Immigration Corner | I want my grandmother and mother to visit me in Canada

Dear Miss Powell,

I follow you on Facebook and read your articles all the time. I am an only child and my mother lives in Trinidad. I am a Canadian permanent resident and I would like my mother to visit with me, as I am having a bit of a difficult time right now and just need her to be with me here. She is only in her late 50s and healthy, but I know that she will not want to leave my grandmother. Is there a way that I can get them both to come and spend some quality time with me in Canada. Can they stay more than six months?

NY

Dear NY,

Parents and grandparents of Canadian permanent residents or citizens can apply for a super visa to enter and remain in Canada beyond the standard six months that is usually granted to regular visitors. A super visa is evidence that a parent or a grandparent is authorised to remain in Canada with a child and/or grandchild for up to five years without leaving Canada. This is despite the fact that it is a multiple-entry temporary resident visa that is usually valid for up to 10 years.

HOST REQUIREMENTS

Both you and your parents will need to satisfy the requirements as outlined in the Ministerial Instructions relating to super visas. As a qualifying host, you will need to provide proof of relationship by providing all parties’ birth certificates, proof of status in Canada, address, and evidence that you earn more than the minimum required amount based on the low income cut off (LICO) table as outlined by Statistics Canada. Your tax returns will need to be submitted with the application.

You must be a biological or adopted child to invite your parents or grandparents. Additionally, the invitation may be extended to their common-law partner, or husband, if you, as the host, will be able to prove that you are willing and able to support them during the time that they will be in Canada.

A formal letter of invitation to your parents must be provided. It should be notarised and include an undertaking to be financially responsible for them for the full length of time that they are authorised to remain in Canada. You will need to provide details of your living arrangement and your family size, so that IRCC can assess if you meet or exceed the necessary income based on the LICO.

PARENTS’ REQUIREMENTS

Your mother and grandmother will need to first establish that they are admissible to Canada. That means that they must have a clean police record, not a threat to the safety and well-being of persons in Canada, and be able to pass the medical tests. Additionally, they will be required to have medical insurance that is issued by an insurance company in Canada, or by an insurance company that is outside of Canada that has been approved by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

There are other requirements, such as evidence that that they are genuine visitors and that they do not intend to, and will not, work while in Canada without a work permit. Additionally,they must be able to demonstrate an intention to return to their country voluntarily, at the end of the time granted, or apply for an extension of time, if required.

The key will be to show that your mother and grandmother have greater ties to their home country than in Canada that will motivate them to return at the end of the time that is granted. Such ties may include ownership of property, savings, investments, motor vehicle, community involvement, and other dependent or family members who reside in their home country.

If you have additional questions concerning this or other immigration concerns, please contact me to schedule a telephone or Zoom consultation.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public in Canada. Connect with her via WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook.