Leila’s strategy

What to do first

Every action comes from the sample assessment. Doing them improves the picture; it doesn’t promise a result. They are worded as the sample report words them to Leila, so the key dates, documents and missing information they mention are in the full sample report on step 02.

1. Essential

   Get a letter of invitation written and signed by your child or grandchild (their spouse or common-law partner may co-sign if they are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or registered Indian). It must promise financial support for your stays in Canada, include proof that your host meets the minimum necessary income (such as their Canada Revenue Agency notice of assessment), and list everyone counted in your host's family size, with the number of people and each person's name and date of birth.

2. Essential

   Buy your super visa health insurance before you apply and include proof of it (quotes aren't accepted). It must be from a Canadian insurance company, or from a company outside Canada that is authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), appears on OSFI's list and issued it while doing insurance business in Canada (that policy must say so). IRCC says it should name the insurer, be valid for at least 1 year from the date of entry and for each entry, be paid in full or in instalments with a deposit, cover health care, hospitalization and repatriation, and give at least $100,000 of emergency coverage. Carry proof of it each time you enter Canada, and renew it if it will expire before you leave.

3. Essential

   Have your immigration medical exam with an IRCC panel physician (your own doctor can't do it). IRCC advises having it before you apply (an upfront exam): contact a panel physician directly, then include the panel physician's confirmation document with your application, and if you apply online, upload it when you submit. Results are valid for 12 months, so if you don't come to Canada within 12 months of the exam, you may need another one.

4. Essential

   Include proof of your host's status: a copy of their proof of Canadian citizenship, their permanent resident document, or their Secure Certificate of Indian Status or status card (and their spouse's or common-law partner's, if applicable). Also include proof that you are their parent or grandparent: a copy of your host's birth or baptismal certificate, or another official document naming you as their parent or grandparent.

5. Essential

   Check the visa office instructions for the country or territory you are applying from, since it may require more documents. For any document not in English or French, include the translation along with the document in the original language. A Canadian certified translator (a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada) seals or stamps the translation. Any other translator must be fluent in both languages and swear an affidavit, before an authorized person, about their language skills and the accuracy of the translation, and can't be you or a close relative: your parent, guardian, sibling, spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, grandparent, child, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, or first cousin.

6. With a lawyer

   Discuss with a lawyer: Ties to home country and intent to leave at the end of the visit.

The next steps, in order

1. Right now

   Note the key dates above. Check your answers and correct any errors. Start gathering the documents listed above.

2. With a professional

   Go over the requirements that need professional judgment, and the best strategy and timing, with a lawyer.

Every path the sample examined

Side by side, in the order the sample ranked them, with what it found for each.