I want to get a Supervisa for my grandma - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | May 21, 2013

I want to get a Supervisa for my grandma - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | May 21, 2013

Dear Miss Powell,  I am a Canadian citizen and I would like to assist my grandmother in getting a visa to come to Canada to help me with my newborn. I was told that there is a special visa for parents and grandparents. Can you tell me how I can go about getting an extended visa for my grandmother?- LL

Dear LL,

Recently, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced that they would re-open the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) programme for new applications on January 2, 2014. Your grandmother may then apply for a supervisa, which would grant her permission to stay in Canada up to two years. To be eligible for the supervisa, there is a double threshold that has to be crossed. Both your grandmother and you must demonstrate that you are eligible and admissible.

Requirements for Grandmother

Your grandmother would need to have valid passport which will not expire for a minimum of two years. She will also need to submit proof of her relationship with you, that is, evidence that she is indeed your grandmother. So your birth certificate and your parent's birth certificate should be submitted. She would also need to be able to satisfy a  visa officer  that she has social and economic ties to Jamaica, her home country, that would motivate her to return home at the end of the two years. This would include evidence of ownership of home or property, dependent or close family members, bank account, and proof of other investments or assets.

Your grandmother must be in good health as a medical report may be required. If required, a Canadian immigration officer will contact you and provide you with information to have a medical examination done.

Additionally, your grandmother will need to demonstrate she has obtained private medical insurance, valid for at least one year, from a Canadian insurance company. This policy must cover health care and hospitalisation, with a minimum coverage of C$100,000.

You, as the person inviting your grandmother, must submit your birth certificate as well as a detailed invitation letter that should outline the arrangements for your grandmother's care and support. The letter should include information about the number of persons currently residing in your household and your income.

This information will be used to determine whether you and your family in Canada meet the minimum necessary income or low-income cut-off point, to provide support for your grandmother throughout her visit. So for example, if there are three persons in your family (you, partner, and child) you need to submit your tax returns to show a minimum income of $34,022. For four persons, you will need to show minimum income of $41,307.

You will need to submit your most recent tax and financial statements to prove your economic standing. The acceptable documents are:

1. Notice of Assessment;

2. T1 or T4;

3. Original letter from employer showing your job title, job description, period of employment, and salary;

4. If self-employed, you should submit registration of business name or certificate of incorporation and a letter from your accountant declaring your annual income;

5. Proof of any other sources of income and investments.

Your grandmother will be required to submit the completed application for temporary resident visa form [IMM 5257], family information form [IMM 5645], document checklist, photographs according to specifications, supporting documents, and pay the required fee. Do not forget to sign and date your application forms!

The application may be submitted online (jamaica.gc.ca) or to the nearest visa application centre located at 31 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston, or 14 Sunset Boulevard, Montego Bay.

Since the new supervisa does not reopen until next year, if you are in a hurry, you may want to apply for a regular temporary resident visa, which would allow your grandmother to stay a maximum of six months at a time. You may also apply for extension of time in certain circumstances. If you have any issues or concerns about the process or eligibility, you may seek the assistance of an immigration lawyer to prepare the necessary application on your behalf, or to guide you and your grandmother in the process.

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 main office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, real estate, commercial, personal injury, family, and administration of estates. She is on the roster of mediators for Ottawa, Toronto and the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica. Email: info@deidrepowell.com. Subject: Immigration  Fax: 613.695.8778