Super Visa Speeding Up Family Reunions

Brampton-Springdale MP Parm Gill is calling the federal government’s efforts to speed up the visa process for parents visiting their Canadian children a great success.
The Conservative government has approved more than 1,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applications in three months, Gill boasted. This represents an overall approval rate of 77 percent, he noted.
“I am extremely happy to witness the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa program working as it was intended,” said Gill in a news release. “This initiative has provided a large number of eligible parents and grandparents with an opportunity to spend more quality time with their families in Canada.”
The program was designed to make the application process simpler, while maintaining the immigration system’s integrity, Gill said.
Applicants for this particular visa must submit proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income, demonstrate they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance and undergo the Immigration Medical Examination.
Almost 99 percent of Super Visa applicants who met the necessary criteria also went on to meet all other standard admissibility criteria required for all visa applicants, according to Gill.
“I have spoken with many of my constituents about the Super Visa and I am pleased to report that I have received an overwhelmingly positive response,” he said. “Many have noted that this program allows parents and grandparents a more straightforward avenue to visit Canada without placing a burden on our taxpayers or unneeded stress on families.”
As of Feb. 26, 80 percent of the finalized Super Visa applications were processed to a final decision within 41 calendar days. This is significantly faster than the government’s target of eight weeks. Even with application volumes expected to increase, Citizenship and Immigration Canada expects to continue to aim for a Super Visa processing time of eight weeks or less.