If your parents’ Canadian visitor visa or super visa has been refused or you’re about to file a new application, this detailed guide will help you understand exactly what to do next.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• What to do if your parents’ visa was refused
• How to submit a strong reapplication
• Whether to apply for a parent’s visa or a super visa
• What documents and evidence should you prepare

1. If Your Parents Visa Was Refused: Your Options

A visa refusal can be disappointing, but it doesn’t always mean the end of the road.

You have three main options:

Option 1: Request Reconsideration

If the original application was strong and you believe the visa officer made a factual or legal error, you can request reconsideration. This is usually done by writing to the visa office and explaining why the decision was incorrect, referencing the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) where relevant.

Option 2: File a Judicial Review

If reconsideration fails or the officer refuses to reopen the case, you can challenge the decision through a judicial review in the Federal Court. However, this process can be time-consuming and expensive, so it should only be considered if your original application was very strong.

Option 3: Reapply with a Stronger Application

In most cases, the best approach is to reapply, but this time, strengthen your application by addressing the weaknesses that caused the refusal.

2. How to Prepare a Strong Parents Visa or Super Visa Application

Whether you’re applying for the first time or reapplying after a refusal, a strong application should cover these seven key areas.

1. Clear Purpose of Visit

The purpose of the visit must be clearly explained and consistent across all documents. Common and logical reasons include:

• Visiting children or grandchildren who are Canadian PRs or citizens
• Attending a special family event (birth, wedding, graduation, etc.)
• Spending holidays or vacations in Canada

Support this by including:

• A detailed itinerary (dates, cities, activities)
• Travel insurance
• Return flight bookings (if available)

Also include a concise invitation letter from you (the host) that mentions:

• Your full name, contact details, and immigration status in Canada
• Your parents’ details and visit purpose
• Attach proof of your PR card, Canadian passport, or work/study permit
• Proof of address (utility bill, lease, or driver’s license)
• Proof of income (such as recent pay slips or a job letter)

2. Strong Home Country Ties

A visa is a temporary privilege, not a right. Your parents must show that they have strong reasons to return to their home country.

Evidence can include:

• Employment letter with position, salary, leave approval, and return date
• Recent pay slips or business documents (for self-employed parents)
• Property ownership documents and market evaluations
• Family ties (spouse, children, or siblings in the home country)
• Community or religious involvement with supporting letters

If other evidence is limited, even reference letters from neighbors, friends, or community leaders can help.

3. Proof of Finances

Financial stability is one of the strongest indicators of credibility. The visa officer must see that your parents can afford their trip, and that it won’t be a financial burden.

Include:

• Bank statements (last 6 months)
• Income proof: pay slips, pension, or business income
• Property evaluations and asset statements
• A trip budget showing estimated expenses (flight, food, accommodation, insurance)
• A net worth certificate from a chartered accountant

If you’re sponsoring their visit, include your own financial documents too. Summarize all this information in a table for easy review.

4. Travel History

If your parents have traveled internationally before, include passport scans with all visa pages and entry/exit stamps.
If they haven’t traveled before, that’s fine, just make the rest of the application as strong as possible.

5. Visa Forms Accuracy

Be consistent and honest across all forms.

• Disclose all past refusals truthfully; IRCC can easily check.
• Don’t leave gaps in employment history.
• Use the Schedule 1 form to summarize travel and background information.
• Clearly indicate total liquid funds in the “Funds available for stay” field.

6. Supporting Documents and Uploads

If possible, use the GCKey account instead of the IRCC portal, since it allows larger uploads (up to 4MB).

Remember:

• All documents not in English or French must be translated properly.
• Combine multiple documents into one PDF per section.
• Compress files carefully, don’t reduce quality to the point of being unreadable.

7. The Cover Letter

Your cover letter (or submission letter) is your chance to explain the full picture. It should:

• Introduce your parents and summarize the purpose of the visit
• Outline financials and ties to their country
• Address any past refusals and how you’ve resolved the issues
• List all supporting documents in order

Some consultants also reference Federal Court cases to strengthen the reasoning. Keep it concise, professional, and factual.

3. Parents Visa vs. Super Visa: Which Should You Apply For?

A common misconception is that if a parents visitor visa is refused, applying for a super visa will automatically increase approval chances. That’s not true.

Both types of visas are assessed under similar criteria, purpose of visit, ties, and finances. The difference lies mainly in duration and eligibility.

Feature	Parents Visitor Visa	Super Visa
Length of stay	Up to 6 months per visit (extendable)	Up to 5 years at a time
Medical insurance required?	Not mandatory	Yes, must have private medical insurance for at least 1 year
Eligibility	Parents/grandparents of Canadian citizens or PRs	Same
Processing time	Usually shorter	Can take longer

If your parents only plan to visit for a few months, a regular visitor visa is sufficient. If they want to stay for a longer period, for example, 2–5 years, then a super visa is the better option.

Just remember: A super visa can also be refused for the same reasons as a visitor visa (weak ties, poor documentation, unclear finances).

4. Final Tips for Parents Visa and Super Visa Applications

• Always address the specific refusal reasons if reapplying.
• Include a clear itinerary and cover letter.
• Organize documents neatly and label everything.
• Avoid copy-paste explanations; make your parents’ story personal and genuine.

If you follow these steps carefully, your parents’ application will have a much stronger chance of approval.

Need Help With a Parents Visa or Super Visa Application?

If you want professional help with your parents’ visitor visa or super visa, or simply want your prepared application reviewed before submission, you can schedule a consultation.