Super Visa Medical Insurance

Canada Offers Super Visa to Immigrants

2012-04-11T06:54:00.000-07:00

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Canada may be happy to know that the Canadian government recently announced a new type of visa for families. The "super visa" is a two-year, multi-entry" super visa" for the parents and grandparents of immigrants in Canada. It will be offered starting December 1.
It was planned after reports that the periods of sponsorship of "family class" applications in Canada took seven years or longer.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister, Jason Kenney said, "Without taking action, those times will continue to grow, and that is unacceptable. Action must be taken to cut the backlog, reduce the wait times, and ensure that the parents and grandparents program is sustainable over the long run."

According to reports, the multiple-entry "Parent and Grandparent Super Visa" will have a validity of up to 10 years. Super visa holders would also be allowed to stay in Canada for two years or 24 months before a visa renewal will be required.

Canadian Government announces new ‘super visa’ in effort to deal with backlog

2012-04-11T06:36:00.000-07:00

The Canadian Government will stop accepting permanent residency applications from parents and grandparents of Canadian residents, announcing a new ‘super visa’ as a replacement.In an effort to clear the 165,000-strong backlog of permanent residency applications, Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney has this week flagged changes to the family reunification system.‘Wait times for Family Class sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents now exceed seven years, and without taking action, those times will continue to grow, and that is unacceptable’, Mr Kenney said.‘Action must be taken to cut the backlog, reduce the wait times, and ensure that the parents and grandparents program is sustainable over the long run.’The action proposed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) authorities is to stop accepting and processing permanent residency applications from parents and granparents of citizens and residents for a period of two years.Over this hiatus CIC intends to boost the number of parents and grandparents entering Canada by issuing a new Canada visa valid for extended stays of up to two years.CIC expects that the grandly named ‘Parent and Grandparent Super Visa’ will increase the number admitted by more than 60% in 2012.The visa is conditional on a number of requirements including proof of private medical insurance, and a ‘written commitment of financial support from a child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold’.CIC claims it will issue these ‘super visas’ within eight weeks of application.

About Super Visa

2012-04-11T06:25:00.000-07:00

In what can be aptly described as a game changer, the Canadian government has announced that effective from December 1, 2011, one may be eligible to apply for Canadian visitor visa under the Parent and Grandparent category and stay for up to two years here without the need to renew your status. This visa category has been named as, well guess it, ‘Parent and Grandparent Super Visa and is now commonly referred to as ‘Super Visa’.

This Visa will be valid for 10 years, though it has to be renewed every two years. What is even more exciting is the Immigration department claim that the processing time for this visa would be as short as eight weeks. This is in stark contrast and relief to the current waiting period which has now snowballed to more than seven years.

To understand the idea behind the Super Visa scheme one has to understand that every year the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) receives more than 35000 applications for sponsorship of parents and grandparents. As per reliable estimates this has resulted in more than 160000 pending applications, the result of which is the excruciatingly long waiting period of seven to eight years for a decision on one’s permanent residency application.

Enter the Super Visa – So in order to cut down this back log the Government has now decided that it will suspend any further applications under the parent and grand parent category for the next two years as it processes the existing ones first and instead introduce this new Super Visa. Under this scheme parents and grandparents, whether they have applied for permanent residency or not, will be able to visit Canada for a period of up to two years on a visa which is valid for 10 years. And that too with the facility that their application will be processed in as short a time as around eight weeks.

The cornerstone of this visa is that visiting parents or grandparents would be required to have Private Medical Insurance valid for the period of their stay. This is to ensure that the visitor will not burden the Canadian healthcare system, a major reason for hold up of many permanent residency applications of parents till now. For full details on the insurance requirements visit our Super Visa Insurance page. Also people applying to sponsor a parent or grandparent will have to show they can support their visiting relatives. This involves the usual minimum income requirements which are detailed in our Sponsorship requirements page.

Current industry estimate is that one would require a minimum of 100000 dollars of Medical Insurance. This Insurance has to be bought from a Canadian Insurance Provider. The proof of purchase of insurance has to submitted alongside the visa application. This insurance can be purchased by the sponsor himself.

Incidentally, the First Canadian Super Visa has already been issued. To quote Mr Jason Kenny, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism “We pledged to process the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa in less than eight weeks, We’ve issued the first of the Super Visas in just two weeks and we remain committed to reuniting families through the Super Visa in a timely manner. With the Super Visa, we have taken a common sense approach that allows parents and grandparents to spend extended periods of time with their loved ones in Canada, while at the same time, acting responsibly in protecting Canadian taxpayers. I’m pleased that the response to this program has been so positive”.

This website is dedicated to provide you with all the information and details one would need to visit Canada through this Super Visa program. Please explore the site for your specific needs.

Medical Insurance Required for Super Visa

2012-04-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

The coverage must be for a minimum of $100,000

The policy must have a minimum duration of one year.
Refunds will be provided if you are unable to obtain a Visa for Entry to Canada, so long as the reason is beyond your control.
If you leave Canada before one year is up, you can get a refund on the unused balance (so long as there are no pending claims and the balance owing is more than $25).
JF Premium Visitor does cover pre-existing health conditions that are “stable” for 120 days prior to the effective date. “Stable” means that there is no change in medication, no pending tests from the doctor, no information from the doctor that anything has changed with respect to their pre-existing health condition.There are also other insurance company policies does NOT cover pre-existing health conditions, which may be less expensive. however, only healthy people should apply for this coverage. Click here for Manulife's policy not covering pre-existing health conditions.
Deductibles can be used to save on the total premium
$50 - 5% savings
$3,000 - 30% savings

Super Visa Insurance requirements

2012-04-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

Applicants must submit proof that they have purchased Canadian medical insurance that:

1. is valid for a minimum period of one year from the date of entry to Canada;
2. provides a minimum of $100,000 in coverage; and
3. covers the applicant for health care, hospitalization and repatriation.
Applicants must also meet all standard admissibility criteria. There are a number of reasons why you can be found inadmissible, denied a visa and refused entry to Canada. 100% Refund of premiums in such case.

Plan Highlights:-

1. You get to choose - start date for the plan and you can always change effective date before start of coverage.

2. Lowest Premiums Guaranteed* - $100,000 coverage, $0 deductible.

3. 100% refund - If no Visa Granted for any reason.

4. Partial Refunds - In case your parents decide to go back sooner than one year, prorated refund available.

5. Simple steps- complete contact form below- licensed broker shall discuss your needs, answer your questions and you are under no obligation.

For the visa officer to determine whether the applicant is medically admissible to Canada, the applicant will also be required to undergo an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) prior to being issued a Super Visa.

Super Visas working - over 1000 get through

2012-04-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

Since the introduction of the parent and grandparent super visa applications came into effect on December 1, 2011, more than one thousand applicants have been given the stamp of approval to visit their children and grand-children in Canada.

The anticipated target for processing the applications was eight weeks. However, according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), as of February 26, 80 percent of the finalised super visa applications were processed to a final decision within 41 calendar days.
In less than three months since the super visa program started, there was an overall approval rate of 77 percent, according to Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney.
“I'm pleased that the parent and grandparent super visa is working as intended and giving large numbers of eligible parents and grandparents an opportunity to spend extended periods of time with their families in Canada,” said Kenney.
Applicants for the super visa must submit proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income, demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance and undergo the immigration medical examination.
According to CIC, almost 99 percent of super visa applicants who met these requirements also went on to meet all other standard admissibility criteria which are required for all visa applicants.

Liberal Immigration Critic Calls Conservatives’ “Super Visa” A Sham!

2012-04-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of discussion about the Conservative government’s new “Super Visa” in the community recently, but unfortunately it has turned out to be an insult to families desperate to bring their parents here.
The Super Visa was supposed to bring families closer together by allowing parents and grandparents to visit their children in Canada for up to two years at a time over a decade.
But the reality is that most families won’t be able to afford the high-costs involved with the Visa, including meeting minimum salary levels and paying thousands for private health insurance. All of this is assuming the application is even approved, and we all know how difficult that has become under the Conservatives.
Worse, the Super Visa controversy is distracting attention from the Conservatives’ decision to freeze parental sponsorship applications for two years – breaking a promise to new Canadians. For some, having the right to sponsor their parents is the reason why they chose to come to Canada. What the Conservatives have done – no matter what their excuse – is not right.
With a majority, the Conservatives have begun their Reform Party agenda, known for its anti-immigrant policies. They have chosen to ignore all the hard-working new Canadians who elected them based on empty promises.
In contrast, the Liberal Party of Canada believes in reuniting families. In government, Liberals worked closely with immigrant communities leading to a fair and flexible immigration system. Indeed, more immigrants have been welcomed in by Liberals than by any other Party in Canada.
Only with a Liberal government in Ottawa will Canada have an immigration policy that puts the concerns and needs of immigrants first.

A Look at the Canadian Super Visa Requiremetns

2012-04-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

One of the best visas that a visitor to Canada can get is the Super Visa. It allows a person to stay in the country for up to four years at a time. This is available to parents and grandparents of a permanent resident of Canada. This can be a great way to reunite a family for the long term. However, there are a couple of super visa requirements that need to be met. Some of them may be difficult to meet. For example, all applicants need to pass a medical exam in their home country in order to gain admittance. It’s also required that the applicants prove that they can financially support themselves while in Canada. Finally, it is necessary to secure health insurance. All of these requirements have to be met in order to get the Super Visa.

One of the things to look at is getting super visa insurance. This is a very important requirement to meet. The immigration officer at the airport or other point of entry is going to want to see proof that health insurance was purchased. Furthermore, the officer will check to make sure that all of the minimum requirements for the coverage have been met. Those requirements include $100,000 minimum benefits, coverage for hospitalizations, repatriation coverage, and general health care coverage. The insurance company issuing the policy needs to be Canadian. Expect the immigration officer to check out the details of the policy very carefully. If the requirements are not met, the immigrant should expect to be sent back to the country of origin immediately, which can be very costly. That’s why it’s important to get the right coverage.

The super visa insurance cost will vary from one insurance company to the next. That is why it is important to shop around. Those who want better coverage than the minimum (highly recommended) will pay more as well. If prices seem high, the best thing to do is to shop around. Lower prices can probably be found elsewhere.

The Super Visa is a great way for parents and grandparents to be reunited with permanent resident family living in Canada. They don’t have to leave the country after just six months of stay. This means less disruption and more enjoyment for those that take advantage of this program.

Super Visa for Parents

2012-04-10T16:41:00.001-07:00

Canada is probably the only country that has actually maintained or increased the immigration levels during the economic downturn since 2008. The annual admissions for the past few years are about 250,000, which amounts to 0.8% of the Canadian population. This is the highest level of per capita immigration level in the world.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has been facing an uphill task of abundance of applications for many years now. They receive more applications from people interested in immigrating to Canada than they can admit by issuing visas or even make a decision on. This leaves a huge number of applicants waiting for a decision on their application, thus adding to the inventory.(also referred to as the backlog).

The Government of Canada is taking immediate action to cut the backlog and wait times for sponsored parents and grandparents, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced on 4th Nov 2011.Currently, more than 165,000 parents and grandparents who have applied to become permanent residents of Canada are still waiting for a final decision. Each year, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) receives applications for sponsorship of nearly 38,000 parents and grandparents, a number that will only continue to expand if no action is taken.

To deal with the large backlog and lengthy wait times, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is announcing Phase I of the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification.

First - The Government of Canada will increase by over 60 percent the number of sponsored parents and grandparents Canada will admit next year, from nearly 15,500 in 2010 to 25,000 in 2012 - the highest level in nearly two decades.

Second - The government is introducing the new "Parent and Grandparent Super Visa," which will be valid for up to 10 years. The multiple-entry visa will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will come into effect on December 1, 2011, and CIC will be able to issue the visas, on average, within eight weeks of the application. This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or a grandparent can come to Canada within eight weeks. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health-care insurance for their stay in Canada.

Third - The government will consult Canadians on how to redesign the parents and grandparents program to ensure that it is sustainable in the future. The redesigned program must avoid future large backlogs and be sensitive to fiscal constraints.

Fourth - To prevent the build-up of an unmanageable number of new applications during these consultations and to further reduce the 165,000-strong backlog of parent and grandparent applicants, CIC is putting in place a temporary pause of up to 24 months on the acceptance of new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents. The pause comes into effect on November 5, 2011.

According to the Citizenship and Immigration Department, the 'Super Visa' will be open to would-be visitors as well as to individuals who have already applied for permanent residency and meet the minimum annual income requirements, have demonstrated they have financial support while in Canada and who have medical clearance and private health insurance.

CIC had taken few similar steps in other programs to cut down on backlogs and long waiting for decision on applications. Earlier actions were taken on Federal Skilled Class, Federal Investor Class and since then these programs have seen faster processing of applications and eventually faster Immigration to Canada. Similar results are expected by CIC under parent and grandparent category. But the financial burden is on the immigrant families while making the family reunification quick and convenient for those wanting to bring family members from their home nations. Most immigrants will be happy that they can get their family members to come quickly without long delays and frustration.

Universal Resettlement and Career Solutions is a fast growing, experienced and energetic team of Immigration Professionals. Headquartered at Toronto Canada, Universal Resettlement and Career Solutions is a rapidly expanding and increasingly recommended organization thriving with the sole purpose of making the tedious process of immigration easier for our clients.

Read more: Super Visa For Parents http://www.sooperarticles.com/law-articles/immigration-law-articles/super-visa-parents-703937.html#ixzz1rgRdZkQD

Canada Introduces Super Visa

2012-04-10T16:33:00.001-07:00

Toronto, Nov 5 (bdnews24.com)—The Canadian government will not accept for two years new applications for the migration of parents and grandparents of immigrants under sponsored visas.

Instead, a 10-year multiple-entry ‘Parent and Grandparent Super Visa’ would allow them to visit their loved ones in Canada for up to two years at a time from next month, the country’s immigration minister Jason Kenney said on Friday.

He also announced admission to 25,000 parents and grandparents in 2012, exceeding the 2011 target by 43 percent and standing at the highest level in nearly two decades.

Kenney promised it would be maintained and added that they will be cutting down acceptance of applications seeking political asylum, from nannies and on human consideration.

“The Government of Canada is fully committed to helping families reunite,” he said. “We recognise that what parents and grandparents want most is to be able to spend time with their families.”

Terming the ‘Super Visa’ the ‘most generous’ temporary visa provision in Canadian immigration history, he added that it would cost the same as all multiple entry visas.

The steps are part of the government’s four-way battle against the faltering family reunification process, which now take up to eight years, and eliminate within five years a backlog in applications that has topped 165,000.

Kenney said the government receives about 40,000 applications every year, a rate at which wait times will exceed 10 years and the backlog will grow to 300,000 by the end of the decade.

He added that the issue cannot be addressed by increasing admissions only and requires a complete redesigning of the programme, which the government plans to do within the next two years through consultations with stakeholders.

He reasoned that the pause in accepting sponsored visa application has been taken to ensure that a large number of applications are not made by people seeking to get in before there is a change in criteria.

Kenney said that in two years, he hopes to cut the backlog to 80,000 and wait times to four years.

According to the Citizenship and Immigration Department, the ‘Super Visa’ will be open to would-be visitors as well as to individuals who have already applied for permanent residency and meet the minimum annual income requirements, have demonstrated they have financial support while in Canada and who have medical clearance and private health insurance.

They will be available from Dec 1 and are expected to be issued within eight weeks of application submission.

Earlier, Kenney announced plans to boost acceptance of skilled workers and students into the country and added that the government is planning to decrease the number of spouses and dependent children who come to Canada, as well as ensure a drop in the number of live-in caregivers.

Super Visa, Which Insurance?

2012-04-10T16:24:00.001-07:00

Canadian medical providers (hospital, dentists, medical clinics, etc.) prefer to work with Canadian insurance companies. There is direct billing between hospitals and the Canadian insurance companies. In the event that you have to pay for expenses and then file a claim, Canadian insurance companies will have a faster claim procedure as they can verify Canadian medical expenses faster than providers in overseas countries (so you get reimbursed faster). Super visa insurance for parents Also, Canadian insurance companies are regulated by Canadian regulators, at some of the very highest standards around the world. In fact, they are also re-insured by Assures – a Canadian government agency that will cover up to $60,000 of medical expenses in case a Canadian insurance company becomes insolvent. Not that that is likely, but it’s nicer to know that you are insured no matter what happens. Also, for proof of insurance at immigration/entry time, paperwork is best shown in English or French.

Super Visa Orogram for Parents and Grandparents Kick Off

2012-04-10T16:14:00.001-07:00

A program that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian immigrants to join their families through a 10-year so-called super-visa kicked off on Thursday. The new visa, which must be renewed every two years, requires elderly relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to have private health insurance. Family sponsors in Canada must also show evidence that they can financially support their parents and grandparents. The program represents the Conservatives’ attempt to tackle a backlog of about 165,000 of elderly relatives applying for Canadian permanent residence that has kept families in the waiting for as long as a decade.

Canada Issues first parent and grandparent

2012-04-10T16:08:00.000-07:00

Canada’s first parent and grandparent super visa has already been issued in a matter of weeks in a move aimed at reuniting families.

The parent and grandparent super visa was launched as an option for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents looking to visit their families in Canada for an extended period of time.

Kenney explained that the process for getting a super visa is simple and straightforward. Applicants use the same form as applicants for the standard six month visitor visa. They must also submit proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income, demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance and undergo the standard immigration medical examination.

The first super visa was issued at the Canadian mission in Manila on December 14, 2011, two weeks after CIC began accepting applications.

‘With the super visa, we have taken a common sense approach that allows parents and grandparents to spend extended periods of time with their loved ones in Canada, while at the same time, acting responsibly in protecting Canadian taxpayers. I’m pleased that the response to this programme has been so positive,’ Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism added.

Before the super visa was launched at the beginning of the month visitors to Canada usually could only visit for six months at a time and visitors who wished to stay longer had to apply for extensions and pay a new fee every six months.

An open work permit allows the carer to move out of their employer’s home and seek jobs in other fields, if that is their wish. As of December 11, 2011, all live in carers who had met their obligations and submitted an application for permanent residence have had their files reviewed. Those who submitted an open work permit application with no missing information are being issued open work permits.

National News: Super Visa Earning Rave Reviews

2012-04-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

Ottawa, November 28, 2011 â€” Starting December 1, people all over the world can go to a Canadian visa office and apply for a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.

The new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will be valid for up to 10 years and will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. CIC visa officers expect to issue Super Visas within eight weeks of application. This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or a grandparent can come to Canada within eight weeks. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health care insurance for their stay in Canada.

The Super Visa is super great because processing will be quick and it will respond to a genuine need.

Here is what some people are saying about the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa:

Liberal Immigration Critic Kevin Lamoureux:

It will help families being reunited immensely. A lot of people will be happy to hear about that.

(Winnipeg Free Press â€“ November 5, 2011)

The super-visa, what a wonderful thing to call it. Super-visa, ten years, and we have the five-year multiple visa currently. Itâ€™s a great idea. Itâ€™ll actually help clear up part of the backlog, thereâ€™s no doubt about that.

(CBC Power and Politics â€“ November 4, 2011)

NDP Immigration Critic Don Davies:

Iâ€™m glad that the governmentâ€™s doing that [introducing a Super Visa].

(CBC Power and Politics â€“ November 4, 2011)

Don Davies, NDP immigration critic, welcomed the new visa and the increased intake of parents and grandparents.

(Globe and Mail â€“ November 4, 2011)

NDP immigration critic Don Davies said heâ€™s pleased to see the introduction of a supervisa.

(Calgary Herald â€“ November 5, 2011)

The Opposition NDP welcomed the idea of the new visa.

(Canadian Press â€“ November 4, 2011)

Richard Kurland, Immigration Lawyer:

The Ministerâ€™s Ten year Visa is, however, what most of my clients just want: to come to Canada to stay with their kids for a while and go home.

Mr. Kurland estimated that about 20 per cent of those parents and grandparents in the queue for permanent residency would withdraw their application if they could instead secure a long-term, multiple-entry visa that stipulated they cover their own health insurance in Canada.

(Globe and Mail â€“ November 4, 2011)

Thomas Tam, CEO, SUCCESS:

I would like to see that [extended stay multiple-entry visa] tried out, at least to solve the immediate backlogs and also to help a lot of families.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

My gut feeling is that at least one third or half of the parents do not have very strong intentions of staying permanently.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

Naeem (Nick) Noorani, President and CEO, Destination Canada Information Inc.:

I think the super visa is frankly a silver bullet. I have spoken to a lot of immigrants. A lot of parents donâ€™t want to come to Canada because theyâ€™ve got their own networks back home.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 15, 2011)

I think what this would allow is allow parents to come and go back and forth. The only reason why many of them actually apply for the family class visa is because itâ€™s a problem getting visitor visas. I believe that the super visa will alleviate a lot of them.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 15, 2011)

It allows you to go back and forth. This is the freedom it allows you to have. I donâ€™t think weâ€™ve ever had this kind of thing before, and I think itâ€™s great.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 15, 2011)

Tom Pang, President, Chinese Canadian Community Alliance:

Indeed, if they only want to come to Canada to be with their family, then all we need to do is to give them an extended visa. They will pay for their own transportation, their own health insurance, their own living expenses. That way we solve the backlog problem and they get to be united with their family.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

I agree that we should give them an extended visa to come, a visitorâ€™s visa, as long as they donâ€™t become a burden on society.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

I think the backlog would definitely drop. Either people would take the visa and come as visitors or some people would drop out of the queue.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

Amy Casipullai, Senior Policy and Communications Co-ordinator, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI):

Itâ€™s a really good idea. It could be a way for parents and grandparents to be here while their applications for sponsorship are being processed.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

The multiple-entry visa will open up opportunities for many more people and that will definitely cut down on the backlog.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ October 25, 2011)

Mr. Roger Bhatti, Immigration Lawyer:

I would submit that the suggestion that a 10-year multiple-entry visa be granted to alleviate the difficulty for those waiting in the cue is an important consideration. Itâ€™s a good suggestion. Itâ€™s one which, in dealing with my clients, they definitely have a positive reaction to and it is a positive step that would alleviate some of the distress thatâ€™s been caused by the increase in the wait periods which is now approaching seven years for most parents and grandparents.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 1, 2011)

When I do discuss it with clients, more often than not they regard it as a very attractive alternative. For many of the families, they have a cultural aspect of living in extended families. And their parents often still want to maintain some kind of presence in the home country or be able to visit there again.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 1, 2011)

At the same time, the 10-year multiple entry visa is going to allow our medical system some benefit. These visitors will, then, be obtaining private insurance for their visits. And the potential concern with the stress and strain on Canadaâ€™s social structure will no longer be as acute. So itâ€™s a very good alternative, one that my clients, once theyâ€™re made aware of it, are very much in favour of.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 1, 2011)

I do think this would be a very attractive alternative that provides a number of benefits and allows the social structure to maintain itself while allowing some family reunification on a regular basis.

(Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration â€“ November 1, 2011)

Manpreet Grewal, Abbotsford-based writer:

Few would argue the wisdom of the new parent and grandparent super visa. In principle and on paper, it is a nice piece of policy work rooted in the reality of many immigrantsâ€™ family lives.

(Vancouver Sun â€“ November 23, 2011)

The super visa will allow parents and grandparents to follow a natural flow between Canada and other countries without creating an unnecessary burden on the Canadian taxpayer or spinning families into unnecessary stress.

(Vancouver Sun â€“ November 23, 2011)

Super Visa Approval rate now at 77 percent

2012-04-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ottawa, March 5, 2012 — More than one thousand Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applications have been approved in less than three months since the Super Visa program took flight, for an overall approval rate of 77 percent, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“I'm pleased that the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is working as intended and giving large numbers of eligible parents and grandparents an opportunity to spend extended periods of time with their families in Canada,” said Minister Kenney.

The process for getting a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is simple and straightforward. Applicants for the Super Visa must submit proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income, demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance and undergo the Immigration Medical Examination. Almost 99 percent of Super Visa applicants who met these requirements also went on to meet all other standard admissibility criteria which are required for all visa applicants.

In the days following its announcement, Abbotsford-based writer Manpreet Grewal said that “few would argue the wisdom of the new parent and grandparent super visa.” She added that “the super visa will allow parents and grandparents to follow a natural flow between Canada and other countries without creating an unnecessary burden on the Canadian taxpayer or spinning families into unnecessary stress.”

As of February 26, 80 percent of the finalized Super Visa applications were processed to a final decision within 41 calendar days, well below the target of eight weeks. As application volumes ramp up, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will continue to aim for a Super Visa processing time of eight weeks or less.

Canadian Super Visa: Boon Bane for Visitors?

2012-04-10T15:54:00.000-07:00

The recently launched Canadian super visa has generated considerable excitement among both the immigrant community and the political class, and heated debates have already started amongst its supporters and critics. On one hand the Conservative government is calling it as a game changer, whereas on the other hand the Liberals have denounced it as a body blow to the multicultural ethos of Canada. Let us examine the arguments put by both sides and see whether it helps visa aspirants or hurts them. But, before we do that, we have to understand the background behind this whole controversy.
As one might be aware, that until now, any person holding permanent residency status or citizenship of Canada could sponsor his parents or grandparents to come to Canada and become permanent residents. This was known as the family class visa. This program went off smoothly till recent years when, the number of applications under this scheme jumped exponentially. As a result of which, visa offices around the world started struggling to process them. So much so that, recent estimates suggested a back log of over 1, 65,000 applications worldwide and a processing time of roughly seven to eight years!, making it almost in fructuous. Under heavy criticism from all quarters, the Canadian government started looking for solutions which would streamline the family reunification process. And, the answer it came up with is the new super visa program.

What the super visa entails is that, as long as you qualify as a visitor under the usual requirements, and you are a parent or grandparent of a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, you will be issued a visitor visa which is valid for ten years and has to be reviewed every two years. The upside to this is that the government has stated that the processing time for visa applications under this category will be as quick as eight weeks. The downside is that you must have a minimum of $ 1, 00,000 worth of medical insurance, bought from a Canadian insurance company and is valid for one year, and you cannot work during your stay in Canada. Furthermore, the government will be suspending for the next two years, sponsorship of parents and grandparents under the previous family class visa scheme.
This has immigration supporters, particularly the liberals, up in arms. Pointing out to the exorbitant insurance costs, work limitations and suspension of family class visa scheme, they accuse the government of using the super visa as a ploy to discourage immigration into Canada, especially for parents and grandparents. On the other hand, the Conservatives dismiss these accusations on the grounds that the family class visa was hardly workable anymore. They also point out, that insurance costs, for the elderly are any ways high and having this private medical insurance will ensure that the Canadian healthcare system will not be burdened any further, all the while ensuring parents are able to travel to Canada and be with their families, a facility denied by the long waiting time of the previous scheme.

The jury is still out as both sides have fairly strong points and counterpoints. This has left the average visa aspirant under this scheme confused and understandably so, as the visa scheme is still in its infancy and details are sketchy. The consensus among immigration experts is that those who can easily afford the insurance and meet other requirements, should go ahead and apply under this scheme while others should wait out a little more, as insurance costs are expected to come down in future due to increase in business under super visa insurance scheme and the resulting competition among insurance companies to make good use of this new lucrative business opportunity.
To conclude, one can only say that visa aspirants should keep a close eye on this scheme, as even if it does not suit everyone currently, those who stand to benefit, must explore this exciting new opportunity to travel to Canada and be with their close ones.

Visitor to Canada Insurance for New Super Visa

2012-04-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

The new Super Visa announced on December 1st, 2011, is available to parents and grand-parents of permanent residents in Canada, and will help clear up the backlog of applications currently in process.

With these new rules, individuals must obtain a minimum of one year of visitor to Canada health insurance with a minimum of $100,0000 of coverage.

Manulife Financial has launched a new solution catering spefically to individuals entering Canada with a Super Visa.

With Manulife’s program, if an individual is unable to obtain visa for entry into Canada (so long as the refusal is beyond their control) and if they choose to leave the country before one year, they are eligible for a refund of the unused days. This refund will apply on the unused days as long as there are no pending claims and the balance owing is more than $25.

Parents and Grandparents who have Super Visa

2012-04-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Surrey, Canada, January 11, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Punjab Insurance is extremely pleased to see the trust the community has shown. Sandeep Ahuja, president operations, Punjab Insurance Inc., said today "We have received a number of calls where our clients were confused about super visa insurance policies ."

The self explanatory questions and answers given by Sandeep Ahuja below will be helpful to clear these doubts.

What is the requirement to purchase Insurance in order to obtain visa under super visa?

"Since it is you who is sponsoring your parents or grandparents, you will be able to buy insurance for them as they cannot purchase this insurance from their home country at the moment. You have to send these insurance documents to them along with other documents such as income proof, sponsorship letter etc. Your parents or grandparents must be ready to show this insurance when they go to their country’s Canadian Embassy or High Commission for applying under Super Visa category."

Is it mandatory to purchase insurance before Parents land in Canada?

"The Canadian government has made it mandatory to purchase a insurance from Canadian company in order to be eligible to come to Canada under the Super Visa category. This is to facilitate the investigation of medical claims and ease the burden on the government’s health care system."

Can insurance policy be bought for 3 months to qualify under Super visa Category?

"No, the applicant must get at least a year’s insurance coverage paid on a yearly basis. This insurance should be valid every time your parents enter the country and should be reviewed by a port of entry officer. "

Can Insurance be purchased online and do parents need to undergo a medical test before buying Insurance?

"This insurance can be purchased online, no need for parents to take a medical test. However, answers to the online questions need to be provided about medical history truthfully - especially on any pre-existing conditions - so there will be no complications when claims are made."

What if Parents are denied visa, will they get a refund on the already purchased insurance ?

"If, by chance, the parents are denied super visa, and insurance is already purchased, Insurance Companies refunds you 100% money. Some companies deduct nominal administration charges."

What if Parents do not stay in Canada for a period of one year and insurance is purchased for the whole year then what is the refund policy?

"If parents stay in Canada for less than a year, and there’s no health-care or medical claim, unused portion of the insurance is refunded. Understand that insurance needs to be purchased for 1-year insurance again the next time parents come back for a visit."

What if Parents don’t come to Canada on the specified date when the insurance coverage begins?

"If your parents don’t make it to Canada for the exact date specified, insurance companies allow them to change the date when the insurance takes effect."

Applying for a Super Visa and Super Visa Travel Insurance can be pretty complex. You should therefore search for professionals who can support you process the applications for your parents/grandparents’ Super Visa. Punjab insurance insures that clients get best coverage for the money. Clients are our top priority, we work for you.

About Punjab Insurance Inc
Punjab Insurance Inc., was established in late 2006, as a company that provides quotes for life insurance , critical illness insurance to all Canadians, with a focus on South Asian Communities.

Since its inception the company has grown many folds, providing insurance & investments solutions with the support of its member agents. We started this company, and gradually joined by its management team, which have provided exceptional support in the growth of this company.

GMS Immigrants and Visitors to CANADA Plan Upgraded to suit newly introduced Super Visa Program

2012-04-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

REGINA, SK, Dec. 19, 2011

REGINA, SK, Dec. 19, 2011 /CNW/ - Group Medical Services (GMS) has expanded its Immigrants & Visitors to Canada (IVC) emergency medical insurance plan to meet the medical insurance needs of Super Visa applicants.

Following the recent announcement by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) of its new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa program, GMS is offering visitors to Canada more flexibility on their medical insurance coverage during their stay in Canada.

The Super Visa —a multiple entry visa valid for up to 10 years—has been created by CIC to allow family members to remain in Canada for up to two years at a time. The visa is conditional on a number of requirements, one of which is a proof of private Canadian medical insurance coverage. The medical insurance purchased must be valid for a minimum period of one year (365 days) and must provide a minimum of $100,000 in coverage.

On December 19, 2011, with the revised GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada plan, applicants age 55 to 79 will now have the option to obtain coverage for 365 days. Coverage for this age group was previously limited to 180 days. Moreover, the medical insurance coverage will be continuous throughout the 365 days—regardless of the number of times a parent or grandparent returns to their home country. Best of all, GMS will continue to provide competitive rates on the IVC plan. "It's exciting to be able to react this quickly to provide our customers with the products they need the most," says GMS President and CEO George Tsiklis. "We want immigrants and visitors coming to Canada as well as their families to feel comfortable knowing that they will be taken care of in the event of a medical emergency. Being able to accommodate the requirements of the Super Visa program is just one of the ways we're achieving this."

The updated GMS Immigrants & Visitors to Canada Plan - medical insurance of choice for the Super Visa - will be available for purchase through the GMS website and Customer Care Centre. You can also contact one of our experienced and knowledgeable brokers.

Group Medical Services (GMS) is Canada's expert in health and travel insurance since 1949. Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, GMS is a leading provider of a complete range of health and travel insurance to individuals and groups across Canada.

Super Visa Program

2012-04-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Super Visa is a multiple entry visa valid for up to 10 years, which will allow family members to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time.

To get a Super Visa the visitors will be required to have private health insurance coverage during their stay in Canada. The coverage must be valid for a minimum of one year, Provide a minimum coverage of $100,000 and Cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation.

Benefits of Super Visa:

Enjoy staying with your family in Canada for up to two years without the need to renew your status.
Protect yourself from expensive medical care.
Get timely health care without worrying about high costs.

Family reunification plan a short term solution: critics

2012-04-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

Toronto may soon be home - a temporary one - to many more parents and grandparents.

Pressed by immigrant families for action on a growing application backlog, Federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney recently announced he would create parent and grandparent "super visas" which could be extended for up to 10 years.

The "super visas" are good for two years, where previously visiting elders had to renew after six months.

"This is clearly not warranted for parents and grandparents because they are a low-risk group," said a government release, which promised the new visas, available as of next month, would be issued quickly. "This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or grandparent can come to Canada within about eight weeks."

This week, groups representing Toronto immigrants, notably in the Chinese community, gave the announcement a mixed reception.

Kenney said he would admit more parents and grandparents to Canada as permanent residents this year - 25,000, compared to 15,500 such admissions in 2010.

But he also announced a "temporary pause" in accepting parent or grandparent applications for up to two years.

"I don't really think he listened to us," said Felix Zhang, spokesperson for a Scarborough-based support group, Sponsor Our Parents, which had asked Kenney not to freeze applications.

Zhang said he sees the "super visa" option as a short-term relief for people waiting for reunification with parents. Kenney, he said, "has to do something; otherwise, people would panic."

At this rate, more than half of the backlog won't be processed in two years, and by then many families seeking reunification will have waited seven years, said Zhang. "What about them?"

Family reunification was a "sleeper issue" in this year's federal election campaign, at least in the Chinese community and media, said Victor Wong, executive director of the Chinese Canadian National Council.

The group welcomed the boost in numbers for 2012, and Wong called the 10-year visa option "one more tool that families can use" but said Chinese-Canadians haven't heard a good reason for freezing applications.

"By cutting it off, you just distress a whole bunch of people."

Reunification with family elders produces growth and jobs in Canada, Wong argued, because people preparing to house their parents renovate homes and buy new furniture.

They can also stop sending cash overseas, he said. "I'd rather they spend the money here."

In addition to having a "written commitment of financial support," families of parents and grandparents arriving on "super visas" must "demonstrate" they have bought private Canadian medical insurance.

This insurance won't be cheap, and seems to follow a tendency in recent Canadian immigration policy to favour wealthier families, said Avvy Go, director of the Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic.

(Ontario does not give any landed immigrants health coverage for the first few months after they arrive.)

The Canadian system treats spouses and dependent children as the only "real" family members and reunification of parents and grandparents is seen as less important, but that's not a view shared by Asian families, Go said.

Since private health insurance is not a requirement for other visas, it's not fair for "super visas" because not everybody will be able to afford it, said Amy Casipullai of the Ontario Coalition of Agencies Serving Immigrants.

Casipullai said her group is not opposed to "super visas" for people waiting to be sponsored, "but only in that context, not as a replacement" for landed immigrant status.

Parents and Grandparents Super Visa takes Flight Today

2012-04-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

The first applications for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will be accepted today, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced.
The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is one element of Phase I of the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification, announced in November. The Super Visa will allow applicants to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without having to renew their status.
To be eligible, the applicant must:
•Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
•Provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada, including proof that the child or grandchild meets the minimum necessary income (Low Income Cut-Off);
•Undergo the Immigration Medical Examination;
•Submit proof that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance, valid for at least one year; and
•Satisfy the Canadian visa officer that they meet all other standard admissibility criteria.
Current processing times through the Family Class indicate that many parents and grandparents could wait for eight years or more to be accepted to Canada. With the Super Visa, they could be enjoying the company of their family in about eight weeks.

Super Visa for Granny

2012-04-10T07:37:00.000-07:00

Over the years, Canada’s immigration system has been used and abused.

Politicians have upped the number of people we accept each year for their own gain rather than the best needs of the country.

There have been changes in where we accept people from for political reasons and even where we have placed our immigration application offices in foreign countries has been subject to political interference.

In short, for the last quarter century, both Liberal and Conservative governments have treated our immigration system as something to deliver voters.

As a result, there have been problems.

A backlog of nearly 1 million people who paid their fee, put in their application and waited and waited and waited.

One of the most politically sensitive files has been family reunification.

Helping people bring their parents or grandparents into the country may seem noble and yes, it can be.

But if we put too much emphasis on reuniting families and not enough on bringing in young, productive workers that will keep the economy moving then we will slowly kill our economy.

For better or worse, Canada is a social welfare state. We provide free education at the elementary and high school level, we provide low cost post-secondary education but for the collection of people over 65 trying to come to Canada the golden ring is the free health care.

While you and I pay for our healthcare through the tax system, people that come here later in life do not and this is a problem.

Seniors applying to come to Canada may not come in just for the free health care but once they are here they will have access to the system.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information reports that seniors in Canada make up just 14% of the population but consume 44% of all health care spending.

Currently there is a major backlog in the immigration system when it comes to seniors.

While we let in about 15-thousand parents and grandparents each year, there are 165,000 waiting in limbo.

The opposition parties say we should just let more people in each year, in every category, including seniors.

That may help win votes of people that will reward politicians that help their mum or dad get into the country but it will put incredible strain on our system.

The Harper government announced a moratorium on new applications today. No one else will be allowed to apply to come to Canada as a parent or grandparent for the next two years until the backlog is dealt with and the program redesigned.

It’s not fair to Canada to open the floodgates but nor is it fair to leave these people in limbo.

That doesn’t mean Canada will shut the door to family reunification altogether.

Your parents or grandparents can get a visa, in a matter of weeks not years, that will allow them access to extended stays in Canada – provided they have their own health insurance.

These moves are sure to be controversial with all the usual suspects but they sound to me like they are in the best interests of Canada and those who want to come here.

Parent and Grandparent Super Visas

2012-04-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently published the Ministerial Instruction 4 (MI-4) in Canada Gazette. It contains details on the temporary pause on Family Class Sponsorship Applications for Parents and Grandparents for 24 months effective November 5, 2011. This is to address the application backlogs and to speed up the process for Family Class Sponsorship for Parents and Grandparents. And as part of this action is the introduction of Parent and Grandparent Super Visas.

What is Parent and Grandparent Super Visas?

Parent and Grandparent Super Visas is a multiple-entry visa that will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will come into effect on December 1, 2011.

What is the processing period for Parent and Grandparent Super Visas?

Citizenship ang Immigration Canada will be able to issue the visas, on average, within eight weeks of the application. This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or a grandparent can come to Canada within eight weeks. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health-care insurance for their stay in Canada.

How to qualify for Parent and Grandparent Super Visas?

To qualify, parents and grandparents must:

1. Undergo the Immigration Medical Examination (unless exempted);

2. Demonstrate that they have purchased private Canadian medical insurance; and

3. Provide a written commitment of financial support from a child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold.

Parent and Grandparent Super Visas is ideal for parents and grandparents who do not really want to immigrate to Canada but want to visit their families in Canada whenever they want.

Temporary Pause on Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications and Introduction of a Super Visa

2012-04-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

Reuniting families is an important part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) immigration program. CIC will significantly increase the number of admissions for sponsored parents and grandparents in 2012. At the same time, effective November 5, 2011, there has been a temporary pause of up to two years on the acceptance of new applications for this category. The increase in admissions paired with the pause will allow the department to reduce the backlog in this category.
To offset the potential impacts of the pause, effective December 1, 2011, CIC is introducing a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa , for foreign nationals seeking to visit their Canadian or permanent resident child or grandchild in Canada to apply for an extended stay of up to 24 months. Currently, visitors can usually stay for six months at a time. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for an extension and pay new fees. With the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents will pay fewer fees and be able to enjoy the company of their families in Canada for a longer period of time without having to renew their status.
The Super Visa is a multiple entry visa, which will be valid for up to ten years. An applicant is eligible for a Super Visa if they have:
provided proof of the parent or grandparent relationship to the Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
undergone a medical examination and are admissible on health grounds;
provided satisfactory evidence of private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company, valid for a minimum period of one year from the date of entry which:
covers the applicant for health care, hospitalization and repatriation;
provides a minimum of $100,000 coverage; and
is valid for each entry to Canada and available for review by the examining officer upon request; and
provided a written and signed promise of financial support, e.g. a letter of invitation , from the host child or grandchild for the entire duration the applicant intends to stay in Canada. The letter must be accompanied by evidence of their means of providing such support. This will normally mean details of the number of persons in the host’s household and proof of income at a level meeting or exceeding the Low-income Cut-off for the total number of persons, including the visiting parent(s) or grandparent(s).