In preparation for extending invitations to possible sponsors, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has scheduled the reopening of the Parents and Grandparents program (PGP) for this month.
In an announcement, the department stated that it will begin sending out 35,700 invites on May 21st, 2024, with the goal of granting 20,500 full applications.
Who is qualified for the PGP's upcoming round?
The IRCC has announced that it plans to extend invitations to candidates from the PGP's 2020 intake. Accordingly, those who will be invited in the next round will have sent in their profiles in 2020. For the fourth year running, the PGP will only take into account profiles that were uploaded in 2020.
Candidates will be randomly recruited via the PGP method (via a lottery mechanism). Sponsors who indicate interest in sponsoring will receive these invitations via the email address they provide on the form. It is recommended that sponsors begin monitoring their emails on May 21st. Invitations will be sent out within approximately two weeks of this date.
How can one apply for permanent residence under the PGP?
In order to be granted permanent residence (PR) under the PGP, candidates need to:
Verify that they fulfill all applicable qualifying requirements, such as being able to sponsor, being a resident of Canada, agreeing to a commitment, having the required minimum income, etc.;
Fill out the IRCC's interest in sponsoring form online. Applicants must not have received an invitation to apply (ITA) in 2021, 2022, or 2023 in order to be eligible for the 2024 round;
(Upon the PGP lottery's reopening), look for an invitation via the email address entered on the interest to sponsor form. This invitation will be sent out on the day of the reopening and for the next two weeks after the lottery resumes.)
Sponsors have a deadline to submit their application via the Permanent Residence Portal (if using an authorized representative) or the Representative Residence Portal (if using an ITA) within the invitation email after receiving an ITA.
Concerning the PGP:
Parents or grandparents who meet the eligibility requirements can sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residence in Canada through the PGP. The effort is a component of the IRCC's family reunion program, which is a major component of the department's purpose. Grandparents and parents who enter Canada via the program are granted permanent residence upon arrival.
In addition to other requirements, sponsors are required to sign a pledge promising to support their parents and grandparents for 20 years while they are in Canada. Quebec-based sponsors submitting an application will be required to sign a 10-year commitment.
The PGP only accepts applications and sends out invitations once a year, using a lottery to choose candidates.
What if you aren't Chosen?
IRCC, like the PGP, runs the Super-Visa pathway. This method enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to visit Canada on an extended visitor visa (as opposed to PR under the PGP). Approved applicants under the program can stay in Canada for up to five years, with the option to extend their stay for an additional two years. Applicants can also reapply for their super-visa if their current status expires.
Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa program is run by IRCC all year, and sponsors can apply at any time. IRCC strives to process all completed Super Visa applications within 112 days of receipt. Between 2022 and 2023, the department processed 67% of applications meeting this level.
Learn More: Super Visa
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