The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program is a Canadian immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents. The program was first introduced in the 1970s and has been a popular way for families to be reunited in Canada. In 2022, the Canadian government has made several changes to the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program to make it more accessible and responsive to the needs of families.
One of the key changes to the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program in 2022 is the introduction of a new application process. The government has set a target of processing 80% of applications within 12 months and has introduced a new online application system to make it easier for families to apply.
To be eligible to sponsor a parent or grandparent, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is 18 years of age or older. They must also meet certain income requirements and provide a guarantee of financial support for the parent or grandparent for the duration of their stay in Canada.
Another change to the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program in 2022 is the increase in the number of sponsorships available each year. The government has set a target of welcoming 30,000 new parents and grandparents to Canada in 2022, an increase of over 20% from the previous year. This is a recognition of the importance of family unity and the positive impact that parents and grandparents can have on the lives of their children and grandchildren.
The changes to the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program in 2022 have been welcomed by many, including advocacy groups and organizations that work with families. They praised the government for recognizing the importance of family unity and for taking steps to make the program more accessible and responsive to the needs of families.
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said in a statement, “We understand the importance of family and the role that grandparents and parents play in the lives of their children and grandchildren. That’s why we are committed to making the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program more accessible and efficient, so that families can be reunited as soon as possible.”
Overall, the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship program is an important way for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to come to Canada as permanent residents. The changes made in 2022 make the program more accessible and responsive to the needs of families, allowing more families to be reunited in Canada. It is important for interested sponsors to check the program’s eligibility criteria and the document requirements and be ready to submit the application as soon as the intake period starts.