Best Options for Family Visits in Canada: Super Visa Vs Visitor Visa

Are you planning to visit your family this season in Canada? Well then, as a sponsor or a traveler, you must have a deeper understanding of the various temporary visa options available. Well-planned visits to Canada can help you manage your budget effectively. Among these are the Visitor Visa and the Super Visa.

While both the Visitor Visa and the Super Visa fall under the broader category of temporary resident visas, they serve distinct purposes. One distinctive difference between the two is the duration of the stay.

This article will give you essential insights into the difference between a Super visa and a Visitor visa. By selecting the best options, you can make your trip budget-friendly and tension-free.

Super Visa

A Super Visa is an excellent option for sponsoring your parents and grandparents in Canada. Typically, the duration is five years, and there is no need to worry about the visa renewal in between. That means, once the sponsored person enters Canada, they can stay for five years continuously without renewing their visa status. Additionally, travellers can make multiple entries to Canada for up to ten years.

Another option for sponsoring family members is the Parents and Grandparents Program(PGP). This program uses a lottery system and provides considerable assurance in the sponsorship process.

Eligibility criteria for the Sponsors

To qualify, sponsors must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian permanent resident or citizen.
• A spouse or common-law partner can be included in the application, but dependents cannot.
• The applicant must not be inadmissible to Canada for criminal actions or medical reasons.
• Proving the purpose of the visit by showing sufficient ties to their home country. This ensures they will return to their home country after a temporary visit to Canada.
• The applicant's child or grandchild must meet the income requirements set by the Low-Income Cutoff (LICO) to show they can financially support their visiting family members.

How to Prove Your Financial Stability?

You may submit the following documents to prove your financial stability:

• Notice of Assessment (NOA) or T4/T1 forms for the latest tax year
• Employment Insurance benefits statements
• A letter from the employer detailing salary and start date
• Recent pay slips
• Bank statements

Other Requirements for Super Visa

The applicant must provide a letter with a signature from their child or grandchild inviting them to Canada. This letter must include the following:

• A commitment to financially support the visiting family member during their Canadian stay
• Detailed Information regarding the members living in the sponsor household
• A copy of the sponsor's Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document

Additionally, the applicant must obtain medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that meets the following criteria:

• Valid for at least one year from the date of entry
• Provides at least CAD100,000 of emergency coverage
• Payment Proof of medical insurance

Once the applicant confirms their eligibility and gathers all the required documentation, the application should be submitted to the Canadian visa office responsible for their place of residence outside Canada.

Visitor Visa

A visitor visa, or a temporary resident visa, officially indicates your eligibility to travel to Canada. With a Visitor visa, you can travel to Canada for various reasons, such as visiting, working, or other reasons. Most visitors can stay for up to six months.

When you arrive at the port of entry, a border services officer will confirm your staying period in Canada. They may grant you a stay of less than or more than six months. They will note your departure date to exit from Canada in your passport.

Additionally, they might provide you with a document named visitor record, indicating your exit date.

If your passport does not have a stamp upon entry, you can stay for six months from the entry date in Canada or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Entry Requirements for Travel to Canada

You might require either a visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering Canada. The entry requirement depends upon the following factors:

• Type of travel document you intend to use
• Issuing country of travel document
• Nationality
• Mode of transportation to Canada for the particular journey

In conclusion, while the Canadian Super Visa and Visitor Visa are the entry options for visiting Canada, they have distinct purposes to meet. As mentioned in the article, understanding the differences is essential for travellers wishing to visit Canada.

You may contact us for further assistance in effectively planning and choosing the visa option that best suits your needs. 

At ImmiLaw Global, we have proficient immigration lawyers and overseas study experts who can assist you through every step to ensure a smooth migration to Canada. We understand the challenges you may face during the immigration process of your dear and near ones. Reach out to us for any personalized assistance tailored to your needs.

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