Canada to increase length of stay for Parents and Grandparents Super Visa to 5 years per entry
In addition, the immigration minister may designate
international medical insurance companies to provide
coverage to Super Visa applicants in the future.
IRCC has just announced major reforms to the Parents and
Grandparents Super Visa.
Effective July 4, 2022:
- The length of stay for Super Visa holders will be increased to five
years per entry into Canada. - People who currently have a Super Visa also have the option to
request to extend their stay by up to two years while in Canada.
This means current Super Visa holders will now be able to stay in
Canada for up to seven consecutive years. - At present, Super Visa holders can stay in Canada for up to two
years per entry. The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that is valid
for up to 10 years. - Currently, only Canadian insurance providers can provide the
medical coverage that Super Visa applicants are required to
have. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has
stated it will announce further details at a later date. - These reforms were proposed by Conservative Party of Canada
Member of Parliament Kyle Seeback via Bill C-242. Today’s press
release by IRCC is indication the ruling Liberal Party of Canada
supports the reforms and will vote in favour of Bill C-242, which is
currently making its way through Parliament. - According to IRCC, Canada issues approximately 17,000 Super
Visas per year. - According to IRCC, Canada issues approximately 17,000 Super
Visas per year. - For over a decade, the Super Visa has been offered as an
alternative to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The
PGP offers permanent residence, but since it is very popular,
demand to sponsor far exceeds the number of spots available. In
a given year, IRCC receives interest from some 200,000 sponsors
but offers some 20,000 immigration spots through the PGP. As a
result, in recent years, IRCC has temporarily opened expression of
interest windows for the PGP, and then held lotteries extending
invitations to apply for permanent residence under the PGP. In an
email to CIC News late last week, IRCC said it does not yet have an
update on its plans for the PGP in 2022. - As such, the Super Visa is available to those who pass a medical
examination and provide proof of private health insurance from
an approved insurance provider. This is so Super Visa holders can
get emergency health care in Canada without the costs being paid
for by Canadian taxpayers. In addition, host children or
grandchildren must meet IRCC’s minimum income requirements.
“Families are at the heart of Canadian society. The enhancements
to the super visa program allow family members to reunite for
longer in Canada, which helps everyday Canadian citizens and
permanent residents succeed and contribute to society, while
affording their parents and grandparents invaluable
opportunities to spend time with their family in Canada,” said
Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.