On May 21st, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) reopened, marking the fourth consecutive year that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will select eligible applicants from the 2020 pool. This continued reliance on the 2020 intake means that new sponsors in recent years have not had the opportunity to enter the PGP candidate pool to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada for permanent residency (PR).
For those unable to participate in the PGP, there remains another viable option to reunite with their loved ones: the Super Visa. While distinct from the PGP, the Super Visa allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada on a long-term, temporary basis.
Availability of Super Visa vs. PGP
The PGP is only available once per year, and with IRCC focusing on the 2020 pool, many potential sponsors have not been able to apply. The PGP operates on a lottery system, where sponsors are chosen randomly for invitations to apply for PR. This limited window of opportunity contrasts sharply with the Super Visa, which accepts applications year-round, giving sponsors a much higher chance of success.
Eligibility Requirements
Both the PGP and Super Visa are accessible only to the parents or grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. However, the application process differs significantly between the two programs:
- PGP Requirements:
- Sponsors must have submitted an Interest to Sponsor form in 2020.
- Applicants must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or registered Indian under the Canadian Indian Act, 18 years or older, residing in Canada.
- Sponsors need to meet the Minimum Necessary Income (MNI) requirement and commit to a 20-year financial undertaking.
- Super Visa Requirements:
- Applicants must be outside of Canada at the time of their application.
- They need to provide proof of their relationship with a Canadian host, proof of the host’s status in Canada, and evidence that the host meets the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO).
Additionally, under both programs, sponsored individuals must not be medically or criminally inadmissible.
Immigration Outcomes
The outcomes of these programs also differ in terms of residency status. Under the PGP, successful applicants gain PR status, granting them the right to live and work in Canada permanently, with most of the same rights as Canadian citizens.
In contrast, Super Visa holders are granted temporary resident status, similar to a work or study permit. They can stay in Canada for up to five years, with an option to extend for an additional two years—allowing for a maximum stay of seven years at a time before needing to leave.
Costs Involved
The cost of applying for these programs varies as well. For the PGP, the principal applicant pays $1,205 CAD, which covers sponsorship and processing fees as well as the right of permanent residence fee. Super Visa sponsors, on the other hand, need to meet LICO criteria but benefit from the absence of PR-related application costs.
The Super Visa provides a flexible alternative to the PGP, allowing Canadian families to reunite without waiting for the limited openings in the PGP process.