Visa to Canada for parents and grandparents became more accessible
Now more immigrants will be able to invite their relatives into the country.
The Super Visa program allows permanent residents and Canadian citizens to invite their parents and grandparents. The visa is issued for 10 years and allows relatives to stay in the country for up to 5 years continuously.
To stay in Canada, they must pay for health insurance each year. It is mandatory and usually covers emergency care, prescriptions, diagnostic services, treatment, and so on. The price of insurance depends on the person's age and the coverage, but it averages $1,500 CAD per year for a 65-year-old person.
The rules for paying for insurance have changed several times since the Super Visa program was launched. Until recently, it was necessary to pay a year's cost in advance. Such requirements caused negative reactions from applicants. For many, the annual amount was too high, or it was inconvenient to pay it at once, and as a result, Canadian residents could not see their relatives.
However, on December 7, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that monthly payments for insurance can now be made again, making it much easier to pay. More families can now invite their parents and grandparents to Canada.
So far, Canada accepts insurance with monthly payments purchased from two companies: 21st Century and Travelance. But the list is expected to be expanded in the future, with more insurance organizations providing parents and grandparents with monthly payment options.
The new rules apply to all families, including those:
- whose Super Visa applications are pending;
- whose applications were approved but whose relatives have not yet arrived in Canada;
- who have already begun their application process;
- who have not yet applied.
Obtaining a Super Visa for relatives is a good alternative to family reunification programs. Each year, Canada selects several thousand parents and grandparents whose children and grandchildren live in Canada. Reunification programs allow them to get permanent residency, but the invitations are sent out randomly, and there are many times fewer than the number of people who want to move.
