For anyone with parents or grandparents stuck in the backlog of visa applications, there is good news at last!

On November 4, 2011, Citizen and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced Phase I of a new program, The Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification, intended to address the issue of sponsorship application backlogs, one component of which is the new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa. This multiple-entry visa will make it easier for your parents and grandparents to enter Canada.


Things you need to know about the visa:


Valid for 10 years
Holder can remain in Canada for up to 24 months without needing to renew their status
Visas will be issued within approximately 8 weeks from the date of application
Holder must maintain private health insurance during their stay in Canada
A temporary hold on new applications for sponsorship went into effect November 5, 2011 and will remain in effect for 24 months to allow the backlog of 165,000 applications to be processed and to prevent further buildup of the backlog.
To qualify for the visa, parents and grandparents must meet the following conditions*:


Undergo the Immigration Medical Examination;
Demonstrate that they have purchased private Canadian medical insurance; and
Provide a written commitment of financial support from a child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold.
*From Citizen and Immigration Canada Phase I of Action Plan 


The private Canadian medical insurance required by CIC has additional stipulations: the Super visa applicant must show proof of purchase of a minimum of $100,000 of coverage which is valid for 365 days and the coverage must be continuous for 365 days.


Note: The following was updated February 1, 2012 to reflect changes made by GMS to the available coverage. Anyone who purchased the policy between December 19th and February 1st will be allowed to covert to the new policy type.


We offer the required coverage through Group Medical Services (GMS) Annual Immigrants & Visitors to Canada plan. You can choose the minimum $100,000 or a higher plan of $150,000. Deductibles are available in a range from $0.00 to $1,000, depending on your budget. Under the rules of the Super Visa, the application for the medical coverage must be made while the applicant is still outside of the country. The applicant must be under the age of 80, and there are no medical questions if the applicant is under the age of 55. The policy provides continuous coverage for a period of 365 days and the policy holder can leave Canada to visit his/her country as many times as desired without having to reapply for coverage upon return. Coverage can be renewed at the end of the 365 day period as long as the individual is still currently covered by GMS and has not filed claims for more than $5,000.