Preparations you can make.
You may not know this, but you can buy travel insurance for out-of-country family members who come to visit you – they don’t have to buy it at home. Find the option that offers the best coverage and the most value, and make sure the policy will cover any medical emergencies that may arise during their visit.
Ask relatives who are visiting you if they would like to attend a particular event so that you can purchase tickets in advance. You could check your city or province’s website for tourists to find outing ideas. To overview special events held across the country, visit the Tourist Attractions, Events and Experiences in Canada website.
If the relatives were visiting you come from a country where the electrical plugs are different, you could buy adapters for their devices if they forget to bring one themselves.
Tell your visitors what the weather will be like during their stay to bring appropriate clothing. If they are from the tropics and are visiting you in the winter, you would be wise to meet them at the airport to get them some winter clothes.
Preparations Your Parents Can Make
They must first obtain their passport if they do not already have it. Since the delivery time varies from country to country, the sooner they apply, the better. Recommend that they make copies of their passports and keep them in a safe place at home.
Depending on their citizenship and country of residence, your loved ones may need to apply for Canada’s temporary resident (visitor) visa. If so, they have many choices, depending on their needs:
A single entry visa allows your family members to enter Canada once. After their departure (although not taking into account short stays in the United States or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon), they will have to apply for another visa to return to visit you in Canada.
A multiple-entry visa allows visitors to enter and exit Canada multiple times over six months. This type of visa is valid for a maximum of 10 years (or up to one month before the passport’s expiration date, whichever comes first).
A Parents and Grandparents Super Visa allows eligible parents or grandparents to visit you for up to two years without reapplying and is valid for up to 10 years. Proof that the visitor has the right health insurance is one of the requirements for obtaining this type of visa.
Other requirements may apply depending on the citizenship of your family members, such as a medical exam or an invitation letter. You can find the latest information for visitors to Canada on the Government of Canada Help Center website. Bookmark it and check if family members announce as the rules may have changed since their last visit.
Your family members should consult their doctor regarding any required vaccinations and refill any prescriptions they may need while travelling.
Check with the Government of Canada to find out who has the right to visit Canada as a tourist and how a super visa can make things easier for parents or grandparents planning to see their children or grandchildren.
