Super visa questions | HELP NEEDED!

[Kris345]

Hi all, I am trying to get my parents to Canada on a super visa, but wanting to get some answers to some questions please.

1. The super visa seems to be for a maximum of 10 years (based on length of passport), but you have to leave and come back at the 5 year mark and the-enter. Is this correct? Also does that mean at 5 years you can hop over the U.S., flagpole and drive back to Canada to reactivate the super visa for the remaining 5 years?

2. Is it better to do biometrics and the medicals before starting the application, what are the pros and cons?

3.My most important question. What happens at the end of 10 years? Do my parents have to leave Canada or can they stay in Canada?

4. Is there such a thing as a super visa renewal Application? I know I can do an extension, but what happens after the end of the visa if I want my parents to stay another 10 years 5/5?

Many thanks and any advice you can provide will be appreciated.

thanks.

 

[scylla]

Hi all, I am trying to get my parents to Canada on a super visa, but wanting to get some answers to some questions please.

1. The super visa seems to be for a maximum of 10 years (based on length of passport), but you have to leave and come back at the 5 year mark and the-enter. Is this correct? Also does that mean at 5 years you can hop over the U.S., flagpole and drive back to Canada to reactivate the super visa for the remaining 5 years?

2. Is it better to do biometrics and the medicals before starting the application, what are the pros and cons?

3.My most important question. What happens at the end of 10 years? Do my parents have to leave Canada or can they stay in Canada?

4. Is there such a thing as a super visa renewal Application? I know I can do an extension, but what happens after the end of the visa if I want my parents to stay another 10 years 5/5?

Many thanks and any advice you can provide will be appreciated.

thanks.

1. Whether someone is allowed into Canada and for how long on a visitor visa is always up to CBSA. The super visa does not guarantee entry or re-entry. I'm not sure what you mean by reactivate the visa. If someone wants to stay beyond the duration allowed by CBSA they should apply for an extension from within Canada vs flagpoling.

2. I'll let others confirm the process.

3. If they want to remain in Canada, they would want to find a way to do that legally, such as applying for a visitor record.

4. There is no renewal. It's a new application from outside of Canada. Also, you are confusing the difference between the validity of the super visa and their allowed stay in Canada. These are two different things. A 10 year super visa allows them to enter Canada as tourists for a period of 10 years. This does not mean they are allowed to remain in Canada for 10 years.

 

[Kris345]

1. Whether someone is allowed into Canada and for how long on a visitor visa is always up to CBSA. The super visa does not guarantee entry or re-entry. I'm not sure what you mean by reactivate the visa. If someone wants to stay beyond the duration allowed by CBSA they should apply for an extension from within Canada vs flagpoling.

2. I'll let others confirm the process.

3. If they want to remain in Canada, they would want to find a way to do that legally, such as applying for a visitor record.

4. There is no renewal. It's a new application from outside of Canada. Also, you are confusing the difference between the validity of the super visa and their allowed stay in Canada. These are two different things. A 10 year super visa allows them to enter Canada as tourists for a period of 10 years. This does not mean they are allowed to remain in Canada for 10 years.

I'm confused by the last answer. If my parents on a super visa and stay for 10 years as a tourist, how is that different from them “remaining” for 10 years. They are still a tourist either way, but can re-enter multiple times?

 

[scylla]

I'm confused by the last answer. If my parents on a super visa and stay for 10 years as a tourist, how is that different from them “remaining” for 10 years. They are still a tourist either way, but can re-enter multiple times?

A 10 year super visa doesn't mean they are allowed to come to Canada and remain in Canada for 10 years. Those entering on a super visa are eligible to be allowed into Canada for a five year stay however how long they are actually allowed in is up to CBSA. If your parents want to stay longer, it is recommended they apply for a visitor record from within Canada vs. exiting and then re-entering Canada. Generally there is a higher chance of things going smoothly applying for an extension from within Canada.

The super visa certainly allows them to enter Canada multiple times but again, if they are allowed in and for how long is always at the discretion of CBSA. A super visa does not guarantee entry into Canada and the length of their allowed stay is also not guaranteed.

 

[Kris345]

A 10 year super visa doesn't mean they are allowed to come to Canada and remain in Canada for 10 years. Those entering on a super visa are eligible to be allowed into Canada for a five year stay however how long they are actually allowed in is up to CBSA. If your parents want to stay longer, it is recommended they apply for a visitor record from within Canada vs. exiting and then re-entering Canada. Generally there is a higher chance of things going smoothly applying for an extension from within Canada.

The super visa certainly allows them to enter Canada multiple times but again, if they are allowed in and for how long is always at the discretion of CBSA. A super visa does not guarantee entry into Canada and the length of their allowed stay is also not guaranteed.

What do you mean a visitor record from within Canada? Why would they need another form of immigration when they already have a visa.
I’m still confused, what happens at the 5 year mark, could they not flagpole at the Y.S. Border and come back for a second 5 year stint?

 

[YVR123]

What do you mean a visitor record from within Canada? Why would they need another form of immigration when they already have a visa.
I’m still confused, what happens at the 5 year mark, could they not flagpole at the Y.S. Border and come back for a second 5 year stint?

No. If they are allowed for 5 years when they entered (no specific date put in by CBSA to exit by), then they need to apply to extend their stay as visitors.

They could try to travel outside and re-enter. But just like other visitor visa, they could be allowed in or not and how long they can stay is also determined by the CBSA officer at that point. (again if no date put on their passports, then it's another 5 years)

Be aware that they are entering as visitors. If they need to reside physically in their home country to qualify for healthcare/pension/benefits, they may lost it if they stay out for too long.

 

[scylla]

What do you mean a visitor record from within Canada? Why would they need another form of immigration when they already have a visa.
I’m still confused, what happens at the 5 year mark, could they not flagpole at the Y.S. Border and come back for a second 5 year stint?

You are not understanding the different a visitor visa itself vs the allowed stay in Canada. Applying for a visitor record allows someone to extend the allowed stay within in Canada.

Sure, they can try flagpoling. But as I said before, this has a higher chance of resulting in complications / problem and there is certainly no guarantee that they will be allowed in for another five year visit.

 

[Kris345]

No. If they are allowed for 5 years when they entered (no specific date put in by CBSA to exit by), then they need to apply to extend their stay as visitors.

They could try to travel outside and re-enter. But just like other visitor visa, they could be allowed in or not and how long they can stay is also determined by the CBSA officer at that point. (again if no date put on their passports, then it's another 5 years)

Be aware that they are entering as visitors. If they need to reside physically in their home country to qualify for healthcare/pension/benefits, they may lost it if they stay out for too long.

There seems to be all these hidden caveats to the super visa which outside of a lawyer I have no idea how I would figure it out. My own PR and Citizenship was way easier than this.
Again if they enter Canada and get stamped, in essence they have 5 years they can stay at what point are they extending? Do you mean 5 years to 7 through an extension, or as soon as they get into Canada they have to extend? If that’s the case, what is the point of the super visa?
Sounds like a lot of ways they are trying to catch you out or send ppl back.

 

[YVR123]

There seems to be all these hidden caveats to the super visa which outside of a lawyer I have no idea how I would figure it out. My own PR and Citizenship was way easier than this.
Again if they enter Canada and get stamped, in essence they have 5 years they can stay at what point are they extending? Do you mean 5 years to 7 through an extension, or as soon as they get into Canada they have to extend? If that’s the case, what is the point of the super visa?
Sounds like a lot of ways they are trying to catch you out or send ppl back.

They will apply to extend their stay (visitor records) close to expiry of their initial visitors status expiry. (in theory, before the 5 years is up)
Most get 1 or 2 years more and eventually, it could be refused. But most people would go an live in home country and then apply for another supervisa after living there for a bit (a year maybe). It's best not to cut all ties in home country as I replied earlier. They are still visitors.

The point of supervisa is that they don't need to try extending before a normal 6 months is allowed for regular visitor visa.
So a longer stay. That's the point.

 

[canuck78]

There seems to be all these hidden caveats to the super visa which outside of a lawyer I have no idea how I would figure it out. My own PR and Citizenship was way easier than this.
Again if they enter Canada and get stamped, in essence they have 5 years they can stay at what point are they extending? Do you mean 5 years to 7 through an extension, or as soon as they get into Canada they have to extend? If that’s the case, what is the point of the super visa?
Sounds like a lot of ways they are trying to catch you out or send ppl back.

Think you maybe misunderstanding the supervisa program. It is not a pathway to move to Canada or get PR. Would also add they can get up to a 5 year visit but that is contingent on them qualifying for supervisa insurance every year and paying for it. If your parents have medical issues while in Canada other than minimal issues the cost of their supervisa insurance will increase and in some case carriers will not want to insure them. There is no sending people back because they are only visiting Canada. They would need to return home like other visitors. You need to have a plan if your parents can no longer visit you in Canada. Sponsoring parents for PR may never be possible.