Els(75)

At 73, emigrating to Canada wasn't a realistic option — the immigration system targets workers and entrepreneurs, not retirees without a sponsor. But my son Joost has lived in Kamloops for fifteen years with his Canadian wife and two children. I wanted to be closer, especially after my husband passed away. The solution: the Super Visa.

The Super Visa is specifically designed for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It gives you a multiple-entry visa valid for ten years, with stays of up to two years per visit. My son had to prove he earns enough (the LICO standard) and purchase Canadian health insurance for me — mandatory for Super Visa holders.

Health insurance was the biggest expense. At my age you pay CAD 3,000-5,000 per year for private insurance covering at least CAD 100,000 in medical costs. My son pays this — it's a condition of the Super Visa. Without this insurance you can't even board the plane. It's expensive but necessary — a hospital stay in Canada without insurance can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Kamloops is a small city in the BC interior, at the confluence of two rivers. The climate is semi-arid — hot, dry summers and cold but clear winters. After wet Dutch weather I thoroughly enjoy the more than 2,000 sunshine hours per year. The city is quiet, manageable and the people are friendly. There's a small but active seniors program at the local community centre.

Life as a Super Visa holder has limitations. You cannot work in Canada and you don't build entitlements like PR holders — no OHIP/MSP, no Canada Pension Plan, no Old Age Security. You're fully dependent on private insurance and your children. But the benefits outweigh this: I can be with my grandchildren for two years straight, take them to school, attend birthdays and be there when needed.

I now spend eight months per year in Kamloops and four months in the Netherlands to see friends and family and handle my Dutch affairs. It's a commuter life that isn't for everyone, but it gives me the best of both worlds. My advice to older Dutch people: if emigration isn't possible, the Super Visa is an excellent alternative. You can be with your children without completely giving up your Dutch life.