Temporary Pause on Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications and Introduction of a Super Visa

Reuniting families is an important part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) immigration program. CIC will significantly increase the number of admissions for sponsored parents and grandparents in 2012. At the same time, effective November 5, 2011, there has been a temporary pause  of up to two years on the acceptance of new applications for this category. The increase in admissions paired with the pause will allow the department to reduce the backlog  in this category.
To offset the potential impacts of the pause, effective December 1, 2011, CIC is introducing a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa , for foreign nationals seeking to visit their Canadian or permanent resident child or grandchild in Canada to apply for an extended stay of up to 24 months. Currently, visitors can usually stay for six months at a time. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for an extension and pay new fees. With the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents will pay fewer fees and be able to enjoy the company of their families in Canada for a longer period of time without having to renew their status.
The Super Visa is a multiple entry visa, which will be valid for up to ten years. An applicant is eligible for a Super Visa if they have:
provided proof of the parent or grandparent relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
undergone a medical examination and are admissible on health grounds;
provided satisfactory evidence of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company, valid for a minimum period of one year from the date of entry which:
covers the applicant for health care, hospitalization and repatriation;
provides a minimum of $100,000 coverage; and
is valid for each entry to Canada and available for review by the examining officer upon request; and
provided a written and signed promise of financial support, e.g. a letter of invitation , from the host child or grandchild for the entire duration the applicant intends to stay in Canada. The letter must be accompanied by evidence of their means of providing such support. This will normally mean details of the number of persons in the host’s household and proof of income at a level meeting or exceeding the Low-income Cut-off  for the total number of persons, including the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s).