Latest news with #SuperVisa
Hans India
3 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
From Community Conversations to a Million-Dollar Mission: The New Age of Insurance Startups
When most people think of business ideas, they imagine flashy startups, breakthrough tech, or market gaps waiting to be filled. But sometimes, the best opportunities don't come from brainstorming; they come from understanding people and paying attention to how policy shapes everyday lives. One such example? The launch of Canada's Super Visa program. The need is massive, and it's deeply human. Since every year, thousands of people in Canada desire to bring their parents or grandparents to visit after years of separation. What stands between a warm hug at the airport and an approved visa is often not just paperwork, but the assurance that their loved ones will be safe, covered, and cared for. That self-assurance comes through the right insurance. But more than that, it comes through people, individuals who choose to enter this industry not just to sell policies but to solve real complications with compassion. India is set to become the third-largest economy in the world, and with more Indians shifting to countries like Canada, the demand for personalized, credible, and culturally aware insurance solutions is only set to rise. As global mobility increases and international families become the norm rather than the exception, insurance is no longer just about financial protection; it's about emotional security. Entrepreneurship in this space is not about chasing commissions. It's about creating connections. It is about listening to a son worried about his mother's health or a daughter trying to figure out the complexities of her father's Super Visa application. These conversations are not business pitches; they're lifelines. For aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those with immigrant roots, there has never been a better time to enter the insurance business. Here's why: Purpose-Driven Growth Unlike traditional businesses that focus purely on numbers, insurance, especially in the family reunification space, is grounded in purpose. The emotional value of your work multiplies your impact. Families remember you not for what you sold, but for how you made them feel safe and supported. Low Entry Barrier, High Relationship Capital With the right licensing and training, entering the insurance industry in Canada is relatively accessible. But the real success comes from your ability to build relationships. Community trust, language comfort, and cultural understanding are powerful assets, and many immigrant entrepreneurs already possess them. Digital + Individual = Winning Formula Yes, technology matters. Automation helps streamline processes, but it is empathy that builds loyalty. The most successful insurance businesses will not be the ones with the best CRM software; they'll be the ones who combine tech efficiency with personal connection. Recurring Income Model Insurance is one of the few industries where the effort put in today continues to reward you in the future. With renewals, referrals, Google reviews, and long-term client relationships, you can build a financially stable business with compounding benefits. Impact Beyond Numbers Every parent who walks into their child's Canadian home for the first time, every medical emergency that was handled swiftly because of the right coverage—that's your impact. It goes beyond a transaction and becomes part of someone's life story. Building the Business: Start with Listening Our journey at Travel Shield didn't start with a business plan. It started with community conversations at gurdwaras, cultural events, and local meetups, where we simply listened. From those stories came clarity. From clarity came action. And today, from action comes impact. To anyone thinking about building something meaningful, the insurance industry is your calling. It needs heart. It needs patience. It needs your lived experience. In a world of uncertainty, be someone's certainty. In an industry driven by forms, be the human face they trust. The rewards will follow not just in business, but in the legacy you create. After all, reunification is not just about flights and visas; it's about fulfilling dreams. And that's a business worth building. (This article is authored by Amaninder Bharj, Founder & CEO at Travel Shield)
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business Standard
Canada Super Visa: Parents of immigrants can stay up to 5 years per visit
Living far from family? Canada's Super Visa offers a longer stay for parents and grandparents. What is the Canadian Super Visa? According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Super Visa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents to enter Canada multiple times over a period of up to 10 years. Each visit can last up to five years at a stretch. This is not a permanent residence pathway. It's still a visitor visa, just with longer permitted stays. While it spares families the need to keep reapplying for entry, it does not give work rights or access to public benefits. How is it different from a regular visitor visa? Here's how the Super Visa differs from a standard visitor visa as per IRCC: Number of entries: A visitor visa typically allows single entry for a short visit. The Super Visa allows multiple entries for up to 10 years. Stay duration: Visitor visa holders are usually allowed to stay for up to six months per visit. Super Visa holders can stay for up to five years at a time. Eligibility: Anyone can apply for a visitor visa. The Super Visa is strictly for parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Purpose: Visitor visas are issued for general tourism or short visits. The Super Visa is tailored for extended family reunification. Who is eligible for a Super Visa? According to IRCC, to apply for a Super Visa, the applicant must: • Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident • Apply from outside Canada • Have valid medical insurance from a Canadian provider worth at least CAD $100,000, valid for a minimum of one year • Submit a signed letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada • Clear a medical exam, prove intent to return, and provide documents about the home country's conditions How to apply 1. Send a letter to sponsor your parents or grandparents. This must include: • Name and date of birth of the applicant • Purpose and duration of the visit • Home address and contact number • Address where the applicant will stay in Canada 2. Choose whether to apply online or on paper 3. Collect all supporting documents, including: • Passport • Birth certificate or other documents proving the relationship • Marriage certificate (if applicable) • Proof of medical insurance • Letter of invitation 4. Fill out and submit the Super Visa application form Once approved, the visa is stamped in the applicant's passport and remains valid for up to 10 years, subject to passport expiry. Processing time and cost If applying from India, the average processing time for a Super Visa is about 78 days, but it can be extended, according to the July 2025 update by Canada immigration. Here are the costs involved: CAD $100 – application processing fee CAD $85 – biometrics fee CAD $200 to $300 – medical exam fee Can your parents work in Canada on a Super Visa? No. The Super Visa does not grant the right to work in Canada. It only allows extended visits. Anyone who wants to work must apply for a separate work permit and secure a job offer. Important to know Many families also purchase international travel insurance for their parents to cover any unexpected medical issues or travel-related disruptions such as delays or baggage loss. While not mandatory beyond the medical insurance required for the visa, it can offer peace of mind. Canada also offers a Parents and Grandparents Program, which is a route to permanent residency for Canadians and permanent residence. However, demand usually exceeds supply, so IRCC uses a lottery-style draw to select eligible sponsors. Applications are only accepted from those drawn in the lottery.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Canada to invite 17,860 sponsors for parent, grandparent PR from July 28
Good news! Thousands of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will soon get the chance to bring their parents or grandparents to live with them permanently. Starting July 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin sending invitations to 17,860 potential sponsors who had submitted an interest-to-sponsor form back in 2020. The announcement was made in a notice published online on Wednesday. IRCC said it will accept up to 10,000 complete applications under this year's intake for the federal Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). 'For those invited, applications must be submitted online, either through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal,' the agency said. Those who had filled out the interest-to-sponsor form in 2020 but haven't heard back yet are advised to check their inboxes carefully—including junk or spam folders. IRCC made it clear that no fresh forms will be accepted this year. Invitations will only be issued to individuals already in the 2020 pool. Missed out? Consider the super visa If you don't get an invitation to apply under the PGP, there's still the super visa option. This is a long-term, multi-entry visa valid for up to 10 years, which allows parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for up to five years at a time. They can also apply to extend their stay by another two years while still in the country. According to IRCC, family reunification accounts for around 22 per cent of all permanent resident admissions, even as the federal government looks to scale down both temporary and permanent immigration levels this year. How the Parents and Grandparents Program works The Parents and Grandparents Program is a route to permanent residency for family members of Canadians. Here's how it works: — Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians can sponsor their parents or grandparents — Applicants must receive an invitation to apply before submitting a sponsorship application — Demand usually exceeds supply, so IRCC uses a lottery-style draw to select eligible sponsors — Applications are only accepted from those drawn in the lottery What to know about the super visa If you are unable to apply through the PGP, you can opt for the Super Visa, which is a more flexible alternative Key points: Valid for up to 10 years Allows a stay of up to five years per visit Can be extended by up to two more years at a time while in Canada Requires the applicant to have private medical insurance Hosts must meet minimum income requirements and commit to supporting their relatives during the visit According to IRCC (updated June 3, 2024), the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirements for Canada's Super Visa are: For 1 person: CAD $29,380 (approx. ₹17.92 lakh) For 2 persons: CAD $36,576 (approx. ₹22.31 lakh) For 3 persons: CAD $44,966 (approx. ₹27.43 lakh) For 4 persons: CAD $54,594 (approx. ₹33.30 lakh) For 5 persons: CAD $61,920 (approx. ₹37.77 lakh) For 6 persons: CAD $69,834 (approx. ₹42.60 lakh) For 7 persons: CAD $77,750 (approx. ₹47.43 lakh) For each additional person beyond 7: Add $7,916 (approx. ₹4.83 lakh) This includes the host, their spouse or partner, dependent children, the parent(s)/grandparent(s) being invited, and anyone else they've sponsored who's still under financial obligation. The program continues to be popular among Canadians looking to reunite with family, especially amid limited slots in the permanent residency scheme.
