The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has been updated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This year, IRCC will accept up to 15,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the PGP.
On October 10, IRCC will mail invitations to apply to 24,200 potential sponsors, with the goal of receiving up to 15,000 complete applications.
Due to the number of forms still in the pool of 2020 submissions, invitations to apply will be sent to randomly selected potential sponsors from that pool rather than opening a new interest to sponsor form.
If you submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but did not receive an invitation to apply in 2021 or 2022, you should check the email address you provided when you submitted your desire to sponsor form in 2020.
If you are invited to apply as part of the 2023 intake, IRCC will continue to use the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal, both of which allow electronic submission of applications.
Plan for Immigration Levels
IRCC encouraged 23,100 potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents in 2022, with an objective of getting 15,000 completed applications.Every year, the Immigration and Refugee Council of Canada (IRCC) publishes its Immigration Levels Plan, which it uses to guide its operations and set targets for welcoming newcomers to Canada.
Canada’s newcomer target for 2023 is 465,000 new permanent residents. In 2023, Canada hopes to welcome 28,500 parents and grandparents.
The Super Visa
For Canadian citizens and permanent residents who desire to bring their foreign parents and grandparents to Canada, the Super Visa is a popular choice.
It is a temporary visa that permits parents and grandparents to visit their children and grandchildren for up to five years without the need to renew their visitor status. Super Visa holders are permitted to enter Canada several times for a period of up to ten years. Those who already have a Super Visa may be able to seek for an extension allowing them to stay in Canada as a visitor for up to seven years.
Canada’s newcomer target for 2025 is 500,000, with 36,000 parents and grandparents.
The Super Visa has no lottery and is available all year, making it an excellent choice for individuals seeking greater certainty when sponsoring a parent or grandparent.
To be eligible for the Super Visa, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
· Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
· Not be inadmissible to Canada on the basis of criminality or health
· Prove that they can meet the income requirements identified by the Low-Income Cut Off (LICO)
· Provide a signed letter from their child or grandchild inviting them to Canada, and includes a promise of financial support for the length of the visit and the list and number of people in the household of this person
· Provide proof of medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a Canadian insurance comp
