Canada’s commitment to family reunification is about to strengthen in 2023, as the country anticipates a significant increase in the immigration of parents and grandparents. This initiative marks a key step in Canada’s broader immigration strategy, as it strives to balance economic growth with social and family development.
When will Parent Sponsorship Open for 2023?
October 10, 2023 is the Date we’ve all been eagerly anticipating.
This year, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reaffirms this commitment by preparing to accept as many as 15,000 completed applications via the Parents and Grandparents Program. To this end, starting from October 10, 2023, the IRCC plans to roll out invitations to a selection of 24,200 potential sponsors. Over a span of two weeks, these invitations will be dispersed with an end goal of acquiring 15,000 full-fledged applications.
Immigration2Canada Latest Update: September 8, 2023, Ottawa
Key Highlights:
- 📌 Mark the Date: October 10, 2023
- The pivotal day when IRCC will start sending out invitations.
- A total of 24,200 potential sponsors will receive invitations over two weeks.
- Goal: To gather 15,000 complete applications.
- Application Pool:
- Invitations will be drawn from the residual 2020 application pool.
- Same procedure as followed in 2021 and 2022.
- Those who applied in 2020 but didn’t get an invitation in 2021 or 2022: Stay alert! Check your email!
- Application Submission:
- Use the Permanent Residence Portal or its representative version.
- Encourages digital submissions.
- A step towards modernizing Canada’s immigration system.
- Alternative Route: Super Visa
- A 10-year multi-entry visa.
- Holders can stay in Canada for up to 5 years consecutively.
- Possibility to extend stay by an additional 2 years without leaving.
- Main Goal:
- Canada remains committed to family reunification.
- This initiative especially targets parents and grandparents.
A significant detail to note is that the selection for these invitations will be derived from the residual application pool of 2020. This method is a continuation from the procedures adopted in 2021 and 2022. For those who had shown an interest back in 2020 but were left without an invitation over the last two years, it’s advised to keep a keen eye on their respective email inboxes that were used during their 2020 application process.
In line with the advancements in technology and in keeping with Canada’s mission to expedite and uncomplicate the immigration proceedings, the 2023 applicants who receive an invitation will proceed using the Permanent Residence Portal or its representative counterpart. These platforms, which promote digital submissions, signify our stride towards revolutionizing Canada’s immigration framework.
For hopeful applicants who might not make the cut this year, there’s still a silver lining. They can recommend the super visa route to their parents or grandparents. The super visa is a ten-year, multi-entry visa. One of its standout features is its provision allowing holders to reside in Canada for up to five years consecutively. If needed, this duration can further be extended by an additional two years without the need for visa holders to leave Canada. This thoughtful enhancement facilitates prolonged reunions of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their cherished family members.
Stay updated with more immigration news and insights here at Immigration2canada.com.
How many PGP Applications were processed in previous Years
In previous years, the PGP program has typically opened at least once per year.
The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is seeing a significant boost in numbers in the early part of this year. From January to March, Canada opened its doors to 6,760 newcomers through the PGP, marking an increase of 1,480 or 28% compared to the 5,280 recorded during the same period last year.
Interestingly, this upward trajectory in the PGP is in sync with the overall rise in immigration rates in Canada. The country has seen a 27.7% increase in overall immigration during the first quarter of this year, with the total number of new permanent residents reaching 145,330, compared to the 113,800 admitted during the same period in the previous year.
The 2022 application process for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) saw the issuance of 23,100 plus invitations. The objective behind this number was to reach the goal of accepting up to 15,000 complete applications.
The number of invitations issued is typically higher than the application target to account for instances where invited applicants may not end up submitting an application.
The breakdown of invitations sent and application targets in past years is as follows:
- In 2021, 34,500 invitations were sent out, with an application target of 30,000.
- In 2020, 13,400 invitations were dispatched, aiming to hit a 10,000 application target.
- In 2019, 26,376 invitations were issued, with a target of 20,000 applications.
- In 2018, the invitation count was 23,500, and the application target was 17,000.
- For 2017, 16,500 invitations were sent out, aiming for a 10,000 application target.
- In 2016, the application target was 10,000, but the number of invitations sent was not provided.
- Similarly, in 2015 and 2014, the application targets were 5,000 each year, but the number of invitations sent was not specified.
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) sponsorship in Canada:
- Who can apply to sponsor their parents or grandparents to Canada?
- A: The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen, registered Indian, or permanent resident, be at least 18 years old, live in Canada, and meet certain income levels. They must also agree to financially support their parents or grandparents for 20 years from the date they become a permanent resident.
- What is the minimum income requirement for sponsoring parents or grandparents?
- A: The sponsor must demonstrate they have had income at or above the minimum necessary income level for each of the three taxation years immediately preceding the date of filing of the sponsorship application.
- What is the application process?
- A: Initially, interested sponsors submit an ‘Interest to Sponsor’ form. From these entries, IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) randomly selects potential sponsors and invites them to submit a complete application. There are two parts to the application: the sponsorship application and the permanent residence application.
- What if I am not invited to apply or I miss the application period?
- A: If you’re not invited to apply or if you miss the application period, you’ll have to wait until the next intake period.
- How long is the undertaking period for PGP sponsorship?
- A: For sponsors living in all provinces except Quebec, the undertaking period is 20 years. For sponsors living in Quebec, the undertaking period is 10 years.
- What happens if my application is refused? Can I appeal the decision?
- A: Yes, if your application is refused, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board within 30 days of receiving the decision.
Requirements once your PGP application is approved.
If your parents’ and grandparents’ permanent residence application is approved If your application gets the green light, your parents and grandparents, and any dependants coming to Canada with them, will need to provide us with:
- Their passports, or photocopies of their passports (we’ll clarify which one is needed)
- Two photos (front and back)
- The receipt for the right of permanent residence fee, if it hasn’t already been submitted.
IRCC will inform you where to send this information. Once we have everything and have finished processing the application, we’ll send them:
- A document verifying that they have been approved to become Canadian permanent residents (known as a Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or COPR)
- A permanent resident visa, if necessary.
If your parents and grandparents hail from countries where a visa is required to enter Canada, IRCC will issue them a permanent resident visa in their passport. This applies even if they’re already in Canada.
Make sure to check the expiry dates on the permanent resident visa and eCOPR. Your family members will need to present their COPR and permanent resident visa (if issued) to a border services officer or immigration officer in Canada before their documents expire.
More information on how your family members can prepare for their arrival can be found here.
If your parents’ and grandparents’ permanent residence application is refused In case the application gets rejected, we’ll inform you:
- The reason for the refusal
- How to challenge the decision.
How long does parents and grandparents sponsorship take in Canada?
The processing time for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship in Canada can take up to 24 months. However, it’s important to note that many applicants received their Permanent Residency within just one year during 2022. Processing times can vary depending on the complexity of the application, the volume of applications received, and whether the application is complete. Always ensure to provide all the necessary documents and information when applying to avoid delays in processing.
Remember, this is general information and the exact requirements and procedures can change. Always consult with the latest information from the official IRCC website or consult with a legal immigration professional.
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