Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship (PGP) program that allows them to immigrate to Canada. PGP enables sponsored relatives to become permanent residents of Canada and receive all the benefits of life in Canada such as free healthcare, freedom of work, etc. Eventually, sponsored parents and grandparents can become Canadian citizens.
About the Process of the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program
Not everyone who wishes to sponsor their loved ones and submitted an interest to sponsor form receives an invitation to apply for the parent and grandparent sponsorship program, even if potential sponsors meet all eligibility criteria. Each year, Immigration Canada sets an intake limit and sends out lottery invitations to apply to sponsors.
As of 2022, there are three stages of the process. Firstly, potential sponsors should submit an Interest to Sponsor Form to the Department of Immigration. Secondly, sponsors must receive an Invitation to Apply. Finally, if you are invited, you must submit the whole application package with all supporting documents to the government.
How long does it take to process a PGP application?
The processing time for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program is from 20 to 24 months, depending on the case’s complexity.
Eligibility Criteria for Potential Sponsor
Only Canadian citizens or permanent residents 18 years of age or older can sponsor their parents and grandparents.
To be eligible to sponsor their parents and grandparents, the sponsor must meet the minimum income requirements to prove they can support the sponsored family upon arrival in Canada. Income requirements vary based on the size of the family already living in Canada and the number of sponsored members.
As part of the 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program, the Government of Canada assesses sponsor income for 2020, 2019 and 2018 tax years.
In addition, all PGP participants must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits the sponsor to provide financial support to sponsored individuals for twenty years.
Can I sponsor more than one person?
Yes, a sponsor can support more than one person as long as they meet the income requirements for supporting any parent or grandparent they wish to bring to Canada.
What if I didn’t receive an invitation to apply or didn’t meet the eligibility criteria?
The demand to sponsor their parents and grandmothers is so great that the Canadian government has to limit the acceptance of applications. For this reason, not everyone receives an invitation from IRCC. In addition, not everyone meets the financial eligibility criteria. However, there is an alternative, and that is the Supervisa for Parents and Grandparents!
What is Supervisa for Parents and Grandparents?
Supervisa allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to enter Canada multiple times over ten years. Unlike a multiple-entry visa, which is also valid for ten years, one visit can last five years instead of six months with an option to extend their stay for another two years.
To obtain a Supervisa, parents and grandparents must have a signed letter of invitation from the child or grandchild with a commitment to financial support during their stay in Canada. In addition, parents and grandparents have to get medical insurance in Canada that covers a minimum of C$100,000.
We understand your desire to bring your dearest family members to Canada; that is why our team of professionals has kept a focus on family reunions for many years. Our immigration specialists will help you at every stage of your parent’s and grandparents’ immigration to Canada, exclusively with an individual approach and complete competence.
Book a consultation on sponsoring parents and grandparents in Canada with Oleg Schindler, a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant!