,000 in medical coverage and must be valid for the full length of time they are in Canada. You cannot get your application approved without this insurance.
Medical Examination
In certain circumstances, applicants must undergo a medical exam to confirm that they are not a threat to public health in Canada. This is a common procedure for long-stay applicants.
Valid Passport
They must also possess a valid passport for the entire period of their stay.
The Role of Super Visa Insurance
As previously stated, medical health insurance is an important requirement when applying for a Super Visa. The Government of Canada has outlined specific criteria that must be fulfilled by the respective Parent Super Visa Insurance Policy so that the applicant can be covered for emergencies while they are on their way.
Key Coverage Requirements for Super Visa Insurance
The required coverage: The insurance policy has to cover:
Hospitalization: If the applicant requires hospitalization for treatment while they’re in NICU.
Emergency Medical Services: These are treatments for sudden illness or injury that may develop while in Canada.
Repatriation: The cover should also include the cost of repatriating the applicant in case of death.
What is needed for approval of the Super Visa is coverage under any of these. In the case where the insurance isn’t sufficient or doesn’t match the minimum standards in Canada, the application gets denied.
Super Visa Insurance Prices
Super Visa Insurance Prices can vary depending on multiple factors such as:
Applicant’s age: Older people may have to pay higher premiums due to more health risks.
Length of stay: Longer stays increase insurance rates.
Coverage type: Comprehensive coverage, including coverage for emergency medical evacuation, will usually be more expensive than basic coverage.
Usually, parents or grandparents applying for a Super Visa can anticipate paying anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 for one year of insurance. This can be in serious situations when an applicant already has medical conditions or needs extra coverage.
How to Buy Super Visa Insurance Policy Online
In today’s digital age, purchasing Super Visa Insurance has never been easier. Many insurance providers offer online platforms where you can compare different plans, check quotes, and purchase coverage directly from the comfort of your home. Here’s how to buy a Super Visa Insurance policy online:
Step-by-Step Guide:
Research and Compare Plans: Begin by researching various Super Visa Insurance Providers and identifying plans that meet your requirements. Health coverage options vary according to the age of the traveller, medical history, and how long you will be in the Great White North.
Check Coverage details: Ensure the policy meets the minimum criteria established by the Canadian government (in accordance with provincial mandates), including coverage for hospitalization, emergency medical services, and repatriation.
Get a Quote: Most insurers will provide a quote on the site after basic user details, like the applicant’s age, the length of your stay, and health information.
Buy the Insurance: After choosing the right policy, you are ready to buy the insurance. Most providers accept secure online payments via a payment gateway, such as a credit card or bank transfer.
Issue Insurance Certificate: Once you pay, you should receive an insurance certificate that is mandatory when applying for a Super Visa.
Check Coverage Validity: Make sure that the insurance is valid for the entire course of the applicant’s stay. They have also been given a year of private health care from an Ontario company while in Canada, which may be problematic if the policy ends before their visit.
Super Visa Insurance Providers
Many Super Visa Insurance providers have unique plans designed with the needs of Super Visa visitors in mind. Here are some of the best-rated companies:
Manulife Financial
Sun Life Financial
Allianz Global Assistance
Tugo Insurance
Travel Insurance Canada
All of these providers have different Super Visa Insurance Plans available with different amounts of coverage, so you’ll want to make sure to read the fine print of each plan to confirm that it meets your specific needs.
Conclusion
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is a great chance for families to unite in Canada for long stays. In addition to being able to stay for as many as two years at a time, parents and grandparents can spend time with their family members without annual renewal concerns. However, the most important requirement of the Super Visa is that they have medical insurance.
This supplemental coverage serves your Super Visa application by meeting all necessary requirements for your application to be accepted and providing you with coverage in case of a medical emergency. Whether you’re purchasing insurance online or through an agent, it’s very important to find a good provider so that you don’t have any problems applying for coverage and can enjoy a worry-free stay in Canada.
For those looking to apply for a Super Visa, planning ahead, getting the right insurance and making sure that you meet all the other requirements will enable you to enjoy the benefits of extended time spent with family in Canada.