Opinions
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New Super Visa unveiled |
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Since last month’s announcement of the Super Visa for parents and grandparents we have all been awaiting more details about this government initiative. The new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will be valid for up to 10 years and will allow parents and grandparents of Canada permanent residents to come to Canada multiple times on the same visa as visitors and stay here for a minimum period of two years, without the need for a renewal, each time they come to Canada. CIC visa officers expect to issue Super Visas within eight weeks of application and applicants must obtain private Canadian health care insurance for their stay in Canada. The Super Visa came into effect only days ago on December 1, 2011. Readers should be aware that some of the requirements are common to all Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications while other requirements are specific to Super Visa applications. In order to apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants must be a parent or grandparents of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada. The applicant must be admissible to Canada and meet a number of preconditions. All visitor applicants will continue to be screened according to their ties to their home country; the purpose of their visit; their family and economic situation; the overall economic and political stability of their home country; and the invitation from the Canadian host. The Super Visa contains a number of additional requirements such as a written commitment of financial support from the host Canadian who must meet a minimum income threshold. The applicant must also prove that they have purchased Canadian medical insurance coverage of a least one year and complete an Immigration Medical Examination. The specific documentation required for the Parent and Grandparents Super Visa includes a letter of invitation from your child or grandchild residing in Canada and one of the following documents to prove that the Canadian host meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) minimum: a recent copy of his or her CRA Notice of Assessment or Option C printout; a recent copy of the T4 or T1; original letter from an employer stating job title, job description and salary; employment insurance pay stubs; for self-employed a letter from an accountant confirming annual income and proof of sources of other income. LICO figures in place to December 31, 2011 are $27,674 for a family of two; $34,022 for a family of three; $41,307 for a family of four; $46,850 for a family of five; $52,838 for a family of six; $58,827 for a family of seven; and for each additional person over seven, add $5,989. Additional requirements for the application are proof of parental relationship to your child or grandchild (copy of birth certificate, baptismal certificate or other documents naming the parent. The applicant must also provide evidence of medical insurance coverage for a minimum one year with a Canadian insurance company that cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation; provides a minimum coverage of $100,000; and is valid for each entry to Canada and available for review at a port of entry. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is very much in the beginning stages so we are all interested to see how everything works out. I know from my wife, Lourdes Troncillo, who is a licensed insurance agent, that Canadian insurance companies are working towards offering the insurance required by foreign applicants. The specifics of these offering are beyond my expertise and my recommendation to all readers is that they contact a licensed insurance agent to find out what is available and at what cost. Let me end by wishing you and yours, on behalf of Lourdes and myself, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon. Michael Scott BA (Hon), MA, is a 30-year veteran of Canada Immigration and the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program who works as an immigration associate with R.B. Global Immigration Consultants Ltd. He can be reached at 838 Ellice Avenue in Winnipeg, (204) 783-7326 or (204) 227-0292. E-mail: mscott.ici@gmail.com |