Canada
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is poised to reopen this month as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada announces new immigration pilots to support rural and Francophone minority communitiesCanada (IRCC). Invitations for potential sponsors. IRCC announced that commencing May 21st, 2024. It will dispatch 35,700 invitations with the anticipation of approving 20,500 complete applications.
Eligibility for the Next Round of the PGP
IRCC has revealed its plan to invite candidates from the 2020 intake of the PGP. This signifies that individuals receiving invitations. in the upcoming round submitted their applications in 2020. Notably, this marks the fourth consecutive year that the PGP will exclusively consider applications from 2020.
Under the PGP framework, applicants will be randomly invited through a lottery system. Invitations will be sent to sponsors via the email provided on their interest to sponsor form. Sponsors are urged to monitor their emails from May 21st onwards. with all invitations expected to be dispatched within approximately two weeks of this date.
Process for Obtaining Permanent Residence through the PGP
To secure permanent residence (PR) through the PGP, applicants must ensure they meet all relevant eligibility criteria. Which includes being eligible to sponsor, residing in Canada, signing an undertaking, and meeting minimum necessary income levels. They must also complete an interest to sponsor form on IRCC’s website.
Additionally, applicants must not have received an invitation to apply (ITA) in 2021, 2022, or 2023 to be eligible for the 2024 round. Upon the reopening of the PGP lottery, applicants should check the email provided on the interest to sponsor form for an invitation. Once received, sponsors must submit their application through the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Residence Portal. (if using an authorized representative) by the deadline stated within the invitation email. IRCC aims to process applications within 112 days, with 67% of applications processed to this standard between 2022-2023.
About the PGP
The PGP enables Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for Canadian PR. It forms a vital component of IRCC’s family reunification initiatives. Parents and grandparents arriving in Canada through the program obtain PR upon landing. Sponsors must sign an undertaking, committing to provide for their parents and grandparents in Canada for 20 years (10 years for sponsors applying from Quebec). The PGP operates on a lottery basis and opens for application intake once a year.
Alternative Pathway: Super Visa
For those not selected in the PGP, IRCC offers the Super Visa pathway. This pathway allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for an extended visitor visa to visit Canada. Instead of PR under the PGP. Approved applicants can stay in Canada for five years, extendable for an additional two years. Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa program operates throughout the year, with similar service standards aiming for processing within 112 days.
