What is a Super Visa?

This is a multiple entry visa lasting 10 years which allows parents and grandparents the right to stay in Canada temporarily. This new extended visa makes it easier to travel back and forth to Canada.

Which qualifications are required by myself, my parent or my grandparent?

Child/Grandchild:

In order to comply with Canadian immigration regulations on the parent and grandparent supervisa, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. You will also need a valid birth certificate listing your parents' names. Next is proving your able to financially support your parent or grandparent with your own Canadian income source(s). The "minimum income threshold" will change every year and depends on the size of your family. With these documents in hand, you will need to get writing: an invitation letter to your relatives is needed. Finding reliable health insurance for your parent or grandparent is also necessary since they must own a current private Canadian health insurance policy covering a minimum 12-month period.

Parent:

You must provide official documentation listing your name (or maiden name, if applicable) and this name should match the name on your child's birth certificate. You will need to take the Immigration Medical Exam. Furthermore, you will need to own a current private Canadian health insurance policy covering a minimum 12-month period.

Grandparent:

You must provide official documentation listing your name (or maiden name, if applicable) and this name should match the name on your child's birth certificate. In turn, you should be able to prove that your child is the parent of your grandchild. You will need to take the Immigration Medical Exam. You will also need to own a current private Canadian health insurance policy covering a minimum 12-month period.

What does a Super Visa look like?

Essentially, it's just a letter! The supervisa issue date and expiration date will be printed on it. You must show this letter at the port of entry when arriving in Canada. The Canada Border Services Agency officer will stamp your passport or national travel document and authorize your stay for up to two years once shown this letter.

How long will it take for my application to be processed?

The government and its international visa offices are dedicated to processing all applications within 8 weeks. The more complete your application, the more likely your application will be done within this time frame. Incomplete submissions will slow down process and your application may even be denied. Avoid this problem by contacting us for help bringing your parent or grandparent to Canada.

How long will my parent or grandparent be able to stay in Canada with a valid Super Visa?

While successful applicants can hold a valid supervisa for 10 years, they will only be able to stay in Canada for 24 months at a time. After that, their visitor status will need to be renewed by submitting an application for potential renewal/extension.

The maximum extension is 24 months and there may be an additional fee involved. The only exception to this rule is for parents and grandparents currently in Canada who already hold a valid visitor visa. A two-year extension may be granted by submitting an application.

When can my parent or grandparent apply for a Super visa extension?

The application for renewal should be submitted no later than 30 days before the 24 month period is complete.

If my parent or grandparent lives in a country with a visa exception can we still get a Supervisa?

The application for renewal should be submitted no later than 30 days before the 24 month period is complete. Yes, however the process will be slightly different since they will first need to get Temporary Resident Visa. A medical exam is still needed as well as proof of financial support from a child or grandchild.

What happens to standard sponsorship applications?

If you submitted your application before November 5, 2011, then the application will be reviewed in due time. Any sponsorship applications received after this date will be returned to the applicant with all fees refunded. You may be able to submit standard sponsorship applications by late 2013.

Source: http://canadim.com 

Getting started In Canada

MoneySense offers tips on what newcomers should do when they first arrive to Canada

By Sarah Efron | From MoneySense Magazine, November 2011

This article was first published in theNovember 2011 issue of MoneySense.

Current issue:

What to do during your first few weeks in Canada:

• Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You will need this to get a job and to get access to government programs and benefits.
• Apply for the Canada Child Tax Benefit, a tax-free monthly payment given to parents caring for children under the age of 18.
• Apply for a provincial health card. If there is a waiting period in your province before coverage starts, take out private medical insurance to cover you for the first few months.
• Find an immigrant settlement agency close to your home and inquire about employment and English language programs.
• If possible, set up your Canadian bank account before you leave your home country. Ask if the bank will waive fees for new immigrants in the first year.
• When wiring large amounts of money from your home country, ask your bank for a preferential exchange rate, says Ngoc Day, a financial planner at Macdonald, Shymko & Co. For smaller amounts, shop for the best rate on currency exchange company websites.
• Wealthy immigrants might want to consider setting up an Immigration Trust, which allows you to shelter investments from taxes during your first five years in Canada.

Starting from scratch

Millions of immigrants come to Canada and quickly discover that getting established financially isn’t easy.

By Sarah Efron | From MoneySense Magazine, November 2011

This article was first published in theNovember 2011 issue of MoneySense.

Current issue:

Last year, Canada welcomed more than half a million newcomers to our country as immigrants, international students and temporary foreign workers. The number one source for new permanent residents is now the Philippines, followed by India, China, the U.K. and the States. Canada may be the best country in the world to live in, but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to get established. People come to Canada dreaming of obtaining greater financial security and opportunities for themselves and their families, but they often spend years struggling to build up credit, find a decent job and grow their wealth.

As Canada’s personal finance magazine, MoneySense wants to help newcomers get established as quickly and painlessly as possible. In the pages that follow, we provide a quick overview of the most important things you need to know to build a strong financial future here. We’ll tell you the essential things to do during your first days in the country, and show you how to get a head start on getting a job, building credit, buying a home and investing. Along the way, you’ll meet people who have been through the immigration process already, who share their tips for making the transition easier.

Even if you’re a long-time citizen, if you’re new to investing, or buying insurance, or you’re trying to establish a strong credit history for the first time, this report is for you. When it comes to our finances, we’re all beginners at one time or another, and every beginner can use a helping hand.

Check back during the week for the latest article in MoneySense‘s personal finance guide for newcomers.