James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
After successful lobbying from CANZUK International, the Canadian government has agreed to reverse its decision to add restrictions on the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa.
Launched in 2011, the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa program allows permanent residents and citizens to invite their non-resident parents and grandparents to stay with them in Canada for up to five years at a time. This has been a tremendously beneficial program for Canadians with family members in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, especially given that a large number of Canadians have family roots in these nations.
However, in August 2022, the Canadian federal government passed amendments to this program dictating that applicants would need to pay the annual cost of medical insurance upfront to enter the country, rather than paying in monthly instalments under the previous requirement.
CANZUK International received multiple complaints from members of the public given that the average cost of medical insurance for those 65 years of age and older can be in excess of $1,500.
As such, our organization engaged with the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) after drafting a letter to Minister Sean Fraser MP, and we are pleased to confirm that the decision by the federal government has been reversed.
“At a time where closer relations are needed more than ever with our allies across the world, it is imperative that Canada promotes mutually beneifical policies for citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in the fields of immigration, trade and foreign policy. We feel this new amendment to the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa program does exactly the opposite, instead hindering the ability of citizens from these countries from living in Canada with their family members without financial hinderances,” the letter stated.
The announcement will come as welcome news for thousands of applicants across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom as medical insurance fees will continue to be paid in monthly instalments as they reunite with family members living in Canada.
CANZUK International welcomes the decision from IRCC and will continue to engage with federal Ministers to promote freer movement amongst the CANZUK countries.
However, in August 2022, the Canadian federal government passed amendments to this program dictating that applicants would need to pay the annual cost of medical insurance upfront to enter the country, rather than paying in monthly instalments under the previous requirement.
CANZUK International received multiple complaints from members of the public given that the average cost of medical insurance for those 65 years of age and older can be in excess of $1,500.
As such, our organization engaged with the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) after drafting a letter to Minister Sean Fraser MP, and we are pleased to confirm that the decision by the federal government has been reversed.
“At a time where closer relations are needed more than ever with our allies across the world, it is imperative that Canada promotes mutually beneifical policies for citizens of the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand in the fields of immigration, trade and foreign policy. We feel this new amendment to the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa program does exactly the opposite, instead hindering the ability of citizens from these countries from living in Canada with their family members without financial hinderances,” the letter stated.
The announcement will come as welcome news for thousands of applicants across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom as medical insurance fees will continue to be paid in monthly instalments as they reunite with family members living in Canada.
CANZUK International welcomes the decision from IRCC and will continue to engage with federal Ministers to promote freer movement amongst the CANZUK countries.
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