What is the Difference Between a Super Visa and Visitor Visa?

When planning for your parents or grandparents to visit you in Canada, deciding to apply for a regular visitor visa or a Super Visa can be confusing. In this post, we break down the differences between the two options, and explain how to make the right choice for your family.

When deciding to apply for your parents or grandparents to visit Canada, the right type of application to make can be confusing. There are essentially 3 types of visitor visas that we need to consider when deciding which visa makes the most sense.

• Allows travel to and from Canada for a max period of 10 years
• Allows holders to remain inside Canada for up to 2 years before they need to leave or apply for an extension
• Applicant must be invited by a Canadian citizen or Permanent Residence who is a child or grandchild and who meets income requirements
• The applicant requires proof of private medical insurance in Canada as part of the application package

Single Entry Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

• Allows travel to and from Canada one time only
• Allows holders to remain inside Canada for up to 6 months before they need to leave or apply for an extension
• An applicant can be invited by anyone

• Allows travel to and from Canada for a maximum period of 10 years
• Allows holders to remain inside Canada for up to 6 months before they need to leave or apply for an extension
• Applicant can be invited by anyone

When considering which visa to apply for, the most relevant factor is how long your parent or grandparent plans to stay. If less than 6 months on any given visit, then a regular TRV will make more sense for your situation.

The temporary visa can be issued as a multi-entry visa, which allows flexibility to travel back and forth for short visits. Officers will usually issue it to parents and grandparents for a period of 10 years or until passport expiry. This allows the family to apply once, but have a visa that can be used for many different trips to Canada. It doesn’t make sense to go through the extra hassle and expense of a Super Visa if your loved ones are only coming for a short visit.

If they would like to stay longer than 6 months, then first confirm whether you meet the income requirements to apply for a Super Visa. This financial requirement is the key difference with the super visa.

If you don’t meet the income requirements, you can still apply for a regular TRV to stay up to six months. While in Canada, it is possible to apply to extend their stay, if you apply before their 6-months visitor status period is up. You may need to make a new extension application every 6 months or have your parents or grandparents go home for a period of time and then return again. Remember, as long as their TRV allows for multiple entries, they can travel to Canada as many times as they like until it expires.

The level of income needed for a super visa will depend on your family size and how many people are coming to Canada.  To calculate family size, take into account yourself, your spouse or partner and any dependent children under the age of 22.  Then add the number of people on the super visa application (1 or 2).  You are required to provide documentation to prove your income exceeds the minimum for your specific family size.

To prove the required level of income, you will need to include at least one of the following items:

• Notice of Assessment or T4 for most recent tax year
• Letter of employment
• Pay stubs, or 
• Bank statements

Your letter of invitation must also include a promise to provide financial support for your parent or grandparent while in Canada.

There is a major difference in cost between a regular visitor visa and the Super Visa due to the need to buy private medical insurance for your parent or grandparent as part of the Super Visa application. You must submit proof of purchase from a Canadian insurance company, for at least $100,000 in coverage.  The premium will vary depending on the age of your parent and their health status.  A quick Google search will provide you with several sites to obtain a Super Visa insurance quote.  Most reputable companies will offer a refund if the visa is refused. As well, the start date of the coverage will be adjusted to the date your parent actually arrives in Canada.

The Way Immigration has successfully assisted hundreds of parents and grandparents to visit their family members in Canada. Our immigration consultant in Alberta would be pleased to help you determine your best options to have your parents or grandparents visit you in Canada.