The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will reopen later this month, as Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) prepares to send out invitations to potential sponsors. Starting on May 21, 2024, IRCC plans to issue 35,700 invitations, aiming to approve 20,500 complete applications.
Eligibility for the Next Round of the PGP
The upcoming round of the PGP will focus on candidates from the 2020 intake. Those receiving invitations submitted their profiles in 2020, continuing the trend of selecting applicants from this pool for the fourth consecutive year. The selection process follows a lottery system, where invitations will be sent to sponsors through the email they provided in their interest-to-sponsor form. IRCC advises sponsors to check their email regularly from May 21 onward, as invitations will be sent within two weeks.
Steps to Achieve Permanent Residence Through the PGP
To successfully obtain permanent residence (PR) through the PGP, applicants must meet all eligibility requirements. This includes being a Canadian resident, meeting income thresholds, and signing an undertaking to financially support their parents or grandparents. Sponsors who are eligible for the 2024 round must not have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
Once an ITA is received, sponsors must submit their application via the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Residence Portal, adhering to the deadline outlined in the invitation email.
Overview of the PGP
The PGP program is part of Canada’s family reunification initiative, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Upon arrival in Canada, sponsored parents and grandparents are granted PR. Sponsors must commit to supporting them financially for up to 20 years, or 10 years in Quebec.
What to Do If You Are Not Selected
For those not selected through the PGP, IRCC also offers the Super Visa program. This option allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to visit Canada for extended periods. The Super Visa is valid for up to five years, with a potential two-year extension, and applications are processed year-round. Unlike the PGP, this visa grants temporary residency, not PR.
For more details on both the PGP and Super Visa programs, visit the official IRCC webpage.