In January 2023, Canada witnessed a notable rise in PGP (Parents and Grandparents) immigration, with a nearly 60% increase in the number of new permanent residents moved to Canada compared to January 2022. As a result of the PGP, 2,065 new permanent residents were recruited in January 2023, compared with 1,300 in January 2022.
It is expected that 28,500 permanent residents will be added to Canada’s population by 2023 through the PGP. The PGP welcomed 27,255 permanent residents in 2022, an increase of 132% over the 11,740 permanent residents admitted in 2021.
A target of 465,000 permanent immigrants is set for 2023 by Canada’s Immigration Level Plans 2023–2025. Over 44 percent more immigrants arrived in January 2023 than in January 2022, with 50,885 new permanent residents.
As part of the immigration target for 2023, 106,500 permanent residents will be sponsored by family members. A family sponsorship includes a parent, a grandparent, a spouse, a common-law partner, and a child. The PGP and spousal/child sponsorships have previously helped 13,000 immigrants enter Canada.
Parents and Grandparents sponsorship – How it works?
Permanent residents and Canadian citizens have the option of sponsoring their parents or grandparents for immigration to Canada. If accepted under the program, parents or grandparents can apply for permanent residency in Canada and may ultimately be permitted to become Canadian citizens.
Sponsors were previously required to comply with the following requirements to participate in the PGP:
- Between October 13, 2020 (12:00 PM EDT) and November 3, 2020 (12:00 PM EST), submit the Interest to Sponsor form on the IRCC website.
- You must typically be a citizen of Canada, Canada’s permanent resident, or an Indian, as that term is defined in the Canadian Indian Act.
- A minimum of 18 years of age is required.
- When applying to sponsor, you must be a Canadian resident and provide proof of your status.
- A sponsor and spouse in a marriage or common-law relationship must meet the minimum income level for the program.
- You’ll need to show evidence to the IRS to substantiate your income.
- In addition, commencing on the day of the sponsor’s permanent residency and continuing for 20 years. The sponsor promises to pay back any social assistance benefits given to sponsored family members (if applicable).
- Quebec also requires an additional undertaking from the sponsor if the sponsor resides there.
It has not been confirmed by IRCC what the PGP will be for 2023. A draw mechanism was used by IRCC to select prospective sponsors who received an ITA through the PGP in previous years.
PGP ITAs have been awarded exclusively to candidates who indicated they were interested in sponsoring through the PGP between October 2020 and November 2020. The most recent PGP draw occurred in October 2022. There were approximately 155,000 potential sponsors left at the time of the 2022 draw.
Super Visa – An overview
As an alternative to the PGP, the Super Visa allows grandparents and parents of Canadian citizens to enter the country as guests for up to five years after their first trip.
Grandparents and parents holding a Super Visa have the option to apply for an extension. Granting them the opportunity to stay in Canada as visitors for a maximum duration of seven years. Over a span of ten years, they are also permitted to make multiple entries into Canada. The Super Visa can be obtained at any time throughout the year.
A Super Visa may be applied for by parents and grandparents living in countries requiring a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). Grandparents and parents no longer have to continuously apply for a TRV in order to go back and forth between Canada and their native country thanks to the Super Visa.
In addition to grandparents and parents from TRV-exempt nations, such as the United States. The Super Visa is available to non-TRV-exempt nations, such as Canada. For a maximum of six months, Canadian residents are permitted to enter and stay in the country. Each time a visitor applies for a Super Visa, they are granted entry into Canada and a maximum stay of 5 years.
Application procedures are similar to TRV procedures. But parents and grandparents need to provide proof of ongoing support throughout their stay in Canada. The following are included:
- A letter of invitation from your Canadian children or grandchildren is required.
- The grandchild or child must provide evidence that they meet the LICO minimum income criterion.
- A birth certificate listing him or her as the parent; and documentation of the parent-child or grandparent relationship.
- A medical expense insurance plan offered by a Canadian corporation that covers costs for at least a year.
