What is SuperVisa?

What is a Super Visa?

A super visa is a type of visa that allows the parents and/or grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their family member for a period of up to 2 years each time they visit Canada. The parent and grandparent super visa lasts for a period of 10 years. There are certain criteria that must be met in order to get one.

Who is eligible for this visa?

To be eligible for a parent and grandparent super visa the applicant must be able to prove they meet specific conditions. They must not be non-admissible for entrance to Canada for any other reason such as being deemed a health and safety risk to those visiting or residing in the country. In order to apply for a super visa, the applicant must have a letter which proves they have the financial support of the person that has been given permission to stay permanently. This person must be able to prove that they meet the required minimum income. It is up to the applicant to get their own medical insurance and prove that they have done so. This cover must last at least a year. There is a different process than the super visa application route if the parent or grandparent would already require a visa to be able to visit Canada.

How to apply for this visa?

There are two ways in which you can apply for the parent and grandparent super visa. The first is online and the second is on paper. Both must be sent with supporting documentation. If you usually don’t need a visa to visit Canada you can still use the super visa which will allow you to stay for a maximum of 2 years per visit over a 10 year period. Complete the documentation that has been requested either online or by post to start off the application. Once you have done so, if your super visa is approved you will be sent a letter which needs to be given to the border services officer on arrival.

If you are travelling by plane you will also need to have an ETA which needs to be applied for separately from the parent and grandparent super visa. The eTA is connected to your passport so you will need to have a valid in date passport before you can apply. With the letter proving you have super visa access to visit Canada and the eTA (if coming in by plane), you could be granted up to 2 years stay.

In order to apply, you may need to give fingerprints and a recent photograph if you live in certain countries. The application form will tell you if you need to do so. If you wish to apply online you need to be able to scan documents or photograph them so that they can be uploaded and sent with the parent and grandparent super visa. In addition to this, you will need a credit card to make payment.

If you want to apply for your super visa by post then you will need to download and fill in the forms. You will need to provide proof of being the parent or grandparent of the person you wish to visit proof of health insurance and proof from that the person you wish to visit meets the cut off for low-income eligibility. The medical insurance must cover you for a minimum of $100,000 and that it will still be valid should you wish to leave and return at a later date. The amount of people that are living in the household of the person with permission to stay permanently is also required to ensure they can accommodate you.

The application to visit Canada on a super visa must also include the application fees which have to be paid in Canadian dollars. If you choose to apply on paper using VAC then these service fees are to be paid separately. If applying as a family every person must be included on the application.

In some cases to get a parent and grandparent super visa, you may have to be interviewed by a visa officer. A medical exam is required before you are allowed to visit Canada on a super visa. You will be contacted and given instructions on where you need to go.

Understanding Health Care System in Canada

How is the health care system in Canada?

The health care system in Canada is provided by the public fund. Rather than having a plan that is for the whole nation, each province has its own insurance plan. Each plan makes sure that every Canadian resident is able to gain access to hospital facilities, doctors, treatment and medication regardless of their income. The responsibility for providing the health insurance is divided between the territorial, federal and provincial governments. Combined they ensure that each medical facility and facilitators meet specific standards as set by the Canada Health Act.

What is a health insurance card?

In order to access the health-care system in Ontario, you must have a health insurance card. Each time you need to access any type of medical service covered by the system you must show your health insurance card to show that you are eligible for government-funded medical assistance.

In order to get a health insurance card, you must first apply to the territory or province you reside in. Although the health care system in Canada will provide emergency care to medical services free of charge. Without a health insurance card, immigration status can mean certain restrictions are applied. If you attend a medical facility such as a walk-in clinic you may be subject to certain fees if you do not reside in that province. The waiting time can vary depending on territory, however, to find out the current waiting time you should get in touch with the ministry of health.

Information regarding health insurance for international students

International students must have health insurance to access the health care system in Canada. The type of coverage available depends on which province you live in. In certain provinces, there is no cover for international students which means they must arrange private health insurance to cover the duration of their stay.

The health-care system in Ontario does not automatically cover international students; however, they are required to have health care as part of their terms of residence. To get a health insurance card you have to get it through your learning institution whether that is a school or university. If you attend a public university you can usually get the University Health insurance plan. Those attending universities that are private or college have different types of plans available. If you have brought a partner or any children, they may be covered by the learning institutions plan. Unlike the health-care system in Ontario for permanent residents, the plans for international students are not covered by the government, therefore, have to be paid for. The cost is included in your fees for tuition, however, if you already have cover from elsewhere you may not be able to join the learning institutions plan.

To enrol in the health care system in Canada you must get in contact with the registrar office of your learning institution or the International Student Services. Find out exactly what the plan will cover as anything that isn’t will have to be covered by you.