Dear Miss Powell,
I am an avid reader of your column and wondered if you could assist me. My daughter applied to sponsor me over two years ago and we haven't heard anything about the application. I don't really want to live in Canada. I just want the freedom to visit my daughter and grandchildren whenever I feel like and possibly spend some valuable time with them without the bother of rushing back or applying to renew a visa. Can I cancel the sponsorship application and tell them to use the fees to just apply for the Super Visa? What would I need to do? What is the difference between the sponsorship and Super Visa?
- K.M.
Dear K.M,
Your daughter can cancel the application for sponsorship and you may then submit a new application for the Super Visa which is available to parents and grandparents.
The application process is fairly similar, except the processing time is shorter. The Super Visa takes approximately four to six weeks to complete.
The key difference between a Super Visa and a sponsorship application is that with a Super Visa, you may get a multiple- entry visa for up to 10 years which allows you to stay for a maximum of two years at a time, without making an application for extension of time.
With a sponsorship application on the other hand, you would be granted permanent resident permit and be considered a 'landed immigrant' upon entry into Canada. The benefits of having a permanent resident status are that you will be able to work, have access to the health-care system and eventually apply for Canadian citizenship.
partial refund
If your ultimate goal is just the freedom to visit and have the option of staying longer than six months at a time, then you may cancel the sponsorship application and apply for a Super Visa. If Citizenship and Immigration Canada has not started processing your application, then you may also apply for a partial refund of the fees you submitted with the sponsorship application. It could take a few months for you to receive the refund and so you may not want to wait on the refund in order to submit your Super Visa application.
You will need to provide properly completed application forms along with the required fees and all supporting documents such as:
1. Valid passport.
2. Two photographs based on the specifications.
3. Proof of relationship - birth certificate.
4. Evidence of social and economic ties to Jamaica that would motivate you to return to Jamaica at the end of the maximum stay granted - land title, vehicle registration, membership certificates, etc.
5. Proof of ability to support self while visiting - bank statements, investment certificates, passbook.
6. Your daughter will need to submit an invitation letter outlining her family size, the arrangements for your accommodation and an undertaking or promise to be responsible for care and support whilst you are in Canada.
7. Your daughter will also need to submit proof of income showing that she meets or exceeds the 'low income cut off' point based on the number of persons residing in her home. For example, she will need to submit proof of tax returns based on the example table below:
- Size of family/minimum necessary income
- Two persons CAD$29,004
- Three persons CAD$35,657
- Four persons CAD$43,292
You should ensure that you are in good health, as you may be required to visit one of the panel of doctors to do a medical examination. You also will need to get private medical insurance, valid for at least one year, from a Canadian insurance company. This policy must cover health care and hospitalization with a minimum coverage of CAD$100,000. This information must be available for review when you enter Canada.
Best of luck to you and your family!
Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, real estate, commercial, personal injury, family and administration of estates. Email: info@deidrepowell.com Subject: Immigration
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