Super Visa Income Requirement 2024/2025: A Comprehensive Guide

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Canada’s Super Visa program is a fantastic avenue for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to reunite with their families for extended visits of up to 5 years at a time. While the promise of more quality time with loved ones is exciting, it also comes with specific requirements that both the host and the applicant must meet. Among these, the income requirement (or Minimum Necessary Income, MNI) stands out as one of the most crucial elements.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into the Super Visa income requirement for 2024, detailing why it exists, how it’s calculated, and why fulfilling it is essential to your application’s success. Along the way, we’ll also explore eligibility criteria, health insurance requirements, and step-by-step instructions for completing a Super Visa application.

What is the Super Visa?

The Super Visa is a multiple-entry visitor visa designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Key features include:

  • Longer Stay: It allows visits of up to 5 years at a time, valid for a total of up to 10 years.
  • Single or Multiple Entries: Typically issued for multiple entries, but IRCC can issue it for single entries under special circumstances.
  • Renewable: If certain conditions are met (including valid health insurance), visitors can re-enter or extend their stay.

The purpose of the Super Visa is to ease the logistics of frequent visits and reduce the hassle of re-applying for standard visitor visas every 6 months. However, to qualify, you must meet specific financial and insurance requirements—ensuring that parents or grandparents have adequate support during their extended stay in Canada.

2024 Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) Requirements

A central element of the Super Visa process is the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) threshold. This financial requirement ensures that the sponsor (your child or grandchild in Canada) can support you throughout your stay, covering living expenses and unforeseen costs without resorting to public assistance.

3.1. LICO Table for 2024

The Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) guidelines updated on June 3, 2024, serve as the MNI benchmarks. Here’s the 2024 table:

Number of Family Members

Funds Required (CAD)

1

$29,380

2

$36,576

3

$44,966

4

$54,594

5

$61,920

6

$69,834

7

$77,750

Each Additional Member

+ $7,916

Note: “Number of family members” includes the host (and spouse, if applicable), any dependent children, any previously sponsored individuals still under an active sponsorship undertaking, and the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s) applying for a Super Visa.

3.2. Calculating Your Family Size

To confirm the sponsor meets the MNI:

  1. Start with the host (your child or grandchild) in Canada.
  2. Add the host’s spouse or common-law partner (if applicable).
  3. Include dependent children of the host or the host’s spouse.
  4. Add any previously sponsored individuals (if the duration of the sponsorship undertaking is still active).
  5. Finally, include you—the parent or grandparent seeking the Super Visa—and any co-applicant (e.g., your spouse).

For example, if your child in Canada is married with two kids and you (the grandmother) are applying by yourself, the family size is 5. The MNI threshold for 5 people in 2024 is $61,920

Who Can Apply for a Super Visa?

Eligibility for a Super Visa hinges on both the applicant and the host meeting specific criteria:

  1. Applicant Requirements (the parent or grandparent):
    • Must be the biological or adoptive parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
    • Must be outside Canada when applying.
    • Must show ties to home country (enough to guarantee you’ll leave by choice at the end of your authorized stay).
    • Must have valid health insurance coverage from an approved provider (discussed further below).
    • Must undergo an immigration medical exam (if required).
  2. Host Requirements (the child or grandchild):
    • Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a registered Indian.
    • Must meet or exceed the 2024 MNI for the total family size.
    • Must provide a letter of invitation that includes a pledge of financial support throughout the visitor’s stay.
  3. Other Conditions:
    • Demonstrate that you’re a genuine visitor, intending to leave Canada once your visa expires.
    • You cannot include dependents (other than a spouse or partner) in a Super Visa application.

Health Insurance Requirements

One of the unique attributes of the Super Visa is the health insurance requirement. You must provide:

  • Proof of Private Medical Insurance: This can be from a Canadian insurer or an authorized foreign insurer recognized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI).
  • Coverage Validity: Must be valid for at least 1 year from the date you arrive in Canada.
  • Coverage Amount: Must be at least $100,000 CAD.
  • Paid or Partially Paid: A quote is insufficient; you need evidence of an active, paid (or deposit-paid) policy.
  • Renewability: If your policy will expire while you’re in Canada, you must renew or maintain valid coverage for the entire duration of your stay.

This requirement protects both visitors and the Canadian healthcare system, ensuring unforeseen medical costs don’t become a burden on public resources.

How to Apply for a Super Visa

6.1. Gathering the Required Documents

When applying for a Super Visa, you need to compile a comprehensive set of documents. These include:

  1. Proof of Relationship
    • Birth certificates, family registers, or adoption papers proving you’re the parent or grandparent of the host.
  2. Letter of Invitation from your child or grandchild
    • Must confirm their financial support for your stay.
    • List the names and birthdates of the entire family considered in the MNI calculation.
  3. Proof of Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
    • The host can provide documents like Notice of Assessment (NOA) from the Canada Revenue Agency, recent pay stubs, employment letters, T4 slips, or bank statements to demonstrate they meet/exceed the 2024 MNI.
  4. Health Insurance Policy
    • Must meet the coverage criteria explained above.
  5. Proof of Immigration Medical Exam
    • Typically performed by a panel physician approved by IRCC.
  6. Passport and Travel Documents
    • Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your intended stay.
6.2. Submitting Your Application
  • Online Application: Most people apply online via the IRCC Portal. You must be outside Canada when you submit your Super Visa request.
  • Visa Office Review: After submission, a visa officer checks your application for completeness and may request additional documents or a police certificate.
  • Biometrics: You may need to provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) if you haven’t done so in the past decade or if required by your nationality.
  • Approval & Passport Request: If approved, you’ll receive a request to submit your passport for visa stamping. If you’re from a visa-exempt country, you’ll typically receive a letter of introduction instead.
Processing Times

The processing timeline depends on the visa office where you apply. Generally, it can range from a few weeks to several months. Check IRCC’s official “Check processing times” page for the most current estimates.

After You Apply: Arrival and Duration of Stay

Once your Super Visa is issued:

  1. Arriving in Canada:
    • Present your passport and letter of introduction (if applicable) to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
    • Show proof of valid health insurance and ensure your passport has enough validity.
  2. Length of Stay:
    • You can generally stay for up to 5 years at a time. The CBSA officer at the port of entry will stamp your passport with your allowed period (usually 5 years, if all conditions are met).
    • Always maintain valid insurance during your stay.
  3. Re-entry:
    • The Super Visa allows multiple entries over 10 years (or until the passport expires).
    • Each time you re-enter, you must show current proof of insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Do I need to re-apply if I want to extend my Super Visa stay beyond 5 years?
    • You don’t necessarily need a new visa, but you may need to apply to extend your stay inside Canada or leave and re-enter with valid insurance coverage. A border officer can grant another 5-year stay at their discretion if you meet all requirements.
  2. Can I work or study in Canada with a Super Visa?
    • The Super Visa authorizes extended visits but does not grant work or study rights. You’d need a separate work permit or study permit if you plan to work or study.
  3. What if my host doesn’t meet the minimum income requirement?
    • They can get a co-signer (such as a spouse or common-law partner) if that combined income meets or exceeds the MNI. If not, you may not be approved for the Super Visa.
  4. Is a Super Visa the same as a Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP)?
    • The Super Visa is a temporary resident permit for extended visits. The PGP is for those seeking permanent residence status. They are separate programs with distinct eligibility criteria.
  5. Can I include my dependent children on a Super Visa application?
    • You can’t include dependents other than your spouse or common-law partner. Dependants may need to apply for a regular visitor visa or other relevant permits.
  6. Does my Super Visa become invalid if my health insurance policy ends?
    • You must maintain continuous coverage. If your policy lapses during your stay, you risk non-compliance with your visa conditions. Renew or extend your policy to remain compliant.
  7. Do I need a medical exam for every Super Visa application or re-entry?
    • Generally, medical exams are valid for up to 12 months from the date of the exam. If your re-entry or extension happens after that window, you may need a new exam.
  8. Is the Super Visa processing faster than a regular visitor visa?
    • Processing times can vary widely by visa office. However, the Super Visa often has a similar or shorter processing time if all documents are complete.
  9. Can I apply for a Super Visa from inside Canada?
    • You must be outside Canada to submit the Super Visa application. If you’re already in Canada and want to extend your stay, you’d apply for visitor record extensions, not a new Super Visa.
  10. Is my passport required to be valid for 10 years to get a 10-year Super Visa?
  • IRCC can issue a multi-entry visa up to the passport’s expiry date. If your passport is valid for fewer than 10 years, the visa’s validity may be shorter.

Conclusion

The Super Visa offers a remarkable opportunity for parents and grandparents to spend extended, quality time with their families in Canada. However, meeting the income requirement is pivotal to a successful application. By ensuring your child or grandchild meets the 2024 Minimum Necessary Income, arranging adequate health insurance, and assembling the correct documents, you significantly boost your chances of approval.

For more tailored advice or personalized assistance, Immigration Nation – Immigration Consultant Edmonton is here to help. We’ll guide you through each step, from calculating family size for MNI to gathering the correct proof of insurance and ensuring a thorough application.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Us:

  • Phone: (780) 800-0113
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: 9038 51 Ave NW, Suite 206, Edmonton, AB T6E 5X4, Canada

Let Immigration Nation simplify the Super Visa process so you can focus on creating cherished memories with your loved ones in Canada!

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