IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) has recently announced an update to their Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). They will be accepting a maximum of 15,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the PGP this year.
Starting on October 10, IRCC will send out invitations to apply to approximately 24,200 potential sponsors who have expressed interest in receiving up to 15,000 complete applications.
To prioritize the remaining forms from the 2020 pool, randomly selected potential sponsors from that pool will be sent invitations to apply rather than opening a new interest to sponsor form.
If you submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020 but have yet to receive an invitation to apply in 2021 or 2022, it is recommended that you check the email account you provided in 2020 when you submitted your interest to sponsor form.
Family reunification is a fundamental aspect of Canada’s immigration system. The Canadian government is dedicated to assisting its citizens and permanent residents in sponsoring their loved ones to live and work in Canada. This commitment is evident in the high number of admissions for parents and grandparents under the Multi-Year Levels Plan through the Parents and Grandparents Program.
To facilitate family reunification, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept up to 15,000 complete sponsorship applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program this year. Starting on October 10, 2023, IRCC will send invitations to 24,200 potential sponsors and aims to receive up to 15,000 complete applications within two weeks.
These invitations will be allocated randomly to eligible potential sponsors from the existing pool of submissions from 2020, following the same approach used for the 2021 and 2022 intakes.
Applicants invited to apply in the 2023 intake can continue to use the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal to submit their applications electronically. This digitization effort is part of the government’s aim to modernize Canada’s immigration system, simplifying and expediting the application process while ensuring its integrity.
Super Visa
The Super Visa is a widely chosen option for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to bring their foreign parents and grandparents to Canada. This temporary visa allows parents and grandparents to stay with their family for up to five consecutive years without renewing their visitor status.
Super Visa holders can enter Canada multiple times for up to 10 years. Additionally, existing Super Visa holders may have the chance to apply for an extension, allowing them to remain in Canada as a visitor for up to seven years.
It is crucial to note that the Super Visa does not operate on a lottery system and is available throughout the year. Therefore, it is deemed an excellent choice for individuals seeking more certainty when sponsoring their parent or grandparent.
To be considered eligible for the Super Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
2. Must not be inadmissible to Canada based on criminality or health grounds.
3. Demonstrate the ability to fulfill the Low-Income Cut Off (LICO) income requirements.
4. Provide a signed invitation letter from their child or grandchild residing in Canada, which includes a commitment of financial support for the entire visit duration and a comprehensive list of household members.
5. Present proof of medical insurance coverage for at least one year with a trusted Canadian insurance company.
Immigration Levels Plans
The Immigration Levels Plan outlines the objectives of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding welcoming newcomers to Canada. In 2022, the IRCC invited 23,100 possible sponsors to enroll to sponsor their parents and grandparents to receive 15,000 complete applications.
The IRCC aims to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents as the newcomer target for Canada in 2023. Additionally, the goal is to bring in 28,500 parents and grandparents during the same year.
By 2025, Canada aims to achieve a newcomer target of 500,000, with 36,000 parents and grandparents being welcomed.
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