The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is set to reopen this month, with IRCC gearing up to dispatch invitations to prospective sponsors.
In a recent release, the IRCC announced plans to accept 20,500 fully submitted applications. Starting on May 21, 2024, they will send out 35,700 invitations. This development highlights a big chance for people who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents’ immigration to Canada. Since they send out many invitations, applicants should get ready ahead of time to ensure they meet all requirements for the sponsorship process. An important turning point for families hoping to rejoin in Canada under this immigration process is the PGP’s reopening in 2024.
Eligibility Criteria for the Next Round of the Parents and Grandparents
As per the announcement made by IRCC, the 2020 applicant pool would be used to choose candidates for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Also, this implies that the only people who can receive invites for this round are those who indicated in 2020 that they would like to sponsor a parent or grandparent. For the fourth year running, only applicants from 2020 are eligible for the PGP.
Candidates will be chosen at random via a lottery procedure under the PGP system. Sponsors will receive invitations at the email address they provide on the form indicating their interest in sponsoring. Sponsors should start monitoring their email accounts on May 21. Organizers anticipate sending out all invites within two weeks from this date. They advise sponsors to check their trash or spam folders to ensure they don’t miss the invitation.
The process to receive permanent residence through the PGP
You must do the following actions in order to apply for permanent residency (PR) through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP):
- Ensure Eligibility: Confirm that you meet all the necessary eligibility criteria to sponsor, including:
- Being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident residing in Canada
- Signing an undertaking agreement
- Meeting the minimum income requirements for the sponsorship
- Complete the Interest to Sponsor Form: Fill out the IRCC’s interest in sponsoring form online. Make sure you haven’t received an ITA in 2021, 2022, or 2023 in order to be eligible for the 2024 PGP round.
- Check Your Email for an Invitation: Keep an eye out for an invitation to apply at the email address you gave in the interest to sponsor form once the PGP lottery reopens. On the day of the reopening, organizers will send out invitations, and they will continue sending them for the next two weeks.
- Submit Your Application After Receiving an ITA: In the event that you receive an invitation, submit your sponsorship application via the Representative Residence Portal (if you are using an authorized representative) or the Permanent Residence Portal. Make sure you adhere to the timeframe given in your email invitation.
IRCC estimates that it will take 112 days to process your application after you submit it. The IRCC processed 67% of applications in 2022–2023 and completed them in that time range.
Understanding the PGP
Canada offers a program called the Parents and Grandparents Program, which allows Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. It is an essential component of the department’s mission, which centers on family reunion efforts led by IRCC. This procedure grants parents and grandparents permanent residency when they enter Canada.
Moreover, sponsors must fulfill certain eligibility requirements and execute an undertaking pledging to provide 20 years of financial assistance for their parents or grandparents residing in Canada. The undertaking time is ten years if the sponsor is located in Quebec.
The PGP has a restricted admission window that usually opens once a year, and it invites applications through a lottery mechanism. A limited number of sponsors receive invites during this period, enabling them to apply for the program and bring their family members to Canada.
What are your options if you’re not selected?
IRCC runs the Super Visa track in addition to the Parents and Grandparents Program. This pathway enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for an extended visiting visa to visit Canada. This route offers an option to the PGP by granting family members a visitor’s visa to Canada as opposed to permanent residency.
Candidates who receive a Super Visa can stay in Canada for up to five years, and they have the option to extend their stay for an additional two years. They can choose to reapply for a new Super Visa, which will allow them to visit Canada once more, once their current status expires.
Unlike the PGP, the Super Visa program operates year-round, meaning sponsors can submit applications at any time. This continuous application process provides greater flexibility for families seeking to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada. Despite this difference, the IRCC maintains a consistent service standard for processing Super Visa applications, targeting 112 days to process complete applications from the date of receipt.
Overall, the Super Visa pathway offers an extended visitor visa option for parents and grandparents, providing a viable alternative for those not selected in the PGP draw or for those seeking more flexible arrangements for family visits to Canada.
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